Christmas Ski Holidays
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Ski Holidays at Christmas
- Wake up to a proper White Christmas
- Explore dazzling alpine festive markets
- Hit the slopes on Christmas Day
Trust us when we say - nothing beats opening up your curtains on Christmas morning to mountains blanketed in fresh snow.
Yep, Christmas ski holidays are truly in a league of their own. We're talking jaw-dropping alpine scenery, carving fresh tracks on a crisp December morning, and sitting down to a festive feast you didn't have to cook yourself. All the magic, none of the hard work.
Ready to make your Christmas ski holiday dreams a reality? Pop your preferred dates into our search and let's get the snowball rolling! We'd also recommend filtering by 'family' and 'high altitude' to find the best kid-friendly resorts and early-season snow conditions.
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What are the best resorts for Christmas ski holidays?
- Val d'Isere Christmas ski trips don't do festive fun by halves. Think dazzling firework displays lighting up the night sky, jaw-dropping ice sculptures, and yes - even a visit from Santa himself.
- Megève at Christmas is pure, unadulterated magic. Horse-drawn sleighs glide through snow-dusted meadows, and intricate ice sculptures bring winter magic to life.
- A Chamonix Christmas ski holiday belongs on every bucket list, full stop. Dramatic ice caves, festive Christmas markets, spectacular street parades, and to cap it all off, a torchlit procession on the slopes.
- Zell Am See, Austria, is home to one of Europe's best Christmas markets. Pair that with some seriously good New Year's Day après? You’ve got one unbeatable Christmas ski holiday.
- Zermatt, Switzerland, is like being dropped inside the snow globe on your grandma’s fireplace. Traditional Swiss chalets, horse-drawn sleighs, ice skating on the lake, and Matterhorn views looming over it all.
Most Popular Christmas Ski Holidays
Avoriaz, France
On the doorstep of France's enormous Portes du Soleil, an Avoriaz Christmas ski holiday gives you access to 266 pistes and - with no traffic bar an occasional horse-drawn sleigh - the town is super charming and child-friendly to boot.
Hidden Gem Christmas Ski Holidays
Zell am See, Austria
When it comes to mountain views, few are as breathtaking as the top of Schmittenhöhe on Christmas Day. Accommodation in Zell am See is also on point, with everything from 5-star luxury hotels and apartments to family-run B&Bs.
FAQs about Christmas ski holidays
Your questions answered by our Christmas ski holiday expert
Where to go skiing at Christmas in Europe?
The French Alps' Les Arcs and Val d’Isere, Austrian Tirol's Ischgl, Switzerland’s Verbier, Italian Dolomites' Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Finnish Lapland's Levi all make great places to ski over Christmas in Europe thanks to their fantastic snow records and selection of festive events.
In Europe, Austria and Switzerland experience abundant snowfall from early November to May, thanks to their numerous lofty high-altitude peaks.
What ski resort has the best snow at Christmas?
Val Thorens, St. Anton, and Zermatt are home to some of Europe’s best snow at Christmas thanks to their lofty high altitudes, making them superb for Christmas skiing trips. Enjoy a selection of festive events, Christmas markets, lively après-ski, and some exceptional December snow totals.
When should I book my Christmas ski holiday?
It’s best to book Christmas ski trips at least 6 to 12 months in advance. This is because the Christmas ski season fills up quickly, so booking early ensures you get the best choice of accommodation, ski lesson availability, and deals on flights before they are all booked up.
Christmas is one of the peak times for ski holidays, so booking flights, accommodation, lift passes, ski hire, and ski lessons early is essential. Last-minute deals at this time of year can be rare, so booking well in advance is often your best bet for cheap Christmas ski deals.
Where is the best place to ski in France at Christmas?
Val Thorens' high altitude and festive charm make it one of the best Christmas ski holidays in France. Suppose you're looking for ski resorts with a great Christmas atmosphere. In that case, we also recommend checking out Tignes, Les Deux Alpes, and Avoriaz, as well as other great recommendations in our 'Best Christmas Ski Resorts in France' blog here.
Where is the best place to ski in Austria at Christmas?
St. Anton’s lofty high peaks mean a white Christmas is always on the menu, along with world-famous skiing and a fantastic après atmosphere. Other great options include family-friendly Obergurgl, as well as other excellent recommendations in our blog on the ‘Best Christmas Ski Resorts in Austria’ here.
Where is the best place to ski in Italy at Christmas?
Is Lapland good for skiing at Christmas?
Yes. Vast snowy landscapes, reindeer rides, and more Santa experiences than you can shake a yule log at - Finland’s Lapland is a fantastic spot for getting in some time on the slopes while surrounded by winter wonder. We recommend staying at Levi or Ylläs for some great beginner-friendly slopes, excellent snow records, and heaps of family-friendly Christmas activities.
What are the best beginner’s ski resorts for Christmas?
La Plagne, Avoriaz, and Alpe d’Huez in France make great beginner Christmas ski holiday picks, thanks to their wide, gentle slopes, excellent ski schools, and faff-free accommodation options. Learn to ski on some of Europe’s best beginner-friendly slopes, then soak up the festive atmosphere with plenty of festive events, twinkling lights, and legendary French cuisine. What’s not to love?
What are the best family ski resorts for Christmas?
Avoriaz and Les Gets in France, along with Obergurgl and Lech in Austria, are firm favourites for family Christmas ski holidays. With their fantastic range of faff-free ski-in/ski-out accommodations, Christmas kids activities, and twinkling fairy lights and decorations, there's plenty of little ones to get stuck into while you soak up some much-needed time on the slopes! Read more about our best Christmas ski resorts here.
Where is the least crowded ski resort for Christmas?
France’s La Rosière, Switzerland’s Arosa, and Austria’s Obergurgl are all great ski destinations to soak up some great festive cheer and excellent skiing away from the Christmas crowds. Choosing lesser-known resorts or opting for a smaller resort in larger ski areas means you can still make the most of the grand Christmas celebrations and top-tier skiing at other, more popular resorts, just without the long lift and restaurant lines.
Should I pre-book ski lessons for Christmas?
Can you ski on Christmas Day?
Yes. You can ski on Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and Boxing Day with most ski resorts and ski lifts operating as usual throughout the Christmas period.
See our ski holiday reviews
Why book a Christmas ski holiday with Heidi?
Blogs about Christmas ski resorts
5 of the best Christmas ski resorts in Italy
Italian Christmases are just like Italian summers: great food, great company, and a whole lot of la dolce vita! Our Heidi experts are here with their pick of the best Italy Christmas ski holidays to book this December.
Phoebe Hewitt
14 Apr, 2026
1 min read
Best places for a Christmas ski holiday
Fancy swapping the Christmas chaos for some quality time on the slopes? Here are some of Heidi's best Christmas ski resorts to inspire your perfect xmas ski trip...
Sarah Cramer
14 Apr, 2026
1 min read
5 of the best Christmas ski resorts in Austria
Snow-capped peaks, legendary Austrian hospitality, and some of Europe's biggest ski areas. From the snowy heights of St. Anton, to Christmas tree diving in Zell am See, here's where to find the best Christmas ski holidays in Austria.
Phoebe Hewitt
14 Apr, 2026
1 min read
All flight-inclusive holidays sold on Heidi are fully financially protected under the ATOL scheme (ATOL 11456)