A White Christmas beckons for Alpine Skiers

Those looking for a last-minute Christmas getaway, or perhaps a sneaky New Year winter wonderland retreat, will be pleased to learn that after a 3-foot deep dump of snow, the Alpine region is now widely offering highly favourable ski conditions – perhaps the best in a generation.

After the driest autumn for 148 years and the relocation of the season-opening Ski World Cup, fears for a disastrous season were allayed in early December by the arrival of some ‘moderate’ snowfall.  And despite the early set backs, confidence began to grow as the snow forecasts hinted at further significant ‘dumps’. After previous reports by Just Say Please on the precarious skiing conditions at the start of the season in November and early December, predictions of the best skiing conditions for more than 25 years were realised earlier this week, following a spectacular show of snow.

A ferocious snowstorm swept through France, forcing many resorts to close temporarily. But in its wake, the snowstorm has left behind dramatically improved ski conditions throughout the French skiing region including knee-deep powder in Courcheval. Tignes and Val d’Isere.

So in the run-up to Christmas, many Swiss and Austrian resorts are now also fully open and able to offer fantastic high and low piste depths. At this time, it appears that only the Dolomites in north-eastern Italy are struggling with ski conditions, with a handful of lower piste resorts in France and Austria also awaiting improved conditions – although snow in this region is expected later in the week.

The good news is that last-minute deals on ski holidays are currently available in abundance, with some amazing discounts on offer – most likely as a result of the shaky start to this year’s ski season. Keen skiers or those just looking for a truly white Christmas can take advantage and make some fantastic savings right now on holidays in many of the region’s most prestigious luxury ski destinations, including the afore-mentioned Courcheval and Val d’Isere in France, as well as Verbier in Switzerland.

Although the Ski Club of Great Britain reports widespread highly favourable ski conditions throughout the region, it is advised that tourists check snow reports prior to booking their ski holidays.