Spend a white Christmas in the alps: Festive events for the calendar

If you’re looking for a magical last-minute Christmas escape, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our run down of the festive events you need in your calendar, plus some unmissable properties in France and Switzerland from where you can experience them. 

Christmas events in Val d’Isère

There are many ways to explore Val d’Isère, on or off skis. You can experience exhilarating dog sledding, ice floating, and even take a snowshoe hike to a secluded igloo nestled in the snow where you can sleep under the stars.

From the 20th of December, visitors can enjoy the Christmas Village which offers festive fare, traditional handcrafts and the chance to try local specialties. Peruse the illuminated streets surrounded by beautiful displays with the sound of carol singers filling the air. This is a truly nostalgic festive event not to be missed!

We have rare availability this Christmas for the highly sought-after Chalet Elephant Blanc. A ski-in, ski-out home with that cosy chalet ambience, it can accommodate up to ten guests.

Christmas events in Méribel

Christmas in Méribel kicks off on the 4th of December, with the official Méribel opening. Free activities begin from 14:00, but be sure to sign up for them from 10:30 that morning to secure a spot. Acrobats, pyrotechnics and a drone light show between 17:00 – 20:00 are sure to captivate the audience, accompanied by DJ sets.

The following weeks are full of exciting free events. Watch in amazement as ice sculptures are masterfully carved in front of you on the 22nd from 14:00, by the Altiport ski lift. On the 23rd, ‘Le Gang des Père Noel’ – a troop of dancing, singing, acrobatic Santas – will entertain the crowds from 18:00 at the auditorium.

Make sure you’re back in the centre of town by 17:00 to enjoy the incredible Christmas parade, with free hot chocolate and vin chaud handed out to keep you toasty, and the arrival of Santa Claus himself in his horse-drawn carriage. 

The slopes will remain open on Christmas day, and to make the most of the winter sunshine, ski on the Tougnète side in the morning and cross over to the Saulire as the day progresses. As well as the 150km of pistes, you can experience ski touring or split boarding, cross-country or telemark skiing, snowshoeing and even ice climbing with an experienced mountain guide.

If you don’t feel like facing the winter temperatures, spend an afternoon wandering around the Musée des Allues, where you can explore the cultural heritage of the Méribel Valley, free of charge. It is open from 14:00 – 18:30 in the winter season.

Christmas events in Zermatt

Zermatt is an ideal destination for families this Christmas. On the 28th of November beginning at 16:30, the spectacular annual Christmas tree opening ceremony will take place. Enjoy festive music, delicious food and drinks with loved ones, and with anticipation hanging in the air, join in with the countdown before the tree is illuminated. 

At several dates in December including the 21st, the toboggan fun furi begins at the Matterhorn glacier paradise valley station at 18:30. Enjoy delicious fondue at a ski hut and then don your head torch for a thrilling sledge ride down!

Zermatt is an amazing gastronomical resort, there are options for every palate. However, for a hearty and authentic Swiss menu with recipes handed down through the generations, try Chez Vrony, situated at 2,130 metres in Findeln above Zermatt in perfect view of the Matterhorn. All produce used is local, and the veal fillet, fondant potato, and apple fritter are highly recommended. If you’ve had your fill of traditional Swiss cuisine, take a day to ski over to Cervinia, where you can drink real Italian Prosecco and eat authentic Italian truffle pasta! 

On the 6th and 24th of December, there are special children’s events in the town where festive characters will distribute sweets, snacks and gifts; a sure-fire way to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Christmas events in Verbier

Waking up in the snowy Swiss Alps on Christmas morning is an unbeatable feeling, and in Verbier the whole town is bursting with chocolate-box charm. Grab a hot chocolate or vin chaud and amble around the festive markets and musical events throughout the town.

If you want to stay in the heart of Verbier this Christmas, beautiful Chalet Jenna is available just below the Savoleyres lift station. Sleeping eight people, it also offers a great entertainment room and is bursting with rustic charm. 

The stunning  Chalet Aline is available for Christmas week in Verbier. Sleeping six over four bedrooms, there is plenty of space for smaller groups and even a hammam so that guests can fully unwind and allow us to look after everything, maximising Christmas quality time.