We love early-season skiing - it can be amazing! By early season, we mean all dates before the peak week of Christmas. There are so many benefits including quieter slopes and great prices. But what about the snow? At Peak Retreats, we love high-quality, high-altitude resorts so we asked our team of Alpine experts for their recommendations...
Val Thorens is perfect for those wanting to be the first on the slopes this season. The highest resort in Europe is perfect for a pre-Christmas break!
Stay at the ski-in/ski-out Les Balcons de Val Thorens Platinium. Facilities include a sauna, solarium, steam room, and hot tub. You also get free access to the spa of the main Les Balcons de Val Thorens residence which has a swimming pool and fitness room!
Tignes provides a large well-linked and high-altitude ski area with a very reliable snow record. There is something for everyone with varied ski terrain, easy ski access and an excellent lift system!
Stay at the 4-star Kalinda, a set of luxury apartments situated in the centre of Tignes 1800 resort. Facilities include a pool, children's pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and fitness room.
Val d'Isère is linked to its neighbour Tignes, which together form the vast and exciting Tignes Val d'Isère ski area. As a whole, the ski area has become one of Europe's premier ski resorts. Why not take a walk down to La Daille, home to the funival underground funicular and the gondola to Folie Douce.
Stay at the Vail Lodge, a very welcome addition to the resort's high-end accommodation. The south-facing residence enjoys a ski-in/ski-out location on the Santons ski slope in the sunny Legettaz sector.
La Plagne is an excellent resort for families and offers brilliant facilities for beginners and novices. Part of the large 'Paradiski' ski area, skiers can enjoy the 2nd largest connected skiing area in the world; with a huge variation in altitude and with over 70% of the area being above 2000m, there is different types of terrain to enjoy.
Stay at the Cocoon Chalets - a group of 4 chalets situated in the quiet hamlet of Plagne 1800. Benefiting from beautiful views of the Mont Blanc, the chalets have facilities including ski rooms with boot dryers, saunas, hot tubs and terraces with beautiful views.
Courchevel is an upmarket and cosmopolitan ski resort, with incredible links across the 3 Valleys ski area. Made up of 6 villages, each with their own unique charm, Courchevel has direct access to the ski slopes, wherever you are staying! The impressive Les 3 Vallées ski area offers a total of 600km of high altitude, snow-sure ski slopes for every ability.
Stay at the centrally located Residence Le C. The 10 luxury apartments and one penthouse apartment are spacious, comfortable and well-equipped, all offering open views over the Courchevel valley. Facilities include an on-site spa with sauna and hot tub, as well as the highly regarded Bistrot le C restaurant on the ground floor.
Les 2 Alpes is one of the highest altitude areas in Europe and boasts an excellent snow record and an amazing 225km of ski slopes. We love the dramatic scenery and vibe of this resort!
Stay at Les Clarines on the Valle Blanche side of the resort. These modern apartments have facilities including heated indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and on-site spa.
Alpe d'Huez is built on a sunny plateau above the tree line and enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year! Enjoy Christmas early with access to 250km of pistes, with a lively atmosphere throughout.
Stay at the 4-star Le Cristal de l'Alpe, ideally located in the heart of the resort, 200m from the ski slopes and just 50m from the nearest ski lifts and shops. Facilities include access to a pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and fitness room.
Les Arcs ski area is made up of four ski resorts including Arc 1600, Arc 1800 and Arc 2000 - each a modern, purpose-built resort developed with superb winter skiing and enjoyment in mind. Enjoy high quality facilities for children and parents guaranteed due to being awarded the 'P'tits Montagnards' label.
Stay at the 4-star La Source des Arcs apartments. These couldn't be better located, they are right next to the central square in Arc 2000 and on the slopes so ski-in/ski-out. Facilities inside an indoor pool, steam room and sauna.
If you're ready to hit the slopes, but would like some advice on the best destination for your ski group, call our friendly team on 023 9283 9310, email on reservations@peakretreats.co.uk, or you can request a quote and we'll be in touch. Don't forget to check out our ski deals page for some great savings!