Cost of skiing tumbles, but Andy Perrin says clients should aim high
Andy Perrin, CEO of Inghams, Esprit and Ski Total says he’s confidence that the coming winter will be a good one, despite evidence that skiers have been spooked by the lack of snow at the start of last season.
Perrin pointed out that a favourable exchange rate is helping bookings to Europe. "Early sales for this season have been encouragingly strong," he said. "It’s very clear that the much stronger pound is having a massively positive impact this year, making accommodation, ski rental and every lift-pass some 18% cheaper than just two winters ago, not to mention every lunch on the mountain and every après-ski tipple."
He admitted that Christmas bookings have got off to a slow start, which can be attributed to the poor snow last December, but an early Easter means those weeks are selling well.
"The pattern of bookings this year is interesting with Christmas a little slower to start with, meaning there are still some great bargains to be had if you snap them up this month, and Easter falling early next year, making this period the winter’s current fastest mover," said Perrin.
"As for the snow, the simple advice is to ‘go high’ if you are booking a long way in advance. All three of our companies have plenty of snow-sure resorts to choose from and, in many cases, altitude also provides the opportunity to ski to and from your own chalet or hotel doorstep."
For examples of early season discounts at high-altitude resorts, Inghams has a week in Serre Chevalier in France at a three-diamond chalet from £499 per person, a saving of £360, departing on December 19; Esprit Ski has a week in a chalet in Les Arc 2000 from £1,999 for a family a four, a saving of £1,464, departing on December 20, and Ski Total has a week in snow-sure Tignes from £669 per person, departing on December 20, also staying in a chalet.
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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