How to get the best value from your school ski trip
Our experienced team have been organising school ski trips for years, here are a few things we've learnt along the way
There’s no getting around it, skiing is expensive. So why do hundreds of UK schools take to the slopes every winter?
There are plenty of answers to that question; experiencing a new culture, promoting a healthy & active lifestyle, learning new skills & developing resilience, and not forgetting that it’s great fun! However, it is vital that school ski trips are accessible to as many pupils as possible and this usually comes down to price.
Take a look at our top tips for keeping costs down on your next school ski trip:
Coach vs. Flight
Whilst there are advantages to flying (mainly time-related!) this can come at a significant cost – especially over February Half Term. We find that the difference between coaching and flying can be up to £250 per pupil in peak weeks.
The exception to this is during term time as flights are much cheaper, leading us to the next top tip:
Off-Peak Weeks
Nobody savours the sight of a mile-long lift queue, so why not skip the queues and travel outside of February Half Term? We have plenty of resorts that are suitable for late-season skiing.
Alternatively, you could also travel before Christmas or in January or March; we’re seeing more schools approve term-time trips in an effort to keep their trips affordable.
Give Plenty of Time
“Plan ahead and consider a biannual trip. 18 month payment plans have been hugely successful in improving our uptake”
Group Leader, City Academy of London, Southwark
Giving more time for parents to make payments can also increase uptake on your school ski trip because the monthly commitment falls below £100.
Pick Your Destination Wisely
The UK adult market loves to ski in France, Austria and Switzerland, however the big ski areas tend to come at greater costs, so it’s best to look elsewhere for your school trip.
Italy and Andorra would be our picks, and with Energy Travel having offices in Italy, we have access to the best pricing in some of the best resorts in the country!
The resort you choose also plays a big part, quite often the biggest resorts aren’t the most suitable for a school ski trip. If you’re likely to have a lot of beginners on board, you’d be best looking to smaller resorts that can offer better value and greater convenience.
The resort you choose also plays a big part, quite often the biggest resorts aren’t the most suitable for a school ski trip. If you’re likely to have a lot of beginners on board, you’d be best looking to lesser known resorts such as Presolana and Santa Caterina Valfurva that offer piste-side hotels at affordable prices.
Fundraising
Many local authorities and trusts will have schemes to offer experiences to children from lower income families, we’ve seen up to £250pp contributions in recent years which can make a huge impact on the affordability of a trip!
Fundraising events are also a popular choice, students can put together a plan to raise funds towards their trip, and donations from families in better financial positions are not unheard of.
Middle-Aisle Specials
Last but not least, it’s important to educate parents on the additional costs of the trip; whilst a first-time-skier will need to kit themselves out with the gear to keep themselves warm & comfortable on the slopes, this doesn’t have to cost the Earth.
Encourage parents to check out middle-aisle specials and budget sports retailers like Decathlon, these items can also make great family Christmas presents – I’d always take some new ski gear over another Lynx Africa set!
