Created in 1967, P&V is the European leader in holiday apartments and villages with its five brands: Pierre & Vacances, Maeva, Residences MGM, Latitudes Hotels, and Adagio. www.pv-holidays.com
With the ski season now well and truly underway, we felt it was time to reveal some of the sales trends we have noticed and pass on some insider tips to our customers.
The recent snow fall in the UK has inspired many people to book a ski holiday to France.
Tip one: Take advantage of great ski conditions
Snow conditions are currently excellent across the Alps with lots of fresh snow and cold temperatures reported, particularly in the Southern Alps in resorts such as Alpe d’Huez and Vars, where snowfall of up to 14cm per day is expected this week.
Tip two: book at a lesser-known resort We've also noticed that bookings for lesser-known resorts are up at an average of 17% which means brits are saving cash but still heading to the slopes, but steering clear of expensive resorts.
Customers are also booking for later in the season, when rates are lower but the snow is still good. We've noticed the last week in March are particularly strong – this is a school holiday in the UK but not in France, so is classed as ‘off-peak’ on PV-Holidays.com!
Pierre & Vacances offers ski accommodation in over 40 resorts across the Alps and Pyrenees. Throughout January, lesser-known resorts have had lots more bookings, which offer large ski areas and more affordable ski packs and après ski activity.
Pierre & Vacances properties in resorts such as Les Coches, Valloire and ValmeinierAvoriaz, and Les Carroz have reported increases in bookings at an average of +17% on previous years, indicating that customers may be willing to try slightly less well-known resorts in order to get the best value from their annual trip to the slopes.
Have no fear fellow skiers, because of the large amount of snow fall in the French alps this year, which in some places in the French Alp means, booking trips to be taken later in the season doesn't have to be a gamble.
Booking a group ski trip for the week before Easter (commencing 27th March 2010) is not only popular with our customers, it means you can ski for a week and be guaranteed a large amount of snow. This week is classed as ‘off peak’ in France, but is a school holiday for much of the UK – thus British customers are taking advantage of being able to get a low season price for a holiday in a high season week, and beat the French crowds.
Pierre & Vacances still has some great deals for the rest of the ski season – thanks to its ‘Beat the Euro’ campaign, which aims to alleviate the poor Euro/Sterling exchange rate by offering at least 15 per cent off all ski accommodation across the Alps and Pyrenees. This deal is valid on all dates until the end of the season – including school holiday and Easter dates.
DEAL: Prices for a one-week break in Alpe d’Huez for example start from only £343 (previously £404) for a studio apartment sleeping two people at Pierre & Vacances Résidence Les Bergers in April 2010.
As any seasoned skier will know, the après ski is nearly as important as the white stuff itself when choosing which resort to holiday in this winter.
The French Alps are renowned for great food and great nightlife, but many resorts also host internationally renowned ski festivals throughout the season. From six-day comedy events, to extreme sports competitions and showcases of hot new bands, snow-fanatics are spoiled for choice in the Alps throughout 2010.
Altitude Festival, Meribel 20th-26th March 2010 If you’re planning to squeeze in a ski trip to the French Alps at the end of the season, make your way to the fabulous resort of Meribel for first-class snow action and belly laughs on the piste. Featuring some of the biggest names in comedy, the annual Altitude Festival offers the ultimate in après-ski entertainment. The highlights of the festivals, in addition to brilliant stand-up performances, include screenings of comedy films, gigs and a lot of messing around on the piste. This year’s line-up includes performances from Newton Faulkner, comedy from Phil Jupitus and music from DJ Yoda. http://www.altitudefestival.com
Hot deal: A weeks accommodation in Pierre & Vacances Meribel Les Crets for the duration of the festival starts at €952.00 for a one bedroom apartment sleeping up to four people.
Little World Festival, Meribel 13th-19th March 2010 Organised by top British act, The Feeling, Little World Festival combines five days of skiing and snowboarding in the largest ski area in the world with entertainment from Europe’s biggest bands and DJ's. With over 40 live gigs during the week and free outdoor concerts on the piste, the festival is an ideal choice for music lovers. This year’s festival includes music by Sophie Ellis Bextor, Glenn Tilbrook and, of course, The Feeling. http://www.littleworldfestival.com
Hot deal: A weeks accommodation in Pierre & Vacances Residence du Tueda for the duration of the festival starts at €637.50 for a studio apartment sleeping up to four people. http://bit.ly/4xfSyG
TignesFest, Tignes 16th April 2010 Tignes is already renowned for it’s après-ski parties, but TignesFest offers an extra reason to visit the resort in 2010. TignesFest is a festival showcasing new musical talent and best of all – it’s completely free! Popular radio DJs from the UK’s hottest stations, including Radio 1 and Kiss FM host the show where music from live DJs and new bands keep the crowds entertained. http://www.tignesfest.com
Hot deal: A weeks accommodation in Maeva Grande Motte ski resort - Tignes during the festival starts at €475 for a studio apartment sleeping up to four people.
