The below picture is fro the Chalet Hotel Crystal 2000, Courchevel 1850, France and was taken this morning as guests opened their curtains to see the amount of snow that had fallen over night.

This is the one time you can put yourself first without feeling a trace of guilt – you’re the one carrying a beautiful (but heavy) baby, and you’re the one who knows your own body. If you’re planning a trip abroad this summer but can’t stomach a stress-filled trip abroad, you might want to take a look at our suggestions for holidays with a bump.

If you’re after some time alone without much walking, a boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads is just what you need. There’s not much walking involved, you can hide yourself away in your boating bedroom if you start feeling poorly, and the peace and quiet will soothe your frazzled nerves (if you have any). However, if you’re feeling perky, you can sun yourself to your heart’s content and take advantage of all the lovely shops, delicious pub lunches and scenery the Broads has to offer. It’s a holiday that allows you to be as sociable or reclusive as you’d like, and there are no packed airports or sweltering climates to deal with. Plus, if you’re finding it hard to stop eating (relax – it’s normal, nobody’s judging you), the boats normally come equipped with their own kitchen, so you’ll never be without a snack.

If you’d like to push the boat out a bit (no pun intended), there are some fantastic deals on year-round spa packages that will ensure you and your prominent cargo are well taken care of. Pregnancy can, annoyingly, be very stressful – not only have you got to deal with the changes your body faces, but you’ve also got to carry on going to work and dealing with everyday problems such as avoiding wine and soft cheese. All thoughts of brie will go out of your head once you’ve had a massage, a facial and a quick dip in the pool, trust us. If your partner wants to go, great – otherwise, a few of your close girlfriends and yourself will enjoy the recluse from modern life. This is probably one of the last few times you’ll truly be able to relax before your baby arrives, so make the most of it.

Assuming you’re full of beans, and happy to fly, you should look at hiring a villa in France. You’ll get the opportunity to take a proper break before the baby arrives, but you’ll be able to rest safe in the knowledge that a) you don’t have to endure a 13-hour flight and b) the food will be fantastic. Prices vary, depending on where you’re going, so it’s worth researching the area before you book. Popular locations include Isigny-sur-Mer, Ruffiac and Dordogne.

Of course, there’s always the good old-fashioned staycation if you’re looking to save your pennies before the baby arrives and you’re too tired/grumpy/irritated to go anywhere. If all you fancy doing in plonking your feet into a swimming pool and eating rice cakes whilst your partner waits on you hand and foot, this is the break for you. Cons include possible cabin fever and the possibility of running out of DVDs, but pros include the chance to spend some quality time with your partner, being around all your home comforts and always being within walking distance of a fridge.

The first hurdle was to master the notorious button lift which varies from 10 to 20 minutes in length depending on who you talk to (it actually only takes 8 minutes – I timed it!) I had been tipped off by a local that I should take the right hand side button as it is slightly faster and I have to admit they were right. (Passing three people did make me feel smugger than the event probably deserved.) The button lift overall was a very pleasant experience; the sun shining down on me as I glided through the beautiful valley with the magnificent Mont Blanc dominating the skyline up ahead of me.

As I skied down the blue run towards the Fourclaz Express I crossed over the border and now considered myself an International skier. I sampled a few of the red runs, enjoying the fresh powder from the night before. Skiing on new territory was exciting & I couldn’t have hoped for better conditions in which to have my first Italian adventure. The Grand Testa was the most challenging run, with its initial steep descent followed by some twists and turns. Feeling slightly tired and secretly pleased with myself I decided to stop for a well earned hot chocolate. I chose “Bar Off-Shore”, just next to Piste 18. Well it chose me – the deckchairs, carefully placed to make the most of the spectacular views, were so inviting I couldn’t resist.

The quirky mountain restaurant was as charming inside as it was outside. The first thing inside the door was a bucket full of slippers for visitors to use. Next to the slippers was a naval steering wheel, followed randomly by a signed rugby ball. To my right was a room full of Beatles memorabilia, dominated by a huge “Abbey Road” sign.  All quite bizarre on the side of an Italian mountain! Hot chocolate was the perfect choice with a huge helping of cream on the top, covered in hundreds and thousands, topped off with a biscuit.

As I sat in my deckchair, hot chocolate in hand, admiring the unforgettable view of snow covered mountains, I truly felt amazing & thought a day doesn’t get much better than this…..

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Here are the latest 2 videos in from Selva:

The slopes are empty and there is fresh powder everywhere as been snowing until lunch time today, more snow is expected on Saturday and Sunday setting the slopes in perfect condition for the new guetss arriving on Sunday.

Fantastic snow makes for perfect skiing in St Anton with a 2m base and fresh powder. The snow is remaining in top condition helped by cold weather, which is expected to stay clear through the weekend with mopre snow predicted for Monday…

We have pulled together the below family deals for those looking to travel with 1 adult and 1 child. There is limited availabilty so if your looking to take your son or daughter for a weeks skiing and some quality time away take advantage of the below offers today!

Full booking terms and conditions apply. All prices and offers are correct as of 3 February 2012, and are for the dates, accommodation, board basis and number of persons sharing specified only, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Offers apply to new bookings only and can be changed or withdrawn at any time without prior notice.

Whether you’re new to skiing/snowboarding or an experienced skier/snowboarder the high levels of snow across the Alps mean there is enough snow for everyone on and off-piste. Book your ski holiday today and hit the slopes this season.

Full booking terms and conditions apply, the double discount deal applies to all bookings made on the 26th and 27th January 2012 with departure dates of 8th and 15th April 2012. Discounts can be withdrawn at any time without prior notice and are subject to availabilty.

Skiing in/out couldn’t be easier with slopeside access directly from the Chalet Hotel Crystal 2000 to the Pralong area of Courchevel 1850!

