Hucksters Budget Ski HolidaysHucksters Budget Ski Holidays

The makings of a Hucksters Christmas

There are just six weeks left until Christmas, and we are getting very excited in the Alps. Julie’s been busy in the kitchen baking her traditional Christmas cakes, renovation work continues at our lodge Petit Mont Blanc (PMB) in Vallandry, and the mountains have been getting a dusting of snow. Oh yes, Christmas is almost here. At PMB, we’ve decked out the area going up to the guest accommodation, added more outdoor seating, made over one of the living room areas with new furnishings and given bedrooms a fresh lick of paint to spruce up the whole lodge.

Christmas is a special time wherever you are with family and friends, but in France, it has that extra ‘je ne sais quoi’. While there’s no place like home, being whisked away to the Alps and feeling the rush of the mountain air on your face as you breeze down the snowy slopes in a location that embraces all things traditional is pretty hard to beat.

The French really love tradition and celebrate the festive season in style. It’s a massive occasion filled with magic and wonder for little ones, carol singing filling the air and fabulous food and drink. New Year is party time! The Mont Blanc Bar is next door and a great place to start the party. Dance the night away to music from their live band and see their fireworks light up the sky. Our theme for this year is Cowboys and Indians, so we will all be dressing up!

Christmas week is fairly busy for us with lots of prepping underway and we try to give the chalet a ‘Christmassy’ feel with plenty of decorations and activities for guests to take part in. In France, Christmas is typically celebrated on Christmas Eve, so if you LOVE this festive time, you’ll have the opportunity to celebrate over two days. We encourage guests to come carolling with us and dress up in their best woolly jumpers, plus we have our own traditions with Secret Santa, and veg peeling with guests on Christmas Eve. You don’t have to join in, but it's lots of fun, everyone’s in a great mood, and it really brings out your festive spirit.

In the villages, leading up to Christmas, there is plenty of events on including a small craft market (a good excuse to get some last-minute gifts), a flaming torch lit descent led by the local ski school, and on Christmas Eve they set up a manger scene with a donkey for the children. There are also Christmas Eve services in the church at Peisey and the tourist office run a bus so that guests from Vallandry can attend midnight mass.

All the local attractions remain open and the best place to find out about them is on the Peisey-Vallandry tourist office site or ask us when you’re here. There is everything from dog and horse sledges to ice climbing. Local website and newspaper, Le Petit Journal, also post a programme for each week of events, or animations as the French call them, within the resort. Worth checking out if you’re looking for extra activities to do when you’re not on the slopes.

We’ve stocked up on mulled wine (or vin chaud) and hot chocolate, and we’ll be filling up with mince pies soon. Our seasonnaire’s will be back in our chalets soon, ready to welcome you all.

Thinking about coming out with us on a cheap snow holiday this Christmas? At our beautiful Les Arcs or Serre Chevalier chalets, 7 Nights Half Board with free airport transfers is £449 for adults, £409 for children, £369 for infants under 5, and under 3’s are just £85. We keep an eye on the latest flight deals using SkyScanner. Alternatively let us know if you’re coming by train or would like to book onto our coach.

Check out our other blogs too on ‘Why You Should Go Away for Christmas’, plus ‘How To Make A Magical Christmas for the Kids’. Perhaps this is a good time to ‘Convince Your Beloved To Love Skiing’ – surprise them with some Vallandry skiing?

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We hope to see you soon!

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Customer Reviews

My girlfriend and I stayed in Vallandry with Hucksters for 6 days and had a great time with a very friendly environment including not only the staff, but also the other customers. The room was also nice, warm and very functional with the slopes only few meters away from the chalet. Therefore and acc...

Johann Delauney

Just wanted to let you know I had a great holiday last week thanks and wanted to say that the staff were all really friendly & helpful. Wouldn't hesitate to return.

M.H.

If you're travelling with youngsters, there is a great selection of registered childminders who can look after the little ones while you let your hair down. Just ask us and we'll be happy to help you arrange this service!

Top Tip

Always wear your helmet and be mindful of the position your skis are pointing when carrying them around to avoid accidentally hitting anyone.

Top Tip

The wider your snowplough is, the slower your speed will be.

Top Tip

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