British University Snowboarding Council (BUSC) main event 27th February - 5th March 2010 The BUSC Main Event will this year be venturing to Alpe d’Huez for six nights of partying and hedonistic mayhem. Featuring over 2,000 revellers, the event is not for the faint hearted and all culminates in an open-air mountain party on the final night. http://www.buscevents.com/
La Clusaz Carnival, La Clusaz 16 Feb 2010 Families love this famously fun and light-hearted carnival that fe atures street parades, music and fireworks. Costumes can be hired from the tourist office and the bars are open all night. The traditional Savoyard village is regarded by some as one of the most picturesque in the French Alps – the perfect spot for a family break. http://www.laclusaz.com
Hot deal: A weeks accommodation in Résidence Maeva La Perrière during the festival starts at €450 for a studio apartment sleeping up to four people. http://bit.ly/5uO4jZ
Winter X-Games Europe, Tignes 10th – 12th March 2010 Tignes plays host to one of the world’s biggest alternative and extreme sports events. Winter X Games Europe is the first Winter X Games to take place outside the United States, where the world's top sportsmen and women compete against each other on two wheels, in the air, on skis and on snowboards for both medals and prize money. There will be eight different competitions over three days, including Ski and Snowboard SuperPipe and Slopestyle for men and women as well as a Snowmobile demonstration. http://tignes.co.uk/x-games.htm
Hot deal: A weeks accommodation in Résidence Maeva Le Lac during the festival starts at €355 for a studio apartment sleeping up to four people.
Three Valleys X-Wing Rally Finals, Three Valleys 5th April 2010 The main resorts in the Three Valleys region, including Courchevel, Meribel, and Val Thorens join together for this one day event in which the slopes are open to everyone, regardless of ability. Having fun is the order of the day, with the only requisite being that the Three Valleys region is explored and admired. Events and competitions are organised throughout the day with ski passes and holidays to be won. http://www.les3vallees.com
Hot deal: A weeks accommodation in Pierre & Vacances Le Tikal during the festival starts at €690 for a studio apartment sleeping up to four people.
How to book a ski holiday like the French! How do the French always look so unflustered and chic when on holiday? Is it because they booked their ski trips online without any hassle? What's their secret, and more importantly, are they saving any more cash than us Brits? Hopefully our insider guide of how to book a ski holiday online without any hassle should help you along..
Whether you’re a ski virgin or a seasoned pro, now is the perfect time to be booking your New Year escape to the slopes. Simon Calder, senior travel editor at The Independent caught up with two of our French experts, Marie and Jerome, to try and find some insider tips on how to get a great deal on your next winter break.
Watch our guide online here:
Although unfavourable Euro exchange rates may still be putting people off booking their trip for 2010, Marie and Jerome insist that being savvy travellers and booking early, booking outside of peak times and taking advantage of the great discounts currently on offer is the key for cash-strapped Brits.
Below are Marie and Jerome’s top tips for booking a ski holiday like the French:
Book in advance It may be a cliché, but the earlier you book a holiday, the better deal you are likely to find. Many companies, such as Pierre & Vacances, offer great early bird discounts of around 20 percent for holidays booked several months in advance.
Similarly, brand new ski train travel website snowcarbon.co.uk has a unique feature which sends email alerts to users on the day that the lowest fares are available for their specified train journey. This tool thus ensures that you’re always picking up the best value fares for your journey.
Try a short break Still a relatively new concept to many Brits, the French have been taking short breaks to the slopes for years. Ok, so it might be easier when the slopes are on your doorstep, but for those on a budget, a quick trip is a sure-fire way of getting your snow-fix without breaking the bank. Travelling mid-week for a three to four night break often means that you pick up the cheapest train/air fare, as well as the best value ski accommodation and lift passes.
