Ski Christmas

In just four months time the airports will be once again at their busiest as the peak Christmas ski week brings in holiday makers in their thousands. Its seems to me that it was only yesterday that the season drew to a close so this to us seems somewhat scary as it reflects just how quickly time flies by. From our assessment, the high quality chalets are now mainly booked, but there are a number of mid range, good quality chalets still available,  so its not too late to book!

Christmas Ski

Always a great time to be in the Alps, for that great white Christmas, some ski operators just make it that little bit more special. One such operator is Chamonix Exclusive where their four staff make sure that nothing is left to chance and that all the family have a very special, but importantly relaxing Christmas. And don't worry about carrying the presents. At Chamonix Exclusive you can forward them by mail and on your return elect to take up their forwarding service (charges apply) where they will pack up the presents and send them on to you.

Family Chalet

Christmas being a special time for family and friends needs a special chalet to celebrate Christmas in style and Chalet Prarion in the Chamonix Valley is probably one of the best ski chalets your find for warmth, style, facilities, outstanding service, and importantly value for money so you can spend more on those that go with you!! So for a great Christmas ski holiday, Chalet Prarion and Chamonix Exclusive is well worth a look.

The Longest Day

In under 4 weeks time we see the longest day, which in turn advises us that its only six months to Christmas!! Lets not wish our lives away too much, but I guess the new season won't be far away and the Christmas ski bookings that have already started as a flo, become a flood.

Gay Ski

As the season draws to a close, we have just learnt of a new site that will focus on gay skiing holidays for the gay community. Whilst some people might ask why a Gay Ski Blog is necessary, Pink Ski highlight that there is still some bigotry in resorts and with operators and that their site will just ensure a warm welcome, and that its customers know where to eat, drink, party and stay without any negative reaction, and therefore have a fabulous ski holiday.

Easter Ski

Here at Ski Christmas, the end of the Easter skiing holidays always signals the slow end to the season, before another season is upon which starts in November, but for most holiday makers the ski Christmas week. This year the Christmas and Easter ski weeks both had great snow so we're keep our fingers crossed that next year we are even luckier!

We'll of course keep blogging sin the meantime so please stay with us.

Ski In Ski Out - Family Chalet

Chalet Prarion in the Chamonix Valley offers a great luxury catered chalet retreat for a great family ski holiday. A large chalet (over 250 square metres) on three floors, the chalet includes a large hot tub, projection cinema, and much more. Six bedrooms, all en-suite provide capacity for 12 people. At £10,500 it provides outstanding value with four staff on hand (Professional Chef, Chalet Host, On Call driver, and Children Entertainer with optonal in house Nanny Service upgrade.

35 Weeks and 3 Days

Yes, you could be enjoying your next family ski holiday in just 35 weeks and 3 days time, or 248 days! Already there is a fabulous base down here in the Alps (380cm) with fresh powder all this week (20cm)!

Ok, the above is true, but it isn't of course going to last until the ski Christmas break, but every year we have been out at Christmas the snow has been fantastic. Strangely enough it is often fresh powder with few having skied the weeks before and typically a good snowfall in November and December.

So wax up those skies, you'll be on that plane in 248 days time!

Skiing Christmas

I guess you might expect a blogger of a Ski Christmas blog to suggest this is a great time to ski, but it is true, particularly if you are based in the UK! Lets start with the UK element, a Christmas skiing holiday enables you to getaway from that pre-Christmas madness and spend so time relaxing in a really idyllic Christmas location where the streets are snowy and white, and everybody seems to have stopped to actually celebrate the Christmas holiday, rather than get stressed by it!

And if you have children, a family ski Christmas holiday allows the children to enjoy a traditional Christmas landscape, but focus on much more than just Christmas Day itself. Yes there will be Santa, but there will also be skiing to take much of the energy out of them!

And on the day, if you have booked a luxury catered chalet, there will of course be the Christmas tree and decorations, but breakfast will be prepared for you, as will the traditional Christmas Dinner, and better still, no one has to peel the sprouts or clear up afterwards.

Finally, as for the snow, in my personal experience some of the best skiing and snow has been the Christmas ski week. Why, well it typically dumps and dumps November and December, few people have then skied the weeks before Christmas, leaving the perfect snow to practice perfect S's!  

