Thanks to the timely snowfall in the French mountains, large estates and village resorts are starting the season strong with bookings on the rise at all altitudes for the holidays. The National Observatory of Mountain Stations ANMSM announces a forecast occupancy rate of 79% (+5%) for the Christmas and New Year holidays, which bodes well for professionals of a promising season. “This year, many families have made reservations more in advance to secure their vacations. Reservations for January and February are also in advance but we remain cautious for the moment,” specifies Jean-Luc Boch, mayor of La Plagne and president of the association of mountain resort mayors (ANMSM).
– 4% for Christmas, + 13% for New Year’s Day
The dynamics of reservations are nevertheless very contrasting: if the Christmas week shows a slight drop with 70% forecast occupancy rate (compared to 74% last season), the week of the New Year, more festive, climbs to 88% rate. forecast occupancy (compared to 75% in 2023-2024).
For this period, the National Union of French Ski Instructors (SNMSF) forecasts stable attendance for Christmas week thanks to strong anticipation of reservations and an increase for New Year’s reservations compared to last season.
As for accommodation over this period, the progression of reservations fluctuates: the largest increase goes to rentals from individuals to individuals with a 76% forecast occupancy rate compared to 71% last season as well as to village clubs with a rate forecast occupancy of 80% compared to 75% over the same period 2023-2024.
50% occupancy in January
The development of the “inter-holiday” season is confirmed with stable occupancy rates for January. Some families do not hesitate to make their children miss classes. The month of January 2025 shows a reservation rate identical to last season with 50% of tourist beds reserved. Favorable pricing and snow conditions play an important role in this pivotal period which has been moving upmarket in recent years.
For the 2025 winter holidays, the forecast occupancy rate for all beds falls very slightly to 62% compared to 64% last season. On the other hand, March and the end of the season are expected to be significantly behind for a generally stable winter compared to 2023/24 which, thanks to the high altitude areas, had even broken pre-Covid records.