Towards the end of the season and during school term time is when some of the best short break deals can be found. Check out PV-holidays.com, the website for Pierre & Vacances for some great offers.
Book outside of (French!) school holidays Many Brits aren’t aware that the French school holidays and the British school holidays do not always overlap. Many British families can therefore benefit from off-peak prices on French accommodation, even during our own half term holidays. In order to avoid the crowds therefore, look ahead to see when the French school holidays are and then plan your own break around them!
Eurobuster But for those of us who still need a bit of extra convincing, Pierre & Vacances has provided us with one more reason to hit the slopes in 2010 – the Eurobuster. Designed to help cash strapped Brits ‘beat the Euro’ the deal offers at least 15 percent off all ski accommodation on PV-Holidays.com. The offer is valid all season, on all dates and resorts and can also be combined with any other offer currently available on the website, including the 20 percent early booking discount. Visit the Beat the Euro page
Simply enter promotional code 8258 at the time of booking for some big savings.
How do the French manage to swan around ski resorts year on year, looking chic and unflustered? More importantly- which ski resorts do they spend time in, and do they save any money whilst being there, compared to us Brits?
Hopefully, our guide will point you in the right direction and help you choose the right slopes and resort without busting your bank balance.
If you're planning a ski holiday to the Alps and are trying to get the most for your hard earned bucks, it's time to put Hello and Heat out of your mind and start googling the brilliant ski destinations you can actually afford.
OK, so the Beckham's have strutted their stuff in Courcheval, Hugh Grant and Jamie Oliver live it up in Verbier, and Kate Moss and George Clooney are just a few of the big names who flock to St Moritz, but if your budget is more suited to packed lunches than hanging out in Michelin-starred restaurants, it pays to choose your resort with care.
At Pierre & Vacances, we firmly believe that choosing to stay in an affordable French ski resort does not mean you have to comprise on style, comfort and access to the slopes. Pierre & Vacances have plenty of resorts in top ski areas of France, with plenty of secret gems that even the A-List haven't discovered yet. The French flock to these hubs in their droves, and you won't catch a savvy French ski party following celebrities' wake, they prefer to ski their own path!
Our French neighbours who, thanks to their proximity to the mountains take regular trips to the slopes, know the top spots that deliver the best snow and après ski for a lot less. To find out what we Brits could learn from our friends across the Channel, The Independent's Travel Editor, Simon Calder interviewed French ski buffs Jerome and Marie for a special Pierre & Vacances video feature - 'How to Holiday Like the French.'
Follow our guide to skiing like the French...
Where to ski in France? While the unfriendly Euro exchange rate puts a squeeze on your budget wherever you go in the Alps this season, the French resorts that have traditionally offered better value for money will still come in cheaper than the slopes graced by the stars.
French ski lovers on a budget avoid the upmarket resorts. At the top of their lists are the equally enticing but better value snow havens of Chamonix, Avoriaz, Serre Chevalier, and Valmorel - all of which are easily accessible from the UK, too.
Serre Chevalier Located in the Haute-Alpes region, Serre Chevalier is one of France's biggest resorts with a massive 250km ski area. Its 13 villages and hamlets scattered across the valley blend tradition and modernity, and the resort also offers a wide range of activities for the whole family. With its large natural terrain it is also considered one of the best snowboarding destinations in Europe.
Hot deal: Situated in the mountain village of Villeneuve, Résidence Pierre & Vacances L'Alpaga , has comfortable, spacious self-catering apartments with fully equipped kitchens, and it is surrounded by a landscaped garden. It is ideally located just 50m from the shops and 200m from the ski lifts. Transfer: Grenoble airport (2 hrs) or Chambery station (3 hrs).
Studio apartments for up to four people costs from 530 Euros for a week's ski holiday in January 2010.
Valmorel A great choice for first-timers and family ski trips, Valmorel is a purpose-built French ski resort comprising several small satellite villages in the Grande Domaine. Valmorel and St Francois Longchamps together offer 165km of marked pistes.
Valmorel's resort centre is car-free and it also scores top marks for families as most of its pistes cater for beginners and intermediates, and there are plenty of designated practice areas. The ski area is on your doorstep which means you can literally ski to your door - another big plus if you're skiing with kids.
Hot deal: Built in the traditional Savoyard style, the Pierre & Vacances Chalets du Morel residences comprise a selection of small hamlets scattered around the resort. All residences offer comfortable self-catering apartments within 200m of the ski lifts and shops and restaurants of the resort centre. Seven nights in a studio apartment for up to four people costs from just 520 Euros.
