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With the shorter days upon us and the summer holidays both a distant memory and a distant prospect, December can feel like the start of a long, gloomy slog. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be like that!
In Europe we're lucky enough to have access to the finest selection of ski resorts anywhere in the world. So, whether you're looking to whisk your family away for a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas treat or simply can't wait to hit the slopes, read on on for our guide to the best places to ski in the Alps in December.
The Three Valleys - or Trois Vallées - ski domain brings together three of the finest ski resorts in the French Alps to create the largest interconnected ski area in the world, with up to 600km of slopes accessible from any of these locations. Each resort is a fantastic destination in its own right, offering first-class facilities to match the outstanding natural beauty on show - but taken together they become quite simply unbeatable for reliably snow-sure and varied early season skiing. All three resorts tend to begin their ski seasons at the end of November, meaning that by December they are expected to have some decent snow depth.
Perched at a dizzying 2300m, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, guaranteeing decent powder even this early in the ski season, as well as fantastic restaurants and après-ski in and around its villages. Its famous La Folie Douce hosts a huge Christmas party on December 24th - an event not to be missed!
The emblematic ski resort of Méribel is another with a strong snow record and a reputation for high-end luxury, with skiers of all levels drawn for almost a century now to its pretty slopes and cosy villages.
Meanwhile, the villages that make up the resort of Courchevel can actually be considered 4 (Courchevel 1850, 1650, 1500 and 1300), with the highest also staking a strong claim to the crown of glitziest ski resort in the alps. Courchevel kicks off its season in late November and offers a fantastic Christmas Parade in mid-December to help make sure everyone is in the festive spirit, with mulled wine, music and a visit from none other than Santa Claus himself! Take a look at Villanovo's selection of luxury chalets close to the slopes in Courchevel for more inspiration.
Although smaller in size than the French Alps the Swiss Alps enjoy a big reputation for December skiing, with the with the renowned ski destinations of Zermatt and Verbier offering an exclusive blend of spectacular scenery, excellent snow conditions, mouth-watering cuisine and the guarantee of quality that comes with everything Swiss.
Much of the skiing in Zermatt takes places at a lofty 3000m, with many of the slopes north-facing, meaning even by early December it enjoys excellent snow coverage. Boasting the highest cable car in Europe, the lively resort of Zermatt can take skiers up to the high-altitude Matterhorn Glacier paradise where the snow conditions are second to none. Not only is the town a wonderfully pretty place with excellent views of the Matterhorn and sophisticated restaurants, but it is also a car-free zone, lending the village a special atmosphere for your winter break. A great destination for a Christmas break with the kids, Zermatt enjoys a yearly visit from Santa Claus on the night of the 24th, where he arrives on sleigh from the Matterhorn.
Verbier, meanwhile, forms part of the 4 Valleys area, providing it access to around 400km of varied pistes for skiers of all levels to spend their December cutting through. Verbier opens in mid-November, meaning by the beginning of December the snow conditions will be top-notch. The town is notable for its fantastic nightlife, après-ski and restaurant scene, but during December a blanket of magic descends over it, with Christmas markets popping up and an outdoor ice rink helping to get locals and visitors alike into the festive spirit.
Two more high-quality options for a December ski holiday, the popular resorts of Tignes and Val d'Isère - the two parts of the famous Espace Killy - offer high-altitude skiing alongside a lively atmosphere perfect for spending the festive season in.
Tignes takes full advantage of its 2100m altitude and easy access to the Grande Motte Glacier to ensure snow from early in the ski season and provides excellent skiing options to match every level of ability. The town offers also provides a warm, family-friendly atmosphere, with plenty to keep little ones entertained. Val d'Isère, meanwhile, is a real heavyweight for après-ski, making it a top spot for Christmas and New Year festivities.
The fact that l'Espace Killy is considered by many to be the most beautiful ski resort in the Alps, only adds to the allure. And thanks to strong snow cannon coverage, both Tignes and Val d'Isère are practically guaranteed to avoid disappointment this December.
Hugely popular among snowboarders and skiers alike, the much-loved resort of St Anton am Arlberg, in Austria's Tyrol region, couples a great reputation for snow with an even better one for atmosphere.
Part of the larger Ski Arlberg resort, which takes in nearby Lech among other popular destinations, it enjoys access to over 300km of first-class slopes, catering to all levels, a huge 200km of off-piste routes, and a world-class snowpark, not to mention some truly beautiful scenery. It's little wonder it's one of the most popular ski destinations in Europe and with its selection of Christmas markets, lively après-ski and family-friendly atmosphere.
A delightfully pretty town made up of chocolate box houses, surrounded by tall firs and cut through by a trickling stream, Megève may not enjoy the same reputation for snow cover as one or two of the other destination we've mentioned (although it is perfectly respectable), but for December yuletide magic, and the feel of a winter holiday, Megève is difficult to top. Take a stroll through the quaint streets lined with gorgeous chalets all draped in lights, the Christmas markets and street performances, and witness a snow globe ambience that is quintessentially alpine and reason enough to whisk your family away for a winter break in the mountains this year.
As a ski destination it's top-class. Originally conceived by the Rothschilds to rival the fabulously glitzy Swiss resort of St Moritz, Megève's high-end charm is complemented by access to the fantastic Evasion Mont Blanc ski area where some 480km of pistes await. Undoubtedly one of the best luxury ski resorts in the Alps and one of the best places to be in the lead up to Christmas week.
Last but not least, there are plenty of reasons to choose the fantastic Alpe d'Huez for an early winter family break: from the glacier skiing and high altitude ensuring plenty of snow cover, to the presence of the longest black run in Europe - the Sarenne - and the plethora of options for beginners and children. Possessing a family-friendly vibe and easily reachable from Grenoble airport, Alpe d'Huez also sees that Christmas is celebrated in style, with a winter market, lights and all manner of activities to entertain little ones and to lend your winter alpine break that special hygge feeling.
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