Ski operators are extending their European winter programme this year dates thanks to good recent snow fall.
Inghams head of marketing Michelle Laverick said the operator is featuring an additional week departing April 12 in its programme at the resort in St Anton after a boost in sales for the 2007/08 season.
She said the additional week should appeal to families whose children’s school holidays are still taking place in mid-April following this year’s early Easter.
She added: “The snow has been so good this year and with the kids holidays being different we’ve been able to persuade the hoteliers to stay open an extra week.”
The operator has also secured an extra week with the same departure date in Obergurgl.
Crystal Ski is also considering to extend its departure dates to the week of April 19. The week beginning April 12 was originally scheduled to be the operator’s last week.
Crystal Ski product and marketing director Gareth Crump said: “People still want to get their last chance of the snow before they pack up for the season and because schools have taken different times off we’re seeing demand in the middle of April.”
Erna Low sales manager Becky Borrow said bookings were up 15% year on year in the last two weeks thanks to continued recent snow falls throughout the Alps and added suppliers have also started offering accommodation on a short break basis for the rest of the season.
The operator is now featuring April 26 as its last week of skiing. Borrow said: “A lot of people are reading the snow reports and deciding they can squeeze another week out of the season.”
