In this current ski season, that has broken away from the normal rules of ski holiday bookings, tour operators claim they have February half-term holidays available from next week, an almost unheard of situation compared to pre-pandemic winters, with many offering discounts to those who take a late booking.
Normally February half-term is fully booked months in advance as one of the peak periods of the year. This year though the closure of the French border to British skiers killed forward bookings in a key sales period and they have apparently still not yet caught up leading to the unusual holiday availability.
There are signs too that the variety of requirements for children to be fully vaccinated to travel has put off some families. It was a particular problem early in the season when it was more difficult for children to get fully vaccinated in the UK than the EU but the UK has now largely caught up
One specialist ski holiday travel agency sno.co.uk has warned though that flights from London are largely full for the next few weeks.
We still have some great options for Half Term but it’s the regional flights that are left, as Londoners have booked out all their cheap flights. Top tip if you live in the London is to drive to Southampton or Luton, or even further out to Bristol or Exeter. One customer from the capital just bagged a bargain by taking the 80 minute Birmingham train, which stops at Birmingham Airport beforehand, saving almost a grand compared to the same holiday with London flights,” said company boss Richard Sinclair.
The agency has its own half term deals listed here.
There is also the option of self-drive half-term holidays with companies like Peak Retreats and other operators say that’s the way to go if you want to save a lot of money,
“Half term has booked very well across the resorts with a few spots left in our new Bear Lodge. The flights seem prohibitively expensive right now so for any last-minute bookings we suggest driving. The snow conditions are excellent and wearing a mask is no longer compulsory on chair lifts and drag lifts nor while skiing,” said VIP SKI’s Sales & Marketing Director Gareth Crump.
Inghams, one of the country’s largest tour operators report they’re seeing the most half term bookings for the resorts of Levi, Obergurgl and Tignes with the countries those three are in, Finland, Austria and France respectively also appearing as the most popular countries.
Deals
Here are some of the deals we’ve been sent over the past few days. Please note the standard “Prices quoted are correct to the packages at the time of issuing. Prices provided are subject to change and have limited availability. Terms and conditions apply.”
Andorra
Arinsal
From 13th February
Crystal Ski Holidays offers a seven-night half-board holiday at the three-star Hotel Palarine from £400 per person when booked online (based on two sharing) including flights from Manchester to Toulouse and transfers (price given is for departure on 13th February 2022). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
Austria
From 12th February
Zell am See
Inghams have cut the price of a half term week at the 4-Star Romantik Hotel to £966pp saving £450pp for a 7 night, half board holiday, based on 2 adults, 2 children with flights from Manchester.
France
From 12th or 13th February
Alpe d’Huez
Ski France is offering a saving of more than 50% at Chalet La Ferme located right next to the main lifts, with five en-suite bedrooms sleeping up to 10 guests. A week’s stay costs from £9,030 total (was £20,999 total – saving 57%) for 10 people sharing on a Contactless Catered Chalet basis. Return flights, transfers, ski passes and ski hire extra.
Flaine
Crystal Ski Holidays offers a seven-night self-catering holiday at the five-star Les Terrasses D’Helios from £568 per person when booked online (based on four sharing) including flights from Exeter to Chambery and transfers (price given is for departure on 12th February 2022). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
Les Arcs – Arc 1950 (Paradiski)
VIP Chalets are offering a saving of more than 40% with a stay at Bear Lodge in Arc 1950. Brand new for the 2021/22 ski season, the luxury slopeside lodge offers complimentary ski guiding, spa, pool and cinema room. In the evening, guests can chill in the stylish lounge and bar area, or dine at the Lodge restaurant. A seven night stay from 13 February, costs from £1,500 pp (was £2,771 pp, saving more than 40%) based on two people sharing a room. Price includes a scheduled transfer from and to Geneva Airport and catered accommodation. Return flights, ski hire and ski pass extra.
Plan Peisey (Paradiski)
SkiBeat offer a week’s catered ski holiday in a homely chalet in the traditional village of Plan Peisey, part of the vast Paradiski area, for £999pp, departing 12th February. Select from a choice of cosy chalets within a short stroll of the pistes, and enjoy cooked breakfasts, home-made cakes with afternoon tea and three course meals with wine, return Manchester flights, transfers and over 425kms of pistes that make up the vast Paradiski area. London departures also available.
Tignes
Peak Retreats offer 7 nights self-catered in a two-bedroom comfort apartment at the Altaviva now from £620pp based on five sharing week commencing 12/02/22 (was £748pp) and £558pp based on five sharing week commencing 19/02/22 (was £713pp). Price includes return Eurotunnel crossing, with FlexiPlus upgrade for one standard car with Peak Retreats.
Inghams have cut £790pp from the cost of a 7 night chalet-board stay at their 5-Star Chalet Cairn, now from £1149pp, based on 2 adults, 2 children taking a Birmingham flight.
From 19th February
La Tania (3 Valleys)
Ski Beat offer a week in Chalet Jennifer, set in the pretty, traffic free village of La Tania, where chalet hosts prepare cooked breakfast, home-made cakes with afternoon tea and three course meals. The price of £1050pp includes return flights from Gatwick and Heathrow and transfers. Manchester departures also available.
Les 2 Alpes
Peak Retreats offer 7 nights self-catered in a two-bedroom comfort apartment at at the brand-new 4* Les Clarines residence, in an ideal location in the heart of the Clarines district close to the slopes and ski lifts now from £588pp based on 5 sharing, week commencing 12/02/22 (was £748pp) and £554pp based on 5 sharing, week commencing 19/02/22 (was £708pp). Price includes return Eurotunnel crossing for one standard car with FlexiPlus upgrade, with Peak Retreats.
Val d’Isere
SkiBeat offer a week’s stay in Chalet Cristal, where a week’s stay costs from £1199pp including cooked breakfasts, homemade afternoon tea and three course evening meals with wine, return flights from Heathrow and Gatwick, and transfers. Manchester flights also available.
Italy
From 13th February
Sauze d’Oulx
Crystal Ski Holidays offers a seven-night full-board holiday at the three-star Hotel Miravalle from £566 per person when booked online (based on two sharing) including flights from Newcastle to Turin and transfers (price given is for departure on 13th February 2022). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.