Half Term SKI HOLIDAYS

Tips to find your holiday

With the kids free from school for a week, February half term is the most popular week of the season for families heading out to the Alps. With guaranteed snow in almost every resort it’s no surprise that half term gets booked up early, however the increased demand does mean that prices are higher than normal making half term the most expensive week of the season. If you are restricted to school holidays and looking to keep hold of the budget then you might be better off at booking a Christmas or Easter break as snow conditions are still reliable but prices are a little more reasonable.

Due to its popularity, half term does get booked up early and quickly so it is definitely recommended that you book in advance to avoid disappointment. This is particularly for groups that are after a chalet for sole occupancy as these are more limited and do get snapped up early. The same goes for booking childcare and ski school if you are after it as both are very popular this week so you don’t want to leave it too last minute and miss out on getting what you want.

If you are travelling with young children or first time skiers then you will want to head to a resort that has good beginner slopes and family friendly facilities, as well as some non skiing activities if the children don’t plan on being on the slopes all day.

The slopes do get busy during half term, so if you want to try to avoid the queues as best as you can, then you might be better off heading to a smaller and quieter resort which will have less people.

Taking all of this into account, our recommended resorts for a half term break include:

Les Menuires has been awarded the Family Plus label meaning that the resort offers a number of activities and services for children and families. Les Menuires sits in the Three Valleys but offers cheaper accommodation than the likes of Meribel, Val Thorens and Courchevel so it makes a great choice for families looking to keep a hold of their budget but also wanting the large ski area.

Avoriaz is a small and compact traffic free resort making it a popular choice for families looking for a hassle free holiday as no accommodation is too far from the piste and the car-free centre offers a safe environment for young children. Part of the Portes du Soleil, Avoriaz offers plenty of skiing for all abilities. Avoriaz is home to Aquariaz, the resorts very own water park which is a great hit for the kids.

Les Deux Alpes is a popular choice for both young skiers and families alike. The resort offers glacial skiing for all abilities and has some great value catered chalet packages. Les Deux Alpes neighbours Alpe d’Huez and plans are currently in place to connect the two resorts via a gondola which will be a great addition for both resorts.