Although it is normally consideed a chic top of the market price range place to ski, Courchevel does offer suprisingly good savings for families.

2 Adults plus 2 Children can have 6 days in The Three Valleys for €720 (or Courchevel Valley for €582). Passes are a minimum of 6 days with special rates up to 14 days and options for 3,4,5 or 6 children.

Note that "children" are classed as under 18 for these rates instead of under 13 as for individual passes. That means two adults and four 17 year olds could ski the Three Valleys for 6 days for €720 instead of €1350- a saving of €630 (note that separate passes are issued, you don't have to ski together!).

Apart from this obvious saving there are alternative packages including a beginners pass, actual free lifts! and an "Option Pass" which gives 12 days skiing whenever you want throughout the whole season. Adult Three Valleys €450 and Courchevel Valley €380.

Great news I think you will agree in these days of  the "Credit Crunch"

Although we live here in the French Alps we are accutely aware of the Global Financial crisis and so thought it would be a good time to review the options available to reduce the costs of your Winter Snow Holiday.

Points to consider :

1) Firstly the date of your holiday. If you are not tied to the school holidays, why not try taking your holiday in early January, or even late March?

You may think that the snow is not so good later in the season but here in Courchevel, because the slopes are north facing, the sun does not appear over the mountains until the end of February which keeps the snow crisp and in fantastic condition. In March it is sunnier and warmer in general, thats great for those lazy lingering lunchtimes in the mountain restaurants, or even for group picnics on the many areas provided here in the Three Valley. These are free of charge and a good Credit Crunch option!

If you come even later after Easter then the lift passes are reduced, but still giving access to the whole Three Valleys Domaine. Last season I had some of the best skiing in the last week of the season and when the lifts closed there was still over 2 metres of snow depth on Saulire.

2) Stay further down the mountain. The general rule of thumb for most winter holidays is that the higher you go then the more you pay! This is true for everything from accommodation to your cup of coffee. So staying lower down can be better value for money and often the accommodation is much better appointed. As you go higher up there is a need for getting the most out of the property and "squeezing" the guests in! Your apres ski will be cheaper and so will your ski hire. When times are hard you often have to compromise. The problem with a ski holiday is that once in resort, the accomodation is really the only flexible item.

Most resorts provide transport around the villages and to and from major lifts, these are normally free to use and are frequent during the season. The ski bus in our village to Courchevel runs approximately 12 times daily throughout the season and it stops just an easy 2 minute downhill walk from the chalet door.

3) If you really want to be closer to the slopes then consider opting for self catering. Look for private owned apartments, such as ours, for better prices as there will be no agency fees included.

4)  f you are able to take your holiday other than from weekend to weekend then you can save money by making the most of cheaper and quieter midweeek flights from low cost carriers. It is a little more difficult to find accommodation in high season, especially higher up the mountain, however we do any day arrival and departure in our chalet all dates all season. See our availability and prices pages for further information. The apartment however is let on a strictly Saturday to Saturday basis.

5) Getting there.....reduce your carbon foot print and drive! The roads in France are far less busy than the motorways in England and if you travel on a Sunday then there is no road haulage lorries as most are banned from moving around the country. The road tolls are approximately 80 Euros each way from Calais, depending on the exact route,and the journey is about an average 9 hours before stops. One of the cheapest but little known operators is http://www.speedferries.com who operate a high speed hydrofoil from Dover to Boulogne with the journey taking just under an hour.

If you want to fly, then use http://www.skyscanner.net to locate the best value flights though sometimes not all operators are covered. Also remember that transfers or car hire can be an expensive extra to the price of a flight!

There is also the snow train from Ashford. This travels out Friday evening and back the following Saturday evening, thus giving you an 8day "snowFix" for the price of a 7 day holiday. A fleet of buses meet the trains and take you to the various resorts. Tickets can be prebooked or purchased on arrival in Moutiers.

We hope that you find this blog interesting and useful, maybe take the time to look at our website in more detail. If you need any further help or information feel free to contact us via the contact page or by phone if you prefer. 

This summer there has been the usually bustle of, cranes and huge machines going up and down to various building projects in the different levels of Courchevel.

 A new piste from the top of Pralong & Biollay chairs straight down to the Suisse chair is being created for the new season thus ending the chaos at the corner above the Suisse chair on the Pralong piste.

The new piste follows a similar route to the old Super Pralong drag lift from a few years ago and was a popular easy off piste run in the usual route up to Saulire using Biollay and Suisse with no need to remove skis.

New snow cannons are to be installed on both the Bouc Blanc (red) and Boulevard des Arolles (blue) pistes which link 1850 over to the top of the La Tania gondola from which there is already snow cannons all the way down to resort thus guaranteeing the link over from Courchevel. To La Tania. They are also widening the Boulevard des Arolles which will make it much better for struggling beginners who get skied over by faster better skiers!

There's also plans for a new Tourist Office with left luggage and waiting room over in 1550. Plus talks of a large swimming pool and sports center to be built at Grand Coombs, though this is still in the planning stages and rumours are that it could be a high altitude training area for sports.

In Méribel, the Tougnette gondola is getting completely refurbed for next Winter (this now runs only to the mid-station with the advent of the new Tougnette 6-man chair to the summit).

We are now receiving bookings for the 2008/9 winter season.

A £50 per room deposit reserves any date of your choice and book now for the great offer of last years prices...........no £ to Euro surcharge!

Remember our prices include en-suite accommodation, breakfast, afternoon tea and a wholesome 2 course evening meal!

Our prices are per adult sharing a double or twin room, on a fully flexible basis, any date arrival and departure.....for nightly rates please feel free to contact us on the contact pages.

So for a week stay or just a long weekend we offer wonderful value for money plus the ability to ski one of the most prestigious and excellently linked ski areas in the world.

1. Has the number of people who wear helmets increased?

According to http://www.skihelmets.com/, 44% of skiers currently wear a helmet and 42% are intending to wear one the next time they visit the slopes. One reason for this growth is that out of 84,200 winter sports injuries recorded last season, 17,500 were head related and new technology has given them better ventilation and made them more comfortable and lighter.

2. When buying a helmet are there any standards that I should be aware of?

Helmets need to comply with one of three standard systems.

4. How do I fit a helmet?

Helmet size is measuresd by the circumference of your head just above your eyebrows. When putting the helmet onto your head, align the front of the helmet with your eyebrows and pull down on both straps until it is comfortable. There should be no gaps between the lining of the helmet and your head and ensure that the back of the helmet does not touch the back of your neck. Goggles should fit comortably over the helmet.
 

5. How much will I expect to pay for a helmet?

Adult helmets start at around £50 and go up to £150. The difference in price relates to the type of material used to make the helmet or they may have the added benefit of allowing you to listen to your phone or radio in the helmet. Helmets for children are slightly cheaper and range from £30-£70.