First visit to the Alps? Here’s what we recommend for American visitors…

Skiing in Europe is often a totally different experience to skiing in North America and  narrowing down the options can be difficult when there are so many resorts and properties to choose from for your first trip.  In the Alps you can expect iconic mountain vistas and unbelievable views, culture filled, traditional Alpine lodges and chalets, vin chaud, marmottes, horse drawn carriages, beautiful tree line skiing and charming, ‘chocolate box’ resorts amongst many other things. The ‘apres ski’ is great too!

Here are some of our top choices for an unforgettable holiday in the Alps -

ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND – home to the Matterhorn

Chalet Grace, Zermatt 

This is an amazing property with incredible Matterhorn views and a designer Alpine finish which we know you’ll love. Zermatt is a picturesque, car free resort with excellent ‘foody’ mountain restaurants. Book a ski guide to take you on a gourmet journey through the mountains or take a help-skiing trip into Italy.

KLOSTERS, SWITZERLAND  - the ski resort  favoured by Prince William & the Duchess of Cambridge 

Chalet Bear, Klosters

This centrally located, quintessential ‘chocolate box’ chalet is privately owned and managed, offering exceptional yet informal service that’s ideal for families. The British Royal Family have been coming to Klosters for years.

VAL D’ISERE, FRANCE – one of the largest ski areas in France. 

Chalet Marco Polo, Val d’Isere

Everyone’s talking about this fantastic new ‘uber’ chalet in Val d’Isere right now. It has been finished to an incredibly high standard and has a private indoor pool, spa, fitness area and cinema. Val d’Isere is a high resort so a good bet for great snow cover throughout the season.

COURCHEVEL, FRANCE – the St. Tropez of the Alps 

Chalet Hermine, Courchevel 1850

This is a typical Savoyarde chalet in one of  the chicest resorts in Europe. Offered with a professional chef, manager and driver, this property offers very good value for money in a resort where most chalets with this level of service are twice the price!

MERIBEL, FRANCE – a perfect family ski resort in the heart of Les Trois Vallees – the largest ski area in Europe.

Chalet Trois Ours, Meribel

A great value, family chalet with direct access to the slopes and offering incredible food and service.

ST ANTON, AUSTRIA  - renowned for its Austrian hospitality and après ski. 

Chalet Gertrud Gabl, St Anton

For those looking to travel on a lower budget this is an excellent choice!  The food offered here is truly exquisite and the service is impeccable. The chalet is very comfortable and simply furnished  with everything one needs. You’d normally expect to pay twice the rate for what you get!

Ten of the Best Ski In/Ski Out Chalets!

Being able to step out  of your chalet and ski off straight away is surely an ultimate luxury. It’s definitely close to the top of our list of requirements when we go skiing. After all, who enjoys trudging for miles in cumbersome ski boots and waiting in lift queues? We’d rather save our energy for swishing down the slopes!  We always get asked if the chalet we’re proposing is ski in/ski out and so to help with this, we’ve come up with a list of 10 of the best truly ski in/ski out chalets for you to marvel at -

Ten of the Best Ski in/Ski Out Chalets

1. Le Petit Château, Courchevel 1850 Right on the edge of the Bellecote piste in Courchevel and only 5 minutes from the shops too!

2. Chalet Indigo, Megeve Situated in the wonderfully private Mont d’Arbois area with a  terrace overlooking the piste – wonderful.

3. Chalet La Tene, Val d’Isere The dining room at this beautiful chalet has the formidable le Face run as its backdrop.

4. Chalet Chamois, Courchevel 1650 Literally on the piste and bright and airy throughout.

5. Tivoli Lodge, Davos An exclusive mountain retreat. Intensely private and discreet but still ski in/ski out.

6. Chalet Gentianes, Courchevel 1850 Ski straight back to your door, then dive into your own private swimming pool!

7. Chalet Montana, Val d’Isere The Sunday Times have called this chalet ‘The Best in the Alps’ and it’s right on the Face de Bellevarde.

8. Chalet Trois Ours, Meribel One of the best located chalets in Meribel for ski in/ski out convenience.

9. Hidden Dragon, Les 4 Vallees As the name suggests, this chalet is secluded and exclusive with great ski in/ski out access.

10. Elephant Blanc, Val d’Isere Close to the nursery slopes and with direct access to a blue run – great for more tentative skiers.

To find out more about all of the above chalets and many more with ski in/ski out access, please give us a call – we have personally inspected each and every one!

Happy skiing!

Introducing The Little Concierge Company

Here at The Oxford Ski Company, we’re always keen to highlight the fact that the holidays we organise are truly tailor-made.  We really can organise every last detail of your trip, planning everything to suit your personal needs and requirements. In order to do this, we work  closely with some wonderful concierge partners and we think this is such a great idea, we had to tell you about it…

Introducing The Little Concierge Company…

Travelling with children can often leave you feeling exhausted.  Will your little ones like eating the local food? What if you can’t get the same nappies over there? The hassle of  taking your own formula, baby food, sterilisers and bottles and then dealing with excess baggage charges can leave you wishing you’d just stayed at home.  Family holidays mean mountains of luggage, especially when you’re going skiing and with many airlines only allowing you 20kg or less per person, it’s often incredibly difficult to fit in everything you need. This is where The Little Concierge Company comes in…

They can deliver every baby essential you require during your holiday direct to your chalet or hotel, saving you space in your luggage and easing the stress of family travel.  After all, you’re meant to relax on holiday and little extras like this give you the chance to enjoy a  worry free break.

How does it work?

