Ski operators overcoming Olympics blip

Thursday, 21 Mar, 2006 0

Ski operators are reporting a good season although admit the Winter Olympics in Turin made February trading tough.

Crystal Ski claimed traditional resorts were performing well but that the Olympics had proved a “distraction” and meant hotels beds were out of action.

Product and marketing director Gareth Crump said: “Lots of people were put off by the Olympic factor because there was red tape and security issues.”

He predicted Italy would do well for the 2006-07 ski season.

First Choice head of snowsports Simon Pepperdine also said the operator had lost capacity at the height of the season but said: “On the plus side the area has received some great PR which will continue to benefit it when it comes to forward bookings.”

Pepperdine said he expected Montgenevre on the French/Italian border, a new resort for First Choice, to benefit from the exposure.

“There has also been a lot of investment in the local infrastructure with
skiers over the next couple of seasons reaping the benefits,” he said.

Crystal Ski’s Crump also said that its newer resorts in Finland and Serbia as well as its twice-weekly charter into Denver were proving popular.

“We have been seeing a buoyant market and people have become more adventurous with our new products. We’ve seen a three-fold increase in the number of people we’re taking into Colorado. It has really put it back on the map.”

Crump also revealed that Crystal Ski would target people who have been skiing for 20 years as well as unveil new destinations with the launch of its 2006-07 brochure in June.

Report by Linda Fox

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