The Alps are a wonderful destination at any time of year, but in December the resorts are transformed into true winter wonderlands. The start of the ski season combines with the magic of Christmas and New Year to bring countless activities and events which you can enjoy as a couple, with family or with friends.
In this article, we reveal 5 good reasons – among many others – to stay in the Alps in December…
Book a chalet for Christmas
Why should you visit the Alps in December?
Enjoy a magical Christmas in the mountains
Spending Christmas in the Alps will allow you to find yourself in a magical world where snow-covered villages sparkle with lights and ski resorts welcome you with open arms. Whether you’re skiing down pristine slopes or strolling through glittering landscapes, you’ll feel the magic at every turn.
The resorts compete with each other to put on the best Christmas markets, children’s shows, torchlight descents, and fireworks that light up the winter nights. The Alps promise an unforgettable Christmas, filled with warmth and tradition – perhaps best enjoyed with a glass of mulled wine.
Good to know: The fully equipped kitchens in OVO Network partner chalets let you share a cosy Christmas meal at home. You can even hire a private chef for the occasion.
See in the New Year in style
On New Year’s Eve, the resorts come alive with festive spirit: open-air concerts, torchlight descents, fireworks, and dancing get the party started in the run-up to midnight. The fresh mountain air and sparkling peaks add an enchanting touch to the celebration.
There’s something for everyone – whether you want to party until dawn or get an early night so that you can make the most of the empty slopes on January 1st. All the restaurants offer gourmet menus, but you’ll need to book your table in advance!
Good to know: The Alpine resorts get very busy during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Make sure you book your stay in advance to get exactly what you want.
The start of the ski season
December also marks the long-awaited start of the ski season in the Alps. Chairlifts reopen, slopes are carefully groomed, and resorts prepare to receive winter guests with welcome drinks and festive activities.
Shops, bars, and restaurants throw their doors and greet visitors warmly, kicking off the new season in a friendly atmosphere. Once again this year, it promises to be the perfect start to winter with great skiing, snowy walks, and the cosy charm of the mountains.
Good to know: Over the past two years, snowfall has been particularly good during the Christmas period, providing ideal skiing conditions right from the first month of the season.
Accommodation for families or friends
OVO Network makes it easy to find holiday accommodation to suit the whole family or a group of friends when you plan your December holidays in the Alps.
Our partner chalets have spacious living areas where you can gather around the fire after a day in the mountains. A ski storage room allows you to get comfortable as soon as you get back from the slopes, while game rooms with pool tables, mini football or games consoles promise lively evenings together.
Chalets labelled “Cool for Kids” have all the equipment you need to keep your children safe and entertained: high chairs, cots, changing tables, stairgates, board games – everything necessary for a worry-free mountain holiday.
Non-skiing activities
You don’t need to be a skier to enjoy Alpine activities in December. Check with your resort’s tourist office for details, but here are a few of our favourite suggestions:
- Snowshoeing
- A spa session
- Ice skating
- Dog sledding
- Tobogganing / sledging
- Fat biking (mountain biking on snow)
- Dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant
- Visiting mountain villages
Good to know: For the ultimate in relaxation and entertainment without leaving the comfort of your accommodation, choose an OVO Network partner chalet with a hot tub, heated pool, game room, or home cinema.
If you secretly dream of snow-covered mountains, cosy chalets and hot chocolate around a crackling fire, December is the perfect month to stay in the Alps. You can enjoy a wide range of activities, make the most of the start of the ski season and enjoy the festive fun organised to celebrate the end-of-year holidays.
If you’re convinced, it’s time to book your accommodation for a December stay in the Alps:
Book your chalet in the Alps
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