Ski holiday companies are reporting their rates of booking are climbing almost as quickly as pre-season snow depths in the Alps, were more than a week of snowfall has led to some ski areas posting 1m+ accumulations on higher slopes, and several including Kitzbühel, Madonna di Campiglio, Verbier and Tignes to announce early openings, this weekend or next.
“As news of this exceptional early snowfall gets out, demand to book holidays has exploded. Bookings since the beginning of November are up 20% on prior year as clients snap up bargains for December trips. The pre-Christmas weeks are the real bargain, with savings of up to £700pp available, though these won’t last long as word of this snowfall spreads,” said Ian McIlrath, Managing Director of travel agency Ski Solutions, who added,
“Storms have been piling into the Alps for the last two weeks, with snow accumulations of more than 100cm quite widespread now on the upper slopes. This will ensure a solid base for the winter ahead, and with a lot more snow in the forecast, it’s shaping up to be one of the best starts to the winter ski season that I can remember.”
The first skiers of the season at Verbier, as well as the piste at Schladming, both of which opened early for the season on Friday 10th November, are pictured above and below.
The good snow news is having a positive impact on other ski businesses too.
“We have seen a noticeable increase in enquiries and bookings this week since the snow has started falling and all our social media feeds are full of fabulous photos. It is creating a really positive outlook for the beginning of the season,” commented Jane Bolton, Product Director at the UK’s longest established ski holiday company Erna Low.
Alexander Blunt, ski travel agency Heidi Co-Founder agrees, commenting, “We’ve had an amazing start to November here at Heidi, enquiries are up 40%+ above our stretch target, and we’re sure the sight of early snowfall is getting people in the holiday mood.”
Meanwhile the directors of French chalet holidays company Ski Beat have been out in the French Alps this this week, completing staff training and finalising preparations for the coming season, and say that the snowfall has been a great backdrop, and a great boost.
“Resorts are now looking wintry, cloaked in white, and with deep snow lying, creating a real buzz and positive feeling for the arrival of the first guests in December,” said Laura Hazell, the company’s Sales & Marketing Director, who added, “This season we are seeing strong advance bookings for 2024, skiers who know what they want, where they want to go, and don’t want to lose out.”
Ski Beat staff took the image below this week in La Rosière.
However some and pointing out that the current low price December and Christmas week deals that are currently still available may now disappear before Black Friday rolls around at the end of the month.
“Bookings have surged over the last week, especially for the discounted Christmas week. There are still some great bargains to be had, but they will sell out quickly now skiers are confident of a very white Christmas in the Alps,” said Richard Sinclair of SNO, also confirming that for them too… “Bookings have surged as skiers, who feared another slow start to the snow, can see the terrific early-season conditions being laid down on webcams and tourist-board websites across the Alps. If you’re planning a white Christmas, don’t hope for a Black Friday deal, because the current big discounts on Xmas ski holidays may disappear over the coming days.”
Les Contamines is pictured below on 10.11.23
