November 7th, 2008 - Posted by: Powder Monkey

Ski Holiday Bargains in December

The well-reported dump of snow across the French Alps last week has fuelled expectation among winter sports fans of another bumper snow year. Over half a metre of snow fell in some places and, although it warmed up over the weekend, there has been a steady accumulation of snow above 2500m for the last couple of nights. Die-hard skiing enthusiasts are already enjoying knee-deep powder on the glacier in Tignes although other French resorts are not scheduled to open for several weeks. Here in Chamonix the lifts are not due to open fully until Christmas while most of the high-altitude resorts are opening between the end of November and the middle of December. Pre-Christmas there are some great bargains waiting to be snapped up and with conditions like these you won’t want to miss out.

Knee-Deep Powder in Tignes 30th October 2008

Read on for accommodation and flight deals for skiing before the busy holiday period in some of the most snow-sure resorts in Europe…

Prices are for departure on 13th December and exclude flights. Flights can be purchased from Snowjet on this date from £69 one way including all taxes and charges, a free 20kg baggage allowance and free ski carriage.

Tignes
The obvious choice is Tignes. If the above image doesn’t convince you, perhaps these figures will: the accumulative snow depth on the upper slopes is currently 160cm (3450m) and there is already 10cm of snow at resort level (2100m). The Grande Motte Glacier in Tignes has already been open for a month and more lifts will open over the coming weeks. Neighbouring Val d’Isere is due to open at the end of November so that visitors to either resort in December will be able to ski the whole of the Espace Killy.

White Horizon Chalets currently have pre-Christmas availability in a top notch selection of catered chalets in Tignes with prices starting at just £169 per person per week.

Val Thorens
The Val Thorens marketing department must have thought long and hard about a tag line for the highest resort in Europe (2300m) before coming up with ‘The higher the snowier’ – as if we didn’t know. What I didn’t know, until researching this blog, is that Val Thorens has no fewer than 5 lift-accessed peaks over 3000m – a very safe bet for skiing in December. VT is hosting a week long 13th a freestyle ski and board festival beginning on 13th so there will be a great buzz around the resort.

Visit the Val Thorens website and you could pick up a package including 7 nights self catering accommodation, lift passes and aqua passes for just 230€ (price based on full occupancy of a four person studio apartment).

Les Arcs
Les Arcs opens its lifts to skiers on the 13th, so ski pre-Christmas and you will be among the first to get in some turns in the area. Les Arcs boasts 200km of marked runs so, even though the Vanoise Express link to La Plagne is not due to open until Christmas week, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy for 6 days. The highest lift-accessed peak in resort is 3226m and if you stay in Arc 1950, the pinnacle of the multi-centred resort you can be assured of good snow coverage right to your door.

Book a week’s accommodation in a top-of-the-range chalet residence complete with swimming pool, sauna and hammam in Arc 1950 through the official website and get a 20% discount. For just 280€ per person package includes 7 nights accommodation and 6-day lift passes (price based on 6 people sharing a 3 room apartment).

Chambéry is the local airport for Tignes, Val Thorens, Les Arcs, Val d’Isere, La Plagne and more. Book your flight to Chambery.

Tags: La Plagne, Les Arcs, Tignes, Val d'Isere, Val Thorens
Posted in News from the Alps, Skiing on the Cheap, Snowjet, Special Offers, Travel to the French Alps, Weather & Snow Conditions | 5 Comments »