The key to staying warm in winter is layering. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from your skin. We love merino thermals as they are odour-resistant (you only need a couple of sets for a week’s holiday). Merino base layers vary in price from around £30 at Decathlon, to £80 from our friends at Snow Finel. Then add an insulating fleece, merino or down layer for warmth and finish with a waterproof and windproof outer layer to shield against the elements. This trio ensures you're ready for whatever winter throws your way. 

Invest in an insulated layer: Your outer layer should be insulated with high-quality materials like down or synthetic fibres. These materials trap heat effectively while remaining breathable, preventing you from overheating (though you will notice the warmth when you are walking to the ski lift)!

Fingers and toes are often the first victims of the cold. Opt for insulated, waterproof gloves specially designed for skiing or mittens which will help your hands stay warmer for longer. You could even invest in some rechargeable USB hand warmers to slip into your mittens when you’re on the ski lift. For ultimate comfort, if you suffer from cold feet when you're skiing, electric rechargeable heated socks or foot beds are a game changer and would make a great gift for a skier.

Most skiers and snowboarders wear helmets which help to keep their heads warm but a well-insulated hat or balaclava that can be worn underneath a helmet makes a big difference. A buff or neck gaiter will protect your face from windburn. Goggles will also help to keep your face warm and protect your eyes from the sun's reflective glare on the snow and the cold. Although it may not seem possible, you can get sunburn while skiing so don’t forget your SPF even on snowy days.

In extreme cold, it's crucial to recognise when your body needs a break. Head to a cosy restaurant or café to allow your body to recover, and warm up indoors. To prevent frostnip, ask your ski friends to keep an eye out for white patches on each other's faces. Act quickly if you start to feel pins and needles, numbness or throbbing in your fingers, toes, nose or ears.

Cold weather can quickly lead to dehydration. Hydrate well before hitting the slopes and carry a water bottle to sip on throughout the day. Take some snacks to keep your energy levels up, as your body burns more calories in the cold. Save the vin chaud for après-ski and choose a non-alcoholic option whilst you’re skiing!

Staying active generates body heat. Take breaks but try to keep moving to maintain your body'’s internal warmth. Quick, light exercises during breaks can help keep the blood flowing.

Plan your skiing during the warmer parts of the day. Late mornings and early afternoons usually offer more favourable conditions than early mornings or late evenings.

With the right gear, mindset and planning, you can enjoy skiing even in the coldest weather. Often some of the best snow conditions are to be found in December, January and February. If you prefer warmer temperatures and longer lunches soaking up the sun, then a ski holiday in March or April could be just the ticket.

Now that you know the basics of your ski gear, protection and maintaining body heat, we can assure you you'll be extra toasty when hitting the slopes in winter. Make sure to stay safe and stay warm on your skiing adventures!

Need a packing list for your ski holiday? Take a look at our What to wear skiing blog.

CHRISTMAS EVE: Closed

CHRISTMAS DAY: Closed

TUESDAY 26TH DEC TO Friday 29TH DEC: 10am to 4pm

SATURDAY 30TH DEC: 9am to 1pm

NEW YEAR’S EVE: Closed

NEW YEAR’S DAY: Closed

FROM 2ND JAN: Normal office hours resume

Christmas marks the end of another year but the beginning of another season. 

Wherever you find yourself this Christmas season, we wish health and happiness to all of our customers, friends and family.

Val d’Isere is gearing up for its opening weekend on 2nd December. It’s not always been easy getting to work with all the fresh snow. Snowforecast.com reported 39 cm (15 inches) of snow fell over Monday and Tuesday this week!

The team are working hard clearing snow ready for our first guests who arrive on 6th December. They'll be experts in no time at all!

Our Les Arcs & Portes du Soleil staff arrived in Les Arcs for their pre-season training on Monday. They’ve been having fun getting to know the resort and enjoying the fresh snow.

