Planning a ski holiday is never going to be cheap, but with added extras like baggage costs and storage it can become expensive and frustrating. These five companies are going the extra mile to help skiers (and snowboarders) during the 2012/13 season.
Free Ski transport with Swiss Airlines and Virgin Atlantic
Bringing your skis or snowboard on a flight can cost anything from £17.50 per set (Thomas Cook) to £40 per item (Ryanair). It’s quite a lot to spend when you consider how expensive seasonal flights to Geneva are during the winter. Some airlines understand: Virgin Atlantic and Swiss allow you to bring your skis, poles and boots on board for free, in addition to your existing baggage allowance.
Discounted ‘Extras’ with Monarch
Monarch offers free flights for ski equipment, and they throw in a few added extras for ski passengers too. 15% off car rental with Avis and 5% off ski rental with Skiset are two examples, as well as 20% off travel insurance for early birds who booked before October. Monarch offers flights to Grenoble, Innsbruck, Verona, and other popular resorts.
Free Ski Pass at Nira Alpina hotel, Switzerland
The Nira Alpina hotel in Silvaplana is giving every paying guest a free ski pass for the Engandin/St Moritz region. Not bad when you consider that a six day pass usually costs £275 per person, and a night’s stay at the luxury hotel also includes internet, breakfast, and spa access. Other hotels in St Moritz are following their lead, offering ski passes for as little as £16, so shop around.
Discounted Lift Tickets in Utah
If you’ve booked flights to Salt Lake City for your ski holiday, it’s worth popping into Canyon Sports or AJ Motor Sports before you hit the slopes. These stores have a deal with Utah’s ski resorts to sell discount lift passes. You can pick up anything from a $22 discount at the Canyons, to a ‘ski free after three’ pass for Alta.
Crystal Inns ski packages, Utah
Crystal Inn have three hotels in Utah, all offering the same great ski deals this season. Their SuperPass deal is particularly good, with four nights stay for the price of three plus a Salt Lake City ‘SuperPass’ granting lift access to Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude. The free ski storage, free airport transfer, and free local transfer are just icing on the cake.
