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For lovers of the mountains and especially snowy mountains, now is the time to start planning your France ski holidays. You will note that there are budget holidays and luxury holidays, family holidays and singles holidays, and since this is your holiday you will want to locate the best options for your lifestyle and preferences.
The choices are really mind-boggling, but a good starting place is to make a list of your must-have and must-do factors and go from there. The timing is also important, since last-minute bookings are likely to cost more in both money and stress.
If this will be your first France ski holiday you would be wise to check out some of the numerous booking agencies online that offer special deals and complete service including help with insurance, transportation and all the other aspects of trouble-free travel.
Many ski resorts cater especially to families, while others are geared towards swinging singles. Likewise, some ski areas beckon the experienced and intrepid, whilst others cater to beginners. Your own level of expertise should guide you in choosing from the plethora of possibilities.
For example, one of the top-rated ski areas for experts is La Grave, a wild landscape where even the most advanced skiers require a guide and when they say, “proceed at your own risk,” and they are not kidding. In contrast, an area such as Saint Pierre de Chartreuse offers excellent and well-maintained and serviced beginner slopes, and its proximity to five airports makes it an ideal short break option.
All most every ski area and resort will have some terrain that’s good for every level of skill, so unless you feel the need of one extreme or the other, the next choice is where to stay once you get there.
Ski villas France (or chalets in the resorts), range from ‘bare bones’ to the height of luxury and are available in every area to some extent or other. In resorts such as Alpe d’Huez, a huge resort with plenty of gentle slopes, you can find cheap and mid-level accommodations in dormitory or hotel settings, and they are usually within walking distance of the lifts.
In Chamonix, the world-famous resort situated right beneath Mont Blanc, you will find villas (or chalets) in the form of hotels as well as those designed for anywhere from four to forty guests. If you are not picky about how far you have to go from warm bed to snowy slopes, there is something to fit every budget.
The importance of research and fact gathering cannot be stressed too much in your quest for perfect French ski holidays. As stated, it’s far better to start well before your expected departure date and check dates and deals that may be available. Be as specific as possible in your requirements and preferences, i.e. how many in your party, how long you plan to stay and what you intend to spend. Everything else is pretty much icing on the cake.
Are you thinking about taking a holiday in the near future? Have you got big plans for the summer vacation? Have you booked a cheap holiday package to an unusual or exotic destination? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of the above scenarios it is important that you ensure you have got all the necessary paperwork, entry requirements and vaccinations sorted out before you leave for your holiday, and most importantly that you have organized the correct insurance and notified the authorities of your intended destination. Although many people who go on holidays think that this level of organization is unnecessary it is all too often that holidaymakers are caught out by strikes, airport malfunctions, country-specific political crises, natural disasters or companies going into administration. Cheap flights, although incredibly hard to resist, may come with clauses that stipulate they can be changed or cancelled by the airline at the last minute. Even illness or a lost suitcase can ruin or even completely prevent your holiday, and this is why it is absolutely vital that you plan ahead, and for every possible scenario.
One of the best ways you can ensure that your holiday runs as smoothly as possible is to invest in adequate travel insurance. Many of Britain’s banks and home and car insurance companies offer travel insurance packages, as do a number of the large supermarkets. Generally travel insurance is quite affordable and can be purchased ‘off the shelf’ – this means that you simply answer a few questions about the length of your holiday and the global regions you’re intending to visit, and your quote will be generated for you. If you are travelling as a couple or a family you may be entitled to a discount, likewise the longer you are travelling for the more likely you will be to obtain a portion off your fee. It is important to make sure you inform the travel insurance company of any pre-existing conditions you may have had prior to going on holidays, and it is also important that you include the days you spend in transit (as this is the most common time that luggage goes missing). In general, as long as you read the travel insurance documents carefully and you keep a copy of your policy with you as you travel, you should find yourself adequately covered.
