Cost of skiing tumbles
Families could be lured back to the ski slopes this winter due to a combination of factors, including lower prices, Christmas and New Year’s days falling midweek and the key February half-term holiday coming at a better time.
Cathy Rankin, UK sales and marketing director of French accommodation provider Pierre & Vacances, said skiing offered a better deal for families than for the past few years.
Prices across Europe have fallen due to a more favourable exchange rate and the fact that February half-term weeks in 2013 will not clash with the Parisian holidays, which in previous years has had the effect of pushing up prices and limiting availability.
The French are also beginning to feel the effects of the recession, said Rankin, leaving resorts to court us slightly better off Brits.
"Families wanting to ski will get a better choice in terms of choice and availability," said Rankin. "Prices for February half-term are 20% down in some cases." Also worth mentioning to clients is that slopes will be less crowded next half-term.
According to a survey by money specialist Moneycorp and winter sports operator Snow Finders, prices in Europe have gone down by an average of 5.7% year on year. The biggest drop is in Switzerland, traditionally one of the most expensive ski destinations, where prices have fallen by an average of 14.6%.
The survey compared the cost of essentials such as lift passes, ski tuition, equipment hire, food and drink (but not travel and accommodation) and found that in Austria prices were down by 7.28% and in France they have dropped 6.74%.
Bulgaria is by far the cheapest destination, with the cost of a shopping ‘basket’ costing just £248 compared with £550 in Switzerland, which is still the most expensive destination in Europe.
It found that costs have risen by an average of 4.7% in the US, which is the most expensive country overall, however Crystal Ski said prices of packages had not gone up. "Crystal Ski has worked closely with overseas suppliers to offer outstanding value to the British skiers and we believe that we are getting cheaper every season – we’ve had 50% off hotels in Whistler, two-for-one lift passes, and a number of other incredible low deals – much lower than we’ve ever had before across the pond," said a spokeswoman.
Although packages to North America are more expensive than to Europe – the cost of fuel, tax and air passenger duty alone comes to about £400 pp – they have not gone up year on year, she said. "Package prices are pretty much the same and some are even slightly cheaper."
Availability remains good but Rankin said some properties were already fully booked for Christmas and New Year, which have been a tough sell for the past couple of years as they have fallen at the weekend when people usually prefer to travel. This year they will fall on Tuesday.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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