Dreaming of a white Christmas? You can have one. Where better to spend your Christmas than surrounded by snowy mountains or sitting by a cosy fire in your chalet?
Picture charming Alpine streets decked with Christmas lights and children playing in the snow. Wrap up warm, kick back and relax on the slopes. Even better, stay in a catered chalet and you won’t even have to lift a finger when it comes to Christmas dinner!
Can’t decide where to go? Pack your favourite ski jacket and best pair of salopettes, here are some of the best ski resorts for a Christmas holiday for you to choose from.
Festive Ski Resorts
The high altitude of Tignes makes it a great ski destination all year round. However, Christmas in Tignes is particularly magical.
The purpose-built resort offers some of the most extensive ski areas in the Savoie region with plenty of off-piste thrills to please the most seasoned of skiers.
Watch the turning on of the Christmas lights transform Tignes into a sparkling Christmas grotto with a warming cup of mulled wine in hand. A Christmas parade starting from Maison de Tignes sets off on Christmas eve, full of family-friendly entertainment.
The great thing about skiing in France is that the ski lifts are open on Christmas day, meaning you can work up an appetite for lunch out on the slopes!
Part of the vast Paradiski ski area, La Plagne offers great snow cover over the festive period with a wealth of varied pistes to explore. However, there’s more to La Plagne than skiing! Enjoy an atmospheric husky ride through the snow or take the family skating on the ice rink.
Christmas in La Plagne sees carols, fireworks and even an appearance from the main man himself! With all these activities on offer, you’re bound to have a memorable festive season.
Set in the stunning Three Valleys, one of the most popular ski destinations in Europe, Courchevel is a beautiful French resort that only gets better at Christmas time. It's home to some luxurious chalets and designer boutiques to get all your Christmas shopping done in style.
Due to the fantastic 600km of slopes and charming atmosphere, Courchevel gets busy over the festive season so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment!
Magical Meribel is a delightful place to cosy up for Christmas. A resplendent tree in the village is the centre of celebrations. Where else do you get the chance to visit Santa and his Elves in a real snowy setting? Rumour has it, he also likes to make the occasional appearance on the slopes!
Jack Frost nipping at your nose? Sip on some mulled wine (or vin chaud) and cosy up at one of the resort’s traditional restaurants. You can enjoy the fireworks or seek out a live music concert. The mountains are even open on Christmas Day. Just jump on a ski lift and fit in some extra time on the slopes.
On the big day, enjoy a full Christmas lunch courtesy of your own personal chef in a catered luxury chalet for a truly relaxing Christmas break.
Travel to this beautiful Austrian resort to experience a lively holiday. Ischgl puts on a real show when it comes to Christmas. The ‘Christmas in the Mountains’ event is one not to be missed.
On Boxing Day, you can listen to Christmas carols being recited in the Silvretta centre. If you’re still there for New Years, make sure you watch the ski schools put on a nighttime performance showing off their tricks and techniques that are sure to leave you in awe.
Visiting Megѐve is a real seasonal treat. This picturesque village is home to one of the most stunning Christmas trees you’ll find this side of the Alps. It’s free from crowds but full of fun.
In the town centre there are Nativity scenes, horse-drawn carriages and decorations aplenty. On Christmas Eve, Santa gives all of the town a gift and there is a midnight mass in the pretty church, which makes the day really special.
You can ring in the New Year in style at Megѐve. Watch the torch lit procession and wait for a live DJ to kick off the party.
We can't think of a better way to spend the festive season than being surrounded by slopes and snow!
