Whilst there may not be enough time to book your piste-fix for the big day itself, your festive feeling doesn’t have to end when December 25^th comes to a close, and you can still get to that snowy setting before this year is out. Scour through resorts to find special Christmas deals for cheap ski holidays – you never know when you might find free transfers or special deals for families (because where better to spend time with your loves ones than on the slopes?)

But where’s good to go? Choosing your perfect setting can be difficult with so many great ones to pick from, but for that traditional Christmas atmosphere you really can’t beat a resort such as the Ours Blanc in Alpe d’Huez, France.

Alpe d’Huez not only offers slopes that are suitable for all levels of skiers – so that none of the family will be left out of the fun – but the high mountains provide some breath taking scenery to ensure that your Christmas holiday is picture perfect! Alpe d’Huez also offers some of the best prices for ski holidays in the whole of France – so you don’t have to break the bank to have some fun on the slopes!

Although staying at home might be the most appealing way to spend the holiday for many people, there is something truly magical about a family ski holiday over the festive season, and who can deny that a beautiful snowy mountain beats that dreaded rain and dreary conditions?

If you’re wishing that you booked a ski holiday this festive season, don’t despair, there’s still plenty of deals to choose from to ensure that you get your white Christmas!

Article for Eclipse Ski

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If you are interested in sightseeing rather than skiing then there are also plenty of options to do in this part of France. On the shores of Lake Geneva visitors will find spa towns which provide an opportunity for some great relaxation. Annecy is a town that provides a great base for those who wish to explore the Alps, including the most famous of them all, Mont Blanc.

Annecy has been nicknamed as the Venice of Savoie and it is a wonderful town to explore in both the summer and winter. Its name comes from the Italian town because it has a network of canals running through it. There is an old castle in the town which is located high above it and in this you will find a museum detailing the history and culture of the region.

LakeAnnecyis located in the centre of the town and this is the point where all the canals run to. There are some features to enjoy around the lake although these tend to be very busy in the summer.

Lake Geneva is located in the town and it forms the border between Switzerland and France. This can be explored on foot and there is also the option to rent a bike to explore its shores. There are also numerous water sports that take place on it such as sailing, and it is also possible to hire someone to take you on a relaxing boat trip. The water in the lake is beautifully clear and it is even being sold as a bottled mineral water.

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In Europe the ski season typically runs from mid December until mid April with the demand for ski products traditionally felt by retailers as early as October with sales typically peaking around late December.  In recent times however several retailers have noticed that consumers are buying in an anticipatory sense given that highly fashionable versions of ski jackets, salopettes and snow boots tend to sell out fast.

Determining when to head up the slopes can be tricky too and while you might romanticise the notion of spending Christmas amongst the snow or consider taking time off during your children’s February or Easter half-term breaks, a trip during March might be preferable as facilities are less chaotic and the weather could be nice enough to get a tan while you slalom (or stumble) down those slopes.

Once you’ve decided when and where you’re going, you’re likely to start thinking about what items you need to replace – or buy if it’s your first time – and these days the expectation is that what you’re wearing can’t merely be functional but also stylish!

Typically amateurs and snow addicts alike will opt to purchase fashionable ski jackets, salopettes or ski pants, snow boots, hats, goggle and of course skis and snowboards often with a visual theme running throughout.

The rise of the après ski scene has been responsible for creating much of the social pressure to look good up the mountain with socialising now considered a key part of the adventure for many.  For those unacquainted, après ski refers to drinking, going out, dancing and generally having fun with skiers and snowboards typically enjoying this atmosphere in the surrounding clubs and bars after their last run of the day.

The après ski scene has seen retailers capitalising on the trend for fashionable ski jackets, slopettes and snow boots too, resulting in an expansive variety of fabrics, styles and colours without forsaking the warmth and comfort required for sportswear of this nature.  With retailers reporting that demand is higher than usual for ski jackets and salopettes in particular, the collective suggestion is that consumers plan their skiing purchases earlier ensuring that more popular items are still available.

The pistes are ready for action on some of Europe’s finest slopes already and with the Scotland having received the UK’s first fall of snow this season is predicted to be an après skiers dream.

This article has been brought to you by GO Outdoors

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Your children may not jump with glee when you suggest a nice summer holiday in a cottage in the French countryside, but there is still plenty to do. The south of France offers up plenty of great places like Alpilles, Cannes, Marseille, Nice and St Tropez. Each of those places will provide great culture and history whilst been surrounded by a glorious landscape that waiting to be explored.

