 Poster: A snowHead
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I’m really struggling. We have two options - we can go the dreaded Feb half term or the kids break up early for Xmas so we could go the 13-20th December (or for a little longer if we end up going further). We don’t mind where we go… hubby boards, I ski (blues no problem and the occasional red) two teens who can ski anything and a 6 year old who has loves blues and the occasional red too.
Last year we went to Les Arc and covered pretty much the whole area except a few runs. La Plagne the year before. Great resorts but we’ve done them - we like to go somewhere new… couple of years ago when kids were learning we did Les Menuires but didn’t cover much as they were dinky then.. could go back there.
Any resorts you’d suggest? December is sooo much cheaper and will be much quieter but I’m terrified about snow conditions. Even Whistler isn’t guaranteed….
So anyone have any fab resorts that would be on par with somewhere like Les Arcs?
Keep going round Avoriaz, Aloe D’huez, Val Thorens, Whistler and Tignes at the moment. Ski in and out is our only must have as we were soooo spoilt with Les Arcs 1950 last year!
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I was going to suggest Banff, seeing as you had Whistler as an option but then saw your last paragraph stating ski in, ski out. I was in Les Arcs 1950 a couple of weeks ago and loved it, so I get the ski in/out..... but you are severely restricting yourself to France mainly. Obertauren in Austria would be great that time of year, all the lifts are in the village and great early snow record. Cervinia allow Zermatt too, not quite Ski in/out, but again lifts are in the village
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@jodieg2025,
You’re in a great position to enjoy a wide range of resorts with your family’s mixed abilities and strong skiing foundation. Given your love of ski-in/ski-out (totally agree—once you’ve had it, it’s hard to go back!), here’s a breakdown of your shortlist plus a few additional suggestions that balance early season snow reliability with variety and convenience:
Top Picks for Mid-December (Snow-Reliable & Ski-in/Ski-out)
Val Thorens (France)
• Why it fits: Highest resort in Europe (2300m), great early-season snow record, excellent for all abilities, lots of ski-in/ski-out.
• Downsides: Less charming than other villages, but functional and snow-sure.
• Good fit for your 6-year-old: Yes—lots of mellow slopes near the village.
Tignes (France)
• Why it fits: Part of Espace Killy with Val d’Isère—vast terrain and early season glacier skiing.
• Snow reliability: Excellent. Grande Motte Glacier almost guarantees good skiing.
• Ski-in/out: Tignes Le Lac and Val Claret offer this.
• Downsides: Not the prettiest architecture, but super practical.
Avoriaz (France)
• Why it fits: Fully pedestrianised, true ski-in/out, high enough to usually have good December snow.
• Snow reliability: Better than other Portes du Soleil areas, but not as bulletproof as Val T or Tignes.
• Good for families: Excellent for kids, ski schools, and has a fun village vibe.
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Other Strong Contenders
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl (Austria)
• Why it fits: Quiet, snow-sure (above 1800m), great for families, less busy than mega-resorts.
• Ski-in/out: Many hotels are, or are close to, ski-in/out.
• Downsides: Smaller ski area (~110km), but great for a shorter or relaxed week.
Lech-Zürs (Austria)
• Why it fits: Upscale, charming, excellent snow reliability for mid-December.
• Ski-in/out: Possible from many accommodations.
• Huge area (linked to St Anton), but also caters to all levels.
• Downsides: Expensive, but December can be more reasonable.
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Wild Card
Alta Badia / Dolomiti Superski (Italy)
• Why it fits: Ski-in/out in places like Colfosco, vast and varied terrain, great food, and amazing scenery.
• Snow reliability: Historically lower snowfall, but world-class snowmaking.
• Charming and quieter than French mega-resorts.
• Great for early skiing? A bit of a gamble in mid-Dec, but improving every year.
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A Few Thoughts on the Others:
• Alpe d’Huez: Great intermediate terrain, decent altitude (1850m base), ski-in/out possible—but snow in mid-December is hit or miss.
• Whistler: Stunning, but mid-December is often sketchy. Add the long travel, jet lag, and cost—it may not be worth the gamble.
• Les Menuires: Still a great option if you want to explore the 3 Vallées more, and good snow record—but not “new” for you.
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Verdict:
If snow reliability is your top concern and you loved Les Arcs, Val Thorens or Tignes are your safest, best bets for mid-December, with ski-in/out and big-mountain feel. If you’re willing to take a mild gamble for more charm and variety, Avoriaz or Obergurgl are strong alternatives.
Would you like help narrowing it further based on travel convenience or accommodation options?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Wouldn’t Banff be dang cold in December?
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@jodieg2025, I went to Arabba 9th December this year and found plenty of excellent skiing so would definitely be happy to go anywhere around the Sella Ronda from 13th, picking whichever base suits you best for convenience. I would also add Saalbach or Hinterglemm to the list of suggestions if you can find suitable accommodation. Plenty of skiing open for that week.
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i consider personally Alta Badia more SKI secure for December as Lech or some other resorts
"Alta Badia has one of the most comprehensive snowmaking systems in the Dolomiti Superski resort: 620 snow cannons cover over 100 km of slopes, which corresponds to 90% of the ski area. During the 2016/17 winter season, more than 2,000,000 cubic meters of snow were produced."
In December there will be definitely 4-5 days with temp below 0 C
in this time they can cover almost all the slopes with artificial snow.
But as i say, Dolomiti is "ski secure" but not snow secure.
