Collapse of Sterling Set to Have Implications in Some Ski Countries for Next Winter
27th September 2022
Last modified on September 30th, 2022
In some resorts prices will likely be higher next season as the pound continues to fall. It will be most sharply felt in US and Swiss resorts, but less so in Canada and much of the Alps. It comes as rising energy prices may raise the cost of lift tickets. UPDATED
The fall is not good news for UK skiers and snowboarders wanting to head to ski in the USA this winter.
Sterling has hit an all-time low against the US dollar and offers a lower rate against the Canadian dollar and the Euro.
It has also fallen sharply against the Swiss franc which is seen as a ‘safe haven currency’.
- Against the US dollar the pound currently stands at $1.08. Last season it was $1.37.
- Against the Canadian dollar it is $1.48. Last winter it was $1.77
- Against the euro it is €1.12. Last season it was €1.19.
- Against the Swiss franc it is CHF 1.07. Last season it was CHF 1.25.
It should be pointed out that in-resort costs in the USA (meals & drinks) are generally cheaper than in-resort costs in Europe.
The exchange rate may of course alter ahead of the season with the Bank of England preparing to take action to prop up the pound, but at the moment it is causing extra concern for those heading to the USA and Switzerland in particular.
Currency exchange at Gatwick airport. Image © PlanetSKI
Ski holidays are generally getting more expensive with few of the pre-season deals around.
Ski France is offering 40% off some of its chalets.
Skiworld is the first of the big operators to offer deals with a ‘Flash Sale’ now on.
Skiworld is offering savings of up to £660 per person on Christmas & New Year catered chalets with holidays from £689 per person.
Otherwise prices are remaining fairly stable across the board.
It is unlikely there will be the usual early season discounting as most operators are reporting brisk business.
It all comes as energy prices are set to impact significantly on ski resorts.
Ski resorts use up huge amounts of energy on everything from running the lifts, making artificial snow and keeping buildings warm.
In France energy cost represent around 5% of their budget, some predict this could rise to up to 25%.
How much of the price rise is passed on to skiers and snowboarders remains to be seen as levels of possible government business support have not been established.
One resort, Laax in Switzerland, has already said it will not be raising prices.
It says passes will remain the same price as the 2021-22 ski season, with day passes starting at 55 CHF.
It goes on to say that this “unlike many other Swiss and Austrian ski resorts which will be forced to drastically increase prices due to the cost of purchasing energy.”
Laax says it is able to freeze prices as it has already purchased its energy for the next two years until 2024.
Laax, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
We have further details in this earlier report on PlanetSKI:
An upside for the resorts in Europe is that they have become more attractive for visitors from the USA as the dollar strengthens.
With the Ikon Pass offering more resorts in Europe some resorts expect to see more visitors from across the Pond this coming season.
Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI
Here at PlanetSKI we will be keeping a keen eye on currency fluctuations, plus reporting on what deals and discounts are on offer for next season to bring things within budget.
We have posted some in our Deals & Discounts Section.
They include:
★ New Ski destination to Bosnia and Herzegovina with Crystalski
★ FLASH SALE with Ski France … Time Sensitive so don’t miss out
★ Complimentary transfers with VIP SKI
Do check back…
Image c/o PlanetSKI