Luxury Ski Resorts - Europe

I am often asked what resorts I would recommend for a great Christmas ski vacation so here is my list of luxury ski resorts for Europe in order of their charm, sophistication, Christmas ambience and appeal, skiing, and value for money:

1. Verbier - A great luxury high altitude ski resort that gets first place for its fantastic apres-ski, charming town centre, chocolate box charm chalets, and some great skiing. Also with so many chalets operating nowadays from Verbier, Christmas might not be as expensive as you thought.  
2. Meribel - In the middle of the three valleys, outstanding high altitude skiing, villages full of charm, and typically priced reasonably for such a world famous luxury ski resort.
3. Zermatt - Not going to win the value for money stakes, but then why does it need to? Great high altitude skiing, one of the most charming, and also traffic free, towns you can find, this is an expensive resort that is well worth the price for a charming ski Christmas break where you'll be surrounding by fantasic boutiques, and horse drawn carriages!
4. Chamonix - Probably the value for money destination to ski Christmas in Europe's best high altitude luxury ski resorts. A charming historic town centre that creates that traditional Christmas card look. The skiing isn't bad either with some of the best off-piste skiing in the world. Being a town, the boutique shopping will also delight the non skiers in the party! 
5. St Anton - If this was a blog for just singles, and people looking to party for their ski Christmas break, a St Anton Christmas might have been number one! But as its not, it slips down the list as a great 'dinkies' and single resort, but not ideal for families or for those looking for the value for money option!
6. Val d'Isere - If the best luxury ski resort at Christmas was based on charm, sophistication,  and great skiing, Val d'Isere and Zernatt would be topping the list. Value for money is not the reason to go to Val d'Isere, but then this is a luxury ski resort that is a class above the others so why shouldn't you pay for the privilege?
7. Courchevel 1850 - A chic resort that offers great skiing and a sophisticated nightlife. But as one of the most expensive resorts, personally for a ski Christmas holiday I would choose Val d'Isere or Zermatt.
8. Val Thorens - This luxury ski resort has to be on the list for its value for money, znd some of the best high altitude skiing, in the Three Valleys. Sadly Val Thorens won't give you that chocolate box Christmas card charm despite recent improvements to the architecture.
9. Tignes - For Tignes read Val Thorens and just change the words Three Valleys to Espace Killy. Great network, high altitude town too, but the ugly duckling of the luxury ski resorts.
10. St Moritz - Chic, exclusive, a great Christmas ski location for the rich and famous. Number 10 for its skiing however, lack of alpine charm (despite its exclusive appeal), and value for money. But if being seen in the most exclusive luxury ski resort at Christmas counts more than anything else, you might one to book this ski resort today!

Family Chalet

If you are a family ski group looking for a great family chalet, ran by a family friendly ski operators, this week we are going to provide a selection of 3 of the very best chalet operators who can ensure you make the right choices and have a great ski Christmas with the family. I guess if you are looking for a great family ski chalet, the first criteria has to be close to the piste to avoid otherwise dragging all the family ski equipment (and the children), into vans and / or down icy roads.

1. Ski In Ski Out

Well with Ski In Ski Out you won't get closer and this family run organisation will not only select you great ski in ski out chalet, they'll make sure its a family friendly ski chalet too! With chalets in Chamonix, Morzine, Park City Utah,  the Three Valley's - La Tania, Les Menuires), Val d'Isere, and Verbier to name a few, they are bound to have something that fits your budget, from good value catered chalets through to super luxury catered chalets that will leave your friends green with envy.

2. Discover Verbier

A well established family ski company that despite its growth, still has a family run, high quality philosophy.

3. Chamonix Exclusive

Ran by people who have been on family ski holidays themselves, so have a good understanding of your needs, this family chalet continues to get rave reviews year on year with many families returning time and time again to what one reviewer referred to as the "discreet wrap around service that gives Chamonix Exclusive the x-factor"

Luxury Catered Chalets Val d'Isere

For an unforgettable Christmas ski holiday, how could we not mention Val d'Isere a resort that has everything that you need for a great ski Christmas holiday:

• High altitude resort
• High altitude skiing
• Extensive skiing
• A beautiful and lively ski town
• Some of the best luxury catered chalets

Picking up the latter point, for a Christmas ski vacation, this is what really does make Val d'Isere the Christmas ski destination. If you are gong to have a very merry, and a very special Christmas, the setting must be right. And with Val d'Isere luxury catered chalets it is, as being high altitude you are guaranteed that white Christmas, the chalet you book as you arrive will have that stunning wood and traditional stone exterior, and inside, especially if you choose a Ski In Ski Out Chalets featured chalet, you'll find the interior full of character that many of us only expert to experience on the front of a Christmas card!  

