Accorhotels has a fantastic promotion starting now. Up to 50% off 2 000 hotels across Europe! 10-day supersale, don’t miss it! Personally I always use Accor Hotels when en route to ski trips. There are Accor hotels all over Europe and plenty on all the main driving routes to ski resorts.

There are different levels of hotels as follows:

Formula 1 – basic triple room, no ensuite bathroom (though plentiful extremely clean facilities seconds from the rooms) TIP: Great for those very quick over night stops where you just put your head down for a few hours, tend to be just off the motorways. Price around 25 – 35euros a night

Etap – basic triple room with an ensuite bathroom TIP: Great for slightly longer overnight stops, mix of motorway and more central options. Price around 35 – 50 euros a night.

Ibis – comfort double room (or twin) with ensuite bathroom. TIP: Tend to be more central, so if you want a look around try this option! Around 50euros + a night.

There’s also the Novotel, and Mercure hotel chains, which again offer an even more luxurious stay. These cost more than 50 euros a night.

Unfortunately it’s not that clear on the site how you get the discount, the website suggest the discounts are automatically applied but Accor suggest you need to add the code “SUPERS” at the beginning of the purchase process, I think this would go in the Preferential Code box as shown.

Offer details

Booking dates: from 13th to 22nd March 2010
Staying period: from 22nd March until 2nd May, 2010
Destinations: around 2 000 hotels in Europe (All Accor hotels brands, except Sofitel)

Visit Accorhotels.com and book now!
p.s. I’d just like to say typically I booked my next lot of Accor Hotels for skiing in a couple of weeks on Friday a day before the sale was launched! Why does that always happen!

As any seasoned skier will know, the après ski is nearly as important as the white stuff itself when choosing which resort to holiday in this winter.

Many resorts ski resorts host internationally renowned ski festivals throughout the season. From six-day comedy events, to extreme sports competitions and showcases of hot new bands, snow-fanatics are spoiled for choice in the French Alps throughout 2010.

Below we have listed our top picks for the best ski festivals in the French Alps this winter:

Altitude Festival, Meribel – 20th-26th March 2010

If you’re planning to squeeze in a ski trip to the French Alps at the end of the season, make your way to the fabulous resort of Meribel for first-class snow action and belly laughs on the piste. Featuring some of the biggest names in comedy, the annual Altitude Festival offers the ultimate in après-ski entertainment. The highlights of the festivals, in addition to brilliant stand-up performances, include screenings of comedy films, gigs and a lot of messing around on the piste. This year’s line-up includes performances from Newton Faulkner, comedy from Phil Jupitus and music from DJ Yoda

A weeks accommodation in Pierre & Vacances Meribel Les Crets for the duration of the festival starts at €952.00 for a one bedroom apartment sleeping up to four people.

Little World Festival, Meribel – 13th-19th March 2010

Organised by top British act, The Feeling, Little World Festival combines five days of skiing and snowboarding in the largest ski area in the world with entertainment from Europe’s biggest bands and DJ’s. With over 40 live gigs during the week and free outdoor concerts on the piste, the festival is an ideal choice for music lovers. This year’s festival includes music by Sophie Ellis Bextor, Glenn Tilbrook and, of course, The Feeling.

A weeks accommodation in Pierre & Vacances Residence du Tueda for the duration of the festival starts at €637.50 for a studio apartment sleeping up to four people.

TignesFest, Tignes – 16th April 2010

Tignes is already renowned for it’s après-ski parties, but TignesFest offers an extra reason to visit the resort in 2010. TignesFest is a festival showcasing new musical talent and best of all – it’s completely free! Popular radio DJs from the UK’s hottest stations, including Radio 1 and Kiss FM host the show where music from live DJs and new bands keep the crowds entertained.

A weeks accommodation in Maeva Grande Motte ski resort – Tignes during the festival starts at €475 for a studio apartment sleeping up to four people.