Chamonix Chamonix is a much-loved ski resort due to the variety of outdoor activities you can participate in here. The summit of Mont Blanc is the third most visited natural site in the world and the mountains hosts activities such as ice climbing, alpine mountaineering and extreme skiing. There is all sorts of terrain, but this is the perfect destination for the expert winter sports enthusiast and the adventurous. Chamonix is famous for its cable car up to Aiguille du Midi as well as the panoramic restaurant at the top station of the Brévent cable car, which boasts impressive views of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Hot deal: Check into the Maeva Chamonix La Riviere residence in the district of Chamonix Sud. Here you'll enjoy comfortable self-catering apartments with the Aiguille du Midi cable car just 300m from your door. Studio apartments for up to four cost from just 365 Euros for seven nights in January 2010.
When to go skiing It pays to remember that the UK and French school holidays don’t necessarily coincide. In order to avoid the crowds, canny French skiers book their holidays when our kids are at school. So take their lead and plan your trip when they're not going to be on holiday!
While the French are able to enjoy last-minute weekend breaks that can prove more difficult for us as we have to cross the Channel, there's another French trick you can follow. Travelling to the mountains mid-week, particularly if you go by rail during the day will not save you money on travel costs but resorts will be quieter as so many French people head to the mountains just for the weekend. Mid-January is a great time to go - you'll get the best snow and all the schools have gone back so you’ll have the slopes all to yourself. In March or April, you can pick up some great last minute and short break offers for the end of the season.
Go self-catering The French favour self-catering apartments over catered chalets for good reason - they not only love cooking up a feast 'at home' for family and friends but know that getting into this ski habit saves a heap of money. Take their lead by stocking up on local goodies from the supermarket to make your own tasty packed lunches (you don't need us to tell you have pricey the cafes on the slopes can be) and hearty dinners. Do this and might well be able to afford a celebratory splurge in your resort's best restaurant on your last night. Self-catering apartments are so much easier than hotels for families too – you can cook when you want to and share rooms and space rather than being restricted by meal times and hotel rooms.
Ski lessons To save money, think about getting a group of friends together to share a lesson – or join one of the existing group lessons, which the Ecole du Ski Francais run in every resort. Private lessons are for stars like Victoria Beckham only! Don’t forget to check out the free parties that the local tourist offices hold, too.
All Pierre & Vacances residences featured are ski in/ ski out and are self-catering apartments with fully equipped kitchens and cooking facilities.
To make your Euro go even further, Pierre & Vacances have introduced the hugely popular offer to help Beat the Euro Designed to help cash strapped Brits ‘beat the Euro’, the deal offers at least 15 percent off all ski accommodation on PV-Holidays.com, the website for Pierre & Vacances. The offer is valid all season, on all dates and resorts and can also be combined with any other offer currently available on the website, including the 20 percent early booking discount.
The exclusive discount code is 8258 and you can claim your discount to get money off your next ski holiday. Pierre & Vacances will also be posting lots of offers in the new year.
How do the French manage to swan around ski resorts year on year, looking chic and unflustered? More importantly- do they save any cash when buying ski gear, compared to us Brits?
Hopefully, our guide will point you in the right direction and help you look chic on the slopes without busting your bank balance. We say, it's fine to save on your ski clothing and accommodation, but that doesn't mean you have to go without on comfort and style if you choose to stick with affordable options.
It goes without saying that the French are streets are ahead in all things sartorial. Looking great whatever the occasion and knowing exactly what to wear to suit their shape and cut a dash seems to come annoyingly naturally to these folk. What might come as a surprise is just how canny our Gallic friends can be when it comes to saving money on ski gear for their French holiday.
The economic meltdown has hit Europe hard but no serious French ski lover will forego their break to the mountain - even if it means borrowing someone else's ski clothes...
To find out what we Brits could learn from our friends across the Channel, The Independent's Travel Editor, Simon Calder interviewed French couple, and ski buffs Jerome and Marie. View their video here and find out some tips for being thrifty before hitting the slopes.
