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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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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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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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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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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With varied landscapes, high mountains and big skiing areas, France is a famous destination for tourism all year around and particularly for ski enthusiasts in winter. Every resort proposes entertainment and events throughout the season such as ski competitions, music festivals, and freestyle events. We have chosen some famous French resorts for you to discover:

Avoriaz is in the heart of Les Portes du Soleil: a large skiing area shared between France and Switzerland. Each year, Avoriaz offers plenty of activities and events that will be the highlight of your ski holidays. Last January saw the resort holding the Snow Energy Festival: a big carnival on skis, with DJ sessions. But that’s not all, in April, the first edition of the Go Wild Outdoor Music Festival was held in Avoriaz: a whole week of free concerts on the slopes, with concerts announced by SMS every day. Keziah Jones did a great performance, as usual, but we wonder who will be there next year?

But France is also all about families and Les Gets ski resort is one good example. Considered as one of the best family-friendly resort, Les Gets offers a whole area just for kids and completely free. The area called Mappys will amaze your kids with Native Americans. Unusual but true!

For sport junkies head to Les Deux Alpes and Tignes! On the first hand, Les Deux Alpes proposes a range of various sports to practice such as: sleigh riding, snowmobiling, paragliding, and climbing, among others. Our favourite one is definitely the bumper cars on ice! On the other hand, Tignes is the highest resort in Europe. Thanks to this, it is even possible to ski in summer. But that is not all, during the ski season, Tignes held the Winter X-Games Europe for the second time, with all the best freestylers performing right in front of you. The event will be back next year in March, so now you can’t say you don’t know!

France is the right destination for ski holidays and these resorts are just a small example of what you will experience there.

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Ski lessons are designed to help both those who have a basic mastery of the sport and beginners.  They are also designed to help all age groups.  For this reason beginning ski lessons may involve young children or older adults who are trying their craft on the slopes for the first time.  Ski lessons are generally chosen by skill level ranked by the level of hills that a skier is comfortable on as well as their skills.

At the end of each ski lesson course skiers are given an evaluation so that they are aware of what skill level they are at so that they can properly choose the next level of instruction.  It is important that a skier never attempt to master a level that they have not yet reached as it could result in serious injury and the instructor will most likely shift their group assignment if they feel they are up to the task.

Ski lessons are generally taught either in groups or individually in private lesson form.  Private lessons naturally cost more, but sometimes for younger children and those who are having difficulty mastering skills it is a necessity.  A private lesson also usually lasts longer and includes much more practice on the slopes making it a formidable choice for those who are serious about learning the sport.  Before you travel to your ski destination there are now even real snow indoor ski centres for lessons located in the UK.

In addition, championship and skill ski lessons are also available as well as traditional alpine skiing.  Most people choose to take alpine skiing lessons but those who want to learn specific skills such as moguls or ski jumps will benefit from taking skilled ski lessons instead.  These also are offered in various levels of skill and by age.

Most ski resorts offer some type of ski lessons at their various slope destinations, but during the peak ski season can become quickly booked up especially if they are located in extremely popular tourist locations.  For this reason it is a good idea to book ski lessons ahead of time for your group of individual members to assure that an opening is available upon arrival.

Many times ski lessons come included as part of a package deal or a travel deal so pay close attention to what is included in your ski package to avoid paying twice for the same service.  Also take note of the classes and levels that are included in packages as not all classes may be available.

Children in particular are great candidates for ski lessons as it allows children to learn the needed skills on the hills while adults have the benefit of taking advantage of the alternate supervision to try out some of the more difficult pistes.

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If you are somewhere in between the two extremes, there are so many options that you’ll need to narrow your search down to specifics or end up scratching your head in indecision until the snow melts.  Remember also that the earlier you book your accommodations, the more likely there will be special deals, even freebies, such as day-care for the kids.

First you need to decide on when you want to go and how long you want to stay; because that’s going to affect the rates you’ll pay.  Then there’s the question of whether you’re taking the family or just a friend, or taking no one and hoping to meet up with a kindred soul.

All these factors and many more should be taken into account when making a decision amongst the plethora of options for France ski holidays.  You will find that almost all of them offer at least a few bunny slopes, but a limited number can provide a glacier with lifts.  Some are geared more to nightlife than to exhausting daytime adventures, but you will probably want some of both.