It’s all very simple! Choose all the same brands of trusted product that you use at home, put them in your basket and input your destination.  The Little Concierge Company will do the rest, carefully hand packing and shipping all your items to your chalet or hotel so they’re ready and waiting for you on arrival. What’s more, they can also take care of parents too with a huge selection of grown up essentials and luxuries available.

If you book with The Oxford Ski Company, we can offer you an exclusive 10% discount with The Little Concierge Company so call us today on 01993 899420 and get ready to breath a sigh of relief. We really can help you relax!

We only have one thing to say to you today…KEEP CALM BOOK OXFORD SKI!

World’s Most Luxurious Ski Chalets – Telegraph Feature!

Caroline Shearing has been researching the world’s most luxurious ski chalets for her gallery in the Telegraph online.  What an amazing selection!

Every single chalet included in her top 20 list is part of The Oxford Ski Company and the Luxury Chalet Collection portfolio. We are very pleased to be able to showcase ALL the very finest chalets available for rent in the world!

It has taken many years of extensive first hand research for us to build the collection – nobody else can offer you so much first hand, expert advice. You can book all of these chalets through us so please give us a call and check out Caroline’s gallery here.

Of course, here at The Oxford Ski Company, we don’t just offer super luxury – it is important to note that we have many more affordable options available too and some fantastic special offers! Speak to our specialist team for all the latest offers available for your budget.

Spectacular Treats in Zermatt and Klosters!

We are pleased to offer you some fabulously indulgent treats!

Enjoy a breathtaking helicopter tour of the Matterhorn when you book Chalet Les Anges, Chalet Maurice or Chalet Grace in Zermatt before 31st January!

In Klosters, book Chesa Falcun before 31st January and enjoy a magical horse drawn sleigh ride to a rustic mountain retreat followed by lunch or dinner!

Make your holiday truly special this year and book one of these incredible luxury chalets. We will organise everything for you, down to the tiniest detail so you don’t need to worry about a thing – 01993 899 420.

SPECIAL OFFER at Chalet Floralie!

Chalet Floralie, a beautiful luxury ski lodge in the heart of Les Trois Vallees but off the beaten track in the charming village of St Martin de Belleville, is now available for the week commencing Sunday 19th February for just £1,500 per person  - a special offer saving of £250!

It’s the perfect place to go with a group of several families and children and sleeps up to 18 guests.  If there are fewer of you, the Penthouse (sleeps 4), can be booked separately for this week on a self catered basis for just £3,200.

Don’t delay! Call us to discuss – 01993 899 420

Rediscover your love of skiing like Sue Lawley!

Sue and daughter Harriet in Val d'Isere

Sue Lawley wrote about her stay at the beautiful spa hotel, Les Barmes de l’Ours in Val d’Isere this weekend in the Mail on Sunday.  We were delighted to help organise the trip!

Les Barmes is one of our favourite hotels and is certainly a fantastic place to stay when you’re rediscovering the joys of skiing. If, like Sue, you unexpectedly find yourself hurtling down a red run when you’d rather be on a green, you can ease off the afternoon’s stresses with some heavenly treatments at the hotel’s fantastic spa. After all, there is more to do in the mountains than just ski!

Les Barmes de l’Ours also houses the Michelin starred Table de l’Ours – one of the best restaurants in Val d’Isere and not to be missed! Sue and her daughter Harriet enjoyed foie gras in a pear and wild celery sauce, Lake Geneva char with bouilla-baisse and polenta and slow roasted pork with honey and lemon. Delicious!

If you’d like ideas for tailor-made skiing trips, give our specialist team a call now – 01993 899 420.

The spa at Hotel Les Barmes de l'Ours

Tivoli Lodge Davos – special half term offer!

Tivoli Lodge in Davos which features in our Luxury Chalet Collection, is without doubt the most luxurious chalet in the resort and it’s such a great place for families.  Book the chalet for half term from Sun 12th – Sun 19th February and a professional nanny will be provided at no extra cost to take care of the children whilst you ski. If you’d like to take the children out on the slopes with you, they’ll provide a free ski instructor instead!

Amongst other great facilities, Tivoli Lodge  has an ice castle ball pit and a swimming pool with inflatable toys! Children might also enjoy baking in the kitchen, colouring, games the list goes on…

A family staying there recently said, “ We loved every minute of this heavenly holiday.  Four families were spoiled rotten and we leave today promising to return as soon as we can.  Thank you so much to everyone for your infinite patience, smiles and help… big hugs to all   x x x x”

For more details and to talk through all your requirements for your perfect tailor-made skiing holiday call our specialist team today on +44 (0)1993 899 420 or see our website.

Amazing snow! Amazing Special Offers!

Elephant Blanc Val d'Isère

Snow conditions in the Alps are set to be truly incredible next week with blue skies forecast everywhere following the immense snow falls.  Anyone going skiing in the coming days will enjoy plenty of fresh powder.

We have been inundated with AMAZING special offers too so things can only get better!

Complimentary ski passes have been offered when you book a holiday at any of the following chalets for the week commencing Sunday 22nd January -

Chalet Bel Sol, Val d’Isere sleeps 6 +2

Ski Lodge Aurore, Meribel sleeps 10

Elephant Blanc, Val d’Isère sleeps 10

Chalet L’Himalaya, Val d’Isere sleeps 8

Chalet Chopine, Meribel sleeps 8 + 2

Chalet Montana, Val d’Isere sleeps 12 + 3

Chalet Hermine, Courchevel sleeps 10

These chalets all offer outstanding levels of luxury and provide some of the best accommodation available for tailor-made holidays in the Alps. With this season rumoured to be the best ever, what better time could there be to book your skiing trip of a lifetime?