Prepare your ski trip in Savoie

How do I book a ski holiday?

Booking a ski holiday requires a bit of organization. But with our expert advice, you'll be sure not to forget anything!

The first thing to book is your accommodation. The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have between hotels, holiday homes, apartments from estate agents, vacation villages, chalets and so on. But don't worry: it's perfectly possible to book ski accommodation at the last minute at certain times of the year, such as January, or spring in March/April. On the other hand, it will be more complicated to go on a family ski vacation on a whim during the Christmas vacations or the winter vacations in February...

Going on a ski vacation by car? Make sure you reserve a parking space, ideally in a covered parking lot, if your accommodation doesn't have a private parking lot. Very often, your accommodation provider will take the initiative and offer to reserve a parking space for you. You can trust them to choose the most convenient parking (closest to your accommodation, best suited to your vehicle, etc.).

Preparing your ski holiday

Ski holidays mean ski passes. Perhaps you've already booked them with your accommodation provider's all-inclusive package? If not, take a look at the different packages on offer (weekly ski pass, special offer for families with children, daily ski pass, ski pass giving access to the Paradiski domain linked to Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry, etc.).

Here's a good idea: book the most popular activities in advance, before they become overcrowded ( dog sledding, for example, is a very popular activity). You can even book a table you're particularly keen on a few days before your arrival to avoid disappointment(restaurants with the highest rankings on Google or Trip Advisor usually fill up very quickly!)

• The 3* and 4* hotels are favored by vacationers who spend more time outside than inside, and prefer services (breakfast, restaurant, wellness area, daily housekeeping…) to independence. A vacation where you don’t lift a finger? That’s a big yes!
• Rental apartments through real estate agencies offer a great diversity of standards and sizes. They are among the favorite accommodations for families looking to recreate an independent cocoon during their vacation (full kitchen, separate bedrooms to preserve the children's sleep when the evening extends in the living room, etc.).
• Tourist residences are a perfect compromise between a hotel and an apartment for rent through a real estate agency with their fully equipped accommodations and sometimes very specialized services (wellness area, equipment rental, bar…). Ideal for traveling with a group (you can book several apartments in the same residence).
• Clubs and holiday villages will appeal to fans of all-inclusive who want to offload as much as possible the organization of their ski trip (before… and during!).
• Chalets combine large spaces with a typically mountain atmosphere. Perfect for large families and groups of friends who want to fulfill a childhood dream!
• Guest rooms will be your preference if you are looking for friendliness and authentic sharing moments with locals.

Discover also the unusual accommodations in La Plagne, as well as the spaces dedicated to motorhomes (even in winter).
 

Where can you go skiing for less?

The cheapest ski resorts are often those located at low and medium altitudes, where snow cover is not guaranteed. Are you a skiing enthusiast? Don't take the risk of not being able to ski during your vacation, and choose a high-altitude ski area, such as La Plagne (70% of ski runs are located at an altitude of over 2,000 m, so you're guaranteed to be able to ski from December to April; goodbye unpleasant surprises!)

Here are a few ideas for cheap skiing:

• Go outside the school vacations if you can (for example, if you're planning to spend your vacation with adults, or with a baby or young children not yet at school); the months of January and April are perfect for a cheap ski holiday in Savoie.
• Look out for special offers like early booking (if you're planning a ski holiday during peak periods) or last minute (if you're going outside school vacations in particular).
• Compare ski passpackages (family packs are very attractive, for example). If you're just starting out, you should also know that several very easy ski runs are accessible free of charge. Why not start on these runs, and only buy a ski pass at the end of the week, when you're more comfortable?
• Opt for group ski lessons, more economical than private lessons
• If proximity to the ski area isn't a key criterion for you, put ski-in/ski-outaccommodation on the back bur ner (more expensive than accommodation located a little further from the slopes). If you opt for accommodation in a village at a lower altitude, or one that requires a short walk to reach the ski area, you'll enjoy your skiing vacation just as much without breaking the bank.
  

In addition, of course, think about additional costs such as dining (will you be eating every evening in your vacation rental? Or will you be going to a restaurant regularly?), and the essential vacation souvenirs (cheese, marmot plush toy, La Plagne mug…).

Our advice? Start by listing your essentials, all those little (or big) things you don't want to do without.For some, it will be a modern and comfortable ski-in ski-out accommodation with a spa; for others, an activity they really desire (like a week of off-piste ski lessons for example); or even a comfortable envelope to treat themselves during après-ski and dinner.

Then build your vacation budget around these elements. Opt for upscale accommodation with a gourmet restaurant and a wellness area, or conversely, for budget accommodation if you plan to spend your vacation outside, on the slopes and at the restaurant.
 

What are the advantages of all-inclusive ski trips?

All-inclusive trip offers have two major benefits: they save you time and money! Not convinced? Take out your calculator, and have fun adding up the following costs: accommodation + parking + ski passes + equipment rental. You will find that the total amount is higher when purchasing each service separately.

Why? Because hosts benefit from preferential rates with their partners (operators of ski lifts, ski schools, equipment rental shops…) due to the large volume they order each year for their guests (you!). They can therefore offer you very attractive all-inclusive package deals that you would be wrong to miss out on.

Moreover, all-inclusive offers save you from tedious searches. Your host knows the resort perfectly and will guide you to the nearest ski school, sports shop, and parking to your vacation rental.

All-inclusive ski trips in clubs and holiday villages go even further: on-site dining, childcare, kids' club, activities… Take advantage of your vacation to unplug your brain, and let yourself be guided for minimal mental load!