It’s the peak month of the season coming up as most of Britain’s skiing families consider taking a ski holiday together during the February school half term holidays.
Unfortunately, with the ski holiday cost driven by supply and demand, the fact that most other families in Western Europe get their February ski holiday in the same weeks, pretty much, as the British, means hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of families all trying to descend on Alpine ski areas, driving prices up in the seller’s market.
At InTheSnow we’re sent dozens of ‘deals’ from tour operators daily and it can be hard to tell which are truly good and which are more of the famous furniture store’s endless sale variety.
But we have noticed, unusually, this season that there do seem to be some seriously big savings being offered in what are normally peak weeks. This could be tour operators being so clever they’ve managed to fool us with a not so great really deal looking great, or there could be something else happening.
Here’s the conflicting evidence:
Possibly driving prices up:
- Apparently low cost airline fares from London on key dates are incredibly high during the February half term holiday.
- The UK government’s counter-productive law to stop families taking their children on skiing (and other) holidays in term time forces families to all holiday in the same peak weeks driving up prices.
- The weak pound buys less Euros (though it’s still actually better than it was a few years ago as it had regained a lot of lost ground until the Brexit vote and even with the vote, still hasn’t dropped quite as far as its previous low).
Possibly driving prices down:
- Brexit uncertainty.
- Publicity over the weak pound has forced tour operators to cut margins still further to sell holidays and put off some people booking, further increasing availability.
- Test cases against the UK government’s counter-productive law to stop families taking children out of school on ski (and other) holidays during term time have shown the government’s position not to be supported by existing laws, so more families may now be ignoring the rules.
- Poor December snow conditions got a lot of bad publicity in UK media for ski holidays this winter. Conditions are now pretty great in most areas after January snow but they may not have filtered through, dampening demand.
Whatever is, the message appears to be that there are half-term ski week savings still to be had.
The Various February Half Term Dates 2017 – What You Need To Know
“There are two main February half term weeks for UK schools next year,” says Nick Edwards of snowsports holiday specialist travel agency SnowFinders.co.uk, “The main one is the week from 11th February 2017, but the following week from the 18th tends to be the main one for parts of the North and Midlands.”
“The second half term week is cheaper but tour operators have cottoned on and have loaded the flight supplements from the Midlands up. So if you’re based in the north and can be troubled to travel south you can bag a bargain that week,” Nick adds.
For British skiers heading to French resorts in February we also have to do battle for space with French nationals and those from other European nations (and that’s one of the many things Brexit won’t alter!)
“February half-term starts on 4th February in France with the Paris area’s first week but still this won’t be the busiest week of February,” says Xavier Schouller, boss of the award winning French-ski-holiday specialists Peak Retreats, who adds, “The week from 11th February is not only the UK’s main half-term week it is also Paris’s second week plus another third of France’s first week plus a few other countries like Denmark so it will invariably be the busiest week of the whole season.”
“Although the whole of France outside Paris will also be on holiday the week from 18 February, it should be a little quieter than the previous week, but still extremely busy. The week of 25/2 is the last week of the French holidays with only one third of France’s schools still on holiday. plus Belgium,” Xavier concludes.
The Deals
These are some of the better deals we’ve had in so far, keep in mind these are ever changing…
Half Price Val d’Isère
Le Ski are offering their last few places in quality catered chalets in Val d’Isère at half price.
Prices now start at just £841 per person, including flights, transfers, champagne and canapés reception. Remaining 12th February flights are from Manchester but Le Ski are generously also throwing in free overnight accommodation near the airport and a week’s car parking – a genuine bargain at £841.
Save £500pp in Les Arcs Le Village 1950
A week’s self-catering at the four-star Les Arcs Le Village 1950 Apartments in France with Crystal from £760 per person (based on four sharing; save £500 pp) including flights from Manchester (+£100 from East Midlands Airport or + £200 from Glasgow) to Chambery and transfers (price given is for departure on 11 Feb2017). BOGOHP (buy one lift pass get one half price) saving of an additional £227 for a family of four.
Save £490pp in Ischgl
Visit the bustling resort of Ischgl in the Austrian Alps this half term with Ski Total who are offering the modern Chalet Hotel Abendrot from their platinum range for £1124pp (was £1614pp) travelling on the 12/02/17. Set just a minutes’ walk from the resort centre and three minutes’ walk to the main Silvrettabahn lifts, this chalet hotel is comfortable, stylish and a favourite among Ski Total guests, the company says. This price is based on 2 adults sharing and includes return flights from Manchester to Innsbruck, transfers, free wifi, use of wellness area, free ski hosting and seven nights catered accommodation including buffet breakfast, afternoon tea and a 5 course evening meal with complimentary wine.
