J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Volf

Yes, it's always first weekend in April. Montgenevre is open later.

Like others I would recommend you drive. No doubt a hotel would cut you a long-stay deal. Rental agencies and owners will happily rent out self-catering apartments for a month in January or March at a good rate. Obviously you can go over Christmas New year etc. but the price would be much much higher. It is very doable, we have had a family ski with us for a month for 4 years running now. Plan early, pick and area, pick a resort, decide what type of accommodation realistically suits your needs. A season pass is generally cheaper over that period. Many season passes also allow free days in nearby resorts. Think sheets, towels, books, music and films; as well as favourite spices. You may find that some areas are easier to rent in than others (French resorts have lots of over-capacity in January) whilst in Austria and Italy there are more hotels and fewer apartments.

Thank you SwingBeep for a great post and being a lot more precise than me.

True, the directive has been in place for a while and studiously ignored by British companies. Brexit, may however, be one of the reasons that the French authorities have chosen now to take a stronger stance, as Switzerland did a few years back. I work in Montgenevre; and Nielson, Inghams and Crystal have all pulled out of catered chalets this season.

A lot of companies have reduced chalet options. They will be paying their staff local minimum wages / and adhering to work hours and conditions for the first time. So costs will go up.

Indeed, it shouldn't affect travel too much. More likely to affect the current British business model of cheap chalet staff... and possibly cost of flights.

Temperatures can be very different in January with -25c a possibility. Thermals and 'mid layers', such as fleeces to thin body-warmers are important. Your outer layer should be windproof. Wind chill is a killer. Make sure you have snood or neck warmer to stop the wind whistling down your neck. Powder masks work well if it is really cold. You want to make sure you have no exposed skin or draughty bits. It makes all the difference. Keep the core warm and the extremeties will stay warm. Silk glove liners are good. If it's really really cold then stop regularly for a warming hot chocolate or vin chaud.