What to wear on the slopes And, of course, in addition to ski resort tips, he asked the big question: just how do the French manage to pull off looking great on the piste for less? Here are Marie and Jerome's tips on what to buy and pack for your ski holiday.. • Buy one key piece - and if in doubt make it a good ski jacket. And when we say good, we don't necessarily mean designer, unless you're a regular customer on the piste and want to splash your cash. It is vital that your ski jacket fits you properly, allows you to move freely -and keeps the ice and snow out! Opt for the jacket that offer the best fit - is waterproof and cosy with no gaps around the neck and sleeves - over the latest copycat designer looks for the season which might deliver on style but fail on functionality. With a bit of hunting around, you'll be able to find a great jacket that you feel great in and will last for many ski trips to come. • ...and borrow everything else! Booking your ski trip to the French Alps well in advance not only gets you some great deals, but means you have time to rustle up outfits and ski kit from family and friends. Why not post a message on Facebook or email your relatives who are avid skiers to ask for a loan of ski gloves, hats, and trousers?
• Second-hand goodies: If you can't borrow all you need from friends or simply want your own stuff without paying over the odds, make the most of the online shopping sites that offer some brilliant bargains. Bid on E-bay for skis and poles, or pick up some ski gear bargains at Decathlon, which has a vast range of ski and snowboard accessories, kit and clothing. Order online and your goods will be delivered to your door. • Rent it: Don't get stung by hefty bills for skis, boots or snowboard hire in resort. Booking your rented kit online from the UK before you go can save you a substantial wad of cash. Snowrental.net is currently offering savings of up 50% on skis and snowboards from over 800 shops in Europe and North America. The SnowRental website allows you to browse through a huge range of skis, boards and boots and then book directly with the shop in your chosen ski resort. This way you pick them up when you get there, safe in the knowledge the right kit is reserved for you and at a great saving!
And remember, staying warm and dry will always win you style points!
Don't forget to save on your accommodation as well as your wardrobe when booking your ski holiday to France this season. Pierre & Vacances have plenty of discounts and offers to help you find the best ski deal, whether your planning a family, group or romantic ski trip. Visit the offers page on www.pv-holidays.com, the website for Pierre & Vacances.
Don't forget their exclusive discount offer for UK customers this season. Beat The Euro has been designed to help cash strapped Brits ‘beat the Euro’. The deal offers at least 15 percent off all ski accommodation on PV-Holidays.com. The offer is valid all season, on all dates and resorts and can also be combined with any other offer currently available on the website, including the 20 percent early booking discount.
The exclusive discount code is 8258 and you can claim your discount to get money off your next ski holiday. Pierre & Vacances will also be posting lots of offers in the new year so keep an eye out!
How do the French manage to arrive at their ski resorts year on year, looking chic and unflustered? More importantly- do they save any cash in getting there, compared to us Brits?
If you’re looking to book your ski accommodation and find out about transportation to French ski resorts, we hope to point you in the right direction.
Firstly, don’t panic. Yes, we know the suspension of the Snow Train, the only direct sleeper service from Britain to the Alps, can be a bumpy ride. But don’t let that throw your ski travel plans into meltdown. And if you’re booking ski trips last minute, please don’t let the fees charged by scheduled airlines for ski kit and extra bags turn your travel budget to slush.
Here is our video which can give you a few other tips to consider when booking transportation:
We’ve spoken to our French friends and we’re happy to report there are still plenty of options for getting to the mountains in comfort and without breaking the bank - and the well-timed launch of a new website can show you the way.
Snowcarbon Take a look at snowcarbon.co.uk, an independent website about train travel to ski resorts. Recently launched, but already making waves, this easy to navigate site features advice on how to book rail journeys, how to get the best fares, and comprehensive guides to 30 European resorts that you can feasibly get to by train. It’s already become one of our most valuable resources!
The site aims to encourage skiers and snowboarders to swap increasingly expensive and stressful journeys by air for train travel. But importantly, it also promotes the greener credentials of ski holidays by rail. If you're conscious of your carbon footprint take note: the carbon emissions produced by a flight to a European ski resort are typically 8-10 times greater than an equivalent journey by train.
French connections So which French resorts can you get to by train? The French TGV service from Paris still offers a selection of routes to the French Alps, departing from the Gare de Lyon and the Gare de l'Est. The services stop at Bourg St Maurice, Moutiers and Aime La Plagnee from where you can also take bus or cable car connections to the resorts of Tignes, Val d'Isère, Les Arcs, La Plagne and the Three Valleys.
Take the Eurostar to Gare du Nord and then jump in a taxi to make your mountain-bound connection. Alternatively, if you prefer to travel overnight, book your place on the Corail Lunea sleeper train from Paris to the Alps. This service also serves the popular ski resorts of Serre Chevalier, Chamonix and Megève.