One idea for families is to explore the great outdoors in the south of France, so why not head into a bike shop and hire bicycles for the family, this way you can reach further and still take in the serenity of France.

If you are heading to France particularly to enjoy a biking trip, as many do, then you should consider heading to the likes of Alpilles with long mountainous regions with plenty of public trails. You could cut costs on your holiday by purchasing a mountain bike online rather than paying the sometimes pricey rental or retail costs of local suppliers.

Of course the south of France is so much more than beautiful countryside as it also has a relaxing way of life and an intoxicating culture that you will enjoy submerging yourself into. Museums, landmarks and shops selling local handmade products are just some of the delights that await those considering spending an unforgettable summer in France.

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France however, remains as one of the strongest economies in the Eurozone. In the third quarter of this year the French economy exceeded its growth expectations and this is led to many people from the UK viewing it as a stable place in which to invest in holiday property.

The editor of the guide has said, “President Sarkozy has recently announced that there will be a relief on tax for the wealthy in France and this will encourage wealthy people from the UK to move to the region.

The wealth tax in France will now only be available  to people with a wealth of over €1.3 million with the highest bracket being only 0.5% which comes in when your wealth exceeds €3 million. This means that as a general rule most people will be better off. In Spain the opposite has happened and it is becoming a less attractive region for the wealthy to move to.”

It is also expected that the rules the capital gains tax will change in France and this will benefit people who have invested in property in the past. If they sell within the next five years the amount of capital gains tax they pay will be less. If people do not choose to sell within this period they will be liable to pay more over the next five years but it means that inflation can be offset against tax.

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In recent years the trend for several ski resorts to come together to form a new ski area has been booming as they are able to benefit from saved costs. Together they will fund ski lifts as well as combine their marketing efforts and have tourist offices that are joined together. This trend is also popular in Switzerland where several ski resorts have also come together to form ski areas.

Italy is another area where this is common and the formation of The Aosta Valley brought together a great many individual resorts and now they benefit from a collaboration of their resources. Lake Annecy Ski Resorts is the latest group to become a part of this trend.

This is a wonderfully historic part of France and is easily reached from Geneva airport in under an hour by car. Those who’ve been to the region will know it is one of the most beautiful places to stay.

Unlike many of the collaborations mentioned here, this grouping is not some giant artificial ski resort, but more a collection of small hamlets which make you feel as if the modern world is far away. That said, there are a great many ski runs that stretch over 200 km and there are 85 lifts servicing the area. Snow cannons ensure that there is consistently good snow.

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As home to all of these notable industries, it should come as no surprise that the city offers some of the most famous tourist attractions in France, including church buildings, monuments, museums, gardens, historic ruins, and parks.  The churches of Lyon in particular are very attractive to visitors due to the architectural designs in use that are a mixture of both modern and ancient tastes.  Some of the most popular churches include the St Bruno Church, St. Bonaventure Church, St. Just Church, and the Notre Dame de Fourviere.

Outside of the typical attractions of Lyon, there are a also a few alternative stops you should make including the many opera houses spread around the city including the Vienne Roman Theatre, Tony Garnier Hall, La Bourse, Cour de Voraces, and the Old Court Law.  The most recognised monument in Lyons is the Cathedral St-jean, and this can be seen on a day out in the parks, that are charming and quaint and are wonderful areas to pass the time away given their lush greens and stunning fountains.

Every December on the 8^th is the Festival of Light that is a favourite among tourists and locals and is a celebration of the Lyonnais rescue from the plague by the Virgin Mary.  Also notable are the Bouchons restaurants that feature some of the best cuisine in France with wines and dishes that will stimulate and perk up your taste buds while on holiday.

The climate in Lyon is temperate which means that it can rain any time of the year, but it also means that temps are generally enjoyable throughout the year with the hotter summer months taking place from June to September.  There is almost never any snow in the city but during the autumn there is likely to be much more rain.

In terms of transportation there are two railway stations within the city and the metro system includes trains, trams, and buses as well as some trolleybuses.  Bicycling is also very popular in Lyons with a bicycle service lining the smaller streets and a public bicycle service.

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Those who want to see Paris may easily find that their entire holidays take place in just the one French city alone given the fact that there is so much to do in the city that the idea of leaving to explore other provinces will be difficult.  Within the city there are plenty of top rated attractions including the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and the Sacre Coeur.  Walking around the metro area of the city will also offer you some of the best shopping opportunities in all of France and some great dining choices.

For skiers a great destination in France is the Rhone-Alps as the Aples offer plenty of great skiing within Savoie, Val d’Isere, and the Haute Savoie mountains.  Within this area are also a whopping 28 nature reserves and six natural parks allowing for non-skiing activities as well.