The hotel is exclusive to Esprit Family Ski guests, with availability for Sunday departures in February and March 2012 and now taking bookings for the 2012/13 season, with some great early booking offers!

Piste-side location in Courchevel 1850, it don’t get better than that!

Snow Playground for lucky Esprit Ski Guests!

Family of 2 from £899!
Family of 3 from £999!
Family of 4 from £999!

Call our advisory team now on 01252 818300 or check our latest family ski deals Click!

Christina, Esprit Ski’s Resort Manager in La Rosiere has this to say!

Skiing is amazing! The resort looks almost cut off from the outside world as it is bathed in glorious blue skies and sunshine whilst it overlooks the clouds nestling half way down the valley. Adds a mysterious air to the resort.

All the roofs have about a metre of snow on their roofs with all the layers visible so everywhere look gorgeous and the roadsides have a couple of metres of banked snow on the sides.

Off-piste is superb and on-piste the runs are beautifully groomed with a deep base that cushions turns and is a joy to ski on.

A run almost down to the valley at Seez has opened. The Fontaine Froid. It never opened last year as the bottom half was a green field but this year it is a firm favourite as the run starts in the bowl midway down the Tetras, high above La Rosiere and then you ski all the way down, through the trees to Seez where you can then take a chairlift back up. It has a red or black option so is a run that most skiers can experience – and not many skiers in the past have had the opportunity!!

So what are you waiting for? Call our advisory team today on 01252 618300, and secure your 2012 family ski chalet holiday!

Across the Alps fresh powder is still falling and resorts such as Tignes are expecting a metre before the end of tomorrow. Alpe d’Huez is expecting a whopping 125cm before the end of the weekend, with Les Arcs due to receive 96cm and Zermatt not far behind with 88cm forecast. What a way to kick off the ski season!

The snow is soft and the pistes have been exceptionally well groomed by the piste bashers. There has been over 43cm fallen in this past week alone so everyone is itching to get out and make the most of the powder. Today looks set to be a fantastic day, with fresh snow fall yesterday and blue skies everywhere there will be some excellent skiing.

The season is off to an amazing start and we are expecting to have a much larger percentage of the resort opened to us on Saturday which is perfect timing with it being the first day skiing for our first group of guests for the season.

We are expecting to see some parks opening shortly with the unmistakable shape of a half pipe slowly coming to fruition in Bellecôte.

We are expecting further 17cm of fresh snow throughout the course of the next three days and with temperatures plummeting as low as minus 9 we are expecting it to last.

The resort has been slowly coming to life over the past week with virtually everywhere open to the public and the places that aren’t are due to open their doors on Saturday.

St Anton received another dump of snow yesterday afternoon with up to 20cm of perfect powder falling on the already existing layer of snow. With reasonably mild temperatures this makes excellent skiing conditions. Another 6cms is due to fall tomorrow just in time for St Anton’s first guests to arrive, the slopes are waiting for you!

Predicted temperatures of -7 to 7 for the next 3 days with sunshine and clouds today and then over the next couple of days we are expecting another 6cm of snow.

Snow conditions in Courchevel could not be more perfect for an exciting week ahead, with our first guests arriving and the Women’s World Cup Downhill this weekend. Children will also be able to make the most of this winter wonderland with Children’s Week in La Tania starting this Saturday!

With 10cm of fresh snow adding to the current half a metre blanket within the last 24 hours, and even more snow forecast over the next couple of days, getting your ski legs back couldn’t be easier’.

Snow depth in resort is a deep 30cm; 12cm yesterday from 7am to 5pm.

The lifts are not open until our first guests arrive which means all the pistes within the area lift pass will be in immaculate condition for them. The snow will be deep and untouched so whether it is on or off-piste skiing you are looking for La Rosière is going to be perfect in every way. It is a rare occasion for British skiers to hit the first run of the season, so if you are coming out in the first week I urge you not miss out on an incredible opportunity and ensure that you hit that first run at 9am.

Despite the incredible amount of snowfall over the last week the forecast is for there to be even more snow, eventually equaling if not bettering the amount the resort received last week. There is an expected 4cm today, 9cm on Wednesday and a further 9cm expected on Thursday. This may sound a lot but it pales in significance to the amount the resort is expecting on Friday with a whopping 30cm expected to produce some of the best skiing conditions the resort has ever seen during the first week of opening. Be sure to check Friday’s snow blog to see if this dream of a forecast comes true.

12cm of snow fell yesterday and all reports indicate more is on its way!

After several hours of snowfall from Monday there are copious amounts of fresh snow on the pistes. The temperature in resort is still crisp and chilly and more snow is due to fall in the next 36 hours. There could be a few showers on Wednesday but the temperature will then drop once again with plenty of snow to come. With the night time temperatures due to stay under zero for the next three nights this is a very promising and exciting start for our first guests who are due to arrive on Friday.

Excellent conditions especially first thing in the morning with plenty of snow cover for all of the open runs. Fresh snow has fallen and more pistes are opening soon.

Weather forecast for next 3 days is for clear overnights with some snow showers and sunny spells forecast for Wednesday and Thursday. Heavy snow is forecast for Friday.

Midway through the first week of the season and the snow has returned. After four beautifully sunny days blizzard like conditions have swept into resort. Everyone in resort is very excited about the snow with even the most pessimistic of forecasters predicting over a metre of fresh powder. YAY!!!!

Most lifts are now open in resort with the remainder due to open during the week. Major links into Val D’Isere are running as well as the lower tree lined runs to Tignes le Brevieres and la Daille.

The first market of the season was held yesterday and everything looked and tasted fantastic. The market runs every Monday in resort and is well worth a trip even if the mountain is in perfect order.