Patrick Thorne, Author at InTheSnow

The magic of Christmas in the mountains with plenty of snow to play in is hard to beat. Christmas Ski Holidays 2024 are the perfect way to combine the magic of Christmas with your passion for skiing. Whether you're envisioning a white Christmas nestled in the Austrian Alps or further afield our guide to the best festive ski destinations has you covered. Ski resorts are filled with twinkling lights, Christmas trees and festive fun with many staging advent markets too. For chalet companies there’ll be all the seasonal décor and special sumptuous meals to mark the occasion. The ski season is just getting started so there’s double anticipation for the season ahead and Santa’s arrival. Christmas Ski Holidays 2024 This year Christmas and Christmas Eve conveniently fall on a Tuesday and Wednesday so arriving the weekend before you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the build-up in resort and indeed a few days after the big day to recover before you head home after a wonderful week. Or you can always visit earlier in December, or even late November for some resorts, and enjoy all the Christmas build-up with fewer people and lower prices. We already have ideas and deals for Christmas coming into InTheSnow so read on if you’re in search of Christmas inspiration. Last Updated 21st November, 2024 - Please Note text below is from the holiday companies named, most deals are available for limited periods and some may have expired since we started adding them on 30.09.24. Austria - Christmas Ski Holidays 2024 Kitzbühel: Soak up the sights, smells and sounds of the Christmas market. From 20 November to 26 December 2024, a magical Christmas market fills the historic city centre of Kitzbühel for the annual Advent Market. The centre will be transformed with festively decorated stalls inviting visitors to stroll, try local produce and purchase artisan gifts for their loved ones. There will be live performances from local bands to create a festive atmosphere. Those who want to warm themselves from the inside will find something at the numerous mulled wine stands, which offer the ever-popular classics as well as specialties such as mulled gin. Of course, hungry people are also catered for - from doughnuts to crêpes and Tyrolean delicacies, there is something for every taste. The advent market will be open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 2pm to 8pm and is free to visit. Return flights from London Gatwick to Innsbruck for this period are available from £69 with easyJet. A seven night stay at Hotel Garni Entstrasser, arriving 21 December 2024 is priced from £792 pp based on two sharing a double room with breakfast included. Flights and transfers extra. Austria Inspiration Hub Canada - Christmas Ski Holidays 2024 Whistler: Save £100 Buy a lift pass at the time of booking, and save an additional £100 off the price of the holiday when in Whistler. Iglu Ski offers 6 nights from £861 per person, room only, at the 4* Crystal Lodge and Suites, Whistler, Canada, based on four sharing, departing from London Heathrow on December 4th, 2024 with transfers. USA & Canada Skiing Guide France - Christmas Ski Holidays 2024 Alpe d'Huez: Kick off the Christmas season at Chalet de l'Altiport Guests can enjoy the perfect lead-up to Christmas with Ski France's Chalets de l'Altiport, a ski-in, ski-out accommodation on the stunning slopes of Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine. This charming Savoyarde-style chalet offers a tranquil escape just 500 m from the lively resort centre, featuring bars, restaurants, boutiques, and leisure facilities including a swimming pool, ice rink, and cinema. With a free shuttle bus to the resort centre and a ski hire shop nearby, this chalet is ideal for all ski levels. Beginners can enjoy gentle slopes directly from their doorstep. At the same time, more experienced skiers can easily access the lifts at Les Bergers for a direct route to the expansive Alpe d'Huez ski area. A week’s stay, from 14 December 2024, costs from £378 pp / £4,538 total based on 12 people sharing a five-bedroom self-catered chalet. Flights, transfers, lift pass extra. Avoriaz: Say yes to Ski-joering in the Portes du Soleil Avoriaz Originating from Scandinavia, Ski-joering