Another way to avoid being caught short in the event of an emergency, cancellation or problem is to make sure your tickets are refundable or exchangeable. If you’ve scored yourself a cheap package holiday this may not be possible – generally the package is cheap primarily because it lacks the flexibility that comes with the more expensive options. If you can afford to pay for one of the more flexible package holidays it is always advisable, especially if you are travelling as a group (changes to group bookings can be costly and may cause you to lose the entire booking if not managed properly).
Ski Solutions (020 7471 7700, www.skisolutions.com) has 10 nights, chalet-board, at the four-star Chalet Black Bear in Whistler, from £699pp (saving £226), departing from Gatwick on December 13.
Half price roller skiing, a chalet holiday for £199, free indoor snow slope sessions, massive holiday savings, the chance to win winter sports holidays and snow train tickets and the recipe for an exclusive Grand Marnier National Ski and Snowboard Week cocktail are now live on www.nssw.co.uk, the website for the UK’s first ever National Ski and Snowboard Week, running all this week, 12th – 28th November, supported by top names in British skiing and boarding and endorsed by the UK’s most unlikely ski jumper, Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards, and the world record breaking blind speed skier, Kevin Alderton.
One of the highlights of the week will be Kevin’s attempt to set a world indoor speed ski record, skiing at up to 80mph on the indoor slopes at Landgraaf in Holland, following his successful World Record attempt in Les Arcs, France, in April 2006 when he achieved a downhill speed of 101mph.
Over thirty companies are taking part in the UK’s first ever National Ski and Snowboard Week, an initiative by the Snowsport Forum to ‘Get Brits on Slopes’ this winter.Recognising that only a relatively small proportion of Britain’s get to enjoy the snow each year the Week is intended to highlight awareness of skiing and boarding as great calorie bashing exercise, enormous fun and a fantastic way to get out and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
Caroline Stuart-Taylor, Chief Executive of the Ski Club of Great Britain and Chairman of the Snowsport Forum said:“Skiing was once only enjoyed by a select few. In the past ten years, the growth of no frills flying, the accessibility of new destinations and the drop in real terms of the cost a ski holiday, as well as the growth in snowboarding and resurgence of interest in skiing, has opened up the realistic opportunity of a winter sports holiday to many more British holidaymakers.
Britain’s first and only Olympic Ski Jumper, Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards, who shot to fame in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary is a registered ski instructor, an International Alpine Skier, and holds the British national ski-jumping record, said“I gave it a go, I’m still giving it a go and I’d encourage all Brits to try skiing or snowboarding. You’re never too young or too old, I’ve seen kids as young as two on skis and octogenarians taking ski lessons, though I wouldn’t necessarily encourage them to take up ski jumping, at least not until they’re off the nursery slopes!”.
Ski Chalets provide a relaxed atmosphere and a lively, sociable environment. Accommating anything from 6 to over 20 skiers, they are ideal for groups, yet also a great way for couples and singles to make new friends.
Most newer Ski Chalets tend to be predominately en-suite accommodation. However, many of the older mountain chalets are converted dwellings. They tend to be bursting with traditional character, but obviously weren’t built with en-suite accommodation in mind.
One of the most pleasurable aspects of Ski Chalet Holidays is mealtimes. Your (usually live-in) chalet staff will cook for you and your fellow ski chalet guests. Unlike a hotel, mealtimes in a mountain chalet bring guests together, creating a very relaxed and homely atmosphere. Evening meal often has the feeling of an informal dinner party with friends.
Chalet cuisine would compare well with that in a hotel with the added benefit of free afternoon tea and coffee freshly served as you haul your weary ski legs of the slopes and complimentary wine served with your evening meal.
A typical ski chalet holiday menu might be:
Wholesome Breakfast including a simple cooked breakfast along with cereals, porridge, and eggs, bread, butter & preserves, tea or fresh coffee and orange juice.
Afternoon tea with home baked cakes or biscuits, bread, butter & preserves, with tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
3 or 4 Course Evening meal with complimentary wine, followed by tea or fresh coffee
Please note that chalet staff generally have one day off a week when breakfast and afternoon tea will be left out for you and you will be free to sample a local restaurant in the evening, so a weekly ski chalet holiday usually includes only 6 evening meals.
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