AS millions tune in to watch this year’s Winter Olympics in Milan, it is inspiring Brits to try out some of the sports for themselves.
Ski chalet specialist, Ski Beat, report a post-Games flurry with a spike in traffic during the global event.
According to Ski Beat’s Laura Hazell: “100 years ago, the Chamonix Winter Olympics inspired Brits to try out skiing for the first time – in fact the origins of modern-day ski holidays can be traced back to those early days.
“The same effect is true today. Throughout the competition we see spikes in website traffic.
“There’s a real buzz, with many people who have never skied engaging in the sport, our phones are busier, and we this year we expect that what is already a good ski season will continue right into April.”
According to Inthesnow.com, the UK’s leading ski and snow sports website and magazine, spending in Europe’s winter sports destinations is up 14.3% year-on-year, with France, Italy and Austria among the strongest performers.
France remains the most popular destination for UK skiers, accounting for almost half of British ski trips.
Nearly seven in ten Brits say the Winter Olympics inspire them to try winter sports, and 45 per cent say their interest has increased over the past decade.
Around a third of UK adults booked a winter sports experience in the last year, with most choosing to travel abroad rather than stay in the UK.
The good news? There is no need to wait for next winter’s snow globe to settle as there’s still time to ski this season – and arguably the best weeks are just ahead.
Laura continued: “Spring skiing is the Alps’ best-kept secret. As the mercury softens, so do the prices, with late season deals on ski holidays making high-altitude getaways more attainable.
“The weather is kinder too: bluebird mornings, sunnier terraces, and longer daylight hours that stretch skiing well into the afternoon.
“With the half-term crowds gone, lifts hum more quietly and pistes feel wider, creating a relaxed rhythm that suits beginners finding their edges and families enjoying the snow together.
“Add in mountain restaurants serving lunch in shirtsleeves and you have a late season winter holiday that’s less about bracing for the cold and more about all about basking in the glow of it all.”
Skiing in February post the half term holidays means you can make the most of the tail end of the winter chill.
Wrap up well and go high altitude for the best snow where pistes and lifts are fully open.
If you wan to go in March, days are lengthening, temperatures rising and layers and outerwear can be lighter.
Pistes will be busier over Easter, which is around March 28 , so don’t hang around if school holiday dates are important.
If not, plan in a week mid-month for optimum conditions and fewer crowds.
But skiing in April is just as fantastic. There is plenty of ski mileage to be had, aim high (above 2000m is ideal) and enjoy more daylight hours, long, lazy days, bluebird skiing, and lower ski holiday prices.
High factor sun cream and anti UV eye-protection are essential, pack a few t-shirts and lighter layers too, but be ready to layer up when the sun goes down.
Top tips for thrifty spring skiing:
- For snow-sure spring skiing look for north facing slopes, and ski areas above 2000m
- Beginners don’t need miles of skiing, well-groomed nursery slopes and blue runs will suffice, so save money and buy a local area lift pass.
- Select accommodation that includes meals, dining out or shopping for self-catering can be expensive in the mountains.
- Make sure the accommodation is close to the lifts, ski school, clomping around in ski boots, carrying skis, is an experience best limited.
- Consider buying ski clothing from reseller sites like Vinted or Ebay.
- There’s no need to buy skis or ski boots, hire in resort, most people do
- Look out for late season offers, avoid the easter peak (28th March), and for the best prices all season consider a high altitude escape on 11th or 18th April.
Here are some of Ski Beat’s top last minute deals to sneak in one last ski holiday this year.
February 21: 7 nights La Plagne, £994pp (saving £304pp)
Includes a chalet host to prepare breakfast, afternoon tea and three course evening meals with wine, return Gatwick flights and transfers, based on two sharing a twin or double ensuite room at Ski Beat’s Chalet Sorbier.
February 28 : 7 nights skiing in French Alps, £1143pp (saving £136pp)
Includes return Gatwick flights, transfers and accommodation at high altitude Chalet Gentiane in Plan Peisey, with a chalet host to prepare breakfast, afternoon tea and three course evening meals with wine, based on two sharing a twin or double ensuite room.
March 21 : 7 nights in Three Valleys resort, £999pp (saving £98pp)
Incudes accommodation in Chalet Vallon Blanc in La Tania. Prices include a chalet host to prepare breakfast, afternoon tea and three course evening meals with wine, based on two sharing a twin or double ensuite room, return Gatwick flights and transfers.
Or fly on March 7 and March 14 for £1125pp, saving £100pp.
April 11: 7 nights in La Rosiere for £716pp (saving £307pp)
Ski Beat’s has 30 per cent off April 11 ski holiday departures.
Staying in Chalet Perdrix in high altitude La Rosiere on the French/Italian border, includes return Gatwick or Manchester flights, a chalet host to prepare breakfast, afternoon tea and three course evening meals with wine, based on two sharing a twin or double ensuite room.
However, be wary of booking any ski holidays that seem too good to be true for the price.
Laura warned: “With skiing it’s all about value, rather than price.
“Bargain ski holidays can result in an inferior lift infrastructure, a resort that’s in the valley and requires buses or lifts before the skiing even starts, or lower altitude skiing where the snow is less reliable, especially late season.”
Other top ski tips include:
- Choose a high-altitude resort with reliable late-season cover
- Look for resorts with north-facing pistes that retain the snow longer
- Line up lessons in advance to build confidence from the first glide
- Warm up before departure, with time in an indoor ski slope to acclimatise
- Plan in a few visits to the gym, some power walks, or home exercise to get muscles in tone
- Check out spring packages inclusive of flights, transfers, accommodation and meals.
- Pack lighter layers and outerwear for sunnier slopes
- Invest in UV-protective sunglasses and goggles to protect against sun and snow glare
- Cover up with top-tier SPF defence to keep skin totally protected on bluebird days
- Start early, linger late, make the most of firmer morning snow then ease into long lunches on sunny terraces once the slopes soften.
- Book slopeside accommodation, a ski chalet close to ski schools, lifts and kindergartens is ideal, with a chalet host to point skiers in the right direction.
- Weigh up the advantages of catered accommodation; save time, money and energy on shopping, and let someone else do the cooking, cleaning and catering.
Ski Beat’s Laura Hazell adds, “While the aspiration to fly like an Olympiad is still fresh in mind, make the medal-winning moments a cue, not just an inspiration.
“The mountains are still very much open for business right until the end of April, and there’s no better time to answer their call.”