British University Snowboarding Council (BUSC) main event – 27th February – 5th March 2010

The BUSC Main Event will this year be venturing to Alpe d’Huez for six nights of partying and hedonistic mayhem. Featuring over 2,000 revellers, the event is not for the faint hearted and all culminates in an open-air mountain party on the final night.

A weeks accommodation in Résidence Pierre & Vacances L’Ours Blanc during the festival starts at €490 for a studio apartment sleeping up to four people.

La Clusaz Carnival, La Clusaz – 16 Feb 2010

Families love this famously fun and light-hearted carnival that features street parades, music and fireworks. Costumes can be hired from the tourist office and the bars are open all night. The traditional Savoyard village is regarded by some as one of the most picturesque in the French Alps – the perfect spot for a family break.

A weeks accommodation in Résidence Maeva La Perrière during the festival starts at €450 for a studio apartment sleeping up to four people.

Winter X-Games Europe, Tignes – 10th – 12th March 2010

Tignes plays host to one of the world’s biggest alternative and extreme sports events. Winter X Games Europe is the first Winter X Games to take place outside the United States, where the world’s top sportsmen and women compete against each other on two wheels, in the air, on skis and on snowboards for both medals and prize money. There will be eight different competitions over three days, including Ski and Snowboard SuperPipe and Slopestyle for men and women as well as a Snowmobile demonstration.

A weeks accommodation in Résidence Maeva Le Lac during the festival starts at €355 for a studio apartment sleeping up to four people.

Three Valleys X-Wing Rally Finals, Three Valleys – 5th April 2010

The main resorts in the Three Valleys region, including Courchevel, Meribel, and Val Thorens join together for this one day event in which the slopes are open to everyone, regardless of ability. Having fun is the order of the day, with the only requisite being that the Three Valleys region is explored and admired. Events and competitions are organised throughout the day with ski passes and holidays to be won.

A weeks accommodation in Pierre & Vacances Le Tikal during the festival starts at €690 for a studio apartment sleeping up to four people.

If you are going to any of these fantastic festivals do let us know and post some pics on our facebook page at www.facebook.com/skiconcierge

Ski-concierge.com has got it’s hands on a great discount voucher from Eurolines. Get 10% off single or return journeys from London to……

Cluses
Chamonix
Moutiers
Aime
Bourg-St-Maurice
Tignes-Le Lac
Tignes-Val Claret

This Eurolines offer is available on bookings made between 1st October – 15th November for travel during 8th January 2010 – 12th March 2010 (excluding 12th Feb 2010 to 19th Feb 2010).

All you need to do is visit the Eurolines website and enter the code: SKITEN

Following on from the success of Pierre & Vacances’ popular ‘sunshine guarantee’ insurance policy this summer, the European accommodation specialist is now offering a ‘snow guarantee’ on all winter ski holidays. The ski insurance policy allows holidaymakers the option of cancelling their ski holiday free of charge if snow weather conditions in resort are insufficient.

Cancellation applies if a lack or excess of snow entails the closure of over two thirds of the ski lifts normally in service, for a minimum of two consecutive days. A refund can be claimed within the five days preceding the departure date. The insurance policy is being offered in association with Europ Assistance, to offer a full refund on Pierre & Vacances ski holidays booked between the 19th December 2009 and the 10th April 2010. The policy, starting from €30 per booking, is applicable to all ski holidays booked at ‘Pierre & Vacances’ or ‘Maeva’ branded properties this winter.

The ‘Snow Guarantee’ is just another reason to book your winter ski holiday with Pierre & Vacances, as the company has also recently extended its ‘Eurobuster’ deal to offer at least 15 per cent off all ski holidays on all dates throughout the winter, including Christmas, New Year and the school half term holidays. The deal can also be combined with any other Pierre & Vacances offer currently available to lead to savings of up to 32 percent.For more information and to take advantage of the offer, please visit:

The ‘snow guarantee’ comes hot on the heels of the summer ‘sunshine guarantee’ which offered to reimburse sun lovers if their holiday to France was interrupted by more than four days of rain in one week.

