Aussies enjoy luxury skiing in Europe

28th September 2016, by Abi Butcher

Consensio's new luxury Chalet Calistoga in Val d’Isère

Australians have overtaken Russians in the luxury chalet holiday market – having doubled from 5% over the 2014/15 season to 10% of the market last year, while Russian bookings dropped from 12% to 9% over the same period. Britons remain the strongest market – accounting for 55% of bookings.

When asked what customers look for in a luxury chalet holiday, while price remains the most important, quality of service has moved up to fourth place from sixth — and when on holiday, skiers are spending markedly more on childcare and less on items such as masseurs. Resort, chalet location, size and facilities are also of critical importance.

More than half the bookings of luxury holidays were made by men, and more than half by those aged in the 40-60 age group.

Over the 2015/16 ski season Verbier remained the most popular ski resort in Switzerland among the luxury market, with Zermatt in second place, and in France Val d’Isère leads the pack with 30% of the votes with Meribel, Courchevel and Morzine next in favour.

Skiers heading on a luxury holiday are dropping the private jets and helicopters, with more people choosing to self-drive last season (up to 12% from 7%) and though EasyJet and British Airways remain the most popular airline, Consensio reports a “noticeable increase” in the use of Swiss and Ryanair.

• ski
• france
• switzerland
• verbier
• zermatt
• courchevel
• morzine
• luxury

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