The school bags are packed, the uniforms are being worn again, and everyone is slowly getting back into the school routine.
And after the long summer holidays, you might find yourself doing something slightly unexpected: thinking about your next holiday. I understand completely, believe me! After all, having another break to look forward to is good for the soul.
It might seem far too early to be thinking about skiing when summer has barely cooled, but September is actually a really good time to start planning a family ski holiday, particularly if you’re hoping to travel during Christmas or the Easter holidays.
I know from speaking to families over the years that booking a ski holiday can feel like quite a lot to organise. There are dates to consider, accommodation, ski school, equipment, lift passes, transfers, and getting everyone to the mountains. Starting to think about it now means you can take your time, rather than trying to fit everything together when winter is already approaching.
And, of course, there’s something rather exciting about having a ski holiday in France to look forward to once the summer is over.
Why September Is a Great Time to Start Thinking About Skiing
Once the children go back to school, the next school holidays suddenly become much more relevant. Perhaps you’ve started thinking about Christmas, or maybe you’re already looking ahead to Easter. It could be that you’re simply looking at the calendar and thinking that the family could really do with something to look forward to during the winter.
If you’re tied to school holidays, you have a limited number of weeks to choose from. That means the popular dates can become busy surprisingly quickly.
For a family ski holiday, it’s not just the accommodation you need to think about either. You may want your children to have ski lessons, you’ll probably need to arrange ski hire, and you’ll need to decide which lift passes are suitable for everyone. Then there’s the journey itself, including airport transfers to and from the resort.
That’s why I think September is a good point to start looking. Not because you need to panic and book everything immediately, but because you have choice.
You can take your time, ask questions and find the holiday that actually suits your family.
And if you’re looking at Christmas or Easter, this is particularly worthwhile. I have already seen how quickly some of the most popular school-holiday dates disappear, so leaving it until later can mean having to compromise on your preferred dates or accommodation.
What About Christmas in the French Alps?
If you’ve never spent Christmas in the mountains, it is difficult to describe quite how special it can feel. For me, it really brings the festive spirit to life.
By Christmas, Les Coches is transformed into a snowy Alpine village. The mountains are covered in a blanket of white, the trees are dusted with snow and as the light fades in the afternoon, the village begins to glow against the winter landscape.
It really can feel like stepping into a Christmas card.
For children, there is something particularly magical about waking up on Christmas morning knowing that you’re going to spend the day in the mountains. Imagine opening presents in the morning, looking out at the snow-covered peaks and then getting everyone wrapped up in their ski clothes and heading out into the crisp mountain air.
And because Christmas Day in a ski resort can be wonderfully different from Christmas at home, you can spend the day enjoying the mountains rather than worrying about preparing a huge lunch.
At Ice & Fire, Christmas dinner is very much an evening affair. Our guests can spend Christmas Day skiing, enjoying the snow and making the most of the mountains. When everyone arrives back at the chalet in the afternoon, there are homemade mince pies waiting, which is usually a very welcome sight after a day outside.
Then comes the champagne and canapés before dinner, with the Christmas meal usually served at around 7pm, although we can offer an earlier dinner depending on what works best for the group.
You spend Christmas Day doing something memorable together, come home with cold cheeks and tired legs, get warm and comfortable, have a glass of champagne and some canapés, and then settle down to Christmas dinner without anyone having spent the day in the kitchen.
For me, that’s one of the great pleasures of a Christmas ski holiday.
There are also the quieter moments that make the holiday memorable. Sitting together after dinner, talking about the day’s skiing, watching the snow outside or taking an evening walk through the village while everything is beautifully still.
It’s Christmas, but it feels different.
And if you’re thinking about doing it this year, September is certainly the time to start looking. Christmas is one of the most sought-after periods for a ski holiday, so the choice of accommodation naturally becomes more limited as the season approaches.
Don’t Forget Easter
Christmas may have the magic of a snowy festive escape, but Easter can offer something completely different.
By Easter, spring has usually arrived in the valleys, while there can still be excellent skiing higher up the mountain. The days are longer, the light can be beautiful and, when the weather is kind, you can get those wonderful blue-sky days that make skiing in spring such a pleasure.
I particularly like Easter for people who enjoy a slightly different experience from the depths of winter.
You might start the morning in proper winter conditions higher on the mountain and find yourself enjoying sunshine and much milder temperatures later in the day. It can be a lovely time to ski, particularly if you’re someone who enjoys sitting outside for lunch or stopping for a coffee in the sunshine.
There is also something rather relaxed about spring skiing.
For families, Easter can be a particularly nice time to introduce children to skiing too. There’s plenty of time during the day to enjoy the slopes, and the combination of skiing and spring sunshine can make for a very enjoyable family holiday.
It is also worth remembering that the ski season doesn’t simply stop when winter is over. La Plagne typically continues operating into April, with the end of the season falling around Easter depending on the year and conditions.
So if you can’t get away at Christmas, don’t assume you’ve missed your chance for a wonderful family ski holiday. Easter can be a fantastic alternative.
So, Is It Time to Start Planning?
Don’t worry; I don’t expect you to start thinking about getting your Christmas tree out just yet, but now that the children are back at school, September really is a good time to start thinking about your winter holiday.
Have a look at the school calendar. Think about whether Christmas or Easter appeals to you. And don’t forget that you don’t necessarily have to travel during the busiest weeks. If your dates are flexible, there are other times in the season that can offer a quieter or particularly beautiful experience.
The important thing is simply to start looking while you still have plenty of choice.
Before you know it, the leaves will be changing, the first snow will be appearing on the higher peaks and you’ll be wishing you’d booked that week in the mountains.
And if that sounds rather appealing, I’d love to welcome you to Les Coches this winter.
See you soon!
Johanna
