UKC

Just looking at booking a winter break. My girlfriend and I are fairly new to winter climbing, but got on well in Scotland and Wales last year and we're looking for a destination this Christmas/New Year that'll offer some challenges.

It needs to be in Europe, accessible from airport (hire car), and not require ski approach. So far candidate is The Dolomites thanks to this great article: http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=4437 or the Alps - but we don't know where in the Alps.

Suggestions welcome, thanks.

In reply to thomb: *French Alps, I should say.

In reply to thomb:

Last new year I stayed in Serre Chevalier in the Ecrins. There's icefall cragging in La Grave and Ceillac and if you wanted to do alpine stuff, it may have warmer and sunnier conditions that elsewhere due to the southerly location. Also got decent skiing as a backup.

When we were there it was pretty mild and not that snowy. The skiing was still fine and Ceillac had enough ice to go at for a few days, but wasn't in great condition.