Christmas in the Alps

This year we decided to get away for Christmas and plumped for the French Alps in a catered chalet. I chose Val Thorens as Christmas is still early for the ski season and Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, which can guarantee snow! And snow it did. Fantastic conditions on and off piste for both boarders and skiers. We arrived early evening Saturday and were met by our chalet host of fthe transfer coach, and shown to our chalet where a very welcoming 3 course meal with drinks was waiting for us. Our chalet was based in the Balcons 2400, which was at the top end of the resort, commanding fantastic views across the town and the mountains. Two of our party were non-skiers so this was great also for them. A ski-hire shop was next to reception and also an outlet for the Prosneige ski school was also based there. They were great. We all had the local ski pass which gave us more than enough runs for the week, although the area pass was just £20 more and gives access to the whole of the 3 Valleys. You could easily ski across to Meribel, Courcheval and back for the day. Our family pass - 2 adults and 2 children age up to 17 was approx. £500. Our boys, age 10 and 15 were booked in one of the many ski schools, the main ones being ESF and Prosneige, which were excellent. We chose Prosneige as we got 20% off the ski and boot hire for all of us. As I said before, two of our party were non -kiers, and I was slightly aprehensive before we left about how much they would have to do. I need not have been. The resort was easy to walk around. On arrival everyone pays a local tax of about £6 per person, and this pays towards keeping the roads etc. clear and also gives free bus travel to everyone in the resort, which lopped around every half an hour. This stopped outside our apartment. The walk was about 5 minutes downhill - 10 minutes back up! There were plenty of cafes on the edge of slopes, to sit and enjoy the view and watch the skiing. Loads of shops, indoor pool and sports centre. There was also a 6km toboggan run, the longest in Europe, which was fantastic! Anyone can do it - age 8 to 88! And it was the best fun, and a chance to toboggan like never before. We had the best weather, the snow was plentiful, and we had clear blue skies every day bar one, on the last day, we were greeted with 90kmh winds - so no skiing, unfortunately. This did clear by mid afternoon and a few brave souls did venture onto the lower slopes - not me! The lift pass was credited for this day. During the week the slopes were never busy, even though it was Christmas, and sometimes we were the only people on a particular run. There are so many runs and lifts, we never queued for the lifts. The pound dropping like a stone to 1 pound = 1 euro, has made eating out expensive, but everything else made up for this. My tip would to be stay in a hotel on half board basis, or a catered chalet. Our chalet was excellent. The bathrooms were not en-suite but, we did still have a bath/shower room to each room. The food was excellent, prepared by your host every day, except their day off, when you all eat out, although breakfast is prepared for you. Don't worry about sharing a chalet with someone you don't know. It's a great way to meet other people and you all have something in common straight away - Skiing and Boarding, If you want to know more about Val Thorens or any other ski resort than please get in touch. I will certainly be returning sooner rather than later!