SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND
Too many hours in the office… not enough time on the slopes. Luckily Ski Weekends has the answer for time-poor City workers. If you’re looking to cram as much ski and après-ski as possible into three or four days, Chamonix is the answer. The party town is just an hour-and-a-half drive from Geneva and has 169 bars and restaurants. No wonder Ski Weekends’ Dan Fox says he often feels as much a matchmaker as a ski operator. Though most operators only travel until late April, the ski season here lasts until mid May, with good high-altitude snow, stunning scenery and great skiing – especially for intermediate and advanced skiers – over five ski areas, two of them linked. To get the most from a short time, either take two days off for four days’ skiing, flying out on Thursday evening and returning on Monday night, or take the greener option of going by coach. Head straight from the office to Victoria station on Thursday, travel overnight by luxury coach, ski Friday to Sunday, then return overnight and go straight to the office on Monday morning.
Ski Weekends ( 08444 060 600; www.skiweekends.com) offers April 22 packages of £340 for a two-star or £450 for a three-star hotel in Chamonix, including flights, bed and breakfast hotel and transfers or £195 for a three-day coach trip including half board. Did we mention all the bars and restaurants?