Christmas Ski Holidays for all the Family

Posted by - Hugo Clarke on Fri 31st August 2012

The majority of Brits are so used to spending their Christmas holidays at home - with the endless rounds of visits from family, in-laws and friends - that they don’t even consider going away for the festive season. Those that do often default to a sunny holiday, using the logic that if they're going to get away, they want to get out of the cold and go back to work in January with an impressive tan.

However, as should be clear by now, there is another option - an alternative which allows you to get away while still enjoying plenty of Yuletide tradition and time with your family. Christmas ski holidays, when planned properly, are flexible breaks that offer a slightly different experience to visiting the slopes in February or March.

Many ski resorts really come into their own at Christmas, with locals and visitors celebrating together in the streets, bars and restaurants. Indeed, I've heard people liken it to stepping into a Christmas card scene, with joyous celebrations emanating from every nook and cranny of the mountain. What's more, the stresses and strains of home cooking and entertaining are removed from the whole affair; you can simply relax on the slopes and return at lunchtime to find the perfect festive dinner ready and waiting.

Because of the amenities of modern resorts, those people who like to spend the festive period with their extended family won't have to worry about keeping everyone busy. When considering where to ski, look for resorts that have a special Christmas programme. This might include theatre and other shows, a wide variety of markets, plus plenty of entertainment for the kids. And for those who prefer not to hurtle down a mountain, ski holidays can simply include a relaxing visit to the spa and other luxury facilities, or perhaps alternative sports such as snow-shoeing and husky-sledding.

If you're still wondering where to ski at Christmas, look for a hotel with good on-site facilities that the whole family can enjoy. It's always tempting to go for a more traditional Alpine village, simply because their picturesque architecture and settings tend to evoke a greater sense of Christmas. However, remember that you may have to swap beauty for convenience, especially if you have a family to cater for. If you can, try and find some sort of compromise.

We're currently offering a special family Christmas deal at the Hotel Montjola in St Anton, Austria. The hotel has a spa and games room on-site, while the resort combines up-to-date facilities with a really 'olde-worlde' feel and plenty of Austrian tradition.

Chamonix, France, is also a good choice for skiers and non-skiers alike. There's some excellent, challenging skiing around the resort and it's also a real Alpine town in its own right, with Christmas Eve street parades, carol concerts and some top-class Christmas menus in its restaurants.

Or why not experience the magic of Christmas, Stateside? Beaver Creek is a great choice if you want to be truly pampered, with outstanding facilities in its hotels, kids’ Christmas shows and some superb upmarket dining options for Christmas dinner.

If you're yet to have a taste of ski holidays at Christmas, combine your family break away with a trip to the slopes and you may just find that you never want to have Christmas at home again.