Where to go for Christmas?

Hi babyrose

We have been skiing at Christmas a number of times and to be honest the snow cover can often be a bit hit and miss in Europe. Therefore I strongly recommend you chose a high altitude resort at that time of year (ie above 1800m).

Whilst I agree with the post that encourages you to look at other countries I would look carefully before opting for a low resort - which incidentally Austria has a lot of.

If you are still keen to head for France, a couple of the higher altitude places that we have found agreeable are Val d'Isere, Tignes (espace killy) or the glacial resorts of Les Deux Alpes or Alpe D'huez.

Hope that helps.
Regards
Lee
Simply Alpine

we went to valloire for new year, if we had been for christmas i think it would have ben very different. We were lucky to have a big fall on the second day. As beginners there was enough slopes for us.
The advantage of Valloire , we found was that is is a loverly village with lots ot se and do away from the slopes also.

Geoff Smith wrote:Hi Babyrose,

I would be careful about responding to one or two individual preferences (or prejudices). Ski resorts throughout the Alps have their pros and cons. If you want to get some objective information about ski resorts consult a copy of The Good Skiing and Snowboarding Guide by Peter and Felice Harding or Where to Ski by Chris Gill and Dave Watts. Alternatively you could look at their websites.

Isn't the "Good Skiing and Snowboarding Guide" compiled at least in part from reader reports though? I seem to recall finding some awful rubbish in it over the years.

leemac wrote:We have been skiing at Christmas a number of times and to be honest the snow cover can often be a bit hit and miss in Europe. Therefore I strongly recommend you chose a high altitude resort at that time of year (ie above 1800m).

In the past at altitude we've seen snow accumulations starting at 2000m in October leaving a nice base by Christmas. More recently that's not been the case and there's not been substantial snowfalls until well into December. When that happens high altitude stations can be utterly desperate, the base required is just so much higher than that required lower down. Some of alpine meadows round here need only a few cm to be skiable but higher up it's more like a minimum of a meter.

My memory of the last 5 or 10 years is that Austria's done rather better over Christmas but my memory could be fairly partial.

Hiya,

As frst time skiers you would be well advise to avoid the larger resorts in the Alps. They are usualy very, very busy during his period and you could eaily be put off by the aggressive attitude of the more "experienced" skiers.

Take a look at the French Pyrenees. You will find family friendly resorts - just as high as the Alps - and at a much reduced price. If you have never skied before why spend loadsa dosh on something you may not like? The Pyreees are cheaper all round - lift passes, resaurants, beer! So you can enjoy a family freindly holiday without breaking the bank.

Take a look at our site www.pyreneesholidays.net where we offer catered ski chalet holidays and chalets and apartments to rent. As first timers you would probably be best in a catered chalet where you will looked after properly - transfers, meals, help with lift passes, pre-booking of lessons and ski hire etc

Happy searching

Hi

La Clusaz is a fab resort for beginners and offers stacks of non-skiing activities to do in the aftrenoons if you have had enough skiing - ice skating, swimming (indoor and outdoor heated pools), snow shoe walks, dog sled rides, horse drawn carriage rides etc etc.

We can offer self catered or catered accommodation depending on your budget and as it's a family time of year there are usually loads of other kids in our catered chalet - a bit of company for your kids and a chance to relax for you.

We can also book everything you may need as a beginner, in advance of your stay, lessons, passes and ski hire so everything is a s easy and as enjoyable as possible.

Take a look at www.gravite.co.uk or drop us a private mesage via this forum.

Cheers - Dave

Were going to tignes in france for the 3rd year in a row for xmas and new year. Theres three familys going an all sort of experience between us! As people have mentioned you should look for somewhere high up, this resort is and usually has a good amount of snow! I have skiied in austria which to be honest, i do prefer but you cant beat the outdoor new year eve party in tignes!

I'm with austria! Allow me to suggest the badhofgastein area, I was wathcing something about hangliding last night.. anyone? anyways its apaprently the highest valley in austria, keeps snow very well, plenty to do, skating etc and snow is good, if not snow making is better! Ski school is full of english intstructors, can't go wrong!!