The finishing touches are being made to our chalets in Avoriaz and the new hot tubs and pools are being filled ready for our first guests. Now how about that for a view!

Back in Val d'Isere, the Bellevarde chalets are having a little facelift with new soft furnishings and furniture. Watch this space for new pictures - we're sending our photographer in next week.

Meanwhile, our friends at Massage Me are taking online bookings for massages for guests in the comfort of your chalet bedroom and our dedicated spa treatment room at Bear Lodge.

Not long to wait until we’ll be welcoming our first guests of the 2023/24 ski season.

Are you hitting the slopes this winter?

If you haven’t booked your escape to the Alps yet this winter, then do check out our luxury catered ski chalets and award-winning ski hotel.

And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok for regular snowy updates from all our resorts...

A trip to the Alps with grandchildren, parents and grandparents can be a wonderful way to spend time with your loved ones but it’s important to choose a resort that will meet the needs of all the members of the group. If you’re considering a multi-generational ski trip, read on for what we believe makes the perfect holiday.

Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, one of our favourite resorts for a ski holiday with grandparents is Morzine. This charming resort offers something for everyone, from the youngest snow bunnies to seasoned winter sports enthusiasts and grandparents looking for a wide range of non-skiing activities on days when they might not feel like hitting the slopes. Beyond skiing, Morzine's picturesque village with cosy traditional restaurants and a wide range of shops and après-ski activities, provides the ideal backdrop for family gatherings and quality time.

The extensive Portes du Soleil ski area consists of 650 km of ski runs in 14 resorts in France and Switzerland and includes the infamous “Swiss Wall” black run. It caters to all skill levels, ensuring that both beginners and experts can make the most of their time on the slopes. There are numerous ski schools offering group and private ski and snowboarding lessons tailored to various age groups and abilities. We work closely with New Generation, BASS, ESF and Supreme in Morzine.

Our Morzine chalets redefine luxury in the cosiest way. Think private hot tubs, balconies offering stunning mountain views and toasty log fires for a perfect evening back at the chalet. We've got all the modern comforts too, including WiFi in all our chalets. Plus, with the exceptional VIP SKI service that comes as standard, you will have time to chat and play games before dinner, enjoy reading bedtime stories with the children or relax with a glass of wine and a book if you prefer. What’s more, all our chalets in Morzine are located right in the centre of the town within easy reach of the slopes.

If you are looking for a destination with a huge variety of activities for skiers and non-skiers alike, then Morzine really does deliver. From dog sledding, ice diving and snowmobiling to snowshoeing, sleigh rides and ice skating, adults and children alike will find plenty to do all week.

A shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes from Morzine to Montriond Lake, which is a beautiful spot for a wintry stroll through the trees. You can also enjoy a warming coffee or lunch at one of the rustic restaurants overlooking the lake.

If the skiers in your group are skiing over to Avoriaz, then non-skiers can also get the shuttle bus to Ardent (a short drive past Montriond Lake) and walk up to meet them at Goat’s Village (or get the bubble up and walk down) for lunch in one of the many traditional restaurants there.

For those looking for vibrant nightlife and apres-ski, Morzine won’t disappoint! The apres-ski scene in Morzine offers something for everyone with a huge array of bars for a pre- or post-dinner drink or two.

As passionate skiers with children of our own, we know firsthand that happy children mean happy parents and exceptional childcare is crucial for any family holiday. We also understand that many grandparents enjoy helping look after their grandchildren on holiday so with our flexible private nanny service, grandparents can enjoy their own adventures and relaxation time too.

We appreciate that planning and coordinating a trip for multiple families can be a logistical challenge which is why our Alpine Account Managers are on hand to help create tailor-made accommodation suggestions for your party. They can also pre-book nannies, lift passes, ski hire and ski lessons for everyone so that from the moment you arrive on holiday you can relax knowing everything is organised and enjoy time with the family.

