How to find hot deals for a cool skiing trip
WITH winter on the horizon many dream of a holiday – not just in the sunshine but also on the ski slopes. Here, The Mail on Sunday traverses the cost of this pricey but exciting sport to turn it into an affordable reality.
CARVE OUT A BARGAIN TRIP
THE secret to an affordable ski holiday is not just where you go – but also when.
Prices can double at Christmas and school holidays, including half-terms and the Easter break. But mid-January to February halfterm can throw up bargains as can flying midweek rather than at the more popular weekends. Emma Coulthurst, of travel comparison website Travel Supermarket, believes Eastern European destinations offer some of the best value for money.
She says: ‘Resorts such as Ban- sko i n Bulgaria and Vogel in Slovenia have some incredibly cheap deals.
‘You can get a week away including the flights, accommodation, lift and ski pass from between as little as £300 and £400. Eating out is also far cheaper than in France, Italy or Switzerland.’
Another alternative is the tiny principality of Andorra between Spain and France in the Pyrenees. Andorra breaks including flight, accommodation, lift pass and ski hire can be less than £400 a week.
In contrast, similar ski break deals in popular locations such as Verbier in Switzerland or Courchevel in France are likely to cost more than £ 500. Opt for a resort such as Whistler in Canada and you may see no change from £1,000.
When doing the calculations also look for the cost of extras, such as meals. It can often work out cheaper opting for a chalet with half-board so you only have to worry about lunch on the slopes. Self-catering is cheapest but not always convenient after a long day out on the pistes.
Some resorts and package deals encourage families with special offers, such as a free lift pass for children aged ten or under. With adults paying sometimes £ 250 a week for lift passes, always keep an eye out for them in special deals.
The internet is usually the place to find the best bargains and those who are flexible with dates, where they go and stay will bag the best deals.
Websites such as TravelSupermarket and Kayak can help while specialists to consider for ideas include Iglu Ski and Crystal Ski Holidays.
For do-it-yourself breaks, property rental websites such as Airbnb can find private self- catering apartments. Or if you opt for a chalet it might be worth seeing if you can share t he accommodation with another family to split the cost.
GET INSURED FOR THE SLOPES
CHEAPEST is not always best when it comes to travel insurance – especially when a particularly nasty tumble can land you with a medical bill of £10,000 or more.
In the past five years, thousands of British skiers have been injured with more than a hundred ending up with an expensive stretch in hospital. At least 58 people have died from skiing accidents, according to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
Rescue charges start at £400 for a ‘blood wagon’ to strap you up and take you back down a mountain on a sledge. But if a helicopter lift is required it will cost at least £1,500.
Getting home from Europe injured can cost £ 10,000 but from America £40,000 – double with a spinal injury. Despite the risks, one in four travellers sets off down a slope without adequate travel insurance. Many forget that standard holiday insurance does not cover skiing but often is an extra that costs more. The Ski Club of Great Britain charges from £24.60 for a‘ silver’ insurance covering a single trip; up to £80 a year for ‘platinum’ cover that includes European multi-trip travel insurance, club membership
with a four-times a year magazine and discounts on holidays and cl ot hi ng. The l at t er i ncl udes £ 10 million emergency medical cover – which includes off-piste skiing and snowboarding without a guide – as well as £500 cover for lost ski passes and equipment and £ 6,000 cancellation cover if you cannot go on the trip.
The silver deal also covers for off-piste, plus £5 million emergency cover, £150 against lost passes and equipment and £1,000 cancellation cover.
Club spokesman Daniel Loots says: ‘Many winter sports policies do not cover off-piste skiing or only cover to the age of 65 – while we insure to age 75. These cheaper policies can end up worthless.’
Some insurers also demand policyholders take out a free European Health Insurance Card. This allows you to receive state medical treatment on the same terms as locals. The card does not cover rescue or repatriation costs or private treatment.
Comparison websites such as Comparethemarket and GoCom- pare can trawl the market on your behalf for a good deal. Be wary that the cheapest may have an excess of £200 or more.
Insurers are also unlikely to meet a claim if alcohol has been consumed before an accident, so keep that après-ski fun to evenings after a day on the slopes. CONSIDER A LONG RUN TO THE RESORT TRAVEL is one of the biggest costs that it is easy to underestimate – whether you f l y or dri ve to your resort.
Those planning on a holiday in the French Alps might be better off driving rather than taking a flight. Websites such as ViaMichelin can help plan that 12-hour drive across the Continent.
Even taking the cost of fuel, insurance, Eurotunnel and motorway tolls into consideration it can work out £120 each for a return road trip of four people visiting a popular resort such as Meribel in France from London. If you do not want to drive the entire journey – just to or from an airport – there are other ways to reduce the costs whether using your own vehicle or hiring one.
If you use your own car when flying out from Britain also consider booking well in advance.
You can knock 60 per cent off the price using a ‘meet and greet’ service where a valet is waiting at the airport and will take the vehicle to a nearby car park and return it when you call t hem on your return.
Comparison websites such as Airport Parking Shop can help you find the deals for specific airports.
Booking a rental vehicle in advance can be a third cheaper than just turning up at a check-in desk when abroad.
Consider comparison websites such as Carrentals and Skyscanner for the best deals.
Be aware of tricks that include pushing additional insurance at the check-in desk for you to avoid an excess charge of £ 500 or more. Rental firms can charge more than £100 a week for this extra cover but before you go you can buy your own separately for just £25.
Insurance comparison websites such as MoneyMaxim can help, with competitive providers including iC a rh ire insurance and Insurance 4 car hire.
Also be wary of ‘free’ additional driver deals that actually might be costing more – and remember snow tyres or chains can add a further £20 a day.
Sat-nav and child car seats will also add to the bill. It may work out cheaper bringing your own.
Countries such as Austria insist you use winter tyres during the ski season and if you are caught without them you can be fined more than £4,000.
When returning a hire car make sure it is clean and full of fuel. Otherwise, the rental company may hit you with extortionate bills for doing it for you.