Try not to be confused by nomenclature.  Some of the ‘summer villas’ become ‘ski chalets’ when the snow falls.  There are ski villas in France, ski chalets, ski resorts and some that just expect you to know them by name, such as Chamonix.

This area has five separate ski areas and is world-renowned for its stunning scenery and variety of terrain, crowned and dominated by the massive Mont Blanc.  Here the skiing is arguably the most challenging in the world, but you will also find heated indoor swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, sunbeds and saunas and enough lively nightlife to satisfy the most diverse tastes.

The same is true of so many places that offer ski holidays that you need to narrow your search even further.  Some are ‘fully catered’ chalets where the price includes such perks as a private chauffeur, private lessons, a personal masseur or masseuse and the daily newspaper of your choice, to name but a few of the luxuries available.  The great thing is that the opportunities are endless, if money is no object or if the budget is your main concern, you will find plenty of options from which to pick and choose.

It will pay to make a list of your favourite activities, but first check out the possibilities:  climbing frozen waterfalls, dog-sledding and bobsledding, ice skating and skidoos may not even have entered your mind, but these and just about anything else you can think of, with the possible exceptions of camel rides in the sand dunes or cactus-watching, will be on offer on France’s ski holiday smorgasbord.

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With a wealth of mountains and quality facilities found on them, France has so much to offer every type of ski and snowboard enthusiast, as well as those who enjoy the myriad of other winter sports that are available across France’s Alpine regions.

Along with a wealth of skiing opportunities there are also a wealth of ski chalets available as holiday rentals, to offer home comforts for tired skiing muscles.

A good place to start your search for the ultimate ski chalet is with The Chalet Experience, an owner operated small but flexible chalet accommodation company run by qualified resort managers.

One of their many offerings is Chalet St Martin, which is described as the perfect place for any skiing enthusiast. Just a couple of years ago to adjoining chalets were brought together and totally refurbished to make one great destination accommodation for a group of skiers.

Located on the mountain looking down over Les Gets village this is an idyllic and tranquil location. This does not mean that this home away from home does not offer the very highest quality of facilities including a bath for every ensuite, as well as separate children’s and adults lounges, and an additional lounge styled like a bar, as well as a boot room which is heated and a larger size ski locker.

There are of course British TV channels available on the high end flatscreen TV as well as DVD and PlayStation facilities, as well as old-fashioned board games to while away the evenings.

Another well-known company offering ski chalet accommodation is Chalet 1802. They specialise in offering chalets that are in the very best locations and finished to the most luxurious standards, all of which are fully catered by top quality chefs.

Staff are picked for their friendliness and their attention to the finest details in order that they will be able to serve your every need while relaxing and skiing.

One example of their quality ski accommodations is Chalet Sous Les Bois, regarded by many as one of the best quality accommodations to be found in Chaminix. It offers every facility including the very finest in contemporary Italian furnishings as well as a bathroom that bears the Starck brand name.

This three floor chalet offers a huge 350 m² of accommodation, which includes no less than five very generous master bedrooms capable of being home for up to 10 people, each of the bedrooms is of course ensuite.

On the third floor there is 100 meters of luxury living area with the centrepiece being a large log burning fire as well as gigantic floor-to-ceiling picture windows offering stunning views. There is even a bar as well as a TV snug. The Chalet offers a driver at any time of day to take you anywhere in the area at your convenience.

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is an unforgettable experience. It is also a fantastic place to get some really cracking ski holidays. These can include ski chalet and hotels in one of the best skiing countries, including Europe’s largest ski area the 3 Vallees where you can enjoy Courcheval, Meribel, as well as Val Thorens. The skiing at these resorts is suitable for all levels of skier, so if you haven’t skied before or you are a black run specialist, you will find it in the 3 Vallees. Don’t forget Paradiski either which was created in 2003 by joining the resorts of La Plagne, Peisey-Vallandry and Les Arcs, by the new superfast Vanoise Express transfer cable car, Paradiski provides 425kms of runs one of the biggest and above all most varied ski areas in the world.

That is not all that is on offer from this winter skiing playground, L’espace Killy offers some of the finest skiing and snowboarding, not just in Europe, but the world with renowned resorts like Val d’Isere and Tignes with the excitement and fun of après ski too. There are great last minute ski deals on offer either through snow train or flight and transfer, check our ski France, where the food is great, the runs fantastic and the snow is great.

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