is a sport in which competitors wear skis and clutch reins attached to a wooden harness fitted onto one or more horses.. The sport can take various forms, namely precision-based events, obstacle races, or flat races around an oval track. This is the perfect combination of skiing and horse riding. Avoriaz guests can admire the beauty of the forests around them! Meet with the instructor, and horse, before taking the reins and walk, trot, canter and then gallop off into the snowy sunset. Prices range from £34 pp for an introduction, £50 pp for a stroll and £71 pp for an advanced level. A seven night stay at Pierre & Vacances Residence Electra arriving 21 December 2024 is priced from £1,971 / £492.75 pp based on four sharing a one bedroom apartment. Flights and transfers extra. Or book a complete package that includes flights and transfers from SNO from £870 pp based on 4 sharing flying from Stansted but with options to fly from all regional airports and £670 pp including Eurotunnel for your car if you self-drive. La Plagne: The `Magie de Noël’ Comes Alive Throughout Christmas week the popular French ski area of La Plagne embraces the “Magie de Noël”. Meet Santa in his chalet, see an elf parade, sip hot chocolate, enjoy festive events, fireworks and ski shows, and on Christmas Day, Santa Claus will ski between the mountain villages to meet children and families. Cosy up in the picture perfect Chalet Sorbier this Christmas, just 30m from the lifts in the heart of Plagne 1800. Walk out of the door, straight into the snow. Don’t lift a finger, the chalet host takes care of the chalet and the guests, and prepares breakfast, afternoon tea, three course evening meals with wine and a festive Christmas Day meal. Arrive on 21st December for £1366pp, based on two sharing an ensuite room, including meals, return Gatwick or Manchester flights and transfers with Ski Beat. ATOL protected. Or travel on 14th December, and be home in time to hang your stocking, for £936pp La Plagne: Enjoy Festive Family Fun Spending Christmas in La Plagne is like stepping into a snowy fairytale. Nestled in the French Alps, this charming ski resort transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. From 23–25 December, the resort becomes an enchanting haven for families, with surprise elf parades popping up throughout the villages. Children can visit Santa’s grotto, where they can hand-deliver their Christmas letters to the elves, who make special mail deliveries straight to Father Christmas. Adding to the magic, Father Christmas himself, along with his cheerful elves, can be seen gliding through the snowy streets on his sled fitted with skis, creating unforgettable moments. After a day of skiing or snowboarding, cosy up by a roaring fire in a traditional chalet, savouring hearty Savoyard dishes and sipping mulled wine. This winter, La Plagne unveils an exhilarating new experience set to take adventure seekers to new heights—quite literally. Introducing Aérolive, a world-first and exclusive to La Plagne, this breathtaking journey lifts you 3,080 meters above sea level in a way that defies convention. Aérolive features two extraordinary open-air cabins, newly added to the Glaciers gondola, which ascend to Live 3000, the highest point of the resort. A seven night stay at Residence Les Constellations, arriving 21 December 2024 is priced from £1,225 total or £306.25 pp for a one bedroom apartment sleeping four people. Flights and transfers extra. Or you can get a package ski holiday here at Christmas with SNO for £1017 pp including transfers and Gatwick flights, with most other regional airports available and a self-drive holiday with Eurotunnel car included at £942. La Rosiere 1850: An Alpine wonderland with Santa’s `Magic of Christmas’ Join in the `Magic of Christmas’ in La Rosiere 1850, high in the French Alps, where Santa will arrive in the days before Christmas in a festive parade, before leading families to the heart of the festively lit Chemin de la Forêt. Activities include a wishing tree, Santa’s mailbox, photo-calls and treasure hunts, and miles of skiing in both Italy and France. A week of snow, Santa and someone else to cook and wash up costs from £1281pp this Christmas, departing on 21st December with Ski Beat . The price includes 7 