Ski holiday bargains: Ski Express 2010/11 Barometer

Why have a barometer?

For the last 5 years Ski Express has been offering people the choice of over 250,000 offers from around 30 respected partners. The site has hotels, all inclusive, apartment rentals and ski equipment hire. They aim to help people make their choice from the numerous offers with a new barometer which shows the cheapest times and places to go to for ski holidays in France in an unbiased way. The barometer is updated every Tuesday with all the latest prices and can be found at: http://www.ski-express.com/barometre-ski/.

When to go skiing?

The cheapest offer altogether is at Les Coches, Northern Alps for €54/£46* on the 23^rd of April 2011, however snow quality may be low as it is late in the season. La Norma, also in the Northern Alps offers apartments from 102€/£86** on the 8^th of January to 141€/£119 on the 5^th of February, featuring on the low cost list a total of 9 times.

Although there is a large variety of apartments, all inclusive (accommodation and ski lift pass) could be a better choice. Both La Norma (29/01/11) and Chamrousse, Northern Alps (09/04/11) offer the lowest prices of 99€/£84. Due to the 2010/11 calendar where both Christmas and New Year's land on weekends, retailers are offering a “low-cost” week of 7 days/6 nights from the 2nd of January. Apartments cost from 125€/£105 in Arreau, Pyrenees and all inclusive apartments are at Gresse en Vercors for 111€/£94.

Some companies are offering a 9 day/8 night week during the Christmas period. Four person apartments are from 153€/£129 (La Toussuire, Northern Alps from the 18/12/2010) and all inclusive are from 159€/£134 all inclusive in Gresse en Vercors, Northern Alps. Groups of friends and families without children may want to avoid this period as places may be limited.

Where to go skiing?

During the winter holidays, the destinations with the most attractive offers are in the Northern Alps (From the 12th of February- 221€ or £187 per person per week including ski lifts at Gresse en Vercors).

If you go during the Easter holidays its cheaper at La Norma 125€/£106 the first week (9/04/11) or an apartment at Saint Jean D'arves (137€/£116) the second week (16/04/11). However you may be better off with the all inclusive deals 99 €/£84 at Chamrousse, Northern Alps on the 9th but 159€/£134 in Valmeinier, Northern Alps.

On average, you will find the best deals in the Pyrenees (390€ or £329), then Vosges et Jura (397€/£335 per week for 4 people), Auvergne (415€ or £351), the Southern Alps (456€ or £385) and finally the Northern Alps (600€ or £507)

Here are the cheapest offers during school holidays:

Christmas (from the 18-26 of December 2010):

Cheapest apartment: 153€/£129 pp/pw for 4 people at La Toussuire

Cheapest package (accommodation and ski lift): 159€/£134 per person at Gresse en Vercors

New Year's from the 26th of December 2010 to the 2nd of January 2011):

Cheapest apartment:295€/£249 for 4 people at Chaillol

Cheapest package (accommodation and ski lift):170€/£144 per person Gresse en Vercors

Winter Holidays (from the 19th to the 26th of February)

Cheapest apartment: 269€/£227 in Chaillol

Cheapest package (accommodation and ski lift): 221€/£187 in La Joue du Loup

Easter Holidays (from the 9th to the 26th of April)

Cheapest apartment: La Norma 125€/£106 on the 09/04/2011 or 137€/£116 Saint Jean D'arves 16/04/11

Cheapest package (accommodation and ski lift): 99€/£84 Chamrousse 09/04/2011 or 159€/£135 16/04/2011 at Valmeinier

Every Tuesday the SKI EXPRESS barometer is updated with all the latest information on ski holidays at http://www.ski-express.com

Karen Castelblanco

*All prices are per person per week based on 4 sharing.

** Prices in £ are based on exchange rate at time of posting (€1 : £0.84)

-Prices were correct at time of publishing please visit http://skiing.ski-express.com/ for the latest offers.