For more information and further terms and conditions for the Snow Guarantee, please visit: http://www.pv-holidays.com/hu_ski_services_snow_guarantee.php

Le Semnoz overlooking Lac d’Annecy

A renowned ski playground in a grandiose setting which has developed a big following with snowkiters, in particular. Avoid Sundays if you can, when locals take to the slopes.

Le Sappey in the Chartreuse region

Despite its proximity to the city of Grenoble, visible from its slopes, Le Sappey stands in a wild and unspoilt setting at the heart of a “parc naturel régional”. The ambience here is much more intimate, characterised by family-run hotels, cosy bed & breakfasts, a few drag lifts and several cross-country skiing trails through the surrounding forests.

Saint-Véran, in the Queyras

This picturesque, well-protected village, the highest “old” village in Europe (2,042m), is connected via several drag lifts and one ski lift to Molines, an equally charming and quiet village, where families can explore thirty or so downhill runs. With its cross-country ski trails and welcoming inns, this corner of the Queyras has its own distinct atmosphere.

Reallon

Réallon overlooking Lac de Serre-Ponçon

Clinging to the slopes of the Aiguilles de Chabrières, in the Embrunais, this resort on a human scale boasts superb views of France’s largest man-made scale.

Chabanon a haven in the Alpes de Haute-Provence

Located in the unspoilt Vallée de la Blanche, not far from the Ubaye river, this ski resort stands amid a wild and grandiose landscape perfect for cross-country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts who are keen to get away from it all.

Gavarnie-Gèdre, at the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées

Nestled in the famous Cirque de Gavarnie (an impressive natural amphitheatre crowned by lofty mountain peaks), this ski area is renowned for its excellent snow conditions.

Artouste, an attractive corner of the Béarn

Tucked away in the delightful Vallée d’Ossau, south of Pau, this resort renowned for its spectacular mountain train which runs in summer, also boasts a number of attractive pistes, a “kidpark” and “snowpark”.

Le Schnepfenried, in the Vosges

This attractive, “miniature” ski resort, one of many similar resorts in the Vosges mountains, is surrounded by a number of welcoming farm-inns (renowned for their cheese specialities) on the Alsatian side of the Munster Valley. The perfect location for a quiet family ski holiday far from the madding crowds.

Chalmazel between the Auvergne and Forez

During winters with abundant snowfall, this ski area hidden away in the forests of the Monts du Forez (north of Saint-Etienne) is popular with young freestylers. Despite being a long way from some of the country’s trendier ski areas, the dynamic freestyle ski club here is hugely popular.

You can book tickets for trains up to 3 months in advance, so today you can book tickets up until 14th January 2010. For journeys after this date, go online and book them “exactly” 3 months before you return journey date.

The way the ski train tickets work is that you go to Paris on the Eurostar from St Pancras, also bookable through Rail Europe, then you change trains to a French network train that whisks you to the Alps.

Resort Destinations with a ski train from Paris

Get off the ski train at Moutiers for the following ski resorts (transfer times in brackets).

Courchevel (30 minutes), Les Menuires (40 mins),  Meribel (20 mins),  Valmorel  (40 mins) and Val Thorens (35 mins).

Get off the ski train at Aime La Plagne for La Plagne ski resort (30 minutes).

Get off the ski train at Bourg St Maurice for the following ski resorts:

Les Arcs (35 minutes), La Rosiere (40 mins), Tignes (25 mins) Les Arcs provides perhaps the easiest transfer with a short funicular ride from Bourg St Maurice station up to Les Arcs 1600. All other resorts are accessible via public transport links, or taxi.

The above are the major well known resorts that people know they can travel to using the French ski train services. However skiiers often don’t realise that you can also get to other ski resorts easily by train.  These destinations also tend to be cheaper than tickets to Bourg St Maurice or Moutiers.

Get the ski train to Oulx for ski resorts Sauze d’Oulx, Sestriere, Montgenevre and Claviere.

