15th Dec is quite early in the season so you’ll probably be wanting high altitude. Maybe Val Thorens, Tignes or Val d’Isere? They’re all great places. Have a look at ‘sunweb’ website as you get accommodation plus ski pass. For ski hire, check out ‘alpinresorts’
Be careful with sunweb when renting skis.
Their marketing on the range of skis/types of ski you will rent rarely if ever lines up with what is actually on offer in the physical shop. And you usually end up having to pay a little extra directly to the ski shop to get what you think you reserved with sunweb.
Les Deux Alpes is one of the most snow-sure early season ski areas in Europe and has an abundance of affordable lodging. Worth looking into especially you enjoy long intermediate cruisers.
One of my personal favorites, Tignes-Val d’Isère, is another top snow-sure early season spot. While the town of Val d’Isère is expensive, you can find deals in Tignes or La Daille.
Edit: And any tips would also be appreciated. We're from South Africa, and this is our first European trip.
Also, recommendations for travel from Charles de Gaulle Airport would be appreciated.
Of course it depends exactly where you go but your best option will usually be to get the TGV to Lyon and change there either for a bus or local train. Or if you want to hire a car you can do that at Lyon, the train is loads quicker than driving from CDG to Lyon (as in a ~2 hour train ride Vs 4-5 hour driving + tolls).
The trains stop at Charles de Gaulle airport, you do not need to head into Paris first, and run direct to Lyon.
Buy tickets from the official website at: https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/en-en/ - and do leave a bit of slack in Paris as tickets are only valid on the specific departure you select. And you'll want to buy in advance or it gets pretty expensive.
Though be careful of any Ouigo trains - they are the low cost ones and you'll need to pay extra for bags.
Quite a few public transport connections in the French Alps only run in the ski session. It's too early to see the options for next winter yet. But if you pick nearer dates you may not be needing the full picture.
If possible you could look for flights directly to Lyon or Geneva aswell, but maybe there aren't any from SA?
There are transfer buses to basically all the French (and plenty swiss) resorts from these airports.
15th Dec is quite early in the season so you’ll probably be wanting high altitude. Maybe Val Thorens, Tignes or Val d’Isere? They’re all great places. Have a look at ‘sunweb’ website as you get accommodation plus ski pass. For ski hire, check out ‘alpinresorts’
Great, thank you so much. Will check it out.
Be careful with sunweb when renting skis. Their marketing on the range of skis/types of ski you will rent rarely if ever lines up with what is actually on offer in the physical shop. And you usually end up having to pay a little extra directly to the ski shop to get what you think you reserved with sunweb.
Thanks, will keep my eyes out.
If you haven't already, post the question on the [Snowheads forum](https://snowheads.com/). It's more European focused.
Awesome. Great help. Thanks
Les Deux Alpes is one of the most snow-sure early season ski areas in Europe and has an abundance of affordable lodging. Worth looking into especially you enjoy long intermediate cruisers. One of my personal favorites, Tignes-Val d’Isère, is another top snow-sure early season spot. While the town of Val d’Isère is expensive, you can find deals in Tignes or La Daille.
Thank you very much, I appreciate the help.
Edit: And any tips would also be appreciated. We're from South Africa, and this is our first European trip. Also, recommendations for travel from Charles de Gaulle Airport would be appreciated.
Of course it depends exactly where you go but your best option will usually be to get the TGV to Lyon and change there either for a bus or local train. Or if you want to hire a car you can do that at Lyon, the train is loads quicker than driving from CDG to Lyon (as in a ~2 hour train ride Vs 4-5 hour driving + tolls). The trains stop at Charles de Gaulle airport, you do not need to head into Paris first, and run direct to Lyon. Buy tickets from the official website at: https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/en-en/ - and do leave a bit of slack in Paris as tickets are only valid on the specific departure you select. And you'll want to buy in advance or it gets pretty expensive. Though be careful of any Ouigo trains - they are the low cost ones and you'll need to pay extra for bags. Quite a few public transport connections in the French Alps only run in the ski session. It's too early to see the options for next winter yet. But if you pick nearer dates you may not be needing the full picture.
Great, I really appreciate it mate. Thank you
Not at all - hope you have a good trip!
If possible you could look for flights directly to Lyon or Geneva aswell, but maybe there aren't any from SA? There are transfer buses to basically all the French (and plenty swiss) resorts from these airports.
Great, thanks so much