Hi guys,

Building on the success of my first trip driving abroad in France in the FFRR this summer, I'd like to go and find some snow this Christmas.

I'll close the shop on the 23rd, so will be looking for a destination that we can settle in to by the evening of the 24th - we have a full day's drive available which I reckon will get us quite far - we're about 4 hours from Le Tunnel.

Can you recommend a destination in Europe, a days drive away that will guarantee me a white Christmas that has nice hotels?

Thanks

 

6 hours from the shuttle gets you to the Jura mountains. Push on another 90 minutes and you are properly in the Alps. I and many others on here do it every year.

The Alps or the Pyrenees - Can't guarantee the snow though.

I'd recommend Austrian Tyrol Autobahns through Germany, which may be more than an easy day drive, or Andorra a long days drive.

There’s no shortage of ski resorts within range.

I’ll be in Andorra but it’s a long days drive - I usually set off in the evening and do an overnight stop somewhere in France .

Loads of options in the alps, more a question of where you can get the right accommodation at this point.....

There will be snow on the mountains but less likely at resort level

Forget the Range Rover - fly to Colorado and hit the slopes

Having had several disappointing rainy Christmas's in as snow sure as possible resorts this year I will be in Blighty.
Alberg is easy in a day. Hotel Hirlanda in Zurs is very special. letters not necessarily in the right order

911SF wrote:

Forget the Range Rover - fly to Colorado and hit the slopes

I'm going to Telluride - again - the best ski resort in the US

Will have to check that out.

We spend quite a bit of time in Brekenridge so will look to plan this in as well

Ironically we'll be making the pilgrimage have a Bude Christmas this year......

We go surfing in Bude about 12 times a year, we like the fact that it isn't as busy as the neighbouring Croyde or Newquay with a nice vibe to it still!

So this is my opinion and it may not align with every/anyone here!

For guaranteed snow given the amount of rain they've had around xmas these last two years aim for a high part of the mountains- at least 1850.

Hotels are brilliant, if you can find a chalet you get the mountain experience and more fun, a good friend of mine Dan (A D4 Owner ) @ www.Morealps.com runs a few chalets up and around the Savoie Valley and even if you don't end up booking with him he'll be super helpful as he has a breadth of local knowledge.

He's mainly based in La Rosiere 1850 - 1850 being the altitude and if you want the best guarantee for snow this is the height to aim for this time of year.

We like La Rosiere because it is like Bude, not too over developed - no ugly big buildings, not too busy and not too many chains like Bude (I'm ignoring the fact that in Bude you now have a Costa and they're putting up a premier inn or whatever in town!) Also if you do ski you can ski over into Italy for the day. The slopes aren't that crowded.

If you head to Bourg Saint- Maurice you have so many choices once you get there, up to Les Arc, straight up the hill to La Rosiere, or further on towards Tignes and Val D'Isere ( two larger resorts but in my opinion not quite as overdeveloped like the three Valleys can be, Val D'Isere is the nicer but more expensive of the two but very magical at Christmas). Tignes and Val D'Isere are both at 1850.

If you don't want to go as far as Bourg Saint Maurice you can go as far as Moutiers and up the hill to the Three Valleys for Meribel ( Merry-hell!), Val-Thorens and the mega rich Courcheval - these resorts are less of the feel of Bude, much more developed like Newquay, they have some big concrete monstrosities departing from the chocolate box styled chalets

When you're in Moutiers or Bourg there may be no snow at all, but once you start up the mountain it can/will appear.

We love our annual pilgrimage to La Rosiere, it is small and special with plenty of good skiing - I didn't rate Lake Tahoe in the states where we went earlier this year as (we were there for a wedding.)

If you want other activities aside of skiing and snowboarding (start those this christmas if you haven't already) Tignes, the 3 valleys and Les Arcs offer more alternate activities.

If you need help with what to do all the ski resorts are helpful with their websites and the information they provide, they'll make a real effort to help if you call them (when they open) - the French seem to take real pride in their seemingly normal jobs. http://www.larosiere.net/en/

( I managed to get four days away skiing a month before we had our son, there is a strict timetable for buses and transfers and the lady on the tourist office reception went out of her way to delay the transfer for me as I was the only one, so I could get an extra morning's skiing in. Also Dan at Morealps is a total legend)

I got so excited about my post we've just booked a week in La Rosiere!

I'm off to El after in Andorra next week - the season starts on Dec 2nd - can't wait

Very Jel, there is snow on the ground already!

I'm very excited - my first full season - I bought a place this summer and plan to be there every weekend (and some weeks) this winter

Alistair that is amazing, it is definitely on our bucket list to buy a place out there an do a season.

I love the mountain ways. Sorry which resort is it you'll be in?