Shoulder Season Skiers on the Rise

8th September 2025

Last modified on September 11th, 2025

More skiers and snowboarders are choosing to head out during the shoulder season – ahead of Xmas and in the Spring after the February half-term.

It seems skiers seek to take advantage of quieter slopes and better value.

The UK operator, VIP SKI, has seen a steady rise in shoulder season demand over the past decade, with early December bookings growing by 31.1% from 2014 to 2024.

The lowest point was in 2017, but demand bounced back dramatically the following year, up 64.1%, before peaking in 2019 and again in 2024.

Even the sharp COVID-related drop in 2021 (-60.8%) has been followed by a strong, sustained recovery.

The trend is being fuelled by retirees free from work commitments and households without children who aren’t bound by school holiday dates.

For them, early December offers festive charm without the Christmas crush.

VIP SKI properties are all above 1,800m with more dependable snow.

In Val d’Isère, for example, the season opens on 30 November, offering some of the highest and most snow-sure skiing in Europe, with pistes reaching 3,400m.

At the other end of the shoulder season, March and April skiing is enjoying its own surge in popularity.

Last year saw one of the largest April snowfalls on record since 1994, with 90cm falling in La Plagne at 2,000m on 17 April 2025.

Spring skiing also appeals to families with very young children, who benefit from longer daylight hours, and milder weather.

In 2024/25, family bookings for spring rose by 10.8%, continuing a year-on-year upward trend.

Image c/o VIP SKI

Go there: Val d’Isère sat at 1,850 m and pistes reaching as high as 3,400m.

A seven-night stay at No 1 Bellevarde in Val d’Isere, arriving 30 November 2025, is priced at 1,060 pp, based on twin occupancy.

Prices include daily continental or cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner on six days, twice weekly canapes and return transfers from Geneva Airport.  

This also includes a free six-day Espace Killy lift pass. VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com)  

Val d’Isere, France. Image © PlanetSKI

Go there: This season sees the unveiling of Graciosa in La Plagne, a new development.

A seven-night stay in the Annapurna Suite (sleeps 4 – 8 guests), from 22 March 2026, costs from £1,471pp.

Graciosa has family bedrooms with bunk beds, if the third or fourth bed in a room is occupied, it will be eligible for a discount of 50% off the adult price.

Price includes daily continental or cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner on six days, twice weekly canapes and return transfers from Geneva Airport.   

VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com)  

‘Graciosa’, La Plagne,. Image c/o VIP SKI.

VIP SKI is offering an additional earlybird offer until 31 October 2025.

About VIP Ski

VIP SKI is a proudly British, owner-operated chalet company founded on the belief that luxury ski holidays should be indulgent yet accessible.

With roots in the classic catered chalet experience, the brand has spent over 30 years perfecting the art of alpine hospitality.

Today, VIP SKI’s collection of chalets and hotels sits at an average altitude of 1,967m, placing it in a different league to most.

Its carefully chosen high-altitude resorts – Avoriaz (1,800m), Arc 1950, La Plagne Centre (1,970m) and Val d’Isère (1,850m) – offer doorstep skiing and dependable snow from early December to mid-April.

All holidays are delivered by VIP SKI’s own hand-picked teams, renowned for their warmth, attentiveness, and intuitive service.

Whether for couples, families, or groups of friends, each stay can be personalised with thoughtful extras such as in-chalet childcare, private transfers, and bespoke catering, ensuring an effortless and memorable experience on and off the slopes. 

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