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It’s November! It’s just weeks until the start of the ski season. Many ski resorts will be open by the end of the month.

For example, Kitzbuhel opens up this weekend, Nov 7th, and Ischgl  and Saalbach follow suit on Nov 27th and 28th respectively. In France, Tignes and some of the Three Valleys areas open up Nov 22nd, Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes on Nov 29th. Many Andorran resorts also open up on Nov 29th. (Take a look at this excellent list compiled by Snowbrains).

Many more will be opening on Dec 6th, and more on Dec 13th. This means that there’s a lot of choices for a pre-Christmas ski break. If you’ve never considered skiing before Christmas, here’s a few tips and pointers that might just change your mind.

1. Quiet resorts and pistes:

If you’ve only ever been able to ski during busy weeks you will be amazed at how pleasant skiing can be when there’s nobody around. Lift queues are short to non-existent and pistes can be wide open spaces rather than busy arteries, especially during the week. Weekends, as always, will attract locals but come Monday morning they’ll be back at work.

2. It’s Cheaper

Early season skiing is often cheaper. Chalet companies are opening up and offering great deals to get people to come out – just check out these early season offers from Chalets Direct members. A week in a catered chalet before Christmas can be just a fraction of the price after Christmas. It’s a great way for them to get the operation going, and for their chalet staff to get into a routine before the peak weeks of Xmas and New Year.

Lift companies will often open up with reduced price passes – not all the ski area may be ready for opening, but they still want to encourage people to come and ski, and with the smaller number of people on the mountain there’s still plenty of space for everyone.

3. Re-Discover your Ski Legs

Early season skiing, when you have the piste to yourself, is a great way to get back into the skiing groove. There’s less pressure and you’ll be able to feel those turns and practice those moves without the fear that comes with having to dodge other skiers.

4. Avoid the Christmas Overkill for a few days

Are you tired of the endless Christmas tunes playing in all the stores? You’ve seen the M&S and John Lewis Christmas adverts a million times already? And even though it’s only just been Hallowe’en, you’d think that Christmas is happening tomorrow!

Escape it all for a few days – it will still be there when you get back. What better way to forget it than getting to the top of a mountain, breathing in the mountain air, clicking into your bindings and sliding away into the great outdoors!

Possible Downsides – there are some!

Of course there are some caveats. The full ski area may not be open – but this will be reflected in the price of the lift pass. There may be fewer amenities available, and perhaps some bars and restaurants will still be preparing for opening and not quite ready for the very first guests.

Snow, of course, may be less plentiful than later in the season, but whenever possible resorts will have the snow cannons pumping overnight to ensure that snow cover is sufficient. With the heavy snow that fell in late October, many of the higher, glacial resorts already have a great base.

If you’re expecting the hustle and bustle of the peak weeks you won’t find it. However this is part of the charm. You’ll be experiencing the calm time before the holidays really kick in. The bars and restaurants that are open will be pleased to see you and under less pressure than in peak times.

The Upside!

At Chalets Direct HQ we’ve always been big fans of getting on the slopes as early as possible. There’s little that can match the feeling of doing your first runs before the crowds descend on the resort. It takes the pressure off those first few turns where everything feels a little unfamiliar and by the time everyone else arrives, you’ll be skiing with confidence!

Here’s what early season skiing can look like! Tempted? Take a look at our early season ski offers here!