Let’s face it…  sometimes you just need a short break from the kids!  FamilySkiNews reporter Briony Key is just back from a Ski Weekends “KAGGS” trip to Courchevel.  Here she reports on the rapidly-growing ski mini-break market AND finds ways to make the most of slope time – and your savings!

f I said ‘KAGGS breaks are on the up’, would anyone know what I was talking about? I didn’t even know what KAGGS meant before this trip, so it was all new to me!

In case you’re also in the dark, KAGGS stands for Kids At Grandparents, Gone Skiing – and is a rapidly growing market for child-free, mid-week breaks.

The grandparents babysit back home, and you get to beat your way to the front of the bar queue, or to relax and recharge the batteries. Bliss.

My trip took me to Courchevel 1650 – one of the 3 Valleys ski area resorts, and a gateway to one of the world’s largest connected ski areas.

There’s 600km of piste to play with, including 335 runs  -183 are easy, 119 intermediate and 33 difficult – plus lots of great off piste and cross-country skiing.

I also had a lesson with New Generation Ski and Snowboard School, which greatly helped my technique and my confidence.

The resort is also ideal for progression, as there’s a wide range of slopes to on which to try out new skills.

Chique boutiques and upmarket restaurants also make Courchevel the St Tropez for winter sports, and menu prices can be targetted at the A listers and very rich folks.  It’s therefore wise to check out the potential ‘damage’ before you eat out, or you might pay more than you’d prepared for.

Thankfully there’s no price on nature, and stunning views, from the Mont Blanc massif to the Les Ecrins massif, make this place well worth a visit.

The diverse ‘to do’ list on, and off, the slopes also adds to Courchevel’s appeal. KAGGS can revel 24 seven, while families planning a day off the slopes can opt for ice-skating, bowling, tobogganing, snow shoeing, skidooing and ice climbing, and that’s just some of the options!

As well as Courchevel, Ski Weekends has 22 other resorts to choose from – from the highest ski areas to family-friendly favourites.

And there are plenty of accommodation options, whether you want the cheapest option – a value coach weekend (which kicks in at £219) – or a stay at one of the company’s 30 four or five-star hotels.

Ski Weekends isn’t against flying – it has flight packages from 17 regional airports – but it also offers the chance to opt for a hassle-free luxury coach transfer to the heart of the slopes.

Surprisingly, coach travel is also ideal for short-breaks, avoiding the airport ‘panto’ before you get to the piste and the powder.  The road trip adventure starts at Victoria coach station, leaving on Thursday and getting back on Monday, or leaving on Monday and getting back on Thursday.

The weekend coach is a full-on option, giving you three full days on the slopes; those flying will get four and a half days ski time.

Ski Weekends also create tailor-made group getaways, for those wanting to ski with a large group of friends, family holidays (if KAGGS breaks are not for you!) or simply a break that offers ‘something a bit different’.  They also offer the more conventional full week-long ski packages.  So next time you’re booking a ski break, think twice before you book your stardard flight and consider a Ski Weekends coach package instead!