France is set for a successful ski season

France is ready for the new winter season with good early ski holiday sales reported by tour operators and hopes to replicate last year’s excellent figures. France will be hosting the World Alpine Ski Championship in Val d’Isère from 3 to 15 February and will benefit from an extensive media coverage giving an insight into the attractions of our resorts and ski domains.

According to the “Ski Industry Report 2008” recently published by Crystal Holidays, the ski market as a whole shows strong early bookings even if the credit crunch is now very present. France continues to hold the dominant position in the market with a 37.5% share, followed by Austria with 21.8%.

For the new season, many resorts have invested in the renewal of their accommodation and in long-term sustainable tourism projects.

In Montgenèvre, for instance, the ski lift company has obtained the triple QSE certification (quality, security, environment) making it the first European resort to conform to international credentials. In Courchevel, a new ecological project will open in 2009 in the shape of six chalets with gardens.

Brand new hotels are opening amongst others in Chamonix, Courchevel, Les Arcs, Megève, Tignes and Val d’Isère.

Self-drive is still a popular option for many skiers travelling to France and the overnight snow train from St Pancras International to six stations in the French Alps operated by Rail Europe and Eurostar allows skiers to have up to an additional two days on the slopes during an eight day stay.

According to Jean-Pierre Courteau, UK director of Maison de la France "French ski resorts are investing a lot of money to improve their accommodation and to offer skiers a greener environment and these improvements should help France to keep its pole position with British skiers. The development of low-cost carrier network means there are now more flights from UK regional airports to the Alps and Pyrenees, allowing skiers direct access to the resorts”.

For more information, log on to Franceguide.com.