by “It’s snowing like billy-o,” reported one happy Telegraph reader on holiday this week in La Plagne. And, after a great start with heavy falls in December – interspersed, it must be said, with plenty of blue days – heavier snow and cold temperatures have set up this winter as a classic in the Alps. As our snow specialist Patrick Thorne says: “These are some of the best January conditions in recent years.”
If that sounds appealing, and you haven’t booked yet, it’s time to get organised. All operators are reporting strong demand – chalet expert Le Ski says more than 80 per cent are already booked for the whole winter. There are only a few more weeks before peak February begins, and then an early Easter means fewer quiet weeks than usual in March. Here are the main things to consider.
Where
It’s a pretty picture of roses across much of the skiing world, thanks to snowfall and cold temperatures over the past week. The French Alps – particularly Chamonix, Flaine and the Tarentaise valley resorts (including La Plagne, Les Arc and Les Trois Vallées) – are heavily blanketed.
In Austria, St Anton and the Arlberg region have the best conditions; St Moritz in Switzerland has a base of more than 150cm (4ft 11in) after recent snow; and conditions are good across Scandinavia. Italy had a thinner time in December, but things have improved now – check individual resorts before booking or our latest snow report. In the Rockies, after a dry start, conditions are improving with the arrival of huge storms – check specific resorts if you’re looking for powder.
When
For those traveling without school-aged children, there are two main sweet spots – going up to the weekend of February 3 and 4, which have the added benefit of knowing the snow will be good, and then the for two weeks between March 9 and 23.
Half term, and to some extent Easter, make the rest of the calendar complicated, putting pressure on flights and accommodation, and greatly increasing the numbers on the slopes.
In the UK, many schools break for half term on Friday 9 February. The effect can be seen on the easyJet website – a return fare to Geneva from February 10 to 17, with hold luggage, is now peaking at £1,200 – completely impossible. for most of us. Some education authorities have set February 16 instead, and it’s easier to find flights and packages for that weekend (Crystal Ski still has some availability that week). That easyJet fee also drops to £300. But for the two weeks, accommodation is under intense pressure, due to the French annual holiday system, which rotates the dates in different regions.
This year Paris schools break up from 10 to 26 February, although plenty of French children will still be on the slopes until 10 March, as other regions follow Paris. In Austria, the big week starts on February 3rd (for Vienna and Vorarlberg), but all schools will be back by the end of February.
Easter skiing is less popular with the French, Austrians and Italians, so the impact on the resorts is lower, but it makes a big difference to the cost of flights and packages from the UK. Most state schools break on March 28 and air fares over the Easter weekend are already looking like a ban. Private schools, which break up on March 22, will have the advantage.
how
One thing is the general overview, availability with different operators is more variable – it depends on the flights and other travel options they offer, and the demand in individual resorts.
Inghams and self-catering specialist Erna Low say they have a number of options from the week of February 24. Peak Retreats recommends La Rosière and Montgenèvre in France for departures on March 16.
Among the chalet specialists, Purple Ski has some availability on January 28 and February 4 in Méribel and Val d’Isere. Specialist agent Ski Solutions, which deals with a wide selection of operators, chooses March 9 and 16 as the best weeks for full availability.
So, your best bet is to act spontaneously and get a deal now, or wait until March and hope for a cold, snowy February.
10 late discounts for spontaneous skiers
Le Ski is discounting rooms in Chalet Marmau in La Tania (Courchevel) from £1,467 to £1,099 for a departure on 28 January. The price includes flights (Manchester or Gatwick), transfers and chalet board.
Crystal has reduced prices at the Pension Eckatauerhof in Mayrhofen, Austria, for departure on 9 March from £1,085 to £825, half board, with Gatwick-Innsbruck flights and transfers.
At the top of the chalet market, Purple Ski is discounting Chalet La Varappe in Méribel for departure on 28 January from €25,810 (£22,129) to €23,229 (£19,914). It sleeps 10 and the price is for the entire chalet including meals and drinks. Flights and transfers are extra.
Inghams is offering a £440 discount per person on a holiday to The Moss hotel in Obergurgl, Austria, for a departure on 27 January. The reduced price is now £1,083, including half board and flights from Birmingham (other airports also available).
Self-catering chalet specialist Morzine in Elevation Alps has the following discounts: Chalet L’Anton sleeps 13, reduced from €8,100 (£6,944) to €7,100 (£6,087) for arrival on 27 January, and Chalet Reve, six at sleep, down from €4,000 (£3,430) to €3,200 (£2,744) for February 17 arrivals. Flights and transfers are not included.
Peak Retreats is offering a 10 per cent discount on apartments at the self-catering Alhena residence in Flaine for departures on 9 and 16 March. Before the discount, a one-bedroom apartment (sleeps up to four) costs £2,035 for March 16. week and £2,332 for the week of March 9. Includes Eurotunnel crossing for one car.
Ski World is discounting stays in the shared Chalet Arnaud in Les Arcs (sleeps six). It now costs £1,069, down from £1,439, for a chalet board for departure on February 3, including Heathrow-Grenoble flights.
Vacation stays at the Club Med residence in Pragelato Sestriere, Italy are available for departure on January 28. The price for a Superior Room with balcony, all-inclusive, including flights from London, is down from £4,119 to £3,769 – this is the price. total for two.
There is a £100 discount on Chalet Arpette by Ski Beat, in the center of La Plagne 1800, for the 27th January event. It now costs £969, including chalet board, flights from Gatwick and transfers.
The Ski Line is discounting Chalet Chez Bugi, a chalet that sleeps 12 in St Martin de Belleville (with access to Les Trois Vallées). It now costs £1,517, down from £2,333, for a week from February 4, based on full occupancy and excluding travel.
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a room for seven nights unless otherwise stated. They are subject to availability and subject to change at short notice.
