Swiss resort offers discounts to lure British skiers
One of Switzerland’s top ski resorts has promised to offer discounts for tourists after the Swiss National Bank suddenly abandoned its policy of pegging the franc to the euro, sending prices for items such as lift passes and equipment hire rocketing.
When the Swiss franc soared at the end of last month, the cost of a lift pass in Verbier went from £290 to £320, and other prices in the resort went up too.
However, the Association des Gérants Immobiliers de Verbier, which represents accommodation owners, said it will offer discounts of up to 15% on all new accommodation bookings up to the end of April.
And ports shops which are members of the Société des Commerçants et Artisans de Verbier (Verbier Association of Retailers and Artisans) are offering a 15% reduction on all clothing and technical equipment.
In addition, for every new reservation made from the beginning of February, sports shops will offer a 15% voucher for equipment rental.
Other partners in the resort are also striving to combat the strength of the franc by lowering their prices.
The lift operator Téléverbier is offering a 15% reduction on pre-purchased six-day ski passes for tour operators working in the eurozone and in the UK, as long as the client buys accommodation as well. The ski passes must be bought and paid for at least 10 days prior to customers’ arrival in the resort.
Individual skiers can receive a 5% reduction on ski cards bought 10 days in advance via www.verbierbooking.ch.
Hoteliers and restaurant owners are also offering promotional deals on an individual basis.
Switzerland attracts just 5% of the British ski market, but that figure is expected to fall due to the strength of the Swiss franc compared to the euro, which has been weakening recently, making ski holidays in France, Italy and Austria more affordable for British skiers.
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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