The Alps are a place where New Year is felt not as a change of dates on the calendar, but as a true miracle. We’ll tell you how not to lose the winter fairy tale due to organizational trifles.
The Alps are a place where New Year is felt not as a change of dates on the calendar, but as a true miracle. People fly here to hear the crunch of fresh snow, to breathe in the frosty air infused with the aromas of spiced mulled wine and hot chocolate, and to see thousands of Christmas lights ignite in the December twilight. The sales office director of a travel company told “Mandy” why Ukrainian travelers love the Alps and how to plan a flawless winter trip.
An Atmosphere You Want to Return To
The secret of the Alps’ appeal lies in the atmosphere. Already in December, mountain villages are transformed: streets are decorated with garlands, Christmas markets open with wooden stalls selling handmade souvenirs, warm knitted items, and traditional treats.
Cozy chalets smell of pine needles and spices, and the menu features hearty fondue, raclette, and hot mulled wine.
Each resort lives its own festive life, and it doesn’t matter whether you came for adrenaline on the slopes or for leisurely walks — the Alps know how to wrap you in comfort and give you a feeling of fairy tale. Tourists appreciate this region for its diversity: everyone finds their ideal vacation scenario here.
Courchevel remains one of the most beloved resorts. It combines impeccable service, wide slopes, well-thought-out infrastructure, and a special glamorous atmosphere. And the New Year’s program in Courchevel is a separate reason to travel: gala dinners, fireworks, live performances, and parties that last until dawn.
The “Three Valleys” in France enjoy enormous popularity. It is the world’s largest interconnected ski area: slopes, lifts, and infrastructure are shared among all the resorts. There are over 600 km of slopes for every taste: from gentle descents for beginners to wild off-piste zones for freeriding.
In Italy, the Dolomite Alps deserve special attention.
Their rocks at sunset are painted in warm pink and golden hues — this spectacle is called Enrosadira, and photographers and romantics from all over the world come here for it.
The Dolomites feature picturesque slopes, cozy mountain huts serving homemade pasta and hot punch, as well as routes for snowshoe walks.
Switzerland is famous for its high-altitude resorts, where the season lasts all year round. Zermatt at the foot of the legendary Matterhorn is one of them. There are no cars here, only electric vehicles and horse-drawn carriages, which adds a special charm to the place. No less impressive are Saas-Fee, surrounded by four-thousanders, the Jungfrau region with the Aletsch Glacier, and the high-altitude Andermatt, which is especially popular among freeride enthusiasts. In Engelberg, guests are greeted by the Titlis Glacier, which can be reached by cable car, followed by a walk through an ice grotto.
In Austria, pay attention to Sölden, Stubai, and Pitztal — resorts with developed infrastructure and excellent skiing conditions even at the beginning of the season. Thanks to the glaciers, you can confidently plan your New Year’s vacation here: snow is guaranteed.
Entertainment for the Discerning
For those who want to combine activity with relaxation during the New Year holidays, the Alps offer resorts where the main entertainment becomes slowing down and savoring the moment.
Leukerbad in Switzerland is the true thermal capital of the Alps. There are dozens of mineral water springs here, and the outdoor pools, where steam dissolves in the frosty air, enveloping the view of snow-covered slopes, are a special pleasure. It’s the perfect way to restore strength after a day on the slopes.
Megève in France is a resort with aristocratic charm. Its pedestrian streets, horse-drawn carriages, boutiques, and Michelin-starred restaurants create an atmosphere of old Europe. Here you can stroll through the Christmas market, taste Savoyard cuisine in a family restaurant, and end the evening with a glass of hot wine by the fireplace.
Gastronomy in the Alps is a separate adventure. Each region has its own traditions: in France — tartiflette and fondue, in Italy — polenta and ossobuco, in Switzerland — raclette, in Austria — schnitzel and apple strudel. And almost everywhere there are cozy mountain huts where you can stop to warm up, drink a cup of cocoa, and eat a bowl of hot soup after a walk.
How Not to Turn the Alpine Fairy Tale into New Year’s Stress
A New Year’s vacation in the Alps doesn’t start with booking a hotel or buying new ski boots. Its true starting point is proper route planning and accommodation booking, and it’s best to do this in summer or early autumn.
Important for Ukrainians to know: no visa is required to visit the Alps (France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland), as there is a visa-free regime with the EU and the Schengen area. This significantly simplifies trip preparation and saves time. However, at passport control, border guards may ask you to confirm the purpose of your trip. Therefore, it’s worth having with you: return tickets, hotel reservation (voucher), medical insurance (mandatory for Schengen), and a bank statement or cash confirming financial sufficiency for the duration of the trip.
The main air gateways to the Alps are the airports of Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Venice, and Salzburg. From Geneva, it’s convenient to reach French and Swiss resorts, from Milan and Venice — to the Italian Alps, and from Salzburg — to the Austrian ones. Even the most well-thought-out route can be overshadowed only by the lack of booking during peak season, so everything should be planned in advance.
A separate difficulty that travelers face is logistics. The most convenient hotels and chalets near the lifts are booked out months in advance. If you plan to celebrate New Year in Courchevel, Megève, or Zermatt, it’s advisable to book accommodation and transfers as early as the beginning of autumn to catch the best options at a reasonable price and be sure that the New Year’s fairy tale will definitely happen.
