Getting There
Just getting to the slopes can make up a big chunk of the outlay. Flights at peak periods can be eye-wateringly high – with a family of four easily paying £2,000 or more for London to Geneva – even without transfers. Driving to the Alps can be a way of saving money and making you self-sufficient.
“Self-drive enables you to stock up for the week at French supermarkets en route, too. This is worth doing because prices in resort supermarkets can be steep,” says Jane Bolton, managing director of self-catering specialist Erna Low. “Some tour operators, including us, offer the Eurotunnel journey as part of the holiday package, which can save about £200 over booking independently, because it includes a complimentary upgrade to Flexiplus, giving fully flexible travel, a dedicated check-in lane and priority loading, along with a packed lunch, hot drinks and magazines.”
It’s worth considering the ferry crossing too, which can save about £100 per vehicle over Eurotunnel, although it will take about an hour longer.
Rail travel is worth thinking about. Many skiers imagine that the train must cost far more than flying or driving, but this often isn’t the case, and during peak weeks rail travel can offer considerable savings. For example, a family of four with two children (aged between four and 11) but without skis going to La Plagne at Easter would pay a total of £1,956 for return air travel to Geneva airport with easyJet. Travelling on the direct Eurostar Ski Train to Aime-la-Plagne would cost £1,132 – a saving of £824. Tickets for children aged four to 11 cost about 30 per cent less than adult fares. Consider, too, that most airlines charge for ski carriage, whereas this is free when travelling by train, with no weight limit on inclusive luggage.
As with flights, book trains as soon as they go on sale if possible, and consider indirect options via Paris, as well as direct routes. Using specialist rail-booking agents such as Ffestiniog Travel can save money because they are able to book early-availability cheaper fares – especially when trains such as Eurostars and TGVs have different booking horizons.
Arriving by train, it is even possible to pick up supermarket shopping along the way. For example, the huge Super U store is between Moutiers station and the Trois Vallees resorts. Shop online and then ask the taxi transfer to stop so you can pick up your shopping.
