Keep An Eye Out For Those Last Minute Ski Deals

About 25 years ago, even before the snow had fully melted from the previous season, the office doorway of Skier and Snowboarder magazine would start to resemble a mini mountain range, created by piles of glossy ski holiday brochures. They would tumble in through the letterbox on a daily basis, threatening to block the entrance.

These glossy – and expensive to produce, package and post – publications were invariably accompanied by money-saving early booking offers to tempt skiers and snowboarders.

Customers making an early booking would hand over a deposit, which helped ski holiday specialists maintain a cash flow through the summer months, until the full payment was due a few weeks before jetting off to snow-covered mountains.

For many skiers and snowboarders, early booking isn’t just about helping the operators’ bank balance; it is about choice – securing the perfect chalet, apartment, or hotel in the perfect resort, at the perfect time.

A Shift in Behaviour: The Rise of the Last-Minute Skier

Fast-forward to the past decade, and this scene has changed significantly. The mountain of early-booking brochures has given way to a new breed of skier and snowboarder on the lookout for last-minute ski deals.

How Technology Transformed Ski Booking Habits

Why the shift? In the old days, news of last-minute ski deals were found on Teletext (remember that?) or in a mass mail-out through the postal system. Today, the internet has changed the game. Instant website access, targeted email alerts, live resort webcams, and up-to-the-minute snow reports mean skiers and snowboarders can now identify the best conditions before committing.

The rise of digital technology also enables airlines, hotels, and ski operators to use dynamic pricing. Unsold planes, hotel rooms, and ski packages are often discounted to fill empty beds and plane seats, creating bargains for the flexible traveller.

Economic Pressures Driving Last-Minute Demand

Past research has shown that, during times of economic uncertainty, many skiers and snowboarders will skip going away for the summer in order to be able to afford their annual ski and snowboard holiday.

The current economic pressure on households means skiers and snowboarders are again on the lookout for last-minute ski deals and are ready to pounce if and when the price is right.

The Trade-Off: Flexibility vs. Certainty

Of course, there’s a trade-off. Last-minute ski deals can save you money, but reduce the choice of where you may end up skiing and snowboarding. The danger for tour operators is that if last-minute ski deals become the norm with customers, it will squeeze margins, and specialist ski companies may be forced to increase rates and/or decrease the number of resorts and accommodation they offer.

The good news is, if you are flexible, late ski deal offers will suit your needs, but if you prefer a bit of certainty and peace of mind over where you want to end up skiing and snowboarding, then follow the valuable piece of advice – ‘book early to avoid disappointment’.

Explore Last Minute Ski Deals at Ski Line

The Ski Line website contains many types of last-minute ski deals. You can view them in the special offers section or use the chat facility to talk to one of the experts.