Client area
FAQs
The resort
Which resorts are suitable for beginner skiers? Or intermediate, expert skiers or snowboarders?
Our discovery search on the home page, will help narrow down your choices from our wide range of resorts in the French Alps. You can put in your criteria and the results will be for resorts that might suit your party.
Can Peak Retreats book lift passes, ski school and ski hire for me?
We can arrange lift passes, ski school and ski equipment hire for you. Our team can discuss what level of ski school you might need to book and explain the differences between a full area and a local lift pass. Find details on all our ski essentials here.
Can Peak Retreats book lift passes for me in the summer?
We can book lift and activity passes in selected resorts for summer. For example, in Le Grand Bornand, we can book a pass that gives access to the resort’s outdoor pool complex and the lifts that are open for exploring the mountains in the summer. In Chamonix, we can book the Mont Blanc Multi-Pass, which gives access to Chamonix’s key attractions including the Aiguille du Midi and the Montenvers railway to the Mer de Glace and ice cave.
What facilities are there for children in the winter and summer?
Each resort will have dedicated facilities for children. We can book lessons with the ESF French ski school for children from the age of 3. In some resorts, we can arrange a combination of lessons and childcare, sometimes with lunch in the middle. Most resorts also have fun slopes for children with characters to high-five, tunnels and more.
In both summer and winter, the tourist office often has a programme of family-friendly free or low-cost activities throughout the week.
Some resorts hold a special designation as Famille Plus resorts. The Famille Plus label is awarded to resorts that stand out for their ability to meet the needs of families, from their range of activities to the services in resort.
A few of our properties have kids’ clubs. Where these are available, they will generally be in French.
Where can I ski in the summer?
In order to protect the glaciers, summer skiing is more limited than it was in the past. You can ski in the summer in the resorts of Tignes in June and early July and Les 2 Alpes in May, June and early July, depending on the conditions. In Les 2 Alpes, the high-altitude area for skiing is mainly for ski racing, professionals and ski training camps. In Tignes, the skiing is limited to a small number of red runs.
What clothing should I pack for skiing/snowboarding?
Tops – A heavy-weight fleece and light/medium-weight long sleeve base layers.
Outer layer – a waterproof, breathable ski jacket with a hood.
Bottoms – Waterproof / breathable lined ski trousers or salopettes and a base layer /thermal leggings for when it’s really cold
Underwear – a sports bra is a good idea for women, ski socks
Handwear – ski gloves or mittens
Headgear – A helmet, goggles and a pair of good sunglasses.
Do you have reps in resorts?
We don’t employ local representatives, our French partners on site will ensure that your stay is as enjoyable as it should be. Our team in the UK is also always on hand. Outside of office hours (including at weekends and on bank holidays), we have a 24-hour emergency number if you need our help urgently.
Do I need to book restaurants in advance?
If you are going to be in France for Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve or any of the other key holiday dates (see below), then it's a good idea to book if you plan to eat out on what will be a busy date. Equally, if there is a restaurant you particularly want to try then it's a good idea to book. Restaurants can get booked up so if you know what your plans are then it makes sense to book, particularly if you are part of a bigger group.
Do resorts have building work?
Alpine resorts do expand and change, in the same way as all towns and cities. Undoubtedly the nuisance and inconvenience of building works seems worse when you are on holiday. We rely on our inspection visits and particularly on our suppliers to keep us informed about any building work. Whilst this is something we have no control over, we will do our utmost to tell you about any significant work that we are made aware of and which is going on near your accommodation. We will aim to do this if there is time before you start your holiday. There may be limits set by local authorities as to when construction can take place to avoid disturbing visitors.
When are the French bank holidays and school holidays?
The French have a few more bank holidays than the UK, these are 1 January, Easter Monday, 1 May, 8 May, Ascension and Pentecost (both in May but moveable, like Easter),14 July, 15. August, 1 November, 11 November and 25 December. It’s good to be aware of these as shops and other facilities may be closed or have shorter opening hours.
French school holidays usually start in early July and run to the end of August, they have two weeks at Christmas. For the February holidays, the whole country is divided into four zones, each has a two week holiday within the period from the first full week in February to the first full week in March. There is also a two week ‘spring’ holiday in April.
How is the energy crisis impacting resorts?
Having been asked by the French government to reduce their energy consumption, all businesses in France are working towards this goal. This may mean that pools may be set at slightly lower temperatures, temperatures within your accommodation and in restaurants may be set lower, ski lifts may run marginally slower, which whilst being imperceptible to skiers, saves a significant amount of electricity, night-skiing may be reduced. You’ll also notice lots of environmental measures in resorts, from solar panels on lift stations to increased recycling facilities.