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The Eurostar iPhone app is available for both the iPhone and Android devices, and will allow users to both book and manage their journeys between the UK and Paris, Lille and Brussels. Those passengers which book their journey using the Eurostar App will instantly receive their ticket, complete with electronic barcode, to their device. This mobile ticket is then just simply scanned when they check in.

Those who are members of either of the Eurostar Loyalty Programmes; Eurostar Plus Points and Eurostar Frequent Traveller, can also earn points through the app by booking and can check their point balance just by touching the screen.

The other functions that the Eurostar mobile app will have include a personal profile page where you can store things such as addresses and seating preferences and  live service updates that will keep keep passengers informed of any disruptions.

In addition, to facilitating booking amendments at the touch of a screen, the Eurostar App’s simple Express Exchange functionality offers Business Premier travellers the flexibility to change their journey details to fit around their busy schedules.

The free Eurostar App helps travellers;

- Make bookings for up to six travellers between Paris, Brussels, Lille and the UK on the go
- Check-in using mobile ticketing (NB: mobile tickets are not yet available for multiple bookings)
- Review booking(s) and journey details
- Amend booking using the Express Exchange functionality for Business Premier tickets
- Collect and review loyalty points on-the-go
- Access service updates and FAQs

Eurostar has also launched a mobile version of eurostar.com, to give its customers an enhanced online experience when using their mobile devices to access the website. The mobile website offers a simplified homepage, the ability to book and manage journeys as well as access to loyalty point balances and service updates.

Nick Mercer, Commercial Director for Eurostar commented: “Our aim is to make using our services as easy and seamless as possible. So with the majority of our customers now owning a smartphone, we are really pleased that we are able to provide a new suite of services that make booking and checking in even easier for them.

“The new Eurostar App and mobile website represent the start of many exciting mobile developments for Eurostar, which will help ensure we become the first choice operator of short haul travel from the UK to Europe.”

The Eurostar App, which was created by Backelite, is available for free from the App Store on iPhone or the Android Market on Android devices.

For more information on the new Eurostar app and to find other Eurostar deals such as cheap Eurostar tickets, interested parties can visit www.eurostar.com

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As the most popular skiing destination for British tourists, France is quickly becoming a great place for a skiing holiday. With services suitable for all capabilities and preferences, the ski resorts in France are some of the best in the world. So, what makes France so great? And what do you need to know about skiing here?

The first thing that you need to know about France is that it is diverse and varied in what it offers. This applies to both skiing abilities and personal preferences, with a number of additional services and features characterising the French skiing experience.

Skiing Areas

French skiing areas form four distinct areas which are all linked with one another. The French are well known for creating huge ski regions which are covered by a single pass. Modern lift systems characterise these areas, making them easily accessible and simple to navigate.

The main hub of French ski areas are focussed around the French Alps which boast the largest mountains in Europe. These mountains include the world famous Mont Blanc and make France an incredibly popular destination for skiing holidays.

Skiing Landscapes

The landscape of the French Alps is also diverse and provides the perfect backdrop to any ski holiday. The areas can sometimes be particularly cold and windswept during January but are generally ideal skiing destinations. The cover of snow is guaranteed between the months of November and April, offering great accessibility to those looking for a great ski holiday.

The different areas and landscapes in France mean that there are both low and high altitude skiing areas available, meaning that skiers of all abilities are able to enjoy the landscapes which France has to offer. The Alps provide a stunning backdrop and the combination of larger, high altitude resorts, and lower lying traditional villages mean that there is an abundance of variety within the landscape itself.

Ski Resorts

Ski resorts in France generally fall into one of two categories. The first of these is the more modernised, high altitude, resort. These are purpose built for skiing, meaning that there is a more modernised feel and atmosphere with great services and skiing features. The other alternative is more traditional skiing villages. These will be lower in altitude and will offer a more traditional skiing experience within small mountain villages.

The great thing about the ski resorts in France is that you can often find a number of different types of resort linked within a ski area. For example, one of the main four ski areas in France is the Three Valleys. This area comprises of a number of resorts, two of which are the Val Thorens high-altitude resort and the Courchevel Le Praz, mountain village resorts. Both of these resorts are linked to one another by falling into the same area but are very different in style and size. The former stands at 2300m (making it the highest resort in Europe), whilst the latter stands at a lower 1300m.

If you can’t wait to visit the French Alps then it is important that you start looking for Ski Holidays 2012 now in order to avoid disappointment.

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