The short 90-minute transfer from Geneva airport to Morzine is ideal for those with young children. We offer four transfers a day on Sundays to enable families to fly in from different airports if needed before coming together for champagne and canapés and a delicious 3-course dinner, carefully prepared by your chalet host.

Private transfers from the airport can also be arranged on request. If you’re wondering what you need to pack for a ski trip to Morzine, then do take a look at our What to pack for your next ski trip blog.

Although Morzine is a fabulous winter destination from December to April, if you are considering a ski holiday with grandparents, we recommend travelling at Christmas or New Year for a festive experience or in March or April when the weather is a little warmer.

With activities on tap and beautiful chocolate box charm, Morzine is without a doubt, one of our favourite resorts for a multi-generational family ski trip and is the perfect place to create unforgettable memories with grandparents this winter...

Tempted? Browse our luxury catered chalets in Morzine.

This modern, yet cosy, lounge-bar offers a relaxing environment in the day and a lively party scene by night. With a high standard of food, drinks, and music, it’s also been dubbed as the nightclub ‘made in Arc 1950’, so it's a brilliant place to dance the night away.

The O’Chaud bar regularly hosts events throughout the winter, with music ranging from R’n’B to house and a daily opening time of 15:00 - 03:00.

Plan your trip to O’Chaud’s:

• Opening Times: 3pm – 3am (Winter only)
• Prime Time: Thursday Night
• Speciality: Cocktails

Here’s a peek into what a night at O’Chaud’s looks like…

With a wide selection of draught beers, wines and live music, Les Belles Pintes is a great place to unwind after skiing with a taste of Ireland. ‘Dublin’ down on that traditional pub vibe, you’ll also be able to catch live sports on the big screen and enjoy a round of darts or pool.

Oh, and make sure you don’t miss out on Happy Hour between 16:00 and 17:00 every day.

Plan your trip to Les Belles Pintes:

• Opening Times: 11am - 12pm
• Prime Time: Tuesday Afternoon
• Speciality: Pints!

Chalet Luigi is the perfect spot from which to enjoy some delicious Italian specialities and an extensive collection of fine wines on the large south-facing balcony. Around 15:00, the restaurant transforms into a lively après ski party and this atmosphere continues throughout the evening and on into the night with great live music, DJs and discos running until the early hours of the morning.

Plan your trip to Le Chalet de Luigi:

• Opening Times: 9am - 10pm
• Prime Time: Sunday Afternoon
• Speciality: Italian cuisine

Although this one is technically not in Les Arcs 1950, La Folie Douce gets an honourable mention as it's worth popping down to Arc 1800 to enjoy the live music, cabaret, and ultimate après-ski party! Dancing on the tables – optional. The infamous Folie Douce rightly deserves its reputation as one of the best après ski destinations in the area.

They have a packed schedule too with DJ’s and clubbing every day and huge event parties every Friday - just see for yourself on their Instagram page @foliedoucelesarcs

Plan your trip to La Folie Douce:

• Opening Times: 9am – 8:30pm
• Prime Time: Wednesday Evening
• Speciality: Huge parties & DJ’s

Last but far from least, the bar and lounge of the Bear Lodge is one of the most popular drinking spots to unwind after a long day on the slopes. The classy, modern decor is the perfect setting to enjoy a fancy cocktail or a tasty meal to warm your insides.

The ski in/ski out lodge has more to dazzle you with than just cocktails too, there’s also a spa, pool, and cinema room.

Check out the Bear Lodge for yourself on our website, or take a closer look through our Instagram.

Plan your trip to Bear Lodge:

• Opening Times: Varies
• Prime Time: Every day!
• Speciality: Fun & activities for all ages

Whether you’re staying in our hotel or chalets we’d love to see you for an après ski or pre-dinner drink. We have a selection of beers, cocktails and soft drinks, and our attentive staff waiting to hear about your day on the slopes.

See you there.

Cheers!