Blue skies and good snow on an Easter ski holiday, with VIP SKI
The days are longer. The weather is warmer. There’s still plenty of snow. The benefits of skiing at Easter are truths self-evident. From seasoned mountain goers to first-timers; Easter is the opportune time for skiing or snowboarding, the late season conditions make for a decidedly welcoming trip to the slopes. For those who enjoy a beer after a day on the slopes, the longer hours and consistent sunshine sets the scene for some of the season’s best après ski.
For families, the blue skies and temperate weather mean more time on the piste and less time warming up over a hot chocolate. Non-ski activities like dog-sledding, snowshoeing and sledging action become increasingly attractive and offer new ways for appreciating the unbridled beauty of the mountainside. Furthering the appeal to families, VIP SKI prides itself on its exceptional childcare service.
Family fun at altitude in Arc 1950, France at Bear Lodge
For guaranteed snow, head to the dizzy heights of a village at 1950m where a pedestrianised village allows the little treasures to run around and play quite safely. Experience various non-skiing activities such as sled dog outings, visits to the legendary Igloo Village, free daily entertainment or descents on the Rodeo Luge toboggan run. Childcare is also available with VIP SKI for that much needed ‘me time’ for grown-ups too. At the giddying altitude of 1,950 m, VIP SKI’s brand-new complex is located on the piste, next to the ski lifts and a short walk across the slope to the centre of the village. Bear Lodge features family rooms or adjoining rooms for mum, dad and teenage kids. This 30-bedroom hotel includes a proper sized pool you can swim in, a spa with plenty of steam, piste-side kid’s space, gym and cinema. A seven-night stay, from 20 March 2022, costs from £4,535 for a family of four in a family suite with twin or double beds and a bunk bed den. This price include cooked breakfast and dinner with choice of menu on seven days and return transfers from Geneva Airport. Childcare from £279 for five and a half days childcare. VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com )
Enjoy a teen family Easter break in Val d’Isère, France at the VIP CLUB Bellevarde
An iconic figure in the VIP SKI chalet portfolio and a fantastic option for families with teens looking to meet like-minded skiers, No 3 CLUB Bellevarde sleeps up to 24 guests across 12 bedrooms. Located on the edge of the Santons piste, guests can step out their ski bindings to find the chalet just a few steps away after a day exploring one of Europe’s largest ski areas. The striking exterior comprises wood and stone in the traditional Savoyard style. Moving inside the chalet, guests have the chance to socialise in the chalet’s expansive living area. A 42” TV, comfy sofas, twin outdoor hot tubs, indoor pool and magnificent spa complex makes for fantastic amenities for relaxing and soothing aching ski muscles. The giant vaulted dining room offers a canapé reception on 6 nights as well as chalet board catering. A seven-night stay at VIP CLUB Bellevarde, starting 27 March 2022, costs from £2,012 pp based on two people sharing a room on chalet board basis. Price includes return transfers from Geneva Airport. VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com )
Take the Grand Parents for an Easter Egg Hunt in Avoriaz, France at Chalet Ossetra
A skiing holiday is a shared experience and why shouldn’t the grandparents be a part of it too? The benefits of skiing with grandparents means there are more adults on hand to share the childcare. Located at 1850 meters above sea level in the halcyon alpine ski resort of Avoriaz 1850 which is notorious for its snow record averaging eight meters a season over a vast and endlessly varied playground, boasting 197 ski lifts, oodles of piste (650km) and a trans-frontier alliance giving access to a dozen ski villages in France and Switzerland, Chalet Ossetra offers a more intimate space for smaller parties; accommodating six – seven guests over three floors. The three en-suite bedrooms can be presented as a twin or double and one room has an additional bed (charged at half the adult price). The open-plan living / dining area offers spectacular mountain panoramas combined with the modern-day comfort of a flat-screen TV, comfortable sofas and a contemporary, glass-enclosed fireplace. Stepping out of the chalet directly on to the piste, guests are 100 metres from the ski school meeting point. A seven-night stay at Chalet Ossetra, starting 10 April 2022 April 2022, costs from £1,902 pp based on two people sharing a room on chalet board basis. Price includes return transfers from Geneva Airport. VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com )
Immersive fun at Easter in Les Gets, France at VIP CLUB Altitude Lodge
Never have there been more options in ski resorts for ways to have fun and be entertained off the slopes. For skiing families, this is doubly important. Some children won’t want to ski all week, but many families will also have non-skiing relatives with them – grandparents and uncles and aunts, invaluable for babysitting duties – and they need to have plenty to do, too. Some resorts are better than others at the non-skiing fun list. The quaint French village of Les Gets, part of the extensive cross-border Portes du Soleil region has won awards as a family-friendly destination. New this year is the forest park walk, much more than just a stroll around the woods. Designed and built by Canadian company, Moment Factory, it’s the only one of its kind in Europe. Open only after dark, visitors follow a marked trail through an enchanted forest where a story unfolds itself, brought to life by an incredible light and sound show. Alta Lumina is particularly suitable for families, and children will especially enjoy the immersive experience that takes you into another world. There’s truly something for skiers of all abilities, from piste chargers to pure beginners. Stay at VIP SKI’s piste side VIP CLUB Altitude Lodge in the main Les Gets ski area of Chavannes and kick back after skiing and enjoy the sauna and outdoor hot tub with incredible views as well as a soothing massage. A seven-night stay, from 03 April 2022 at VIP CLUB Altitude Lodge, costs from £1,517 pp. Price includes chalet-board accommodation (cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, three-course evening meal on six nights and canapé reception on six nights), coach transfers, and VIP SKI’s Club service. VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com )
