 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi, I am thinking of taking the family skiing for a week on December 19th to Val Thorens, so we would be there over Christmas. Never skiied around this time before - do the resorts stay fully open even on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, etc ? Do all, none or some of the lifts run? I would be booking the children into ESF for ski lessons - do they run as normal?
Any advice welcome! 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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For resort operations Christmas Eve and Christmas day and New Years day/eve are normal days in Ski Resorts. There may be a firework display on Xmas eve and NYE. If it's a normal ski school day then ski school runs as well.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Thu 26-11-09 12:24; edited 3 times in total
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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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I've only been skiing at Christmas once (Meribel in 1999), and it looked like business as usual on Christmas Day, certainly as far as lifts, bars and restaurants were concerned. I don't know about ski school, though.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Great, thanks, I will probably email the school directly just to confirm.
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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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Have been skiing at Christmas for the last 16 years (to avoid the debate about which of the parents' TVs to sit around for a week).
All of the resorts I've been to (mostly Europe but Canada one year) make only small nods towards Christmas. The odd bit of tinsle here and there and a few lights in trees (but they seem to keep these up for the whole season anyway).
I have only experienced the odd restaurant being closed and, despite TO reps telling you otherwise, have never had to booked a restaurant for dinner on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve (the Europeans favoured day of celebration). That said I also don't seek out a turkey and Christmas Pud type meal. If you want that - stay at home. Pizza and beer for Christmas lunch = heaven!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Christmas is considered as high season and rooms are at the highest rates of the season (as high as mid term ski holidays). Even though i niver skied during that period i would be astonished if ski schools were not operating
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I think they seem to do their big dinner etc after the lifts close on Christmas eve rather than Christmas Day. I've been skiing at Christmas 3 times and never seen any lifts etc closed. Slopes are nice and empty on Christmas morning though!
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I've been away then for the last 4 years. It' just a normal day except for the hundreds of Santa hats you'll see on the piste. Pistes always seem to be quieter on X-mas morning. If you're staying in a catered chalet (and possibly some hotels) then you'll probably get Christmas dinner in the evening.
adrian
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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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rooms are at the highest rates of the season
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generally in France I've found accommodation costs higher at New Year and highest in February holidays. It's not as busy at Christmas - and all the better for it. Everything works as usual (resort shops will be open, too). Christmas is not, statistically speaking, as reliable for snow as later in the season. But Val Thorens, being so high, will at least have been more likely to have been snowed on, rather than rained on if it is a very mild time! But equally, being high, it can be a bit bleak and windy if you strike cold weather. (lower down the valley will be better then). Swings and roundabouts. Skiing at Christmas is certainly a fantastic alternative to sitting watching the TV for hours a day, eating and drinking far too much, which is what a "traditional family Christmas" seems to mean nowadays for many inhabitants of the UK. Have a great time, ultra torque, and welcome to snowheads. 
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ultra torque, they'll be working. it is pretty normal day. You may even see Santa on the slopes. Christmas eve is the big hooley like snowgirl123 says - so Santa may descend from a gondola at 6pm to the incessant runnning commentary of an organiser, and pots of free vin chaud. It is is brill.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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thanks for the info and welcome. Previously we skiied during the midterm but last year we took the chlidren out of school to ski, so much quieter on the slopes I couldn't believe it. I don't think we will be getting permission this year  a new school and all that, so I'm thinking christmas should be a bit quieter than mid-term and otherwise we'll be just sitting around vegging out.
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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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Quieter and gets busy towards New Year as in France that seems to be their really big family get together time. Having said that, in my experience I would say overall it is quiter than halfterm. More family with all family than frantic ma pa and kids family.
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As long as the snows good, christmas skiing is fantastic. No major drawbacks.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hi, just to say thanks to all for your help. We changed our minds at the last minute and went to Avoriaz instead. Had a great time there and a great way to spend the Christmas, very relaxing to leave work and home behind. Just in case anyone else is wondering, the resort and everything in it treated Christmas Day just like any other day, rubbish collected, ski schools running, all the shops open their usual hours etc. Our 2 children:
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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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ultra torque, nice picture. Glad you had a good time - christmas wasn't fantastic but New Year was far worse. thanks for coming back to tell us about it.
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Poster: A snowHead
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ultra torque, Thank you, As PamW suggests a lot of people don't bother to post a follow up, well done!
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