Reports of a lack of snow in popular ski resorts caused by mild weather are having “zero impact” on bookings, the trade has reported.
Craig Burton, managing director of Ski Solutions, said only the lowest-level French ski resorts have been impacted by the warm weather and skiers can still access snow by travelling to higher altitudes, while most Britons in the Alps are not impacted as they are skiing at 1,800m or higher.
He added that the temperature is expected to drop within the next week and snow is forecast, so he did not anticipate any reduction in bookings.
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“The reality on the ground is the lower French resorts urgently need more snow, but those skiing at 1,800m and above, which is the majority of Brits in France, wouldn’t know a problem exists,” he said.
“The mild weather has had zero impact on bookings. December was 40% up compared with the same month in 2019.
“There is a whole lot of winter still to go and I am not expecting this to have a material impact on bookings at all as 90% of where our skiers go is not impacted.”
Richard Sinclair, founder of SNO, said he has seen a uptick in Italy bookings as Italian resorts have not been impacted by the warm weather.
“The warm weather has missed Italian ski resorts so customers who browse the snow forecast before booking are picking Italy a little more than usual,” he said.
He went on to say the upcoming drop in temperature will prevent bookings from declining.
“Temperatures are set to fall gradually but inexorably over the next few weeks, allowing the thousands of snow cannons across the Alps to replenish the slopes.”
Melvin Westlake, head of winter product at Inghams, said: “We have many destinations where the snow is still in good condition, for example in the Dolomites, in Austria and across the higher altitude French resorts.
“In resorts where the snow cover is thinner, for example in the French resorts of Morzine and La Clusaz, there are still lifts open, and in Morzine for example, our guests have been able to ski in the higher areas at Avoriaz.”
He added: “Whilst we obviously cannot guarantee snow, all our resorts are chosen for their reliable snow records.”
Simon McIntyre, general manager of Iglu Ski, said: “We continue to see demand for higher resorts with good snow.
“The latest news is that snowfall is forecast in the Austrian, Italian and French Alps for this weekend, with some resorts expecting up to 50cm.”