Affordable ski holidays in the French Alps

Affordable quality with great value prices starting at less than £100 per person a week – and all including a Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade - are the key features of wintersports holidays for 2009/10 with French Alps specialist Peak Retreats.

Its newly launched programme features nearly 40 traditional, unspoilt resorts which are not just cheaper and more pleasant to stay in than more famous ‘commercialised’ resorts, but also have queue-free, high speed cable car links to the major ski areas.

For example 4 people sharing a 2 bedroom apartment on a 7-night holiday starting 9 January 2010 can stay in the residence Les Fermes de Samoens, in the very pretty village of Samoens, for just £135 per person, or pay £124pp when staying at Les Balcons de la Vanoise, in the little known gem of Termignon, now linked to the Val Cenis ski area. Or go to Saint-Jean d’Arves, now part of the 310 kilometre Le Sybelles ski area, where prices start at only £97pp.

There are even better deals for early bookers, with savings of 5, 10 and 20 per cent available on many apartments booked before 31 October 2009.

Stressing the value and affordability of holidays, Peak Retreats Xavier Schouller said: “Staying in the small, satellite resorts we feature means that the cost of renting our self catering accommodation can be more than 50 per cent less than staying in big name resorts. Groceries, bar drinks and restaurant meals are also cheaper as are lift passes, ski school and equipment hire while driving by car is not only cheaper than flying but more flexible too.”

New features for 2009/10 also include:

Resorts:

La Cluzaz, which joins Le Grand Bornand in having access to the popular Aravis Pass, and Bourg St Maurice, chosen for its links to Les Arcs and the Paradiski region of La Plagne.

4-star MGM built residences with indoor pools including Les Chalets de Jouvence in Les Carroz with links to the Grand Massif-Flaine ski domain (from £160pp)

Special value 3-star residences, some with pools:

For example Les Balcons d’Anais in the small family resort of La Norma.

More self catering chalets, able to accommodate parties of 6 to 17. From £810 per week for a chalet for eight in the Savoyard village of Morillon.

Seven extra hotels for those who prefer catered options, including the 3-star Golf Hotel in Brides-les-Bains (Meribel) part of the famous 3 Valleys. From £520pp for half board.

Ski clothing hire for children:

Save money on buying ski clothing for children by hiring through Peak Retreats.

To see the brochure in full go to Peakretreats.co.uk.