Savour the view from Europe’s top spot SKI & SNOW
WHEN extended travel restrictions officially wrote off skiing trips this winter, it triggered a rush of bookings for next season – so slide in early to get the best deals. Here’s a hat-trick of tempting offers…
Ride SkyWay, a cable car to Italy’s highest lift-accessed point at 11,370ft, gaze at the glaciers of Mont Blanc, and tuck into lunch at the Punta Helbronner station at the top. Alternatively, stop off at Pavillon, the halfway station, to taste wine produced above 6,000ft and marvel at 900 high-altitude plant species.
A round-trip costs £45pp at montebianco.com. Alternatively, go one way for £33, and ski down off piste with a guide to Chamonix in France or Courmayeur in Italy. A four-night B&B stay from January 12 next year at Hotel Bouton d’Or at Courmayeur costs £590pp, including flights and Avis hire car (momentumski.com).
There is fantastic value to be found at the world-famous Val d’Isere resort in France, with its lift and piste links to neighbouring Tignes. The recently renovated Chalet Le
Bel Air boasts a huge terrace, two outdoor hot tubs, new wooden floors, a sumptuous lounge/bar with stone-lined fireplace, and all of the ensuite bedrooms enjoy west-facing balconies – the perfect spot to capture sunsets.
Seven-night breaks starting on January 9, 2022, cost £1,293pp including flights, transfers, breakfast, dinner on five nights with unlimited wine, a six-day lift pass, and minibus service to the slopes. Visit leski.com for more details.
Wear a backpack when skiing the long run from Austria to Samnaun in Switzerland to stock up on perfume or chocolate at the duty-free shop in the border zone.
Ischgl’s variety of terrain for all ski levels is as legendary as its nightlife. The four-star Hotel Alpina is lauded for its dining and location in the quieter part of town but enjoys short walks to cable cars and the apres-ski scene if desired.
Seven nights on a half-board basis, starting January 8, 2022, costs from £1,290pp based on two sharing, including flights, transfers and access to wellness area with infrared sauna cabin. Visit inghams.co.uk.
UK return flights from a choice of up to 16 airports.
Seven-night cruise on an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. £600pp discount
All meals, plus wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
Drinks, Q&A and special live event with Eamonn and Ruth.
EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE excursions.
Local guides and cruise director. Free wi-fi and use of bicycles. Transfers to and from the ship, and all tips and gratuities.
ABTA- and ATOL-protected.