The 2012/13 ski season is well and truly underway – and excellent powder coverage with snow-depths of up to 80cm  (the current upper snow-depth in Aflenz, Austria!) in many of Europe’s top ski resorts, there has never been a better time to go on a ski holiday.
We take a look at some ways to make very significant savings on your skiing or snowboarding trip.
1. Â Late Ski Deals
Late and ‘last-minute- ski deals exist purely because ski tour operators must block book seats on planes as well as catered ski chalets and apartments for peak dates. The seats inevitably never fill completely for some routes or not enough people have booked a chalet to maximum capacity.
If these seats and chalet beds are not filled, the ski tour operators cannot get a refund. What this means is that consumers who are willing to be flexible on destination and departure can make vast savings of close to 65% if they are shrewd.  UK ski-holiday company Interactive Resorts is showing all-inclusive ski holidays (that’s flights, transfers and accommodation) in France departing this weekend for a mere £250  – a snip of their former £900 price tags.
2. Buy one – get one free lift pass offers (BOGOF)
If you’re travelling with friends – consider booking together to avail of group discounts which may include bargains on lift-passes.
3. Go Self-catered
Chalet food is not for everyone, and sometimes sitting down with a bunch of strangers to dine can be a struggle after a long day on the ski-pistes or exploring your ski resort.
If you like to take complete control of when and what you eat, choosing a self-catered apartment is a convenient option. Many ski-chalets are not family friendly (with exceptions) – so apart from a hotel or a specifically family-friendly ski chalet – the self-catered option could be the perfect mix of convenience and cost-saving.
4. Ski insurance
Okay, so this one’s not strictly going to save you money in the short-term – but safety is essential, and if you have to get carted down from 1600 metres and airlifted to hospital – paying for this in cash will be a difficult proposition, and could run into thousands of pounds. Cover for skiers and snowboarders for a whole year can cost as little as £16 per year.
Excellent that you mention insurance as it can indeed be costly if you have an accident and haven’t got any. In terms of saving money it’s worth pointing out that most of the free insurances that come with places like your bank do NOT cover vigorous activities such as skiing.
I love skiing and do stay in ski chalets much of the time, but I can see why you say they are often not family friendly! A private rental is a much better option if you have children with you.
Mandy Allen