Ski Holiday Companies Report Record Business and Post France Ski Holiday Deals
- Posted on January 14, 2022
The news that France is allowing Brits back in from today has apparently resulted in a belated bookings boom.
“Yesterday was a record sales day for Crystal Ski Holidays, with bookings not just well up versus the previous day, but way ahead of pre-pandemic levels. 65% of bookings were to France and 22/23 January departure dates are the most popular,” a spokesperson for the UK’s largest tour operator commented.
The boss of another of the UK’s leading ski holiday companies, Inghams and Esprit Ski CEO, Joe Ponte said;
“We are absolutely delighted to now be preparing for both our Inghams, and Esprit ski holidays to France to recommence from Saturday 22 January 2022. With France being our key Esprit family holiday destination and normally accounting for around a third of Inghams’ winter programme—the French government’s latest update means, finally, the many skiers and snowboarders hoping to enjoy the French slopes with us this winter will be able to do so. “While we are of course continuing to monitor the situation closely, we’re thrilled for all those now able to look forward to their French ski holiday again and our in-resort teams are excited to welcome guests back to France.”
Both Crystal and Inghams are stressing that bookings made with them are covered by substantial COVID travel disruption guarantees.
It appears to have been a similar situation at most other ski holiday companies following the French government announcement on Thursday morning,
“Yesterday was undoubtedly one of our busiest days ever. At the same time as we were bringing skiers the good news that Saturday’s departures from Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester could go ahead, we were fielding an unprecedented number of calls from skiers, wanting to make new bookings with us. This is in stark contrast to a week ago, when we were still mainly occupied with cancelling last weekend’s departures, and when incoming bookings had fallen to a low level due to the ongoing uncertainty as to when France would re-open the border for British holidaymakers,” said Laura Hazell, Sales & Marketing director for Brighton based Ski Beat.
Tour operators and ski travel agencies are also trying to get the word out on French ski deals they have available from this weekend, but also including busy weeks in February around the schools’ half-term holiday period.
The deals:
Rail Upgrade
The first Travelski Express will leave London St Pancras on Friday 28th January. To kick start the celebrations, guests booking on the first train are being offered a free upgrade to Standard Premier, providing an at seat meal service. All passengers must adhere to current Covid19 vaccination requirements before boarding but then there are no transport hubs to navigate or cross border checks once on board. Masks must also be worn at all times.
CEO of Travelski, Guillaume de Marcillac, commented “The last few weeks have clearly been very frustrating for UK skiers wanting to ski in France. We are really happy to help British skiers have the ski holiday they want by providing a safe, convenient and great value break in the mountains.”
The new deals section of the Travelski Express website is now live at and promotes some special offers and any late availability with discounts of almost 50% on some properties. All these include return Eurostar travel direct from London, 7 nights accommodation, transfers to/from the accommodation, 7 day lift pass and welcome French breakfast on arrival.
From This Weekend (January 15th)
Les Gets
Chalets 1066 are available from this weekend, starting at €1,895 for 7 nights in a chalet sleeping up to 8 people. Chalet Lunar, a 5 bedroom chalet that sleeps 11, is available from January 15 for €3,300 for 7 nights. It’s just a few metres from the slopes and comes with its own hot tub.
From January 22nd
A week’s stay with Ski Beat, departing on 22nd January costs from £852pp, including return flights from Gatwick, Heathrow or Manchester, cooked breakfast, homemade cakes with afternoon tea, three course evening meals with wine in a hosted, homely Alpine chalet, and transfers.
From January 29th
Val Thorens
Crystal Ski Holidays offers a seven-night half-board holiday at the three-star Hotel Tango from £588 per person when booked online (based on two sharing) including flights from Newcastle to Geneva and transfers (price given is for departure on 29th January 2022). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
From February 5th
Brides-les-Bains
Crystal Ski Holidays offers a seven-night half-board holiday at the three-star Hotel La Vanoise 1825 from £566 per person when booked online (based on two sharing) including flights from London Stansted to Chambery and transfers (price given is for departure on 5th February 2022). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
Flaine
Crystal Ski Holidays offers a seven-night half-board holiday at the three-star Hotel Amelie from £628 per person when booked online (based on two sharing) including flights from Glasgow to Chambery and transfers (price given is for departure on 5th February 2022). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
Serre Chevalier
Crystal Ski Holidays offers a seven-night half-board holiday at the three-star Plein Sud Hotel, Chantemerle from £648 per person when booked online (based on two sharing) including flights from Birmingham to Chambery and transfers (price given is for departure on 5th February 2022). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
From February 12th
Les Gets
Chalets 1066 have limited availability left over the February school holiday dates but currently flagship Chalet Louis is available from February 12 for 7 nights at a cost of €12,990. The luxury chalet sleeps 10 people in 5 bedrooms. Chalet Ferme des Amis, sleeping up to 11, is also available over the same dates for €4,930 for 7 nights. All prices are on a self-catering basis, excluding travel. All other extras including chef services, meal deliveries, airport transfers and ski passes can be booked with Chalets1066
From February 22nd
La Plagne
Crystal Ski Holidays offers a seven-night half-board holiday at the four-star MMV Hotel Plagne 2000, Plagne Aime 2000 from £538 per person when booked online (based on two sharing) including flights from Manchester to Geneva and transfers (price given is for departure on 22nd February 2022). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
The news that France is allowing Brits back in from today has apparently resulted in a belated bookings boom. “Yesterday was a record sales day for Crystal Ski Holidays, with bookings not just well up versus the previous day, but way ahead of pre-pandemic levels. 65% of bookings were to France and 22/23 January departure…