Time Your Trip
Timing has a huge impact on holiday cost. The priciest week is February half-term (from 11 February in 2017), followed by New Year, Christmas and Easter. Go outside of these times and prices plummet. week staying at the four-star Les Fermes Emiguy apartments in Les Gets will cost £369pp over New Year with Peak Retreats, but only £160pp for the week beginning 7 January. Compared with February half-term, even Easter can deliver big savings. A two-bedroom apartment for up to six people at the Les Granges du Soleil residence in La Plagne (with Eurotunnel crossing), will cost £3,091 at half-term with Erna Low. Just before Easter, it’s £1,570.
This winter, because Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve fall at the weekend, many tour operators have changed their departure dates to midweek for this period. According to James Box, product analyst at holiday firm Iglu Ski, this has resulted in lower prices even at these peak periods. “You normally pay quite a premium to travel at Christmas or New Year, but this year there are really good deals, with savings of up to 40 per cent.”
What’s more, the fact that Easter falls later in 2017 (14-17 April) has effectively extended the season and opened more availability in the last two weeks of March. “For skiers, this means better-value offers,” says Box. “We are seeing tour operators competing on price for this period.”
When to Book
Flights and trains are cheapest when they have just gone on sale, but anyone booking tour-operator packages can take advantage of special deals too. Marion Telsnig, of Crystal Ski Holidays, says there are some great savings for early bookers, from June to the end of August, including two-for-one lift passes or equipment, reduced-price child places, hotel credit up to €100 and ski equipment with lift-pass bundles. “These offers are limited, so it’s worth planning ahead to take advantage of them.”
Is it worth waiting to try to snap up a late deal? “Normally, between three to four weeks before the departure date, the price of a holiday might come down 20 to 30 per cent,” Telsnig says. “But this does mean gambling with where you go and where you stay. If you are a couple or a small group, this might not matter, as you can be more flexible. But for large groups, choice of resort and location can be crucial. In this case it’s better to get things sorted in advance.”
Pick Your Day
Booked independently, Saturday flights are generally more expensive than Sunday ones, particular when comparing off-peak dates. Midweek accommodation options would make flights cheaper still. Hotels can be advantageous in this respect, normally being flexible on arrival date – with some exceptions at peak periods. While many self-catered apartment providers offer only Saturday-Saturday bookings, Pierre & Vacances, one of the largest providers of alpine apartments in France, will from this season offer guests the chance to start their holiday on any day of the week – an innovation in the industry.
Saving money by going midweek applies to short breaks, too. Dan Fox, of short-break specialist Ski Weekends, says: “Traditionally, shorter ski holidays are usually over a weekend, because this reduces time off work. But if you are able to go during the week instead, the savings are considerable — and nearly half our clients do this now.” For example, a Ski Weekend Thursday-Monday chalet holiday to Les Gets in January costs £546pp; the equivalent trip, departing Monday and returning Thursday, costs £410. “You are basically getting the same holiday but saving about 25 per cent on the cost, just by travelling when fewer people do.”
