The lates ski market has picked up in the past two weeks – but consumers are struggling to find deals after operators cut capacity for winter 2009/10.
Agents have reported a peak in interest in last-minute ski holidays to destinations including France and Austria.
Elite commercial manager Julie Franklin said: “This season is looking up. Sales of TUI’s ski brands and Inghams through Elite members are showing an increase in lates.”
Sarah Wainwright, team leader at online ski specialist agency Skitracer, said sales were up on last year but some clients were being left disappointed due to a lack of capacity.
She said: “A lot of the operators have cut bedstock so it is difficult to find good deals. We are struggling to find regional flights for people as operators have
also cut back on these and just flying from London.”
Snow Finders managing director Nick Edwards said the agency was on course to record its best January in 20 years of trading.
He said: “The first two weeks of January were absolutely ridiculous – I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Agents have reported that sales have picked up this week after the bad weather over the past few weeks.