Snow is falling in the Alps and the Rockies and there are some great December deals around – this could be the ideal time for a ski break.
Banff, Canada
£299 for 11 nights, including flights and transfers with Inghams (+ 44 (0)20 8780 4447; inghams.co.uk), departing from Manchester on 12 December. There a few places still available at this incredible price. And, if the deal weren't incentive enough, the area has had its best early season snow for 30 years. The firm also has a week at Banff's Swiss Village Hotel from £371, from 16 December, departing from London Gatwick.
Val d' Isere, France
£329 for seven nights, including flights, transfers, ski hosting and half-board at Chalethotel Le Fjord - a saving of £140 - with Ski Solutions (+44 (0)20 7471 7700, skisolutions.com). Departs from London Gatwick on 12 December.
Winter Park, US
£499 for seven nights - a saving of £418 - staying at the Winter Park Mountain Lodge and including British Airways flights from Heathrow and transfers. With Crystal Ski (+ 44 (0)871 231 2256; crystalski.co.uk). Often overlooked in favour of other Colorado resorts like Breckenridge and Vail, Winter Park is a gem. It's close to Denver, so gets busy at weekends, but is quiet in the week and has fabulous tree skiing. Departs 12 December from Heathrow.
Alpe d'Huez, France
£800 for a family of four for a week at the Chalet Hotel Mariandre, including ski hosting, baby/child listening service and flights. Esprit Ski (+ 44 (0)1252 618 300; espritski.com). From Stansted on 13 December.
St Anton, Austria
£705 for a week - saving £494 per person on the brochure price - including flights, transfers and half-board at the four-star Chalet Fauner. Crystal Finest (+ 44 (0)871 231 2256; crystalfinest.co.uk). Leave on 19 December from Gatwick, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester or Newcastle).
Champoluc, Italy
£446 for a three-night Christmas short break at the four-star Relais des Glaciers Hotel, including ski hire, airport transfers, half-board and lunches on the mountain, and lift pass. Ski 2 (+ 44 (0)1962 713330; ski-2.com), long-time specialists to this charming village in the Monterosa ski area. Starts 23 December, flights to Milan or Turin are extra.
Courchevel, France
£369 for a week- £376 off the brochure price - with flights, transfers, ski hosting, and half-board at Chalet Trois S, in Courchevel 1550. If You Ski (+ 44 (0)844 371 7733, www.ifyouski.com). Departs on 19 December with a choice of UK airports.
La Plagne 1800, France
£751 for a week including flights, half-board and wine - £214 off the brochure price. Leave on Boxing Day to have New Year in the vast Paradiski ski area (the linked ski domains of La Plagne and Les Arcs). Thomson Ski (+44 (0)871 971 0578; thomsonski.co.uk). From Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Gatwick, Leeds Bradford or Manchester to Chambery and airport transfers.
