It may be cold and icy on the slopes but one thing that is certainly not frosty is the snow bunny babes that grace it. Not only are these girls top of their game in snow sports, they enviably have the looks to create a total package, the Anna Kournikova’s of the slopes! Read on for a low down on the top five snow babes that will definitely melt the ice!
Two questions will dominate the minds of most skiers this year and next. The first is ‘will there be enough snow?’ That is relatively easier to answer then the second question; ‘can I afford to go?’ Weather reports for weeks in advance are now available from most resorts allowing skiers to assess whether or not to visit at certain times. However for most of us operating on increasingly restricted budgets it isn’t the weather that is foremost on our mind.
There are many things to consider in the 2011/2012 ski season, price appearing at the top of most people’s lists. Due to the stagnant economic climate exchange rates have been badly affected – particularly in Europe. Money isn’t going as far as before and as a result, skiers from all economic backgrounds are counting the pennies a lot more then they were last year. One element that has taken a hit includes the amount skiers are willing to pay for insurance. Winter ski travel insurance is a must have for all skiers and boarders heading to the slopes, but owing to the economic downturn the premiums people are willing to pay have decreased. Fortunately many of the tour operators and insurance companies have recognised the challenges and have acted accordingly.
A lot of operators still suffering from three seasons of tough conditions both financially and practically (owing to bad weather), have been forced to re-examine their priorities. It has resulted in some companies going out of business entirely. However the remaining companies have boxed clever and are offering holidays and breaks at reduced rates. Insurance companies have followed suit realising that if skiers are unable to afford holidays at the old rates, then they are hardly likely to pay higher rates for getting insured. The result of these changes has opened up a whole series of budget breaks available for all levels of skier. You just have to be a little more careful where you look.
All the operators have had their backs against the wall in the past year and many are still determined to offer holidays and breaks at last year’s rates. Those that do are attempting to woo customers with all sorts of ‘added value’ extras to the ticket price. Free lift passes; two-for-one ski and board rentals, free child travel, hotel vouchers and free lunches are all cropping up as extras when booking a trip. Whilst these extra options are welcome, they do not negate the fact that the trip prices are still high for a world unable to spend what it used to.
The key to planning your ski trip this year is to look around a lot more before booking. Despite the number of companies and operators dropping, there will still be many last minute bargains to be had both in terms of insurance and travel.
