HERE’S TO NEW YEAR CHEER ON THE SLOPES
THE festive season is almost over which must mean the January blues are only a heartbeat away.
But the good news for skiers is that the western and southwestern Alps – resorts like Madonna di Campiglio in Italy and Serre Chevalier in France – have had fresh snow this week.
If you’ve got your priorities right and have reserved some money for vital ski days, you could grab a last-minute January trip with operators like Topflight, Directski.com and Crystal Ski all on sale.
January can be a great time to ski if you’re not tied to mid-term family holidays.
Slopes are quieter so there’s less queuing for lifts and mountain restaurants. You can get better rates in your favourite hotels or chalets, resort staff are generally more laid back and while January is traditionally the coldest month of the ski season, the forecast for the coming weeks includes mild sunny days.
I’ve taken a look at the sales and picked out a few offers. Topflight (topflight.ie) is offering seven nights half board in fourstar chalet Caribou in Val Thorens from €869 per person from January 13. With mild weather on the horizon, it could be a good idea to go high and you simply won’t find a higher ski resort than Val Tho which has had brilliant snow so far this season.
If self-catering is your thing, Livigno is a good January option. It’s duty-free so stocking up on food and drink in the local supermarket won’t break the bank. Also, a number of restaurants and bars have great food deals on offer. Check out Casa Antonietta with Topflight from €419 from January 13.
The little gem of La Thuile in Italy’s Aosta Valley is quiet at the best of times so you can expect peaceful slopes during January. This is a major bonus if you’re learning to ski for the first time or are a nervous intermediate who craves space on wide open blue slopes. Crystal Ski (crystalski.ie) is offering a week’s selfcatering accommodation in the three star Planibel apartments on January 6 from €339pp.
Crystal Ski also has great deals for Soll (€399pp in a 2* guest house from January 6, €389pp in a 2* apartment in Pas de la Casa, Andorra, from January 14) while Directski.com has prices from just €299.
If you’re going it alone, look for youth hotels or hostels in big name resorts. I was amazed to come across the Euro youth hotel (also known as hotel Krone) in Bad Gastein recently – a big old building with simple dorm or private room options and great set menu prices.
It’s situated right opposite the Stubnerkogel gondola and Bad G’s train station so fly to Salzburg with Ryanair, take the train directly to the resort and you’re ready to hit the slopes.
If a January trip is just out of reach, plan ahead to March and more low season prices. Directski.com is already offering deals for St Patrick’s week. See you on the slopes!
x Cath