Waking up on Christmas morning and throwing back the curtains to see snow on the window ledges and trees gives you that giddy excitement of a child, even when you’re in your forties!
Ski resorts always feel kind of Christmassy thanks to the tons of snow, fairy lights and that holiday buzz. When it’s actually Christmas though, even the most bah humbug person would be hard pushed to contain a smile.
Christmas Day is very much like any other day in a ski resort as all of the slopes, lifts and ski and board schools are running as normal. But which resort do you choose to spend this most magical of winter holidays? We’ve picked our favourite snow sure places in France for a joyeux Noël…
Tignes - the second highest resort in Europe is a place that doesn’t do things by halves, and Christmas is no exception. The festivities start towards the beginning of December and carry right on through until the big man arrives, in style of course.
Tignes Le Lac plays host to a wonderful Christmas market with plenty of food and souvenir stalls selling everything from Vin Chaud and local sausage to wooden nutcracker soldiers and hand-made tree decorations.
Up in Tignes Val Claret, there’s a freestyle contest organised by the ski school. It’s an impressive display of skill and one of the few times you’ll ever see Santa nailing a backflip off a kicker!
Fresh from his freestyle session, Santa hops on his sleigh on Christmas Eve and does a tour of the different villages of Tignes to chat to enthralled children whilst mums and dads sip hot wine and enjoy the atmosphere.
The ski school instructors are back on the slopes to provide more entertainment in the form of simultaneous torch-lit descents into all of the villages. It’s quite a sight to see the snaking lights working their way down the surrounding mountains so grab a hot chocolate or hot wine and enjoy the show.
On the big day itself, Santa is back after a busy night to spread some more Christmas cheer and make sure everyone is having a good time. There’s also an ice hockey match on the outdoor ice rink in Tignes Le Lac. You can be sure of an action-packed Christmas week with plenty to see and do!
Les Deux Alpes has always been a good choice for those wanting to get more out of their winter holiday than just skiing and snowboarding. It’s a vibrant ski town with plenty going on and Christmas is a really fun time to go.
There’s a Christmas Forest which opens up in the main square on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Kids can write their letters to Santa and pop them in the post box and then make their own Christmas decorations in the Christmas workshop. There’s nothing better than seeing a wonky angel sat on top of the tree that’s been made by a very proud little one!
Just before Santa arrives to greet the waiting kids, grab some marshmallow and roast them over the open fire. It’s the perfect warming sugary treat for a Christmas Eve.
If you’re staying in one of the Neilson Mountain Collection, hotels, chalet hotels or chalets in the resort, you’re sure to be very well looked after. The food will be plentiful, the vin chaud will flow and the mood will be festive and fun.
Christmas in France is a far less commercial holiday than it is in the UK with the focus being around spending time with those closest to you and enjoying the festivities – of which there are many in Alpe d’Huez.
The resort organises events right through December and often produce huge shows or ‘animations’ as they call them to wow onlookers. They produce different shows every year, but past examples have included a crane that hoisted an opera singer over the main roundabout in the middle of town while she performed acrobatics to a classical and more upbeat musical soundtrack – not your usual Christmas show but most definitely entertaining!
The ski school also perform by doing an impressive torch-lit descent and having a grand finale of fireworks on the front des neiges. There’s also a weekly market that offers local produce to sample and the tourist office regularly have stalls handing out complimentary vin chaud to keep revellers warm and happy.
One thing that shouldn’t be missed is a visit to the ice caves up on the glacier. The carvings are beautiful with inspiration coming from the surrounding wildlife as well as the magical and mystical. If you’re lucky, you may even get to meet Santa…
The most snowsure resort, not just in France but all of Europe, Val Thorens, has a week-long programme of fun and festive activities ending on Boxing Day – your sense will most definitely be stimulated this Christmas!
On the programme in previous years, there have been a sparkling show at the bottom of the pistes, ice carving, an Elf fanfare (we didn’t know they could play), an amazing firework display and of course there will be plenty of vin chaud going around!
The ski instructors perform their torch lit descent, but Val Thorens also offers a children’s descent for all the family. It’s very safe, supervised and definitely giving a go.
Kids young and old will get the chance to meet Santa in his grotto, all while you enjoy a vin chaud or delicious hot chocolate and take in the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional Christmas in the mountains.
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