Consider also Hochsölden...there are some ski in ski out Hotels, Apparts etc
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Thank you all for the replies! Super helpful! My husband and I have done lots of skiing/boarding outside of France pre kids but now like to find the easiest resorts for the kids-lugging skis about isn’t fun ha also drag lifts… not a fan. We did a tiny resort in Italy a couple of years ago but the amount of dated lifts weren’t fun!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@jodieg2025, Alta Badia/Dolomiti Superski has invested heavily in modern lift infrastructure, you'll find very few dated lifts there (if at all).
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Went to Corvara with the family just before Christmas a couple of years ago. Best trip we've ever done! Also done the same week in Maria Alm and Saalbach - both were like private resorts..... Super quiet!
You also get a much better choice of accommodation and it's much cheaper. Don't worry about the snow!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I wouldn’t go to Whistler as a blue/occasional red skier, also jet lag for a little one, it’s just not worth the cost and hassle. Save it for a few years’ time IMO when you can make the most of it (many whistler blues are at least reds and ungroomed ones are harder).
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@jodieg2025,
If the December dates I'd go to Tignes (le Lac, Val Claret [unless the Brit Unis are there] or Lavachet) for snow sure. A question on the Tignes thread on the 'Snowreports' forum would give suggestions of ski in/out accommodation.
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+1 for Tignes. As above, it's not the prettiest but it's super easy, loads of ski in / out and linked up with Val D'Isere. It'll have been open 3 or 4 weeks by time you're looking in December so it'll be pretty much fully open (whereas some places might not be quite fully open until Christmas week the week after). It's feasible to do all the way from 1550 all the way over to the Val D'Isere glacier and back in a day's skiing (although maybe not for your youngest....not in capability but in distance).
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You know it makes sense.
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@jodieg2025, Klamm Franzer wrote, “… Also done the same week in Maria Alm and Saalbach - both were like private resorts..... Super quiet!
You also get a much better choice of accommodation and it's much cheaper. Don't worry about the snow!”
If you’re considering Saalbach and looking for ski-in ski-out, I may be able to help. I live there, so I know where best to be located - and it’s a good choice of resort for the availability of slopeside, ski convenient accommodation, with plenty of apartments, hotels and guesthouses being located right next to pistes or lift stations.
I won’t tout my own place on here, but P.M. me privately if you want information.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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@jodieg2025, Hi. If you commit to 13 Dec but leave till last min to book you can take your pick of places based on snow cover. That early in the season, and out of peak times, you should be able to get somewhere no bother.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Cervinia does have quite a few good few ski in ski out places just slightly up from the front of the village and several virtually ski in ski out on the snow front. Can be a little walk up/down in the evenings from the places above the village centre though the hotels tend to land rover you up and down on demand which was great.
Fantastic food there for all and tons of blue and red cruising, some great skiing and they're very good at opening things up. Definitely worth consideration, extremely snow reliable. Option of going over to Zermatt as mentioned above.
Potential downsides is it could be bloody cold! Same applies though to most of the other recommendations above too mind. I think it's a good bet with your kids ages.
Serfaus in Austria another really good place for your needs though only a smaller handful that are ski in ski out.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The Dolomites are normally right up there with the most lifts and kms of ski runs open in December.
Almost as important as the snow cover is the reliability of the weather at that time of year. The skiing in the Dolomites is lower and sheltered compared to the western Alps and therefore less likely to have ski runs closed by high wind, poor visibility, rain or high avalanche risk.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@jodieg2025,
I've done Avoriaz loads the 1st week of te season and its normally great fun (This year 13th dec 2025). The Avoriaz slopes are north facing and so keep what early snow they have.
The draw back at that time of year is that by 2:30pm they are starting to get very firm/scratchy being in the shade. Plus only a limited section of the pdS will be open. Good slopes can be accessed early season in Avoriaz and around Pre la Joux/plaine dranse area of Chatel though.
What ever your choice, what ever time of year and where ever you go skiing there is alway a compromise to be had (be it snow, people, crowds, restaurants, transfer availability, etc etc).
This might interest you that the all inclusine Belhambra club in AVoriaz is a very very good price 13th to 20th December. (My mates stayed there last year the 1st week of the season and said it was great considering the very cheap price available that week)
https://www.belambra.com/locations/auvergne-rhone-alpes/club-avoriaz-les-cimes-du-soleil-summer
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I know quite a few people who love the dolomites that week for reasons above (sheltered, great infrastructure and snowmaking). Plus not very busy. It sounds good for your group level.
I wouldn’t go to whistler until everyone can ski European reds confidently; it’s not worth the cost and hassle until then
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All good suggestions there. I’d also add Ischgl, you won’t get ski in/ski out but it’s usually a very short walk to the bubble. Great varied runs through the resort, lots of tree lined runs if the weather gets bad but most importantly in early December you’ll be guaranteed snow. If it was me though I’d probably go 3 Valleys, great snowmaking if the natural stuff isn’t abundant. You can pretty much stay anywhere as they’ll have all the links open by then. Meribel Mottaret is a good option for ski-in/ski-out, quiet at night but not really a problem for a family.
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One thing I just thought about with Ischgl. Great resort in every way except one, the last few hundred metres off the mountain in both directions is sketchy: crowded, narrow and full of moguls.
Probably not a huge problem with your skiing levels, especially if you come down towards Pardatschgratbahn but worth knowing. If you’re not happy skiing that last little bit it cuts off a lot of the mountain.
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