Best place to ski over Christmas

[hillbilly]

We are thinking to go skiing for the first time this winter and thought about going over Christmas. Where in Europe is the snow likely to be best? Is it too early for good snow?

DH wants to go to Italy and I don't mind - but don't want to spend a fortune!

[nametapes]

Its really hard to say hillbilly, as every year at xmas is different.
France, Italy,Austria ,Switzerland. You just never know, but I would strongly recommend you go high and stay somewhere with high mountains to guarantee plenty of snow.
Most holiday brochures start the ski season in mid December, so its fairly guaranteed you will have snow.
Last xmas we went to the French Alps and it was wonderful. Youngest DS went with his dad ot Wengen and they had really deep snow, but their flight was cancelled (snow here at Heathrow) and the had to drive over.

[hillbilly]

Thanks nametapes - I have found some snow sure places and it seems that Austria and Andorra are particularly good for beginners.

[Nevercan]

Austria is fab with great atmosphere and food. Excellent ski instructors. I am slight biased as I was a ski rep for a season out there but have also been to Austria many times with my family. No experience of Andorra I'm afraid.

[TastyMuffins]

I went to Austria last Christmas, it was great, thinking of going again this year. Only downside for me was that I didn't like the food that much, hotel was halfboard but didn't do very well on vegetarian food - well it is Austria! For that reason I wouldn't pick the same place as I have had a lot better but that's usually going self catering and choosing my own restaurants. Great atmosphere, beautiful subtle Christmas decorations, a great escape from a commercialised Christmas.

[afishcalledmummy]

We went to the 3 valleys last Christmas and it was fab - loads of snow! This year we're going to Avoriaz which is high and in a big ski area (Portes du Soleil) so we hope to have snow and not too much crowding. The 3V last year was surprisingly quiet on the slopes, though busy in the villages - I think that the large ski area spreads everyone out.