Less Than Half Price At £489pp To Mayrhofen
A week’s bed & breakfast at the three-star Hotel Landhaus Roscher in Mayrhofen, Austria, with Crystal, is now less than half price from £489 per person (two sharing; save £500 pp) including flights from Newcastle (from £639 from Manchester) to Innsbruck and transfers (price given is for departure on 11 Feb2017).
Families Save over £2200 on Half Term Fun in Méribel
Ski the Three Valleys ski area in France this half term with a break in Méribel. Esprit Ski is offering a stay in the Chalet L’Ancolie from £1075pp.
“This superb chalet is one of the very best in this resort, with beautifully fitted furnishings throughout and wonderful views from the lounge, terrace and balconies,” say Esprit Ski.
This price is based on a family of 4, (2 adults and 2 children 2-10 years) from £4299 (was £6546) travelling on the 12/02/17 and includes return flights from Gatwick to Geneva, transfers, free wifi, use of sauna and seven nights catered accommodation with a cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, children’s high tea and 4-course dinners with complimentary wine. Esprit Classic Child Care is available from £215 for a week of exclusive ski lessons.
www.espritski.com/deals-now/february-half-term-ski-deals
(Typical Mum and Dad in St Anton…)
£300 pp Saving in St Anton
“February half term is an excellent opportunity for children to let off some steam on an active family adventure in the mountains, and for parents to have that well-needed break. To help guests have an even more enjoyable, stress-free holiday, VIP SKI can organise ski lessons and ski hire for the whole family before they travel and show guests the very best of the resort while they’re there. Parents can head off and explore the extent of the ski area, safe in the knowledge that their children are happily learning to ski or being looked after by one of VIP SKI’s nannies,” said a VIP SKI spokesperson.
A seven-night stay during half term at VIP SKI’s Hotel Montjola on Sunday 12th February is priced from just £1,999 pp (down from £2299 saving £300 pp); children staying in family rooms can stay for half price. Guests will also have access to the hotel’s sauna, steam room and outdoor hot tub.
Save Even More Than Usual in Slovakia
A new tour operator is offering family value holidays to Jasna in Slovakia – with February half-term availability offering families value for money. Jasna Adventures is run by Justin and Adriana Garrett, who live in the Jasna region and will be looking after holiday guests directly.
“As a family business, and with two young boys of their own, Adriana and Justin understand the trials and tribulations – and the fun and rewards – of holidays with kids,” a company spokesperson commented.
Jasna Adventures is offering customised holidays with on-snow chalets or hotel accommodation where staff take personal care of their guests from the moment they arrive at the airport, combined with services for family groups with kids, such as on-snow child minding and ski hosting throughout the week.
Justin Garrett co-owner and Director of Jasna Adventures comments: “As a ski resort, Jasna offers all that families need, with plenty of wide runs for the kids and the Maxiland ski school to take care of instruction. Slovakia also offers great value for money, making the annual European family holiday more affordable. As an example, on the mountain you can get a pint for 3€ (£2.70) and a main meal for €5.70 (£5.10).”
Special offer packages (prices based on 2 adults and 2 children and subject to availability) for all dates running during the peak periods from February 2nd through to March 12th 2017:
Hotel Option: From £468pp (usual price £512pp) including, 7 nights in 4 star hotel accommodation (B&B basis), 6 day ski pass, 6 days ski equipment hire, airport transfers, mountain orientation, daily après ski drink.
Chalet Option: From £685pp (usual price £750pp) including, 7 nights in a two bedroom chalet with shared outdoor jacuzzi and sauna (B&B basis), 6 day ski pass, 6 days ski equipment hire, airport transfers, mountain orientation, daily après ski drink.
£200 Off At Tignes
Ski Solutions offers seven nights self-catering accommodation at the three-star Val Claret Apartments from £545 per person, saving £220 per person, when booked before 3rd February 2017. Ski right to the door of these modern apartments which, located just a stone’s throw from the resort’s many bars and restaurants, are perfect for small groups of friends travelling together. Linked with Val d’Isère to form the Espace Killy, the area has been described as one of the most impressive for both on and off-piste skiing, while the Grande Motte Glacier offers thrilling high altitude descents and guaranteed snow even late in the season. The price includes return flights and transfers departing London Gatwick to Geneva on the 18th February 2017.