nights in the stylish Chalet Perdrix in La Rosiere, with a chalet host to serve breakfast, afternoon tea, three course evening meals with wine, a festive Christmas Day feast, with return flights (Gatwick & Manchester) and transfers. Based on two sharing an ensuite room. ATOL protected. Les Arcs: Pay just €1 deposit for a Christmas ski holiday Planning a Christmas ski holiday with Pierre & Vacances is easier than ever. With the option to secure accommodation for just a €1 deposit, travellers can book now and enjoy peace of mind. By selecting the flexible rate, guests have the ability to cancel or modify their stay up to 3 days before arrival. However, it's important to note that the €1 deposit is non-refundable, even with cancellation insurance. Spend Christmas in Les Arcs at Premium Residence Arc 1950. Based in the heart of the Paradiski area, it comprises eight residences offering spacious, tastefully decorated apartments with wooden features and warm colours, creating an intimate and cosy Alpine retreat. Enjoying direct access to the ski slopes, guests benefit from a wide range of activities including snow sports, apres-ski facilities, a fitness centre, and a magnificent Deep Nature ® Spa offering views of Mont Blanc. The residence has both a heated indoor and outdoor swimming pool, ideal for an evening of relaxation after a long day on the slopes. A seven-night self-catered stay at the Premium residence Arc 1950 Le Village, in a standard apartment sleeping up to four people, arriving 21 December 2024, is priced from £2,577 total or £644.25 pp. Flights and transfers extra. Megève: Get in the festive spirit Megeve Christmas in Megève doesn’t wait for December 25 to begin. From the first weekend of December, the village comes alive with the traditional Fir Tree Lighting festival. This popular event marks the start of winter, attracting thousands of visitors each year to see the large conifer light up, signalling the festive season ahead. Following the lighting, a variety of activities and events take place throughout the village, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. Santa's village, parades, and sparkling decorations fill the streets, offering plenty for families and visitors to enjoy. The scents of cinnamon, gingerbread, and hot chocolate add to the festive feel, bringing a touch of nostalgia. With its illuminated streets, diverse shopping opportunities, and plenty of seasonal activities, Megève is the perfect destination for anyone looking to get into the Christmas spirit early. A seven-night stay at Au Coin du Feu, arriving 01 December 2024 is priced from £505 pp based on two sharing a double room with breakfast included. Flights and transfers extra. Paradiski: Christmas Without The Cooking or Washing Up One of the joys of the unique ski chalet holiday, is sharing a hosted chalet with like-minded skiers, on a per-room basis, with a private chalet host to cook, clean and cater. Better still at Christmas, when no-one needs to roast the turkey, wash up, put up the tree and decorations, or organise real snow and miles of skiing on the doorstep. This season Ski Beat has chalets for groups of up to 14 skiers for an idyllic Christmas house party with friends and family in the snow. Hire the entire chalet, with host, or book on a per room basis. Book the cosy, welcoming Chalet Herrison for a snowy white Christmas for eight in Plan Peisey, on the doorstep of miles of well linked skiing, departing on 21st December. £1461pp includes a chalet host ready and waiting to serve breakfast, afternoon tea and three course evening meals with wine and a hearty festive Christmas dinner. Includes return flights and transfers. Or party at Christmas with a group of 12 friends and family, or take an ensuite room in Chalet Gentiane, 50m from the lifts, with access to the vast Paradiski area. Steam in the sauna or relax in front of the open fire while the host prepares and serves a hearty festive Christmas dinner, and daily breakfast, afternoon tea and three course evening meals with wine (6 days). Includes return flights and transfers, departs 21st December. ATOL protected Peisey Vallandry: Free Christmas Lift Pass In a rare deal, there is a few hundred pounds to be saved here, with a lift pass included for Christmas week at this