XMAS IS BACK

Hopefully, we’re not tempting fate, but as we go to press this looks like it could be the first Christmas and New Year’s Eve since 2019 that all the major ski nations are open to (most) skiers.

It was just about possible last Christmas in most European ski nations, but the country we send the most skiers to each winter, France, closed its borders to Brits over the key holiday period last winter as we had a surge of the then latest new Covid-19 wave, meaning this should actually be the first Christmas and New

Year holiday we have been able to spend in France for three years.

Further afield, Canada had restrictions on travel last Christmas although it was possible to travel there, and the USA banned unvaccinated travellers unless

US citizens … and at the time of writing still does. Japan, which is not a Christian country of course but still likes to join in in its own way, was closed but reopened to all this October.

CHEAPER HOLIDAYS

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fall on Saturdays this year and as that’s the usual “change-over day”, tour operators are reporting downward pressure on prices due to those preferring not to travel so close to the big day. If you want to enjoy the festive spirit but be home for Christmas Day, there are also, reportedly, low-price packages landing back in the UK, which some families with school-age kids are opting for as school holidays typically start and end earlier than usual this academic year, with many kids returning on 3 January.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Christmas in the mountains is always a magical time – your best chance to enjoy a White Christmas of course, and gourmet meals if you’re in a chalet or half-board hotel, Santa skiing down the slopes and a spectacular fireworks display are also common features. If you head to Lapland, you can meet Santa at home before he heads out, while also skiing on dreamy floodlit slopes and perhaps seeing the Northern Lights. The Swiss resort of Crans-Montana is a good choice too, with a full Christmas village and many events to enjoy. In France, Les Gets has one of the strongest reputations in the Alps for families, but over the Christmas period it hits still higher levels. The Alta Lumina illuminated walk is an added attraction, and this winter during the week of 17 to 24 December 2022, when an adult buys a lift pass an accompanying child aged under 12 gets one free. Neighbouring Morzine is lit up too, giving a fairy-tale feel to the festive celebrations. The village comes alive to the sounds of parades, brass bands, the Christmas market, fireworks and the arrival of Father Christmas. But wherever you choose to ski, there’s sure to be plenty of Christmas fun in the mountains.