Top Tips for a Perfect Christmas Ski Holiday

If you are looking to head to the Alps for Christmas or New Year, we would highly recommend booking far in advance, since this fortnight is the most popular period of the season. Booking your chalet early will also allow plenty of time to arrange ski lessons and to book restaurants before you arrive in resort.

From the lively resort of Val d’Isère to a fairytale Christmas in a Zermatt chalet, our portfolio has a ski resort to suit everyone’s festive needs.

When choosing a luxury ski chalet, catered chalets are a great option to help alleviate the stress of cooking for large groups during the holiday period. Allowing you to spend more time on the slopes than in the kitchen, your private chef will prepare a bespoke menu of mouth-watering meals during your stay, so you can continue to make the most of your chalet's wonderful facilities.

Christmas in the Alps also means that you can try the local delicacies of the region. From festive pâtisserie sugar biscuits to fondue on the mountain followed by a torchlit descent, there are plenty of culinary experiences on offer to tantalise your taste buds. Take a look at our guides on "Where to Eat and Drink" for some of our favourite in-resort dining spots.

Running for four weeks every year, the Austrian resort of Kitzbühel holds weekly carol concerts for the whole family to enjoy. For guests staying in chalets in Verbier and Villars, a visit to the Montreux Christmas Market is a must. Held from November through to the end of December, this Christmas market sees picturesque stalls line the banks of Lake Geneva with floating lights illuminating the water in various colours.

Those staying in a St Moritz chalet for the festive period will also enjoy the sweet treats of roast chestnuts and glühwein by the frozen lake, while Cortina is without a doubt, one of the most atmospheric Christmas destinations in the Alps.

Immerse yourself in the festive traditions of your resort during your stay. For those staying in Austria and Italy, several resorts celebrate the run up to Christmas with Krampus parades. Seeing locals dress up as the popular legend of Krampus, a half-goat half-demon figure, local children are reminded to be well behaved at Christmas.

Occurring annually in Alpine towns, some of the costumes are rather believable with sparklers and bells creating a very special atmosphere. For something a little less frightening, the Christmas Eve ski session in Cortina is also a popular event with a celebratory procession at midnight.

During the Christmas holidays, ski schools soon fill up, so it is best to book early if you want to have ski lessons during your stay. From beginner’s lessons to off-piste guides, we can arrange for our trusted partners to take care of you on the slopes.

It is also important to pre-book childcare and babysitters as well as make restaurant reservations in advance, as these unsurprisingly get booked up during this peak period. Our dedicated concierge service can help you with any requirements you may have in the lead up to and during your festive holiday. All that you have to do is sit back and enjoy a perfect Christmas in the Alps...!