Sam Lewis reports
Although a weekend skiing trip is typically more costly than a whole week, operators are reporting a growth in demand and are urging agents to take advantage of the commission opportunities.
It is unlikely that ski weekends will ever become a part of the mass market, as most mainstream operators are constricted by their charter programmes to offer week-long ski packages. Also specialists using scheduled flights are forced to charge a premium, particularly as hoteliers would much rather rent out their properties for an entire week than for a couple of days.
But specialist Collineiges claim that 40% of its ski business is for weekend breaks with prices ranging from £480-£845 per person for four nights’ half-board.
Upmarket specialist Flexiski says that 50% of its business is for long weekends with bookings costing from £350-£1,500. It has expanded into the French resort of Chamonix this season and expects it to be popular with weekenders as it is only a 1hr car ride from Geneva.
These successes have seen other operators follow suit. Simply Ski started weekend ski-packages last year and this season has contracted a chalet in Chamonix with prices from £445 for three nights’ half-board, in addition to its hotels.
Other entrants to the market include Ski Independence which added the product to its 1999/2000 Ski Drive France and Switzerland brochure. Manager Nick Laver said: “A lot of people were asking for short breaks last year so this season we have gone out to contract hotels. Most hoteliers like to take weekend bookings in January and early February, when it is difficult to fill rooms.”
Laver said weekend skiers are typically based around London and fly to make the most of their time. Packages usually include flights to Geneva, from where resorts such as Chamonix and Les Gets are close to the airport.
“Short transfers mean that London-based skiers can take a 2hr flight to Geneva at 7am on a Friday to be skiing in the afternoon,” he added.
Ski Independence prices start from £199 for two nights’ bed and breakfast in France or Switzerland with British Airways. Lift passes cost £15-£20 per day, with transfers from £30.
Like most operators, Laver said weekend skiers are typically corporate clients or parents having a quick break from the kids.
Amin Momen, director of specialist Momentum, added: “We have city-based clients who go at least two or three weekends in a season. As soon as it snows we get bombarded with calls. People would rather go for three days than commit to a week and find conditions aren’t perfect.”
Its weekend breaks include the popular French resorts of Courmayeur, Chamonix, Megeve and Flaine plus the Swiss resort of Davos. Prices are from £289 for three nights’ bed and breakfast including car hire and flights on Swissair from Heathrow or Crossair from London City.
Momen said he did not fear competition from low-cost carriers such as EasyJet, Go and Debonair, making weekend skiing cheaper for those wanting to tailor-make their own package.
“The low-cost carriers fly from Luton or Stansted and so are not ideal. People like to fly from London City straight from work,” he said.
Mainstream operators cannot exploit the weekend market because of limited weekly charters but some, like Airtours, have set departures.
Airtours devotes two pages to the product in its brochure offering two trips to the Three Valleys on January 21-23, one to Zell Am Zee on March 17-19 and one in Kitzbuhel on January 14-16, from £239 self-catering.
The operator is also offering day trips to Chamonix on January 13 and March 20, and to Courcheval on February 3. However, for the privilege of 5hrs skiing clients will have to pay £159 and get out of bed at around 4am.