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Package ski holidays vs. independent. Where’s the value?

Wednesday, 10. 7. 2009  –  Category: Skiing, Snowboarding

I stumbled upon a presentation by Crystal Ski, the largest ski holiday operator here in the UK, which gives some interesting stats on the 2008/09 ski season from a business perspective.

The report itself is well worth a peruse if you’re interested in the UK ski travel industry (i.e. UK skiers/snowboarders travelling outside of the UK), but here are some highlights:

• The total ski market was down 13% on the previous season
• Tour operator sales dropped 15%
• Italy and Austria fared well. North America lost visitors - perhaps little surprise given the epic snow in Europe and relative costs.
• The weak pound, high fuel costs and economic uncertainty driving people away from ski holidays
• Fewer new skiers and young families
• More fixed budgets
• Crystal suggest chalet holiday companies may put prices up
• Whereas for “bigger holiday companies” such as Crystal its “back to tour operating basics” and “[passing] on outstanding value to British skiers”

Hmmm… interesting. Last season Crystal did have one or two amazing last minute deals. £150 for a week in Cervinia, half-board, flights and transfers if I remember correctly was one such deal. I remember giving some serious consideration to picking one of their packages over the New Year week, before settling on an independent holiday in Montgenevre with a large group of friends.

This season, I looked again at the New Year packages available but was disappointed, though not surprised to see they were prohibitively expensive.

An article caught my eye last week reporting on a statement from Peter Long, Chief executive of TUI Travel, Crystal’s parent company.

TUI Travel said the decline in its UK market was in line with expectations and that capacity reductions meant it had 12 per cent fewer holidays left to sell.

It has seen booking volumes improve in recent weeks, but customer numbers for winter 2009/10 are still down 21 per cent on a year earlier in the UK. This has been offset by an 11 per cent rise in average selling prices.

Ouch. Makes me wonder how the outstanding value promised in the 2009 Report will manifest itself.

I’m sure there will be some good deals to be had at the last minute, but popular weeks will be very expensive. I think I’ll be sticking to independent trips this season, which all things even are certainly my preference.

Speaking of which, much has been made of BA’s change of policy on ski baggage. You’re now unable to include ski luggage AND regular checked baggage without paying a suplement. This still leaves them offering a much better service than the budget airlines. I for one can usually get away with just hand luggage and my snowboard bag checked. Just be resourceful with your packing, wear your ski jacket onto the plane - and your boots if need be - and stuff your pockets with t-shirts, socks, hats, whatever it takes.

There are definitely flight bargains to be had. You just need to do your research and understand the baggage policies in each case.

I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on package holidays vs independent. Which do you prefer and which offer best value?

Photo credit: the_amanda

Tags: Ski travel, UK