Skiers warned to check resort prices as sterling slides
Skiers are being urged to check the cost of holiday essentials before choosing their resort for a last-minute trip after sterling sank to a 12-month low, increasing the price of lift passes, ski hire and food and drink in several destinations.
Since Post Office Travel Money published its annual Ski Resort Report at the beginning of December, the UK pound has fallen in value by over 10% against the euro and Bulgarian lev and by 9% against the Swiss franc.
This means that although skiers can still expect to find prices lower than a year ago in two-thirds of the 20 European resorts surveyed, they could pay as much as £66 more per person for ski essentials, meals and drinks on a one week trip than two months ago in pricey Zermatt.
Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said: "The trick for skiers will be to do their homework and not only research snow levels but also check resort prices for ski equipment, lift passes, tuition and living costs.
"There has been significant snowfall in Switzerland but prices are higher than in French resorts, where ski conditions are also improving. Our research found that prices are over 50% higher in some top Swiss resorts than in French ones."
Research by Crystal shows that the cost of skiing together with meals and drinks comes to £504 in Courchevel, France, while skiers can expect to pay £273 more for the same items in Zermatt, Switzerland. The same applies to two other world-class ski resorts. In Val d’Isère, France the ski costs add up to £513 but in Wengen, Switzerland, they will cost £654.
At the budget end of the market, snow has fallen in Bansko and the Bulgarian resort remains the cheapest option for bargain-hunters. At £260, ski costs are 40% cheaper than in La Thuile (£432), one of the few Italian resorts to have seen reasonable levels of snowfall to date.
This season’s biggest price fall has been in Kitzbühel, it said. Despite the recent fall in sterling value, prices are down 5% year-on-year and piste conditions are described as good with more snow forecast in the Austrian resort.
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
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps