8 reasons to book your ski holiday early

1. You have access to the best chalets

Whether you are booking for two or 10 people, it’s likely that when it comes to booking a chalet you’ll have a few top requirements, which you won’t want to budge on. The number of rooms, the size of your living space, proximity to the piste, the level of catering, walking distance to the nearest apres ski bar; whatever your list consists of, booking earlier will mean you have the biggest choice of chalets and more chance of ticking all your important boxes. Plus if you have your heart set on the resort, and a favourite chalet company you want to go with, ahem, the earlier you start searching, the bigger choice you will have. As a rough guide, start looking 12-10 months in advance and you’ll get the pick of the bunch, 10-8 months in advance you’ll still find a great selection, but leave it later and your options will get more limited as your travel dates draw near.

2. Groups can snap up a whole chalet exclusively

If you’re a large group, it is lovely and luxurious to have a chalet all to yourselves. And as extravagant as an exclusive ski chalet may sound, this often works out great value for money – especially if you opt for catered or our excellent value meal delivery service so you don’t splurge on going out for meals and drinks. At AliKats we have a number of beautiful chalets that can be booked out exclusively, but they do get booked up fast. We keep our pricing as low as possible for exclusive bookings – the price of our largest ski chalets sleeping up to 12 people, now start on the price of a minimum of 8 or 10 guests, meaning you can bag a very spacious property at a great price.

3. You can nab a peak week

There’s a reason why returning families book their chalet for next year immediately after returning from their last holiday, peak weeks sell out fast. More than half of our chalets are typically booked up eight months before February half term. So if you are restricted to certain dates, which fall on peak weeks (Christmas, New Year and February half term), make sure you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

4. Get the best deal on travel

Gone are the days of holding off on booking your airline tickets in the hope that the prices will drop. Here’s how it works: airline tickets typically go on sale up to a year out from the departure date, so that’s when the pricing roller coaster begins. If it’s very far out, prices could still fluctuate quite a bit. The closer in it is, the less likely a drop in price will become. Travel Magazine AFAR, suggests booking international flights six to eight months in advance for the best deals. Factors such as how many airlines and flights operate on your route, what time you plan to travel (young families, for example, will be keen to secure an early departure) and the time of year, should also be taken into account.

5. Allow time to budget for your holiday

When you book a ski holiday you put down a deposit, then with AliKats your remaining fee is due 10 weeks before your arrival date. Booking early will give you more time to pay for your holiday. It also allows you more time to budget for your essentials (lift pass, ski hire and childcare) as well as those extra special items, such as an in-chalet massage or a meal at that new restaurant you’ve been dreaming about.

On the other hand, if you can pay for half your balance up front, it’s worth asking if you are eligible for a discount on the price of your holiday.

6. Get childcare sorted for your peace of mind

If you have young kids, getting the right childcare for your family is essential to a successful holiday. Morzine has some excellent private nannies – we have compiled a list of our top recommendations here. There’s no need to worry about what your little ones will be up to, our resort nannies come prepared with toys and crafts, and create exciting adventures around the resort, from snowman building, to riding the carousel and ‘petite train’, to splashing in Morzine’s pool. Places are limited, so make sure you get a nanny booked as soon as you can.

7. Get the best ski tuition

If you have a favourite ski instructor you’d like to ski with again, are looking to reserve an off-piste guide, are planning to put your kids into ski school or are coming during a peak week, we highly recommend getting your lessons booked as soon as you can after booking your accommodation. Pre-booking ensures you get the lessons you want, the group size you want and the dates you require at the best price possible. Check out our list of recommended ski schools and guides to line up the best ski tuition in Morzine.

8. Make it easier on yourself

Holidays should be a break from our busy day-to-day worlds, and that includes the planning stage of your trip. Start early and your ski holiday planning will go smoothly, you’ll get access to the best services at the best prices, with absolutely no ‘scrambling’ involved. Get started by browsing our wonderful range or catered and self catered chalets in Morzine.