Ski update: What’s new for the 2008/9 season

Here’s what ski operators have in store for the coming season.

Take a look at the rest of this week’s ski special, featuring operators’ resort tips and a skiing v snowboarding head-to-head

Balkan Holidays

Balkan Holidays has expanded its portfolio of hotels with extra properties in Bansko, Pamporovo and Borovets in its second-edition Ski 2008/09 brochure.

First Choice Snow 

First Choice Snow has launched its biggest family programme, with 11 new childcare facilities in the Alps and deals such as free child places and a family concierge service.

Crystal

Crystal has added 15 new resorts across Europe and North America (two in Spain, six in Switzerland, two in Canada, four in Austria and one in Italy).

It has also increased its flights from Gatwick, Birmingham, East Midlands and Glasgow, and is offering skiers who introduce a beginner friend £100 off their holiday.

Thomson Ski and Snoboarding

Thomson Ski and Snowboarding has added four new resorts:

• Rauris, Austria


• Montgenevre, France


• Leukerbad, Switzerland


• Formigal, Spain

It has also launched four new flights:

• Huesca, Spain


• Grenoble, France


• Innsbruck, Austria


• Turin, Italy

Inghams

Inghams has added new resorts for winter 2008/09, including:

• Kicking Horse in Canada


• Gressoney in Italy


• Serfaus and Fiss in Austria


• Winter Park in the Colorado Rockies.

Kuoni

Kuoni is featuring Niseko in Japan for the first time and has added Flims Laax to its Swiss portfolio.

Ski Independence

Ski Independence has added four resorts in Austria and Alyeska in Alaska, which has an average annual snowfall of 50ft.

Club Med

Club Med has renovated a number of its ski resorts for 2009, including:

• Tignes Val Claret


• Avioraz


• Les Deux Alpes Village

Carrier

Carrier has launched a dedicated luxury ski brochure, focusing on France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, US and Canada.

Ski Andorra

Ski Andorra and Andorra Tourisme have launched a trade-only lift pass offer. Any family that books a holiday at one of its ski resorts through a UK tour operator will receive a free lift pass for each child under 14.