Ski Chamonix Christmas

If you are looking for the perfect location to ski Chamonix at Christmas, then Chalet Prarion may well be the chalet for you. This high end luxury catered chalet sleeps 12 in 6 en-suite bedrooms and has an unrivaled south facing ski in ski out position.

Right next to the piste, this chalet is the finest of just three true ski in ski out properties in the Chamonix valley so don't delay if you don't want to miss out. HD Projection cinema, a luxury spa pool, Games Room are just some of its luxury ski chalet features.

Christmas Verbier

If you have just returned from your half term skiing holiday, you may already be pining for the next ski chalet holiday. If so, one great resort to consider would be Verbier. A great town, and a high altitude ski resort as well at 1,500m and skiing on the Mont Fort from 3,300m, this is a great snow sure resort.

Whilst we wouldn't recommend Verbier for very young family ski groups, for the older confident skiers in a family ski chalet party, this is a fantastic resort with so much to before the big Christmas day itself. A tasteful, and lively resort, a visit to Verbier at Christmas creates a fantastic ambience that Christmas cards try to mimic!

So if you want to get over the half term ski blues, you won't go far wrong with a Verbier Christmas ski holiday!

Ski In Ski Out

If you are looking for a great ski chalet for the Christmas ski break, then a ski in ski out chalet might just be the ticket, even more so if it is a family ski trip. Ski in ski out, or should it be ski out and then ski in? Either way it allows you to have your cake and eat it - without having to have walked back up difficult icy steps and paths, or stuffy buses!

Ski in ski out properties, well we think anyway, are properties next to the slopes and let you just leave the chalet, put on the skis, and ski, returning at the end of the day by skiing back to the very door. A great way to celebrate Christmas and ski in style and convenience.

Luxury Catered Chalets

If you are thinking of going on a skiing holiday of the Christmas holiday, here are a selection of some of the best operators for ski Christmas chalet accommodation:

1. Ski In Ski Out - if you are going to go on a Christmas skiing holiday, can it get better than just watching skiers gliding by, and when you want to join them, just popping straight out with no icy paths or cramped buses?
2. Chamonix Exclusive - for ski Christmas holidays run by a family specialists who provide true ski in ski out luxury catered chalet right next to the slopes with a Games Room, HD Cinema, Hot Tub, and much more.
3. Discover Verbier - grown significantly in ten years, but that because people keep wanting to come back. Loved for the great chalets they provide, the personal service you get, and their exceptional value in comparison to other Verbier chalet operators. 

So don't delay if you don't want to miss out on a great Christmas skiing holiday. 

Family Friendly Ski Resorts

If you are thinking about a ski Christmas break, you may want to consider a high altitude resort to guarantee good snow (although in recent seasons this has been far from necessary). However, a high altitude resort can far too often mean extreme skiing, so what we have listed here are three great resorts that balance family friendly with high altitude skiing:

1.  Courchevel 1850 - as it suggests, at 1850 its more than high enough, and its giant wide pistes near the resort ensure it is good for all abilities and being part of the Three Valleys, no issues with the family ski group getting bored before they open their presents (well not too quickly anyway),
2. Park City, Utah - worth the effort every time for its great skiing, fantastic snow, and the family friendly ski service that only the Americans can deliver.
3. Zermatt - chocolate box looks, vehicle free centre, high altitude skiing, and perfectly groomed pistes. If the family aren't wowed by this resort I would send them home on day one and adopt some new siblings!

Whatever resort you choose, we hope you have a great time, in a family friendly ski chalet, that will ensure every Christmas is a ski Christmas!

Christmas Val d Isere

If you looking to ski Christmas, Val d'Isere has to be one of the top ski destinations for the Christmas holidays. Set in the Espace Killy network, Val d'Isere offers snow safe high altitude skiing, and some outstanding luxury catered chalets, some of which have the added luxury of being ski in ski out.

Its not only the high altitude skiing (3,450m), it is also a high altitude resort, situated at 1,850, baring a freak of nature, its a guaranteed a white ski Christmas at your catered Val d'Isere chalet!

