![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chaletchardons.com\/summer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/1-2-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEarly and late season ski holidays are often overlooked, but they can actually offer some of the most rewarding riding experiences around.<\/b><\/p>\n
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While it\u2019s true that some resorts lower down the mountain do not have sufficient snow for a longer season, if you choose the right location you can find some of the most beautiful ski conditions from as early as September to as late as May.<\/p>\n
And if you\u2019re staying with us at Chalet Chardons, you\u2019ve come to the right place \u2013 the Tignes and Val d\u2019Isere resort offers one of the longest ski seasons in the world.<\/p>\n
Below we explore autumn glacier riding, early season trips in December, and late season riding after Easter.<\/p>\n
The early season comes with a couple of major selling points: quiet slopes and good weather. Far from the madness of Christmas Week, New Years, or half term holidays, you\u2019ll find yourself sharing the slopes with only a small bunch of other people if you decide to come early December, meaning you can sweep your way across the full width of the slopes without having to play a daring game of snowy dodgems.<\/p>\n
Autumn Glacier Riding<\/b><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chaletchardons.com\/summer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/2-2-300x168.jpg\")
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On the 28th September the Grande Motte glacier opens its doors to autumn skiers. The highest point of the Espace Killy, these slopes are often a favourite amongst riders due to the glacier\u2019s stunning views and soft snow.<\/p>\n
If staying in Les Brevieres, you will need to drive to Val Claret, or to Le Lac where there is a bus that takes you to Val Claret, and then jump on the Perce Neige funicular which takes you to the bottom of the Grande Motte. From here, you can take the Grande Motte gondola which goes all the way to the top.<\/p>\n
From there, there is either a black run or a couple of red runs for you to explore the area. If you are a less experienced skier don\u2019t be afraid of the red run \u2013 it\u2019s a relatively gentle one. Sometimes, when there is a decent amount of early snow, the red run are open all the way down to Val Claret.<\/p>\n
While not the biggest area to ski in, the fact that you are out skiing in the mountains so early in the year makes it feel pretty special. It can also still be pretty warm at this time of year so might just be your chance to experience the joy of cruising down the slopes in just sallopettes and a jumper.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chaletchardons.com\/summer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/5-1-300x200.jpg\")
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And a massive perk of coming on holiday at this time of year is that you\u2019ll get two different mountain experiences: you can go skiing on the glacier one day then hiking in the surrounding mountains and green forests the next day. That\u2019s basically two holidays in one!<\/p>\n
Early Season Riding<\/b><\/p>\n
While the Grande Motte is now open for the rest of the season, from the end of November onwards the rest of the resort starts to wake up bit by bit.<\/p>\n
First, the ski lifts from approximately 2000 metres tend to open in the last week of November, then the lower heights begin running in the first couple of weeks of December. The resort will also begin using snow machines during this time to try get all the slopes ready for use.<\/p>\n
For Les Brevieres, everything will be up and running by around the 14th December \u2013 so if you\u2019re arriving for this week you will have plenty of skiing available to you.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll also usually find the weather is nicer at this time of year and not quite as blizzardy as January or February can be. While of course you have to be wary of icier slopes and surfacing rocks if the snow is thinner, generally the conditions are perfectly good enough for any level rider.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chaletchardons.com\/summer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/3-2-300x199.jpg\")
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And let\u2019s not forget another major benefit of coming at this time \u2013 everything is so much cheaper! Firstly, you can get an \u201cavant premiere\u201d six day ski pass for \u20ac60 euros cheaper than the standard season price.<\/p>\n
And secondly, you can get some great value accommodation. Chalet Chardons is running a 20% off discounted accommodation and ski pass deal for the week commencing 14th December for any of our chalets, so get in touch and fall in love with early season skiing.<\/p>\n
Late Season Riding<\/b><\/p>\n
After the mad hustle and bustle of the Easter Week, the crowds dissipate, and the final wave of mountain chaos finally settles down for another year. But although the peak season is nearing its end, the skiing isn\u2019t over just yet.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.chaletchardons.com\/summer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/4-2-300x200.jpg\")
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From the 11th April to the 3rd May, the slopes stay open for some of the sunniest, calmest, and nicest skiing across the whole year. During these weeks, you get a strangely wonderful clash between a winter holiday and a summer holiday feeling as you find yourself stripping down to just a t-shirt as you sunbathe on the sun loungers half-way up a snow covered mountain.<\/p>\n
And while the slopes are quieter, the party isn\u2019t over, as venues across the Espace Killy hold some incredible end of season parties for both holiday makers and seasonnaires to enjoy.
\nThese weeks are also again a fair bit cheaper than the peak season, so give Chalet Chardons a shout and we can sort you out an incredible ski holiday for great value.<\/p>\n
Sun, snow, parties, quiet slopes, and all at a reasonable price \u2013 what\u2019s not to love about late season riding!<\/p>\n
When is your favourite time to ski? Let us know in the comments below!<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Early and late season ski holidays are often overlooked, but they can actually offer some of the most rewarding riding experiences around. While it\u2019s true that some resorts lower down the mountain do not have sufficient snow for a longer season, if you choose the right location you can find some of the most beautiful…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4459,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n