The cheapest France: Ski Express Barometer

Why have a barometer?

Ski Express is a ski holiday comparison site which holds the best hotel, apartment rentals, ski equipment hire and all inclusive deals from its professional partners. They have created a barometer to help people decide where and when to go on holiday in France. 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?

On the 9th of April you can find the cheapest price at Chamrousse in the Northern Alps for €99/£84* for an all inclusive (apartment and ski pass) deal. La Norma, in the Northern Alps has the cheapest apartment for 102€/£86** on the 8th of January and regularly features on the low cost list with prices up to 142€/£120 on the 5th of February.

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 La Norma 128€/£108 and all inclusive apartments are at Gresse en Vercors for 111€/£94.

During the Christmas period there is a 9 day/ 8 night offer from the 18^th of December. Apartments for 4 people are from 153€/£130 in La Toussuire, Northern Alps and all inclusive deals start from 159€/£135 in Gresse en Vercors, Northern Alps. Although there are good deals they are mainly aimed at families and people without children may prefer to go at a different time.

Where to go skiing?

The winter holidays, from the 12^th of February, have apartment offers in La Grave/ La Meije (254€/£215) or apartment and ski passes for 192€/£163 in Gresse en Vercors, they are both in the Northern Alps. The Easter holidays, are more affordable and more practical as it is a 2 week holiday. During the first week (9/04/11) La Norma (128€/£108 for apartments) and Chamrousse (99€/£84 for all inclusive) has the cheapest prices. On the second week, 16/04/11, La Norma is once again the cheapest apartment (128€/£108) and Valmeinier, Northern Alps has offers for 159€ or £135.

On average, you will find the best deals in the Pyrenees (387€ or £328), then Vosges et Jura (396€/£336 per week for 4 people), Auvergne (397€ or £336), the Southern Alps (452€ or £383) and finally the Northern Alps (592€ or £502).

Here are the cheapest offers during school holidays:

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

Cheapest apartment: 153€/£130 pp/pw for 4 people at La Toussuire

Cheapest package (accommodation and ski lift): 159€/£135 per person at Gresse en Vercors

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

Cheapest apartment:266€/£225 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: 289€/£245 in Alevard les Bains

Cheapest package (accommodation and ski lift): 221€/£187 in Gresse en Vercors

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

Cheapest apartment: La Norma 128€/£108 on the 09/04/2011 or 99€/£84 Saint Jean D'arves 16/04/11

Cheapest package (accommodation and ski lift): 128€/£108 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.