Direct services If you'd rather avoid the hassle of having to change trains at Paris, check out the Eurostar Direct Ski Train, which runs a weekly non-stop service from London's St Pancras to the Tarentaise. With departures every Friday night for overnight travel and Saturday mornings during the ski season, this service will take you to the resorts of Les Arcs, Val d'Isère, Méribel and Courchevel.
Fares cost from £149 return and the service operates from December 19 to April 10 (day train) and January 1 to April 2 (night train). If you're travelling with kids or find it hard to sleep, bear in mind that the overnight service does not offer couchettes and you'll have to do your best with reclining seats.
A night in Paris Why not sleep over in the city of lights? Overnighting in Paris is not only a smart way to break up your journey but offers the chance to enjoy the added treat of a night out in the capital. Even better, if you travel to the Alps during the day on a week day you'll bag even cheaper fares. For details of latest deals, including the Eurostar Connections ticket that allows you to stop for up to 24 hours in Paris, visit www.raileurope.co.uk.
Snowcarbon.co.uk provides details of all the options, as well as a guide to getting the lowest fares (from £99 return). When you can get a cheap train ticket to France's top ski resorts, avoid the stress of the airlines' punitive luggage allowances, sit back and enjoy rolling countryside views all the while reducing your carbon footprint, why would you ever want to fly to the Alps again?
Pierre & Vacances offers and discounts Pierre & Vacances has a wide a choice of self-catering apartments in all the leading ski resorts in the French Alps, including the resorts accessible by rail. Most of the residences are ski in ski out and all feature fully-equipped kitchens and cooking facilities.
Discounts for Pierre & Vacances This season, Pierre & Vacances have lots of discounts for stays in their ski accommodation in France, all of which can be used when booking group ski holidays.
Beat The Euro If you’re still looking to book a last minute Christmas or New Year break can take advantage of some great deals, including 15% off all resorts all season, and a free night’s accommodation on selected stays over Christmas week.
Find out more about the Christmas and New Year Offers In order to help alleviate the effects of the weak pound, Pierre & Vacances is giving 15 percent off all accommodation on all dates throughout the winter season, including breaks over Christmas and New Year. This ‘Eurobuster’ offer can also be combined with any other offer currently available, leading to savings of up to 35 percent. Holidays booked between the 19th and the 26th December 2009 will also be eligible for a free night’s accommodation on the 18th December 2009. To get your discount code for Pierre Vacances’ Beat the Euro, visit the Beat The Euro page and enter the code 8258 at point of booking. Thanks for reading! Pierre & Vacances
The French. Famous for their stylish clothes, love of wine and good food and chic ski holidays. But what is the secret to classy French holidays?
Well, they know how to do chic on the cheap! Instead of plumping for all-inclusive package holidays, the French buy good quality local produce. They choose loading up the car over flying. And always buy one signature piece of holiday clothing to show off on piste rather than an entire new outfit each season.
Taking the lead from our French cousins can also lead to some great savings for us Brits. To follow their lead, we “went native” and spoke to a French couple who let us in on some of their essential ski holiday tips.
How to…eat like the French on holiday!
Worried your ski holiday will cost you more Euro’s than you’re willing to spend? Fear not. The French know how to make good quality, delicious and reasonably priced produce. If you know where to look and what to choose, you can sample the best authentic alpine food without breaking the bank.
Here are our top tips for saving a packet on dining in resort: 1. If you are driving to the slopes or have hired a car, make sure you stop at the last big supermarket before you reach the resort. Stock up on reasonably priced cooking essentials, beer and wine. It will be much cheaper in a regular hypermarket. 2. Eat a hearty breakfast – get up early and make the trip to the local patisserie to fill up on delicious croissants and pastries. And buy enough fresh “batton” – French bread - for the rest of the day. 3. Buy delicious fresh produce locally and assemble a gourmet packed lunch to be consumed on piste, where you will enjoy the best mountain views. Don’t forget a flask of spiced and zesty vin chaud or hot chocolate to warm those cockles! 4. Avoid expensive restaurants and bars located on or near the slopes – seek out tucked away rustic establishments catering to French tourists and local clientele. 5. Save your hard earned pennies for special meal out at the end of your trip and dine at your apartment in the evenings. Invite the neighbours round to sample your newfound French cooking skills.
