Thousands of British holidaymakers are flocking to the ski slopes of France, Italy, and other European favourites in search of perfect powder. However, a widespread booking blunder is leaving many facing unexpected costs and disappointment upon arrival.
The Peak Season Pitfall for Chalet Bookings
According to Alex Dyer, a chalet expert and head of customer success at tour operator Ski Vertigo, a critical mistake is being made during the busiest weeks. While chalets are a popular and cosy choice for families and groups, services can vary dramatically when demand is highest.
Many Brits mistakenly assume a peak-season chalet booking automatically includes full catering, daily housekeeping, airport transfers, and facility access. In reality, the intense demand of school holidays often leads to reduced services, which may not be clearly advertised during the booking process.
"Travellers should not 'assume peak season means premium service'," Dyer cautions. He explains that to manage the surge, some accommodations offer limited cleaning schedules, scaled-back catering, or put essential services behind a paywall as add-ons.
Consequences of Unchecked Bookings
This discrepancy between expectation and reality can quickly sour a holiday. Groups arriving anticipating a fully catered retreat can find themselves facing substantial extra charges or missing services altogether.
Alex Dyer warns that such misunderstandings during these hectic ski weeks frequently lead to tense situations between guests and hosts. Disagreements over services, rules, or unexpected payments can escalate rapidly when the holiday on the ground doesn't match the brochure promise.
The clear advice from experts is to "slow down bookings" and scrutinise every detail. The travel association ABTA also strongly recommends holidaymakers check exactly what is included in their package before confirming any trip.
Finding Value on the Slopes
For those planning their ski getaway, recent research highlights some excellent value destinations. The Post Office Travel Money annual ski resort report, compiled with Crystal Ski Holidays, identified top budget-friendly spots.
The study analysed costs for lift passes, ski hire, tuition, and food and drink across 32 European resorts. Bardonecchia in north-west Italy ranked as the cheapest resort for adults.
For family ski trips, Passo Tonale in the Trentino region took the number one spot for value for the second consecutive year. A week's holiday there was calculated to cost approximately £1,797 for a family.
This contrasts sharply with the most expensive resort analysed, Saalbach in Austria, where a week could cost a staggering £4,060—more than double the price of the Italian favourite.
