Cheap flights bring five star fun within three star budgets
An avalanche of low cost flights to Grenoble are opening up the French Alps to a new generation of ski fans.
Gloucester-based Take Me To (Ski), who have just completed a major refurbishment of the landmark Hotel Les Grandes Rousses in the Alpine resort of L’Alpe d’huez, have reported an upsurge in interest triggered by the increased availability of cheap flights to the region.
Low-cost operators are now offering flights in and out of Grenoble from all the major UK airports including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Stansted, Edinburgh, Luton and Liverpool.
Ski brand manager Chris Wadley said: “Up until quite recently people looking for a bargain break wouldn’t put the French Alps at the top of their list. But increased availability of cheaper flights to Grenoble cuts down people’s travel costs and brings five star holidays within the range of three star budgets.
”We tie up the loose ends by ensuring our customers get the best deals at time of booking by offering a range of departure dates and packages to coincide with the best value flights. We work around the customers’ needs rather than the other way round.”
The most common methods of getting from Grenoble Isere Airport to Alpe d'Huez are by transfer bus or hire car which takes around an hour and a quarter.
Take Me To (Ski) offers a range of transfer options to and from Grenoble and Lyon airports and affordable rates for transfers to other resorts for people to sample some of the other pistes in the area.
Chris Wadley said: “These days our customers are more likely to be making their own travel arrangements rather than taking a package tour. The rise of low cost airlines which offer a more flexible and dynamic approach to short haul European destinations has opened up the Alps as never before.”
He said: “Reducing travel costs and time brings the pistes that much closer to home and this is one reason European ski resorts are witnessing an increase in searches this summer.”
Fact File
Seven nights chalet board stay in the Hotel Les Grandes Rousses in Alpe d’Huez from:
£245 per person based on six people sharing a Family Duplex
£315 per person based on four people sharing a Family Suite
£345 per person based on two people sharing a standard room
Seven nights Chalet Board stay in Chalets Bluetree or Alpine 1550 in Tignes from:
£195 per person based on 16 people sharing a whole chalet
£215 per person based on eight or more people sharing
£235 per person based on two people sharing a twin room
*Chalet Board includes breakfast, afternoon tea & cakes and 3 course evening meal with wine