Tour operators are reporting that school holiday periods are already booking up quickly for next winter, and in most cases sales are well up on where they were at this point a year ago.
Several reasons are given when asked why this should be. A key one appears to be the much publicised stepping-up of the fines system for parents taking children out of school in England during term period for holidays.
In the case of the February half term week there is particularly intensive early booking, particularly on holidays to France, as English, French and several other key European nations holidays are all concentrated on the same week, rather than spread over several weeks as is more usually the case.
Although media attention is focusing on the February week (14-21 February 2015), it seems other school holiday periods are busy too,
“Christmas and New Year is selling really well and is up over 40% year on year,” said Marion Telsnig of the UK’s largest ski holiday tour operator Crystal Ski, who also credited some of the company’s early booking programmes including free and discounted lift passes, rentals and childcare, as helping to encourage early bookings.
Both Christmas and New Year holidays are the same weeks for the whole of Europe so there is usually even more concentration on those two weeks than for half-term.
“Traditionally Christmas is a little quieter than New Year because some skiers like to celebrate at home with the family. All that said celebrating with the family in a ski resort is also a popular choice because of the really Christmassy and snowy atmosphere,” added Xavier Schouller of French ski holiday specialists Peak Retreats, “ Prices for Christmas on average about 20% less than for New Year so it is also a very popular option.”
But it seems Easter 2015 may offer the best value for school holiday bargain hunters,
“With the main UK Easter holiday week being back in March the week of 28th March is booking well too and we expect it will be very popular,” says Xavier, “This year it falls outside the main European holidays so prices can be half of what they are for February half-term. Because of this we expect it will be massively popular and a great alternative for those with school age children who want to get the most of their money.”
The second Easter week starting on 4th April will be popular too but it is also the first Belgian holiday week so it will be busier.
Back to February half term, and ski accommodation company PowderBeds have reduced their early booking deposit to 10%, half of their standard 20% and are also offering a 10% discount off family ski accommodation package for Residence L’Amara, Avoriaz.
“Both offers have been designed to encourage families to book ski accommodation early for those tricky half term dates which will be booked up in record time this year as British, French, Belgium, Danish and Dutch half-terms converge on the same week,” said a statement from the company, which says itr believes the vast majority of Europe’s most popular ski accommodation will sell out by mid-summer, particularly prime sites in Meribel, Val d’Isere and Courchevel.