S
kiers and snowboarders are fit, active people increasingly looking for adventure.
According to research released in 2016 by the Ski Club of Great Britain, 80% of people who take a winter sports holiday participate in other sports all year round — with cycling at the top of the alternate list. This reflects the general mood in public health and activity levels and explains why mountain holidays are no longer just about skiing — now skiers and snowboarders want to try everything from snowshoeing and ski touring to fat biking, yoga and walking. People go skiing for the scenery, the social element and the activity — but acknowledge it’s expensive, hence a marked trend towards smaller, lesser-known resorts and independent travel making the most of ever-increasing no-frills airline options. Skiing is traditionally a family
and friends activity, but increasingly skiers are going it alone — joining courses, ski touring weeks or single holidays which more tour operators are beginning to offer, such as single-parent family options from Esprit. Following three seasons of poor
snow in Europe, especially early in the season, skiers booking ahead for next winter are looking at high resorts well-known to have long, reliable seasons, particularly at Christmas. Popular early-season resorts
include Tignes and Val Thorens in France, Ischgl and Obergurgl in Austria and Cervinia in Italy. Switzerland has Zermat and Saas- Fee to offer, but the whole country has seen a decline in popularity due to plunging exchange rates. Finally, trips using no-frills
airlines are becoming ever more atractive, with two notable new services — Powdair flying to Sion in Switzerland’s Valais region from Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, Southampton, London Southend and London Luton, as well as Duerne (Antwerp) and Hamburg. It’s not just European destinations which are seeing the benefit. Norwegian has now launched a direct flight to Denver, breaking the monopoly to the city that had long been held by British Airways.
countrybycountry.com | ABTA Magazine 55
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