It's getting close to winter. Time to start planning your break

As the 2026/27 alpine season approaches, European ski operators are launching a diverse slate of winter experiences that cater to a wide spectrum of mountain-goers. Highlights for the upcoming calendar include Verbier’s festive December opening—which traditionally draws thousands of Santa-clad skiers to the slopes—and major New Year savings at VIP SKI’s premier Graciosa chalet in La Plagne. Beyond traditional holiday celebrations and luxury accommodations, the industry is also expanding into specialized wellness and coaching, spearheaded by an innovative Ski Confidence Week debuting in Val d’Isère in April to help experienced but anxious skiers overcome mental barriers and safely rediscover their form on the snow.

NEW: VIP SKI Confidence Week, Val d’Isère

VIP SKI is tackling one of skiing’s less talked-about problems: what happens when the ability is still there, but the nerve isn’t. Its new Ski Confidence Week, launching in Val d’Isère in April 2027, has been developed with Kate Casali, The Ski Mindset Coach®, for skiers whose confidence has slipped through injury, a bad fall, time away from the mountains or simply becoming more cautious. Pre-trip preparation is followed by individual mindset coaching, group sessions and traditional ski instruction in resort, helping experienced skiers understand what is holding them back and rediscover the confidence to enjoy the skiing they can already do.

A seven-night stay at No 6 Bellevarde in Val d’Isere, arriving 11 April 2027, is priced from ££1,268pp (save £100 on launch offer) based on two sharing. Price includes chalet-board accommodation (cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, three-course evening meal on six nights with house wines and canapé reception on two nights), confidence week programme*, free ski guiding, return group transfers from Geneva Airport. Flights extra. *What’s included: A short confidential questionnaire for each participant. An individual 30-minute pre-trip session for each participant, helping guests identify what feels most relevant and establish a personal focus for the holiday, one evening with Kate in resort, including a structured group confidence session, practical introduction to EFT and informal Q&A/conversation. A post-holiday feedback questionnaire to help us evaluate the experience and essential planning and coordination with VIP SKI.

VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com)

2,000 Santas Take to the Slopes for Verbier’s Opening Day

Forget one Santa coming down the chimney. Verbier traditionally opens its winter season with more than 2,000 Santas taking to the slopes, and this December the resort opens for the 2026/27 season on 5 December. Skiers who turn up dressed in their best Father Christmas outfit can traditionally ski for just CHF5 for the day, before the red-suited crowd gathers on the mountain for a giant group photo, music and an après-ski raclette. The main Verbier/La Tzoumaz ski area then remains open until 25 April 2027, with the wider 4 Vallées opening from 12 December. Stay at the 3* Hotel Farinet for four nights from 03 December 2026 on B&B, London flights and transfers from £1,089 pp.

Heidi (0117 457 6000 www.heidi.com)

Luxury Catered Chalets in La Plagne | VIP SKI

Save over £10,000 at The Graciosa in La Plagne this New Year with VIP SKI

La Plagne is known for its cruisy red and blue pistes, making it a popular choice for families and intermediate skiers looking for high-altitude skiing. At New Year, the resort comes alive with celebrations and entertainment taking place across its 11 villages. VIP SKI’s Graciosa opened in December 2025 and the stunning Jungfrau Suite offers accommodation for up to 14 guests, complete with a private outdoor hot tub. Set at 2,003 metres in Plagne Centre, the Graciosa enjoys ski-in, ski-out access, with a gentle glide down the St Sauveur piste to the lifts and direct access from the ski room into the vast Paradiski area. Alongside spectacular mountain views, guests staying in the Jungfrau Suite enjoy VIP SKI chalet catering and daily housekeeping, as well as access to the Graciosa’s guest bar and lounge.

Book the Jungfrau Suite for 27 December 2026 and save £10,024 on a seven-night New Year stay. The spacious four-bedroom chalet-suite, which includes two bedrooms with three full-size luxury bunks, sleeps up to 14 guests and is priced from £25,000 / £1,785pp (was £35,024 / £2,591pp), based on 14 guests sharing. Price includes chalet-board accommodation (cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, three-course evening meal on six nights with house wines and canapé reception on two nights), return group transfers from Geneva Airport and complimentary ski guiding. Flights extra.

VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com)