Dine like the French: to really get a taste of France's Haute Savoie region, dip your fork into the local Savoyard cuisine...
Local dishes It's fair to say that melted cheese features very prominently in Savoyard specialities, as do hearty portions of potatoes and meat, but the dishes are far from dull. This simple and delicious mountain fare not only packs the calories for your ski runs but as many dishes are designed for sharing or cooking yourself at your table, it also offers a fun and sociable way to eat. Most restaurants feature a selection of Savoyard specialities, and many are easy to cook in your own apartments. Most of the ingredients can be picked up in the local markets too.
Whether you're a serious foodie planning to explore all the restaurants in resort or staying in a self-catering apartment in the French Alps, be sure to treat yourself to at least one traditional Savoyard dinner.
Here's the pick of the menu... 1. Salad Savoyard For a light starter, try a Salad Savoyard, a fresh leaf salad that comes with a delicious topping of cubes of local cheese, lardons (tasty morsels of fried bacon) and croutons.
2. Cheese fondue It might say 1970s to you, but in the mountains this communal melted cheese dish never goes out of fashion. This classic alpine recipe is a combination of molten local cheeses, such as reblochon, gruyère, beaufort or emmenthal, mixed with garlic, white wine and a glug of kirsch. Complete with a basket of crusty chunks of bread and sometimes vegetables – and all you have to do is dunk. It’s gooey, sticky, fun which can be adapted for the kids to enjoy, too.
3. Meat fondue For a meat fondue, your cauldron will be filled with hot oil rather than cheese and your fondue forks will be charged with sliced raw meats. Simply dunk your meat into the pot and cook to your liking.
4. Tartiflette This hearty speciality comprising sliced potatoes baked with bacon, cream and, of course, a generous layer of cheese, is the ultimate ski food. It's served in an earthenware dish with a green side salad. It's hot, tasty and full of essential ski calories, although you might need a good couple of hours for digestion prior to getting back on the slopes!
5. Raclette Another cheesy delight, raclette named after the French verb 'racler', which means 'to scrape', comprises a round of local hard cheese which you melt on a little table top grill. You then spoon the melted cheese over a plate of goodies, including potatoes, hams, salami, gherkins and salads.
6. Pierrade Fancy a table top BBQ? Impress with your local knowledge by name-dropping this dish comprising your own little grill, known as a Pierre Chaud, and a selection of raw meats to sizzle on it. Usually served with a selection of tasty sauces, salads and pomme frites.
7. Fricasée de caïon This tasty traditional dish - a slow-cooked pork casserole with onions, wine and pig's blood - has enjoyed a comeback in recent years and is now on the menu of many restaurants. This is great to make in the morning before you hit the slopes, and can simply be re-heated on your return!
8. Farcement If you like sweet and savoury combinations, you'll love this speciality dish made with bacon, onions, prunes, raisins, potatoes and cream. It's cooked in a mould (don’t forget to bring one!) and once set and tipped out, looks like a cake and is served in slices.
9. Catch of the day Fish lovers won't miss out. The Alps may be far from the sea but the cold water lakes provide a bumper catch of delicious fish, notably Char and Lavaret, which are similar to salmon. These are traditionally cooked a la meunière - dipped in flour and cooked in a simple sauce of butter, parsley and lemon. Ask around the local guides and resort staff for recommendations of where they buy le poisson!
10. Tarte au myrtilles The finale of a traditional Savoyard meal is slice of tarte au myrtilles - a sumptuous blackcurrent tart. Alternatively, save your fondue fork for a feast of melted chocolate. Chocolate fondues come with a selection of fruits for dipping.
They also have a variety of cash-saving deals, most notably their “Ski Eurobuster” which allows their customers to beat the euro when booking ski holidays this winter.
Customers can save up to 35 percent off all ski resorts if they book before December 19th and up to 20 % still after this date. This means, if you book fast enough you could be saving a third and spend just 55€ for a weeks accommodation! And it gets better...this major ski discount can be used on all dates throughout the winter ski season including the school holidays.
The Pierre & Vacances discount code can also be combined with any other Pierre & Vacances deal currently on offer, including the 20% early booking discount, leading to further on your winter ski holiday. Simply type in the exclusive code: 8258 when visiting www.PV-Holidays.com. You can also find out more information by visiting the offer page here
Don't forget about their other offers including their great Christmas “book now and get 1 night free” offer which you can find out more about by visiting here
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