Now could be the time to try a self-catering ski holiday

With terms like ‘credit crunch’ and ‘higher cost of living’, ski holidays this winter begin to look like a luxury, but is there a way to still get your fix of snow without hurting your bank balance?

At Erna Low, they would say yes! Having researched the cost of typical catered chalet holidays against the price of their self drive, self catered packages they can offer considerable savings on the cost of a ski holiday meaning that you do not need to forgo your week in the snow this coming winter.

For example, for a family of 4 persons, w/c 4th April, a catered chalet (with flights and transfers) in Arc 1800 would set you back over £3000. But book exactly the same accommodation on a self catered basis with a return Eurotunnel crossing with Free FlexiPlus upgrade, factor in food*, tolls and petrol and you could save over £885! Other comparisons of similar accommodation showed the savings could be even more – over £2000 in some instances.

“Self catered apartments are no longer what they used to be - with brand new luxury developments such as the 4* resort of Arc 1950, new top class residences and high quality renovations by companies such as Pierre et Vacances, you can find everything from a cosy studio apartment to a luxury 10+ person chalet-style apartment with free access to swimming pools, saunas and hot tubs,” says Becky Borrow, Head of Sales, Erna Low.

So maybe this is the winter to take a drive down to the Alps to save on flight costs? With an average journey time of 10/12 hours, the Alps are not as far away as they may seem – allow for check in times, waiting for your luggage, getting to and from airports at either end and flying doesn’t necessarily get you there any quicker. With Erna Low’s free upgrade to the Eurotunnel FlexiPlus ticket, you have the flexibility and comfort of travelling in your own car and taking the journey at your own pace.

After 76 years in the industry, Erna Low is committed to offering the highest quality holidays at the lowest prices and its knowledgeable and friendly sales team will find something to suit everyone’s requirements. With a superb selection of accommodation and resorts, great discounts available on non-peak dates and the flexibility to allow you to book as much or as little as you need, maybe this is the year to give self catering a try?

Visit Ernalow.co.uk to see a full selection of ski accommodation in the finest resorts. Or visit Erna Low at the Metro Ski Show 2008 at Olympia, London (22-26 Oct) on stand 426 in the World Resorts Village.