Are you a last minute holiday booker? An organised group leader who books a year in advance? Or perhaps you are constantly perplexed by when is best to book your next ski holiday? At Flagstone Travel we believe that early booking is hugely beneficial for quite a number of reasons. If you want to find out why then take a read below where I have highlighted some of the benefits to booking your ski holiday early.

     1. Early Booking Discounts: 

Some properties offer discounted rates and incentivise booking early. Other chalets may offer their properties for the same price as the current season for early bookers as they will put the prices up in April once this winter season is over. By getting a head start this means you benefit from the best price, before prices are revised for the next season and as is inevitably the case, prices go up. 

The Chalet Rachelle is one such chalet that benefits guests who book early. A 5* ski-in chalet that was renovated for winter 2019-20 with hot-tub, sauna, games area and a beautiful living space, it is ideal for 10-12 guests. Book this catered chalet in Méribel at this year’s prices, but guests need to act quickly before prices go up for next season.

Club Med are an all-inclusive hotel group who hugely incentive early booking. Each January when prices are released for the following winter, there’s guaranteed savings of 15%. As rooms fill up and the allocated discount is used, this then decreases in turn to 10% and then 0%. Peak dates fill up exceptionally fast as savvy skiers see the value in having their lift pass, ski lessons, travel and all-inclusive board wrapped up in one excellent value package. 

For more information on each resort, see below: 

Club Med Alpe d’Huez – a distinguished newly built resort. 

Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon – recently built and a ski-in/ski-out family favourite. 

Club Med La Plagne 2100 – fantastic value with an easy ski location. 

Club Med Les Arcs Panorama – a beautiful new purpose built ski-in/ski-out resort. 

Club Med Peisey-Vallandry – ideal for exploring the resorts of La Plagne and Les Arcs. 

Club Med Tignes Val Claret – high altitude and snow-sure resort that’s fantastic value. 

Club Med Val d’Isère – ski-in/ski-out, snow-sure and one of the best value.

Club Med Val Thorens Sensations – modern with unique styling in a perfect location and a more adult focus.

     2. Choice: 

It’s quite simple really, the best chalets and hotels get booked up exceptionally quickly. The week that many guests return from their last holiday they re-book to ensure their holiday for next year. This also includes those with the best facilities, best location, in the best resorts and the best value properties.

As specialists in the ski industry with years of experience we can each pinpoint numerous properties that will start to sell out over the coming months, be that for popular peak or off-peak dates. It might be the ever popular corporate weekend breaks at the Chalet Montfort in St. Anton, the interconnecting family rooms at the Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon, the allure of the outdoor hot-tub of the Chalet Milou in Verbier, if you want the perfect match and to avoid missing out then get in touch now.

     3. Smaller upfront payments:

For those that look forward to skiing each year but leave things a little last minute, it can be an expensive holiday to stump up for last minute. Especially with this winter offering less last minute holidays than ever before. By booking early and just paying a deposit this leaves time to save for your holiday. Generally the final balance is due 12 weeks prior to travel and we can help with splitting payments from deposit through to this point. See our worked example below: 

Stay at the lovely Chalet Alaska in Morzine on the 7th of March 2021 for £1,309pp with its perfect central location, wet suite with hot-tub and sauna and complimentary beer and wine throughout your stay, as well as flights, transfers and chalet catering included.

Save 10% early booking discount based on 14 guests, which means the adult price is just £1,178.10pp

Pay a deposit on the 10th of February of £238.10. 

Pay an instalment of £315.00 on the 10th of May.

Pay an instalment of £315.00 on the 10th of August.

Make the final payment of £310.00 on the 13th December.

This leaves you with almost three months to make sure you have lift pass, ski hire and spending money set aside.

     4. Groups: 

For groups there is no better option than to book as far in advance as possible. Whilst two or maybe four skiers might get lucky and find a good last minute deal, for groups it is a different story. Booking last minute requires a lot of compromise or proves impossible. Not to mention the stress of holding out for a deal that might never come. 

With groups that book early, not only do you have the luxury of choice of chalets and hotels, and therefore can get that wish-list of ski-in/ski-out, an outdoor hot-tub or even a cinema room or private pool. Combine that with the pick of chalets in resorts, whether you opt for St. Anton, Verbier or Méribel, the choice is yours.

Many properties also incentive groups to book early where groups receive a group discount on non-peak dates. At the Chalet Jacques in Courchevel groups of 10 who take sole use of the chalet receive a £50pp discount.

In addition to this we can help with the pre-booking of lift passes and ski hire so that there’s no rush to add these on just before you go away and you don’t have to organise once in resort. The group leader can then sit back and relax looking forward to the week’s skiing and watching the snow forecast!

     5. Time To Get Organised: 

I’ve touched on the chance to get organised financially by making use of having to pay just a deposit and having the time afterwards to pay the final balance. Getting organised can also mean that group members have plenty of time to coordinate and book their time off work.

If you book your ski holiday in advance you can also book your time off work, ensuring that you get the dates that work for you. This is particularly helpful with groups when different members have different restrictions.

Add to this the intricacies of a group dynamic as well and a little extra time to liaise and coordinate with friends or family is definitely no bad thing. Skiing for us is a holiday that is more fun as a group, whether that’s a group of friends, your extended family or several families together. Staying in a chalet for sole use where you can all relax and spend time together is invaluable. These types of holiday take time to plan, booking early means you will all be able to travel together but also can all look forward to the time away.

Skiing is an activity that requires equipment, even if you are hiring your skis or snowboard, you will need to get the right clothing, knowing you are going in advance means that you can make the most of the ski clothing shops sales in March and April, so that you are fully prepared.

Whether you are a couple looking for excellent value skiing for next winter, a group in search of the perfect chalet option, a family wanting childcare or family-friendly facilities, or a corporate group in search of a weekend away, our specialists are here to help, so get in touch now.