Photo: © TVB Salzburgerland/Wolfgang Watzke.
The best accommodation for the key dates next season is likely to sell out by mid-summer. This is particularly the case for resorts like Meribel, Val d’Isere and Courchevel, so it’s a good idea to think about booking now. Half term will be the hardest week in which to find vacancies since Britain, Belgium, Denmark, Holland and much of France all share the same holiday dates.
And if you like the idea of a summer holiday in the mountains there’s still time to book a week in the Alps, with a wide choice of action sports to try – ranging from cycling and golf to horse-riding and white-water rafting.
Alpine Summer Deals
Kaprun for £349pp with Inghams
Kaprun is situated high in the Hohe Tauern National Park and offers a huge range of outdoor activities during the summer. Choose from horse-riding or llama trekking to high-rope courses and rock climbing. Paragliding and parachuting are popular sports in the region as well as mountain biking and summer skiing on the glacier. Seven nights, half board at Chalet Mara is now from £349pp, saving £293pp, departing June 28, including return Gatwick-Salzburg flights and resort transfers. Flights are also available from Manchester (+£49) and Birmingham (+£49). For further information visit Inghams.
£400pp in La Plagne with Esprit Sun
Belle Plagne provides a great backdrop to an active summer family break. Stay in Chalet Hotel Des Deux Domaines located close to the village centre for £400pp (was £526pp) This price is based on a family of four, (two adults and two children under 12) at £1,600 (was £2,104) staying in a Paradiski suite, travelling out on July 9. The prices includes return flights from Gatwick to Geneva, resort transfers, day trip to Annecy, guided walk to a traditional dairy farm, morning Sun Squad and Sunset Club for children and seven nights catered accommodation. The Chalet Hotel has spa facilities including an indoor swimming-pool, sauna, steam room, indoor and outdoor hot-tubs. More details from Esprit Sun.
Also see our features on summer skiing and the top Alpine spots for easy cycling.
Early Season Ski Deals
Val d’Isere from £979pp with VIP Ski
VIP Ski has 13 chalets to choose from in Val d’Isere and Aspen Lodge Suite 8 is situated right in the heart of the village. The Suite sleeps eight people and has four bedrooms with funky designer bathrooms. Prices for seven nights start from £979pp (previously £1,079pp) based on two people sharing and departing January 11. Includes return flights from Gatwick, coach transfers, catered chalet board. As an added early booking bonus, book Aspen Lodge Suites the week commencing January 11 and you’ll also receive free Espace Killy lift passes. Book the week commencing January 18 or 25 and they’ll give you a Buy-One-Get-One-Free deal on lift passes. For further information visit VIP Ski.
Photo: © OT Val d’Isere/JP Noisillier/nuts.fr.
Sainte Foy for £1,500 per room and free creche place with Premiere Neige
Book a catered family ski holiday in Sainte Foy for January or March and you’ll receive one free six-day creche place per family, based on a minimum of two adults and one child booking. The total £1,500 (flights not included) price is based on taking one room for seven nights in The North Face or The South Face chalets. Dates are for all weeks in January and March except the week commencing March 28/29. More details from Premiere Neige.
La Plagne apartment from £480 with Pierre & Vacances
Book early and save up to 20% on accommodation in La Plagne – also valid in school holidays. The resort has a wide range of beginner and intermediate runs and the Pierre & Vacances three-star Residence Le Quartz in Belle Plagne is near the centre of the village. Seven nights in the residence, arriving January 3, is available from £480 (originally £600, so a saving of 20%) for a one-bedroom apartment sleeping up to four people. For further information visit Pierre & Vacances.
Gatwick and Stansted parking discounts
There’s 15% off airport parking at Gatwick and Stansted with I Love Meet & Greet this summer, provided you book before the June 30 using code SUM1406. This is valid for all travel from now to the end of the year.
Samoens from £96 with Peak Retreats
Book before August 11 and you’ll get 20% off at Les Fermes de Samoens. Located in the peaceful part of Samoens village, it is a great base for accessing the extensive Grand Massif ski area. Seven nights self-catering at three-star Les Fermes de Samoens from £96pp. Other deals are also available for Tignes, Valloire, La Rosiere, and Sainte Foy. More information from Peak Retreats.
Photo: © OT Samoens.
Tignes from £501pp with Alpine Elements
Take an early ski break in snow-sure Tignes staying at the Telemark Apartments from £501pp, with an extra £100pp off for early bookings. The apartments are opposite the Chaudanne lift in Tignes-le-Lac, are well equipped and have access to the swimming-pool, sauna, steam room and gym. Flights are from Gatwick on December 13, although other airports are also available. In addition there’s a 2-4-1 deal on ski and snowboard hire at present. Further details from Alpine Elements.
Avoriaz apartment for eight for £4,094 with Powder Beds
There’s 10% off a half term holiday at ski-in ski-out Residence L’Amara in Avoriaz, arriving February 14 for seven nights and staying in a three-bedroom apartment sleeping eight people. The total apartment price is now £4,094 (was £4,549, so a saving of £455). If you book by June 30 you can also benefit from 50% off the half term week in La Rosiere, Flaine, Meribel, Les Carroz, Tignes and Arc 1950 – with an early booking deposit of 10% instead of the usual 20%. More information is available from Powder Beds.
La Tania from £759 with free childcare with Le Ski
You can now save £260pp on selected dates, with qualified nannies to look after your children in the tour operator’s purpose-built creche in La Tania for free. The dates are the weeks beginning February 1, 8 and 22; March 1, 8, 15 and 22, with the holiday price in Chalet Le Rabel or Chalet MarMau from £759pp for seven nights half board including flights and transfers. Further details can be found at Le Ski.
La Plagne from £395pp with Alpine 365
There’s a saving of £100pp in La Plagne if you book by June 30, plus lift pass offers on certain weeks. For example a week in traditional Chalet Epicea, fully catered with a professional chef, hot tub, and sleeping 13, is now £395pp (was £495pp). You’ll also receive a Paradiski area lift-pass for the price of a local La Plagne pass. Flights are not included. More information from Alpine 365.