Ski Christmas Chamonix

This week we take a look at one of the best luxury catered chalets in the Chamonix Valley, Chalet Prarion. Situated on the piste in the exclusive ski area of Les Houches, this ski in ski out accommodation really is the ideal Christmas retreat. Sleeping 12(+2) people in 6 bedrooms, all en-suite, this really is an outstanding catered ski chalet and at just 10,500 GBP has to be one of the best value chalets to stay and ski from in Chamonix.

From the moment you arrive and see the skiers passing the ski chalet garden, and then enter this exclusive luxury ski chalet, you will just know you have entered the right place. The ski accommodation is on three floors and has a space of 240sq m. On the ground floor there is a games room (new for Christmas 2010/11) for the family after skiing, with a pool table, home cinema television, Wii, and table football to keep the children, and the parents(!) entertained for hours. On the main floor of this luxury catered chalet you will find beautiful leather sofas, High Definition Cinema Projection, and a beautiful centre piece log fire that lights up the living room and dining room. The dinning room itself should be referred to the banquet room, a large oak table in front of the log fire, looking out across the south facing terrace to the piste, where you will be served by their highly qualified chef. The bedrooms are also luxurious appointed and there are three are family sized rooms that can easily accommodate family ski groups younger members of the ski Christmas party if necessary.

All in all a great family ski Christmas retreat or get away mountain retreat for friends looking to ski Christmas in the Chamonix Valley at the best ski in ski out catered chalet Chamonix can offer.

I'm Dreaming of A white Christmas!

Well if you were out skiing today you may have been forgiven for thinking about Christmas, as in the trees it was picture perfect for any 'white Christmas' addict!

If you are looking for a ski Christmas break, skiing Val d'Isere has to be one of the number one destinations. Part of the Espace Killy network it has without question some of the best skiing in Europe, over 300km of pistes to be precise, as well as some of the best, and chic, nightlife in any French resort. If you haven't skied the French resort of Val d'Isere, you really have missed out. With ski lifts and pistes rising to 3,450m, with glacier skiing as well, skiing often starts n November so skiers looking to ski at Christmas needn't worry about whether the resort is snow sure or not!

So where to stay, Ski In Out operator www.skiinskiout-chalets.com offer several options in Val d'Isere, and all are outstanding luxury catered ski chalet properties. We've picked out two that stand out for which are:

• Chalet Yeti
• Chalet Mistral

But if you want to experience any of the great ski in out properties they feature, such outstanding luxury chalets, least of all in Val d'Isere, won't remain available for long so please book early.  

Ski Christmas - Recommended Luxury Ski Chalets: Part 1

If you are thinking about skiing Christmas in the future, the first thing to suggest is that you don't leave it until the last minute. Whilst demand isn't typically quite as high the ski New Year week, the ski Christmas is nevertheless still a week in peak demand, so you really should 'book early'!!


Ski Christmas Verbier

This week we are going to focus on a ski Christmas in Verbier, and for those that don't know Verbier, it is undoubtably one of the top ski resorts in Europe, with outstanding skiing, and fantastic nightlife too, ski Christmas Verbier weeks are not necessarily for the faint hearted! But if fun is for you what Christmas should be out, a ski Christmas in Verbier could be just the ticket, as for families as well as friends there is  something for all the family to do.


Luxury Catered Chalet Verbier

And if you are going to ski at Christmas, and Verbier is your choice, you will probably want to be fairly close to the Medran Gondola station which is the main access to the Verbier ski network. At this point you may be forgiven to thinking this is going to be expensive, or a huge compromise on the quality, but you would be widely short of the mark, as just a short walk away from the Medran you will find Chalet Flora Alp. Run by Sarah at Discover Verbier. Flora Alp is one of the original and oldest chalets in Verbier. The luxury ski chalet, with its traditional windows and wood structure, and open fire place provides a fantastic warmth, cosy, but still spacious, and with Discover Verbier operating the chalet, the service is pretty damned good too!

Ski Christmas

Christmas is undoubtably one of the most important events in the Westerns worlds calendar, and ski Christmas vacations are therefore always import in both Europe and America. Choosing the right ski Christmas holiday is therefore very important, although it isn't the easiest of decisions. This blog is therefore set up to try and take you over the coming months and years through some of the process, to assist in the decision making and ensure your Christmas ski holiday is a great one.

In our early posts we will therefore pay particular attention to ski conditions, atmosphere, picturesque resorts, and the best Christmas ski chalets loved by you, your ski family, and your friends.

Hope you enjoy and feel free to add a comment or send an article through.