Product Description
Ski holidays today not only encompass the rather placid sport of downhill skiing, they also include the newer alpine activity of snow boarding and the more extreme versions of the original slalom and cross-country skiing. There are numerous countries that offer the facilities for skiing holidays including America and Canada, Norway and Sweden, Austria, France, Italy and the newer resorts of Bulgaria and Romania. Most ski holidays from tour operators are all inclusive and some offer ski lessons as well.

Main Players
Some of the large tour operators offer ski holidays, with the top ones being Thompson Ski, First Choice and Thomas Cook. In addition, there are a number of other tour operators that specialise in this kind of holiday. The most popular names include Inghams Travel, Crystal Ski, and Neilson holidays although there are plenty more to choose from depending on where you intend to take your holiday.

Pros of Ski Holidays

• Some package holidays have skiing lessons included which is great for beginners and those who want to improve.
• You can also have a go at snowboarding while you’re there.
• Ski holidays tend to be a lot of fun, especially if you go as a family or with a group of friends.
• Most of the big ski resorts have lots of facilities so there is plenty to do when you’re not skiing or when the weather is not conducive for skiing.

Cons of Ski Holidays

• The amount of skiing you actually get to do is dependant on good snow conditions and good weather, so booking a ‘snow-sure’ resort at the right time of the season can be very important.
• Ski holidays during the peak periods can be very expensive, especially if you go to one of the top resorts.
• The insurance for skiing holidays is often much higher than for beach holidays because of the risk of injury.

Things to Consider when Choosing a Provider
Ski holidays vary greatly from country to country and so you need to find a provider that offers all of the elements you want in the country that you want to visit. If you need skiing lessons then make sure they are included in the price because they can be very expensive when booked separately. If possible you should use a provider that specialises in skiing holidays as they will cover all of the top resorts and the lesser known ones that offer great skiing as well. You also want to make sure that your holiday comes with adequate insurance as it’s not unusual for skiers to need medical assistance in resort and it can be very expensive.

All inclusive skiing holidays provide flights and accommodation at the resort of your choice as standard however some will also include car hire, lessons, meals and drinks and other extras. If you don’t want the added extras then find a provider that will let you pick and choose the options you want so you don’t end up paying for facilities you won’t use.

BUYability Summary
Skiing holidays can be great fun however the top resorts are almost without exception expensive, and even more so during the peak season. It might be worth looking for a good lesser-known resort that isn’t as packed so you get the full benefit of the slopes. Bulgaria and Romania have become very popular skiing destinations over the last few years however they remain very reasonably priced…and this means they are well worth considering for a cheap skiing holiday.