© Merci Creative, Les Arcs
What could be more idyllic than spending the festive period in the Alps? Surrounded by beautiful mountain views, with (almost) guaranteed snow, the Alps are a winter wonderland at the best of times and during the festive period they’re even better. Still not convinced? Read on and we’ll tell you why Christmas in the Alps should become your new tradition.
© David Andre, Courchevel
Dreaming of a White Christmas
We’ll start with the obvious. A white Christmas is almost guaranteed which would make a welcome change from the lack lustre weather the UK tends to be plighted with in December. Imagine waking up on Christmas day and skiing out the door of your accommodation onto pristine, snowy slopes before you settle down later for an alpine festive feast of your own or at the local restaurants. Count us in, see you on the slopes!
© Alexis Cornu, Courchevel
Local Delicacies
Vin chaud, champagne and cheese a plenty, the French known how to celebrate! Le Réveillon is a special celebratory meal usually enjoyed on Christmas Eve and New Year. The meal consists of several courses, usually starting with champagne and amuse bouche such as foie gras and cheese platters. The main involves roast poultry stuffed with a chestnut filling and to top it all off bûche de Noël or crème caramel. Best of all, you wont have to spend precious hours you could be skiing cooking a feast if you don’t want to! In most resorts there are plenty of restaurants offering Christmas meals, served on Christmas Eve, as is traditional in France. If you are staying in a hotel many provide a special Christmas meal for their guests for an additional charge.
© Sylvain Aymoz, Méribel Tourisme
Entertainment
In additional to the incredible French food the French also celebrate the festive season with plenty of events such as circus performances, ice carving and plenty of visits from Santa. Also, be sure to catch the ESF’s torch lit descent which takes place at most resorts and involves the ESF ski instructors weaving down one of ski slopes in the evening with burning torches. The torch lit descent is usually followed by an incredible fireworks display which is not to be missed!
© Samoëns
Christmas Markets
Though not a Christmas tradition in France, there are fantastic Christmas markets in resorts such as Bourg Saint Maurice. Unlike the ones that fill the cities in the UK around the festive period, these markets have more of a focus on food and other local produce. A perfect place to find some French delicacies or ingredients for your Christmas meal.
Head over to our homepage to search for your Christmas winter wonderland or look out for our blogpost next week on the best resorts for Christmas to help you decide where you’ll be hanging up your stockings this year.
Posted by Kirsty Druce on Monday 17 Sep 2018