The overall cost of skiing has fallen in France and the US.

As the 2009/2010 ski season approaches, research from the Post Office has shown that the overall cost of skiing has fallen in France and the US.

Due to continued economic uncertainty, a weak pound, and the rise of airline fuel surcharges, the number of Britons taking skiing holidays has significantly fallen. In the season 2008/09 numbers fell to just over one million people, a 13% decrease on the previous season.

As a result of this some ski resorts, notably in France and the US, have cut the overall cost of their products and services in order to attract skiers to their resorts.

According to the Post Office Ski Resort Report 2009, which compared the projected costs of a six-day lift pass and ski equipment hire alongside essentials such as meals and alcohol, it found that combined costs will fall in certain resorts in France and the US by 11%.

Other countries, however, have increased their prices considerably – with Norway upping costs by 26% and Finland and Germany by 23%. The most expensive countries to ski in are Canada, Switzerland and the US, whilst the cheapest are Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy and France.

France remains a good choice for many skiers, with a lift pass in the French resort of Courchevel costing £129.95, while a pass in the neighbouring Swiss resort of Verbier will cost nearly twice that, at £205.99.

A spokesperson for Alpine Elements, a company that specialises in high altitude ski holidays throughout the French Alps, said: “It’s good to see Courchevel trying to curb the effects of the economic downturn by enticing skiers with cheaper prices. The slopes are still there and the snow is still thick.”

Alpine Elements offer a variety of ski holidays to Courchevel and various other resorts throughout the French Alps. They also offer discounts for group ski holidays, ski lessons for beginners and skiing insurance cover.

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