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Late season ski package prices slashed
Ski operators have slashed prices for last season ski packages, including over the Easter holidays, with some of the biggest discounts for departures on the two days immediately post-Brexit.
Crystal, the biggest ski operator, has more than halved the cost of some packages departing on Saturday March 30, which is just one day after Britain leaves the EU.
For example, a week at the Grand Hotel Paradiso in the Italian resort of Passo Tonale is down from £1139 per person to £550 per person, including flights and transfers; a week at the Chalet Marmottes in Chantemerle in France has been slashed from £1,212 per person to £704 for departures on March 31; and a week at the Hotel Jagerwirt in Kitzbuhel, Austria is down from £905 to £439 for departures on March 30.
Crystal also has plenty of discounts for the previous week and the following one also – and in some cases these are cheaper than even the reduced prices for March 30-31 – but the discounts are not as deep.
One ski guide in a popular French ski resort told TravelMole: “We’ve had all our guests cancel for the weekend of March 30/31. Some are postponing until the following week, but some have cancelled altogether, people just don’t want to take the risk of travelling immediately after Britain leaves the EU.”
The industry has attempted to reassure customers that it will be ‘business as usual’ after Brexit, with the EU having promised flights can continue between the UK and continental Europe for the rest of the winter season, even if Britain leaves without a deal.
However, ski operators appear to have lots of holidays left to sell for late March, with Inghams also heavily discounting packages, including those departing on March 23 and returning March 30, as well as some departing on March 29.
Paul Carter, CEO of Ingham’s parent Hotelplan said: “A late Easter means the end of March is always more difficult, but Brexit has made it more challenging this winter. Once a deal has been agreed – whatever that looks like – we expect to see a ‘ketchup bottle effect’ as customers gain confidence or simply don’t want to wait any longer. With more snow forecast across the Alps, there are some great deals to be had for a ski holiday this March.”
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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