| A new report shows that a skiing holiday has | | | | comments that 'The difference in prices |
| reached it's highest ever price, and it's | | | | between different resorts is surprising. We |
| come at a time when the ski industry is | | | | would expect some regional and local variance |
| trying to turnaround a drop in bookings last | | | | but not to the extent we are seeing for the |
| year. | | | | 2008 ski season in Europe and North America.' |
| | | | |
| The surprise report shows that the price of a | | | | The lower priced ski countries could see an |
| typical ski holiday has risen everywhere in | | | | upswing in visitors in 2008 - much needed |
| both Europe and Noth America - except for | | | | after a poor 2007 season in countries like |
| Germany and the United States - with Canadian | | | | Austria and Andorra. Both countries are |
| ski holidays rising in price as a direct | | | | investing in their ski infrastructure and |
| result of the strong Canadian dollar against | | | | benefitting too from low cost airlines |
| the Euro and British sterling. | | | | offering more flights to skiiers. |
| | | | |
| Pushing prices up for the 2008 skiing season | | | | Several airlines recently announced a plan to |
| are not just higher aviation fuel costs and | | | | encourage more trips to ski resorts by |
| government levied flight taxes, but lift | | | | opening up additional routes for travel to |
| passes, equipment hire and ski instructor | | | | European ski resorts. These fly passengers |
| lessons have all risen faster than inflation. | | | | directly to the airports that are closest to |
| | | | several of the major skiing destinations for |
| Comparing different ski resorts striking | | | | many individuals and families on holiday. |
| differences emerge with ski lift passes | | | | For example, the UK's biggest low cost |
| costing 90 sterling in Bulgaria and Romania - | | | | airline flies passengers on holiday into |
| but over 240 sterling in Banff, Canada - | | | | Barcelona, which is the nearest airport to |
| nearly treble the cost. | | | | the Andorra skiing resorts. |
| | | | |
| And private ski lessons also showed great | | | | In addition to the flights taking passengers |
| price differentials. Some ski resorts in | | | | to ski at Andorra, there are several more |
| Romania are offering lessons for 11 sterling, | | | | flights connecting skiiers to their favourite |
| in Switzerland 35 nut in Banff it gord up to | | | | ski destinations. Flights from London, |
| 65, nearly six times the cost of their | | | | Glasgow, Bristol, Liverpool, Blackpool and |
| Romanian counterparts. | | | | Newscastle all connect UK skiiers individuals |
| | | | to their favourite ski resorts. |
| Once the skiing is over for the day the price | | | | |
| differences are still as sharp. While a cup | | | | The reason airlines have chosen to increase |
| of coffee in Italy is around one Euro, in | | | | the number of direct routes they provide to |
| Norway it is nearer to three, and for those | | | | ski resorts for the 2007 winter holiday |
| who prefer alcohol a beer in Bulgaria is a | | | | period is due to the fact business is |
| pound, but astonishingly over five pounds in | | | | booming. As of the end of October, one |
| Norway - and the cost of a meal shows similar | | | | airline had over 2.5 million bookings for |
| price differentials. | | | | individuals and families wanting their flying |
| | | | services to travel to skiing destinations in |
| Commenting upon the report, an Andorra travel | | | | Europe during the winter of 2008. |
| guide who include ski holidays information | | | | |