An annual survey carried out by the Post Office using data supplied by Crystal Ski Holidays has found that prices are down in three-quarters of the 27 resorts surveyed with double digit percentage falls in over a third.
The ninth annual Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report credits the powerful pound as the many cause for the price drops which were reported across the board from resorts the report’s compilers found more expensive, as well as cheaper destinations.
The ten resorts showing the biggest prices falls came from six countries with Kitzbühel in Austria down the most at -15.2%, Whistler in Canada the second most at -13.9%, Les Deux Alpes in France third,m down by 13.5% and resorts in Finland, Italy and Slovenia also down.
“Skiers heading to many resorts in Europe will benefit from sterling’s increased strength. This means that even where local prices have edged up, UK tourists will find the cost of skiing as well as meals and drinks noticeably cheaper this winter,” said Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money.
As usual for ski resort price studies Eastern European resorts came in as cheapest. Among 10 resorts studies which The Post Office considers ‘World-Class’ Zermatt in Switzerland proved to be the most expensive in Europe and over twice as expensive as Italy’s Sestriere, which rated cheapest for the third consecutive year.
The study also found that Canada and the USA are poles apart for ski costs. Sterling is the key factor in the results of the Transatlantic Ski Resort Report because the Canadian dollar has continued to fall against the pound, while the US dollar is stronger.
This means the three Canadian resorts surveyed – Tremblant (pictured above), Banff and Whistler – will cost UK skiers less than last year and are much cheaper than the US trio of Winter Park, Vail and Breckenridge, where prices have risen by up to 14 per cent for Brits.