Travel the World

holidays, hotels, air tickets, travel insurance

travel articles, reviews, guides and sharing from travelers

Posts Tagged ‘Holiday Prices’

Skiing in France

skiing
If you enjoy skiing, there is nothing more exhilarating than the prospect of skiing through France.  Whether taking advantage of some of the world’s best downhill runs, or heading cross country, France is a skiers paradise, and somewhere definitely not to be missed for any winter sports enthusiast.  Amidst some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, the fresh alpine air and magically contoured runs are truly a once in a lifetime experience.  It really is no wonder that France is highly regarded as one of the best skiing nations in the world. 

When skiing in France, you’d be mad not to go to the alps.  Famous the world over for their excellent ski slopes, the alps also border on Switzerland, so you might also like to pop over and visit while you’re in town.  And don’t worry if you don’t have your equipment - there are simply thousands of dedicated ski shops to serve the tourists, and some stock some pretty good bargains!

France is also home to the world famous Val d’Isere resort.  A huge scenic expanse, the resort was made famous by top French skier Jean Claude Killy, and is a magnet for tourists all year round, with a near guarantee of absolutely perfect conditions.  Additionally, the resort caters for all levels of experience and ability, and so you’re sure to find a challenge somewhere!  To top it all, the resort boasts amazing facilities, from its ski lifts to its hotels and refreshment areas.  The Val d’Isere really is a skier’s heaven.

France is fortunate enough to benefit from great wine, great food, great culture…as well as great skiing!  If you decide to opt for France for your next skiing trip, don’t spend all your time on the slopes - get out there and experience a different style of living.  Sample the delicacies, and experience the delights of this highly metropolitan European nation.

Why not look online for great French skiing deals?  Thanks to the internet, holiday prices have really come down over the last few years, and you can find some real bargains with a bit of research.  Additionally, there is no need to consider booking each individual element separately, given the sheer number of top quality package deals, which will come included with your skiing, accommodation, flights and lift pass.  You might even be lucky enough to find a deal that includes some exotic French food to fill you up after a hard day on the slopes! 

Alternatively, you could just pop in to your local travel agents to see what they have on offer.  Although the travel agent will usually inflate the price to cover their commission, you can still find some real bargains that aren’t available elsewhere.  And what’s more, the travel agent can recommend where to go and what to see, and there is nothing quite like that personal recommendation.  Additionally, he can help allay any fears or worries you may have about your holiday, and can answer any questions you might have.  Again, it is important to shop around for the best deal, and this will also help you get a better idea of what your chosen resort is like as a whole.

Before leaving for France it is important to make sure you have a valid passport, with over six months before expiry.  This will be absolutely critical for passing through French customs.  If you need a new passport, you should allow around eight to ten weeks before leaving, given the lengthy application process.  Make sure you plan well in advance - the passport is vital if you’re to set foot out of the country.  Without it, you won’t get to experience the magic of French skiing, and additionally, you will lose the money you paid for your holiday, so this really is a vital consideration.

So why not consider France for your next skiing trip?  The real home of skiing, France is waiting, and it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think!

By: Jasmine Stone

About the Author:

Read more about skiing, including skiing tips and skiing vacations at the Ski Trip Planning website.

Ski Holiday Prices On A Hike

skiing
Research in the ski industry shows a surprise rise in the typical price of a skiing holiday this year.

The surprise report shows that the price of a typical ski holiday for the 2008 ski season rose everywhere in both Europe and Noth America - except for Germany and the United States - with Canadian ski holidays rising in price fastest as a direct result of the strong Canadian dollar against the Euro and British sterling.

Pushing prices up for the 2008 skiing season were not just higher aviation fuel costs and government levied flight taxes, but lift passes, equipment hire and ski instructor lessons all rose faster than inflation.

Comparing different ski resorts striking differences emerge with ski lift passes costing 90 sterling in Bulgaria and Romania - but over 240 sterling in Banff, Canada - nearly treble the cost.

And private ski lessons also showed great price differentials. Some ski resorts in Romania were offering lessons for 11 sterling this year, in Switzerland 35, but in Banff it went up to 65 sterling, nearly six times the cost of their Romanian counterparts.

Once the skiing is over for the day the price differences were still as sharp for skiiers this year. While a cup of coffee in Italy is around one Euro, in Norway it is nearer to three, and for those who prefer alcohol a beer in Bulgaria is a pound, but astonishingly over five pounds in Norway - and the cost of a meal shows similar price differentials.

Commenting upon the report, an Andorra travel guide who include ski holidays information comments that ‘The difference in prices between different resorts is surprising. We would expect some regional and local variance but not to the extent we saw for the 2008 ski season in Europe and North America.’

The lower priced ski countries could see an upswing in visitors in 2009 - much needed after a poor 2007 season in countries like Austria and Andorra, both of which recovered well this year but could do with a good second year in a row. Both countries are investing in their ski infrastructure and benefitting too from low cost airlines offering more flights to skiiers.

Several airlines recently announced a plan to encourage more trips to ski resorts by opening up additional routes for travel to European ski resorts.

These fly passengers directly to the airports that are closest to several of the major skiing destinations for many individuals and families on holiday. For example, the UK’s biggest low cost airline flies passengers on holiday into Barcelona, which is the nearest airport to the Andorra skiing resorts.

In addition to the flights taking passengers to ski at Andorra, there are several more flights connecting skiiers to their favourite ski destinations. Flights from London, Glasgow, Bristol, Liverpool, Blackpool and Newscastle all connect UK ski holidaymakers to their favourite ski resorts.

The reason airlines have chosen to increase the number of direct routes they provide to ski resorts for the 2008 and 2009 winter holiday periods is due to the fact business is booming. As of the end of October last year for example, one airline had over 2.5 million bookings for individuals and families wanting their flying services to travel to skiing destinations in Europe during this winter, and 2009 could see even more people taking a ski holiday.

By: Roger Munns

About the Author:

2009 Andorra ski holiday information is now available at yourandorra.com

The ski guide has a range of hotels in Andorra to choose from, many good for skiers taking an Andorra holiday