Ski holiday companies are warning families that the late Easter next year is putting even more pressure on availability for February half-term holidays, driving up prices on what is already one of two most expensive weeks of the season, alongside New Year week.
They’re saying that although the past two seasons have seen great snowfalls in mid-late spring, Easter falling three weeks later than this year means many families will be thinking summer, rather than snow sports by the time in rolls around.
“There is even more pressure on Half-Term next winter, because some families don’t want to wait until the very late Easter, and so have moved their school-holiday skiing to February,” explained Richard Sinclair of ski holiday travel agency Sno.co.uk, who added, “Half term holidays across all suppliers and tour operators are already over one third sold out, and almost half gone for the ‘value’ end of the market.”
“Peak dates do seem to be selling pretty quickly this year, especially half term, so booking early is essential,” agreed Daniel Woodley of Skiline.co.uk
Mr Sinclair said that it’s not all bad news though, as whilst more people have been avoiding booking Christmas and New Year family holidays at low elevation ski areas due to snow cover uncertainty, that shouldn’t be an issue by mid-February, with the peak half-term week starting on the 15th next season.
“Being in the middle of the season, skiers can feel more confident booking lower and less expensive resorts at Half-Term, as the top prices are also in the high and famous resorts like Val d’Isere,” he said.
Usual Clash With Busiest French School Holiday Week
Occasionally we get lucky but usually the main UK half term week is the same week as the biggest group of French schools going on holiday too, adding pressure on available accommodation for Brits’ most popular ski destination nation. 2025 has the usual scenario,
“February half term 2025 falls in the same week as the French half-term; this is also the first week holiday of Zone C, which includes Paris. This means the half-term week will get booked up relatively early. Much like last season, booking early is really essential for this week, if you want the wider choice of resort and accommodation,” explains Xavier Schouller, boss of leading French ski holiday specialists Peak Retreats.
Away From France
Another ski holiday travel agency, Iglu Ski, say the late Easter is impacting Christmas and New Year bookings too after the good early-season snowfall in the Alps last winter,
“As usual we are seeing families committing early to February half term. As the snow was particularly good this winter at Christmas, New Year and late in the season, bookings are above average for those periods going forward. However, as Easter 2025 is not until late April, skiers are booking their families during the earlier school holidays, adding pressure to busy times,” said Simon McIntyre, Managing Director at Iglu Ski, adding that outside school holiday periods there are currently free child places on offer among other incentives.
Iglu has some deals in the Alps still available but is also offering savings to other European destinations which can be more affordable during February half-term week.
For example they have a seven-night, half-board holiday, departing February 15th, at the 4* Hotel Lion in Borovets, Bulgaria for a total of £3,213 for family of three, including a free child place, with flights from London Gatwick. Flights are also available from regional airport.
Long Haul Savings
If you’ve always fancied skiing in North America or Japan, you’ll find the higher February Half term costs in much of Europe can mean it’s actually cheaper to make a long haul trip to a ski nation where it’s not a peak week.
Commenting on February in Japan, where resorts like Niseko are well equipped for the family market and offer much greater child lift pass discounts than most European and North American destinations as it is, snow holiday company Japan Ski Experience’s Managing Director Lindsay Colbert commented,
“February half term is a fantastic time to visit for peak conditions, and in 2025 year it takes place well after Chinese New Year which is a bonus – often they overlap. When it comes to value for money, yen just hit a 34 year low against the dollar and is a quarter cheaper against the pound than it was 5 years ago!””
Iglu also have a deal to Banff in Canada with savings of £280 per person for 7 nights at the 3* Ptarmigan Inn in downtown Banff, on an accommodation-only basis. Departing from London Heathrow on February 17th, 2025 and including transfers the holiday costs £1,492pp based on four sharing.
