The Best Festive Ski Options Still Available with Powder Byrne

A Round-Up of festivities and availability in ski resorts this Christmas and New Year 

It may be strange to be thinking about Festive Ski just now, particularly before the summer has really got going, and the impact of Brexit has become a bit clearer.   But these two issues are good reasons to have something exciting to really look forward to. Powder Byrne has already experienced a high level of bookings for this period, so for families to be sure they get the best choice of hotels and rooms within, we would still recommend to get Festive Skiing holidays booked well in advance to avoid disappointment.  

Powder Byrne has negotiated exclusive transfer days to avoid travelling on the festive days themselves (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve all falling at the weekend in 2016), all part of the company's aim to add real value for clients.    For most of our resorts, transfer day will be: 
      Christmas:  Tuesday,  20th December to Tuesday, 27th December 
      New Year:   Tuesday,  27th December to Tuesday 3rd January 
      For Flims and Arosa transfer day is Monday to Monday. 

All of our resorts offer unique events and festivals which are outlined in our round-up of the best family options still with availability for this period.  On Christmas Day Powder Byrne runs its Big Family Christmas Picnic on the mountains in each resort, with the highlight being a visit from a very special person bearing gifts!   Many of our hotels organise Gala Dinners to get everyone into the New Year spirit.   Powder Byrne will forward Christmas presents out in advance for their clients if that is desired, and will arrange a decorated Christmas Tree to be put up in hotel or apartment rooms to give a home-from-home feel for families.

There's nothing as special as Christmas or New Year in the mountains, and Powder Byrne resorts in Switzerland really do push the boat out when it comes to celebrating this magical time.   Whether it's fairytale forests, Christmas fairs, fireworks or festivals, families are set to be enchanted by the traditions to be discovered in the mountains at this magical time of year.

CHRISTMAS

Flims, Switzerland: 

The 5 star Waldhaus Flims Mountain Spa, which will have undergone a full refurbishment by 2016/17 season, is set in its own parkland and is a veritable winter wonderland, especially when the first snow in the village arrives in time for Christmas Day.  With live music to entertain all through the day, christollen cake served in the hotel's open lounge, and horse drawn sleighs to take guests on excursions through the village, families will have a dreamy traditional Christmas when staying here.    Price from £3,677 per person for 7 nights from 19th December sharing a comfort twin room on Half Board basis.  Price includes return flights, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service including shuttles, ski guiding and restaurant and babysitting booking service.

Stay in one of our spacious Swiss Owners Collection apartments for a more home-from-home experience.  All are luxuriously furnished with bespoke kitchens and spacious accommodation.  Choose from one of our large apartments sleeping up to 6-8 people, so all generations in the family can be together at this important time of year.  Stay at Casa Fortuna  for 7 nights from 19th December.  Price from £2,495 based on 6 sharing on room only basis.  Price includes return flights, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne Service in resort.  For more information call 020 8246 5300 or visit www.powderbyrne.com

Laax, Switzerland: 

Stay at Signina Hotel with price from £2,220 per person sharing a double north room for 7 nights from 20th December on Half Board basis.   Price includes return flights, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne resort service.  For more information call 020 8246 5300 or visit www.powderbyrne.com

With a choice of hotels or luxury apartments to choose from, every combination of family can be well catered for in Laax. This village is a bit more funky than neighbouring Flims, and is loved by the younger generation of snowboarders and freestyle skiers.  But it's no less festive,  and traditions play their part here as well with plenty  of wannabe Santas trying out their kicks and jumps in the snowparks!  Families with older kids love the freedom, with everything  on the doorstep in this uber cool resort. 

Lenzerheide, Switzerland;

Stay at Priva Alpine Lodge in a generously proportioned apartment in this hotel-apartment resort.  Again, let Powder Byrne put up a decorated tree for your family and if desired, they can also source a turkey, if you really want to cook your own Christmas Dinner!  Otherwise, enjoy a special Christmas Eve dinner in one of the amazing restaurants to be found in the village of Lenzerheide.   Price from £1,995 per adult sharing a 2 bedroom superior apartment for 7 nights from 20th December on B&B basis.  Price includes return flights, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne Service in resort.  For more information call 020 8246 5300 or visit www.powderbyrne.com

This chocolate box Swiss resort - with forests, lakes, church spires and traditional chalets nestled beneath the snowy peaks -  really comes into its own at Christmas.  The  Magic Forest comes alive with its amazing light installations and Christmas Market scattered throughout what is known as Squirrel Forest.  Children just love the surprises to be found when they wander along the paths of the woods. 

NEW YEAR

Davos, Switzerland

Stay at Hotel Intercontinental and watch the NYE firework display from their Studio Grigio restaurant on the 10th Floor, guaranteed to be the best view in town.    Price from £3,746 per person staying in a superior double room for 7 nights from 20th December on Half Board basis.  Price includes return flights, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne Service in resort.  For more information call 020 8246 5300 or visit www.powderbyrne.com

Stay at Hotel Ameron and enjoy the NYE celebrations in the town in this centrally located hotel.   Price from £3,268 per person for 7 nights from 27th December sharing a Smart Comfort Room on B&B basis.  Price includes return flights, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne Service in resort.  For more information call 020 8246 5300 or visit www.powderbyrne.com

This town really knows how to party at New Year and puts on one of the largest firework displays to be found in the Alps.   Together with sister resort of Klosters, they put on some very different events, the most quirky being the Piglet Races (known locally as Hotschrennen)  on New Year's Day.  All the locals turn out to watch the little competitors squealing their way round the course in their attempts to become the town's mascot for the year (and thus avoid the butchers block!). 

Lenzerheide, Switzerland

Stay at Valbella Inn and enjoy a special NYE gala dinner in their restaurant Fastatch.   There's plenty of excitement for the kids at the hotel's Kids Inn, created by hotel's owner LEGO Group.  Price from £2,925 per person sharing a north double room for 7 nights from 27th December on B&B basis.  Price includes return flights, luxury transfers and full Powder Byrne service in resort.  For more information call 020 8246 5300 or visit www.powderbyrne.com

See the lake light up with a magnificent firework display on New Year's Eve;   take a ride round the village while drinking champagne in a horse-drawn sleigh – what could be more romantic.

Powder Byrne Media Contact:  Jenny Trevor              

Tel: 020 8246 5300

Email:  jenny@powderbyrne.com 

Website:  www.powderbyrne.com 

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Notes to Editors

Powder Byrne was founded in 1985 by Rory Byrne, whose aim has always been to deliver tailor-made holidays with a focus on quality combined with flexibility and great personal service. 

In 1988 Powder Byrne became the first operator to specialise in corporate ski weekends, offering companies complete flexibility of travel dates and event arrangements.  In 1989 Rory Byrne won The Independent's Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.  In 1994 the decision was made to specialise exclusively in high service hotel-based holidays specialising in family skiing, and Powder Byrne now offers a range of exclusive ski destinations in Switzerland, Austria and Italy.  In 1994 a Summer Resorts programme was added.  Their award-winning exclusive winter and summer kids programmes offer inspirational childcare and sports tuition for kids from crèche age right up to teenagers.   In 2009 Air & Space was created providing adventure experiences for families wanting more discovery from their travels, but with the same levels of luxury and seamless service that Powder Byrne are now renowned for.   Whilst seen to be the family travel specialists, they continue to specialise in arranging private ski weekends for adults as well as bespoke events for corporate groups.