Something for the weekend, sir?
Mini-breaks are ideal for several types of skier: first-timers who don’t want to commit to a whole week away, die-hard winter sports enthusiasts who can’t go more than a few weeks without an adrenalin fix so try to squeeze as many short trips into the season as possible, and those who are too busy to spare more than a few days away.
For travel agents they represent a fabulous opportunity to earn extra commission. Have you thought of asking customers booking a ski trip if they’ve got time to squeeze in a mini-break at the start of the season? How about asking those planning a winter sun holiday if they also fancy a weekend on the slopes? Or what about those booking for next summer, would it be worth asking what their plans are for the winter?
Admittedly in the past it’s been tricky to sell short ski breaks because of the difficulty of finding accommodation – hotels in major ski resorts will generally only accept seven-night bookings – but now a growing number of operators are adapting to the demands of the clients and offering both weekend and mid-week mini-breaks based in their own chalets.
The latest is French all-inclusive operator Club Med, which has launched weekend and mid-week mini-breaks to a selection of resorts in France, Italy and Switzerland from this November. Clients can choose four night or three night breaks, starting from £575 including flights, transfers, accommodation, lift pass and tuition. Packages are available on selected dates through to February.
Powder White is claiming to offer the first fully-catered chalet mini breaks this winter, in two of Europe’s premier ski resorts, Verbier and Courchevel. Departures are flexible so guests can take advantage of the cheapest flights and there’s a shuttle service between the airport or train station and the chalets. Prices start at £299.
Also, mini-break specialist Ski Weekends is offering 14 additional destinations for this winter, including resorts in Austria for the first time. These are St Anton, Zell am See, Innsbruck and Fugen with flights to Innsbruck or Munich. Mid-week breaks in chalet accommodation or club hotels are also available from the operator for the first time, starting from £218 including flights.
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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