specific Chalet Hotel. Iglu Ski offers 7 nights from £1,545 per person catered board, based on two sharing, at the 3* Chalet Hotel la Foret, Les Arcs Peisey Vallandry, France, departing London Gatwick on December 22nd, 2024 with transfers. Manchester flights +£35. Val d’Isere: Christmas Village, Christmas Market and Santa on Skis Spot Santa on the slopes and enjoy Val d’Isere’s vast network of ski slopes, excellent snow record and vibrant village atmosphere. This year’s festivities include a Christmas Village, Christmas Market, an elves cabin and festive parades, and Santa Claus arriving on his magic sleigh, delivering presents. Spend 7 nights in Val d’Isere where Ski Beat’s little helpers (the chalet hosts) will cook and serve breakfast, afternoon tea, three course evening meals with wine and a festive Christmas Day meal. Arrive on 21st December and spend a week at Chalet Cristal, a traditional and stylish chalet, close to the lifts, for £1691pp, based on two sharing an en-suite room, including meals, return Gatwick or Manchester flights and transfers. ATOL protected. Or travel on 14th December, the same holiday costs only £1043pp! Image credit val d'Isere tourism. Vaujany: Forget Reindeer, Try Husky Rides Located in front of the magnificent Grandes Rousses Massif, at an altitude of 1,250 m, Vaujany has all the charm and character of an authentic mountain village, with easy access to 250 km of spectacular pistes, reaching an altitude of 3,300 m. From Vaujany, guests can directly access the Alpe d'Huez ski area by cable car, where families can go dog-sledding. Guests will take control of their sledge while the rescued husky dogs run through the snow. After this, children can head to Marcels Farm and the more advanced skiers and snowboarders can try the iconic 16 km long Sarenne the longest black piste in the Alps. Vaujany itself has escaped over-development and retained its original vibes. Once the skis are off, guests can spend their evenings exploring its winding lanes home to traditional restaurants serving fondue and other local specialities. Plus, there are many activities to choose from, such as ice skating, dog sledding, swimming, bowling, paragliding, and snowshoeing. Hôtel Les Cimes offers peaceful, warm and modern rooms, some with balconies showcasing spectacular views of the mountains. The hotel can be booked on a bed and breakfast or half-board basis, and once a week guests can join in with a convivial fondue evening. A week’s stay departing 21 December 2024 is priced from £1,656 total / £411.5 pp (was £2,071, saving £415) for a superior family room, sleeping four people, on a bed and breakfast basis. InTheSnow Guide To Skiing in France Norway - Christmas Ski Holidays 2024 Northern lights Geilo Beitstolen: Enjoy a magical family Christmas. Iglu Ski offers magical and memorable family ski trips to Norway this Christmas, with direct flights from London Gatwick and Manchester. Enjoy fabulous snow conditions, beautiful scenery, warm hospitality and festive celebrations. You may also see the Northern Lights for an extraordinary holiday. You typically ski from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and then enjoy a cosy night in, practising 'hygge', the warm, long evenings around the open fire with family and friends. Hovi Cabins are cosy 2-bedroom cabins that are ideal for families. One bedroom has Austrian twin beds for mum and dad, and the second bedroom has 2 bunk beds perfect for up to 4 kids. There is a lounge with a fireplace and kitchenette, the nearest supermarket is just 50 metres away making getting your shopping back easy. It’ll take you about 5 minutes to walk to the ski lifts and ski school meeting point, plus the centre of the little resort is just a minute or two away. Simon McIntyre, MD at Iglu Ski said, ‘It’s exciting to have more and more holidays in Norway to offer for Christmas. With flights departing from both London Gatwick and Manchester on December 22nd, there’s plenty of time to settle into the magical surroundings, and start skiing, before Santa arrives. With prices just over £2,000 for a family of three, it’s a very tempting idea this Christmas.’ Iglu Ski offers 7 nights at the 3* Hovi Cabins, Beitostolen, Norway, from £669 per person, self-catering, based on three sharing a two-bedroom apartment with terrace, departing from Manchester on December 22nd, 2024 with transfers. Gatwick flights +£75 per person. Geilo: Spend Christmas in a classic Norwegian hotel In Geilo, The Highland Lodge is a classic Norwegian hotel with modern style and an indulgent wellness area too. It’s just on the edge of the village so you can walk five minutes to the bus stop to catch a ride to the slopes. Head to Geilo for an unforgettable snowy time. Iglu Ski offers 7 nights from £777 per person at the 3* Highland Lodge, Geilo, Norway, self-catering, based on three sharing an apartment, departing from Manchester on December 22nd, 2024 with transfers. Gatwick flights +£32 per person. Switzerland - Christmas Ski Holidays 2024 Verbier: Fly Over The Slopes Like Santa, kind Of Why not take an helicopter instead of ski lifts this winter and discover virgin terrain far away from the groomed slopes? A once-in-a-lifetime experience! Aside from being the Alpine capital of off-piste skiing, Verbier is also a major heliskiing destination in the Alps. Petit Combin, Rosablanche, Trient Glacier or Pigne d'Arolla are some of the heliskiing landing zones around Verbier which allow long unforgettable runs in authentic mountain scenery, far away from the crowds. The guide will adapt the run according to the guests' wishes and abilities. Best of all, guests have it all to themselves. They will ski the best run from Petit Combin to Trient Glacier and La Rosablanche. These three peaks are located about 10 to 15 minutes by helicopter from Verbier. The minibus picks guests up at their hotel or chalet in Verbier and drives them to the helipad, where safety equipment is available directly at the meeting place. The minimum age for participation is seven. A seven night stay at Hotel Mirabeau arriving 12 December 2024 is priced from £1,671 pp based on two sharing a double room with breakfast included. Flights and transfers extra. USA - Christmas Ski Holidays 2024 Jackson Hole: A Christmas Snowmobile Ride Spending Christmas in Jackson Hole is like stepping into a winter wonderland, where snow-capped peaks and twinkling holiday lights create the perfect festive atmosphere. Amid the cosy charm of this mountain town, one of the most thrilling ways to embrace the season is with a snowmobile adventure through Yellowstone National Park. A private snowmobile tour offers a chance to explore Wyoming's untamed winter beauty, starting with a 45-mile trail ride that winds through breathtaking landscapes. The journey includes stops at natural wonders like Moose Falls, the dramatic Lewis Canyon, and the steamy West Thumb Geyser Basin. Along the way, the adventure builds with the chance to glimpse Wyoming's wildlife—bison, elk, and other big animals—roaming freely against the snowy backdrop. But the highlight comes when the trail leads to Old Faithful, Yellowstone's iconic geyser. Watching it erupt against the winter sky is a memory to last a lifetime. Every moment is filled with the thrill of the ride, the magic of the winter wilderness, and the joy of experiencing Christmas in one of nature's most awe-inspiring settings. A seven night stay at Flat Creek Inn, arriving 21 December 2024, is priced from £405 pp based on two sharing a double room on a room only basis. Flights and transfers extra. Image top credit Sunday River InTheSnow Guide to Skiing in USA & Canada

Feature

Christmas Ski Holiday Deals 2024

Heavy Snowfall Arrives In The Alps

News

Horse Therapy In The Snow

Events

The Southern Snow Show

Feature

The Era of the Mega-Pass

Feature

12 of the Best Ski Resorts to Reach by Train

News

Top Resorts Set to Open for the 24-25 Season!

Feature

30% of British Adults Would Like To Learn To Ski

A Verbier Panto – Oh Yes It Is!

News

8 Colorado Ski Areas Open After Fresh 2-Foot Dump!

Feature

Christmas Ski Holiday Deals 2024

Heavy Snowfall Arrives In The Alps

News

Horse Therapy In The Snow

Events

The Southern Snow Show

Feature

The Era of the Mega-Pass

Feature

12 of the Best Ski Resorts to Reach by Train

News

Top Resorts Set to Open for the 24-25 Season!

Feature

30% of British Adults Would Like To Learn To Ski

A Verbier Panto – Oh Yes It Is!

News

8 Colorado Ski Areas Open After Fresh 2-Foot Dump!

Get exclusive updates and offers!