Shoulder Season Skiers on the Rise

eighth September 2025

Extra skiers and snowboarders are selecting to go out throughout the shoulder season – forward of Xmas and within the Spring after the February half-term.

It appears skiers search to make the most of quieter slopes and higher worth.

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

The bottom level was in 2017, however demand bounced again dramatically the next yr, up 64.1%, earlier than peaking in 2019 and once more in 2024.

Even the sharp COVID-related drop in 2021 (-60.8%) has been adopted by a robust, sustained restoration.

The pattern is being fuelled by retirees free from work commitments and households with out youngsters who aren’t certain by college vacation dates.

For them, early December affords festive attraction with out the Christmas crush.

VIP SKI properties are all above 1,800m with extra reliable snow.

In Val d’Isère, for instance, the season opens on 30 November, providing among the highest and most snow-sure snowboarding in Europe, with pistes reaching 3,400m.

On the different finish of the shoulder season, March and April snowboarding is having fun with its personal surge in recognition.

Final yr noticed one of many largest April snowfalls on document since 1994, with 90cm falling in La Plagne at 2,000m on 17 April 2025.

Spring snowboarding additionally appeals to households with very younger youngsters, who profit from longer sunlight hours, and milder climate.

In 2024/25, household bookings for spring rose by 10.8%, persevering with a year-on-year upward pattern.

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

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

Costs embody day by day continental or cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner on six days, twice weekly canapes and return transfers from Geneva Airport.  

This additionally features a free six-day Espace Killy carry move. VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com)  

Val d’Isere, France. Picture © PlanetSKI

Go there: This season sees the disclosing of Graciosa in La Plagne, a brand new improvement.

A seven-night keep within the Annapurna Suite (sleeps 4 – 8 visitors), from 22 March 2026, prices from £1,471pp.

Graciosa has household bedrooms with bunk beds, if the third or fourth mattress in a room is occupied, it is going to be eligible for a reduction of fifty% off the grownup worth.

Value consists of day by day 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,. Picture c/o VIP SKI.

VIP SKI is providing an extra earlybird supply till 31 October 2025.

About VIP Ski

VIP SKI is a proudly British, owner-operated chalet firm based on the idea that luxurious ski holidays needs to be indulgent but accessible.

With roots within the basic catered chalet expertise, the model has spent over 30 years perfecting the artwork of alpine hospitality.

Right now, VIP SKI’s assortment of chalets and lodges sits at a median altitude of 1,967m, putting it in a special league to most.

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

All holidays are delivered by VIP SKI’s personal hand-picked groups, famend for his or her heat, attentiveness, and intuitive service.

Whether or not for {couples}, households, or teams of buddies, every keep might be personalised with considerate extras comparable to in-chalet childcare, non-public transfers, and bespoke catering, guaranteeing a simple and memorable expertise on and off the slopes. 

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