Get the ski train to Briancon for ski resorts Serre Chevalier, Puy St Vincent and Pelvoux.

Get the ski train to St Jean de Maurienne for ski resorts Les Sybelles, Valloire and Valmenier

Get the ski train to Grenoble for ski resorts Alpe d’Huez, Les Deux Alpes and La Grave amongst others.

Most of these ski train destinations offer daily services in about 4 hours from Paris or overnight services in about 7/8 hours. If you take the overnight service then it works the same way as the old, now defunct, Snow Train you will be able to ski for 8 full days.

Book your ski train tickets now.

When the ski train tickets to France are available to buy online is one of the most popular questions at the moment. Well basically Rail Europe are going to release the ski train tickets to France on 14th October for all sk trains up until 14th January. After that you can book your ski train tickets 3 months before your travel date.

Click here to book your ski train tickets online.

The Sybelles ski area includes Le Corbier and St Sorlin D’arves, both of which appear in some of the tour operator catalogues. Of the three main villages, St Sorlin D’Arves ski resort is probably the prettiest, but a bit out of the way for the main skiing. Le Corbier is the most convenient, but least pretty. La Toususire sits somewhere in the middle, not a beauty, but not an eye sore either, and relatively central too. 

We decided to go self catering this year (credit crunch and all) and booked an apartment through a local letting agency for a bargainous 300 Euros. Our apartment was on the main drag and just opposite the pistes. 

The skiing in La Toussuire itself consists mainly of bowl skiing with the majority of runs being blue or red. There are some beginner slopes, but the blues are nice and wide and perfect for beginners too. There are some harder reds around but no blacks in La Toussuire itself. There’s also plenty of safe off piste, not for the experts, but perfect for those just venturing into off piste and want a safe area to practice. The lift system is pretty good, there are just a few older slower lifts around, one particular 2 seater calf banger is certainly a relic!

There is probably enough skiing for a week in La Toussuire ski resort itself if you are a beginner with up to 3 weeks under your belt. For improvers, intermediates and experts I recommend buying the Les Sybelles lift pass. The skiing in Le Corbier is similar to La Toussuire with bowl skiing, with mainly blue and red runs, plus there’s one black. St Sorlin D’Arves contains possibly the most challenging skiing of the area, with several blacks and plenty of difficult reds. Watch out for the hazard signed button lifts in St Sorlin D’Arves, they were the scariest I’d seen, extremely steep and long! It’s a little bit of a hike over to Sorlin, but well worth it at least once in your week.

St Colomban des Villards, another of the linked resorts, is one that I wouldn’t advise unless you’re truly bored of everything else on offer. A long windy red / blue takes you into the resort, not recommended for beginners, and once you’re in the main area of the resort there just isn’t enough to keep you entertained for long. The hike back up to La Toussuire then takes a while. St Colomban looks a lovely little village though so if you want somewhere to go to for a lazy lunch it could be worth it.

La Toussuire itself is quite a charming French village just make sure you polish up on your French because there won’t be many English speakers there. There’s plenty of accommodation, mainly self catering, but also a couple of good hotels including Les Airelles and Les Soldanelles, both of which are right on the piste.

There isn’t a lot of nightlife, one nightclub, but there are plenty of restaurants that serve drinks in the evening and many that do takeaway pizza also. So, if like me, you’re happier sinking a few glasses of wine over dinner than dancing the night away then La Toussuire definitely fits the bill.

I’d recommend La Toussuire ski resort and the Sybelles ski area for beginners and improvers who want some challenging reds. I’ll definitely be adding it to my list of must visit agains.

When I’ve booked group ski lessons I’ve always in the end opted for the morning ski lessons, and 15 minutes of mountain air always clears the head. I’ve booked all my ski lessons through ESF  in France (http://www.esf.net/en/index.html) and always found them to be pretty good.

Group ski lessons are especially good if you’re the only person at your level in your friends / family group. You’ll then get to go off with people of a similar level to you leaving everyone else to have their time at their own level. A pack of 6 day group ski lessons with ESF (3 hours a day) will cost around 140 euros.

On several holidays now I have booked private ski lessons, once with ESF and another with the alternative supplier in resort (A-Peak in Montgenevre, http://www.a-peak.com/en_bienvenue.htm). I have always found that I have progressed much quicker when having private ski lessons. You get to choose the routes you do, not just following the instructor and other members of your ski lesson group. This is especially useful if not like me you have a strange fear of cable cars and much prefer the open air lifts! It’s your choice. Or particularly useful for nervous skiiers that just want to go at their own pace without feeling the pressure to keep up or go down harder runs.

Plus if you’re  a fast improver then you’ll find you move on a lot quicker in private ski lessons, and there’s a lot less hanging around waiting for others. Private ski lessons come at a price tag for one at around 70 euros for 2 hours. But the more friends / family you can get into a group the more reasonable it becomes. For example 3 people for 2 hours can cost around 25 euros each, not far off the group ski lessons prices.

I think there are benefits to both types of lessons, but it really depends on your level and the group you are skiing with.

Rail Europe have just announced that the Snow Train will not run this season. Their website says “Unfortunately, the current economic climate and poor exchange rates along with an increase in our operating costs, has meant that the service would not be financially viable”.

I’m sure everyone who preferred the snow train to the long drive, or flying will be thinking oh no now I have to do the Eurostar overnight ski train or day ski train. Of course this is an option, but 9 hours in a train seat to the Alps is never a favourite start to your ski holiday (a weekend trip to Les Arcs via Eurostar overnight train I’m sure will be blogged about at some point.)

But don’t dispair, all the Snow Train was was a chartered  TGV. I’ve been on this service once and it’s only notable for its extremely sticky floored disco car. In recent years I’ve booked my ski train tickets independently, so I’ve booked a ticket via Eurostar to Paris and then the TGV/Artesia secion seperately from Paris to the Alps, you can book through Rail Europe.  Don’t worry you get overnight couchettes on these ski trains too.

Trains run from Paris Austerlitz or Gare du Lyon on a regular basis to Bourg St Maurice, several during the day and one overnight every evening in peak season.  Note the overnight train is a Corail Lunea which has the couchette options like the Snow Train.

Fares can be cheap, especially outside peak season. Last season I got tickets from London to Bourg St Maurice for less than £120 all in, £75 for a Eurostar return and £45 for Paris to Bourg St Maurice via Chambery. A taxi for the half an hour drive to Tignes ski resort cost 15 euros each (for 7), and it worked out much cheaper than flying even with budget airline prices. You can book at Rail Europe.

The cheapest way to get ski train tickets to the Alps is to book as far in advance as you can, tickets on the French network go on sale 3 months before the date of travel, so get online “exactly” 3 months before and get your tickets booked.

One thing that skiiers often don’t realise is that you can also get to other ski resorts easily by train.  These destinations also tend to be cheaper than tickets to Bourg St Maurice or Moutiers.

Get the ski train to Oulx for ski resorts Sauze d’Oulx, Sestriere, Montgenevre and Claviere.

Get the ski train to Briancon for ski resorts Serre Chevalier, Puy St Vincent and Pelvoux.

Get the ski train to St Jean de Maurienne for ski resorts Les Sybelles, Valloire and Valmenier

Get the ski train to Grenoble for ski resorts Alpe D’huez, Les Deux Alpes and La Grave amongst others.

Most of these ski train destinations offer daily services in about 4 hours from Paris or overnight services in about 7/8 hours. If you take the overnight service then it works the same way as the Snow Train you will be able to ski for 8 full days.

Book all these ski train journeys in minutes online at Rail Europe.

My final tip – if you are willing to sacrifice comfort for price, many of these ski train services offer reclining seats over couchettes, they’re often as cheap as 40 euros return from Paris, and you get a lot more leg room than on a plane (and much more than the Eurostar!)