Latest booking statistics released by easyJet show that skiers are breaking the mould of the traditional Saturday  to Saturday ski holidays and are travelling throughout the week, attracted by the lower fares on mid-week flights.

In addition, accommodation sales through the easyJet ski portal show that skiers are looking for convenience and a  short airport-resort transfer time, with figures showing the following top ten destinations for easyJet skiers  this season:

1. Chamonix, France
2. Avoriaz, France
3. Meribel, France
4. Les Arcs 1800, France
5. Pas de la Casa, Andorra
6. Val d’Isere, France
7. Kitzbuhel, Austria
8. Innsbruck, Austria
9. Soll, Austria
10. Arinsal, Andorra

easyJet caught the mood of independent British skiers with the launch of their new ski accommodation booking  portal at the start of the 2010 ski season. The portal offers flexible accommodation and ski pack bookings and has  already allowed thousands of skiers to find accommodation to match the best value easyJet flights.

Charles Martin, easyJet’s Partnership Manager commented:

“France attracts over 50% of all British skiers, so its no surprise to see French resorts taking the top slots.  Chamonix and Avoriaz are real favorites with British skiers, thanks to the ease of access from Geneva with  transfer times of just over and hour, coupled with the wide availability of easyJet flights from across 13 UK  airports.”

Whilst the popular Austrian resorts of Kitzbühel and Söll are within easy reach of Innsbruck, between 30-90mins  transfer time, which is a relatively new route for the airline and is proving to be a success with independent  skiers.

The inclusion of the Andorran resorts of Pas de la Casa and Arinsal in the top ten is somewhat of a surprise.
Although further from the arrival airports, with transfer times from Barcelona of 3 hours, Andorra offers Brits  great value, with its tax-free resorts and lively après ski, while investment in lifts in recent years has brought  them up on a par with some of the top French resorts.”

With excellent snow conditions in European ski resorts this year, easyJet believes bookings will continue  throughout Easter as skiers take advantage of its unbeatable range of ski flights from 13 UK airports to 9  European ski airports, across 6 countries.

A quick search today on http://ski.easyjet.com will find you:

• 3 nights self catering in the 4 star Residence le Crets, Meribel Valley, France for £107pp, based on 4 sharing  (23rd March 3 nights) – Flights from Gatwick to Geneva from £51.98pp

• 3 nights self catering in the 3 star La Riviere, Chamonix, France for £87pp, based on 2 sharing (13th April 3  nights) – Flights from Gatwick to Geneva from £67.98pp

• 3 nights half-board in the 4 star Hotel Alpin Park, Innsbruck, Austria for £149pp, based on 2 sharing (23rd  March 3 nights) – Flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck from £48.98pp

Grab some last minute snow once the half term crowds have dispersed. The Tyrolean village of Dobbiaco ticks both the cultural and quality skiing boxes thanks to its overlap of Italian and Austrian influences – from painted houses and onion-domed churches to Baroque castles and chic coffee bars – and the all-important presence of world-class ski trails, the most extensive network in the Dolomites.

Dobbiaco is a great place to enjoy guided cross-country skiing as well as independent skiing, with trails even starting at the hotel door. While ideal for beginners to the sport, the snow mecca has hosted the World Cup Cross Country Ski Championships four times making it equally suited those keen to finesse their skills.

The eight day “Cross Country Skiing in Dobbiaco” holiday starts from £899pp, departing 27 February 2010. The price includes four-star accommodation for seven nights with breakfasts and dinners, five two-hour cross country skiing lessons, weekly trail pass with free transport on the regular ski bus, ski equipment hire (skis, boots and poles) and airport transfers. With flights, prices start from £1,148 per person for travelling Gatwick to Innsbruck with Thomson Airways but can be arranged from most UK airports.
? Call Headwater on 01606 720199 or book online at www.headwater.com

Slovenia is set to host a wide variety of events throughout 2010 including World Cup ski jumping, the Bohinj International Wild Flower Festival, the Cow Ball and cultural carnivals.

These are just some of the events being held throughout 2010 in Slovenia.

21st January – 4th April 2010
Pablo Picasso: Bullfights. Myth. Eros

This Ljubljana exhibition of Picasso’s work brings together 11 series of prints, including a selection of prints from the Suite Vollard series that art critics consider to be one of the 20th century’s most important print series. Bullfights, myths and Eros are recurrent themes in these prints. An accompanying programme of workshops, lectures and film screenings will run alongside the exhibition at Mestna Galerija Ljubljana.

www.picasso-clave.si

25th – 31st January 2010
World Winter Masters Games in Bled

The pretty town of Bled will play host to the first ever World Winter Masters Games (WWMG) in January 2010.

The games are open to recreational athletes over the age of 25 competing in sports including ice hockey, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, ski jumping and indoor football.

The WWMG’s opening ceremony will be held in Bled, with a closing ceremony taking place in Kranjska Gora. There will also be a number of other events for participants and spectators to enjoy throughout the games, including gala dinners, tours of Bled Castle and much more.

This is the inaugural winter sports event for the World Masters Games, but the original event has been staged seven times, with over 20,000 amateur athletes participating in the more recent competitions.

www.2010mastersgames.com

6th – 16th February 2010
50th Annual Kurentovanje Festival, Ptuj

This annual takes place in Slovenia’s oldest city, Ptuj, each spring. Kurenti are figures dressed in sheepskin who go around the town wearing masks, a long red tongue, cow bells, multi-coloured ribbons and sometimes feathers and horns. This is one of Slovenia’s most famous carnivals, now in its fiftieth year, which attracts over 100,000 visitors each year. During the festival, Ptuj is alive with music and dancing, competitions and events, plus opportunities to sample local wines and traditional ‘Ptuj chicken’.

www.kurentovanje.net

12th March 2010
Pruning of the Old Vine

The pruning of the official world’s oldest vine in Maribor is a ceremonious occasion each spring. The town’s vinedresser carries out the pruning and the vine’s scions are then presented by the Mayor of Maribor to selected representatives of other wine growing regions as a sign of friendship and co-operation.

www.maribor-pohorje.si/default.aspx?str=284&jezik=2&stran=priporocamo&id_pod=20

18th – 21st March 2010
Ski Jumping and Ski Flying World Cup Final

Planica, an alpine valley in the northwest of Slovenia is famous for its ski jumping, being the first place for a jump of over 100 metres to be registered and where the current World Record of 239 metres was set in 2005.

From 18th March, spectators can witness some of the world’s top ski jumpers take on the jump at Planica. Traditionally, around 1,500 of the crowd come armed with accordions to play Planica’s famous theme song.

Standing tickets cost from €3 per child / €10 per adult and seated tickets start from €30.

With snow conditions at their best across the Alps, and temperatures remaining low, snow conditions for half term skiing will be excellent.

There is still time to book a half term holiday with Ski Freshtracks – skifreshtracks.co.uk.

For adults travelling with children*, Ski Freshtracks Families Half Term Action holiday in Davos gives parents the chance to discover this famous ski resort at their leisure whilst the kids have a half term to remember discovering Davos’ ski areas with Ski Club leaders. Families stay in the 4* Sunstar Parkhotel. £1295 half board incl. scheduled flights, transfers and Ski Club leaders.

For older children** who want a taste of adventure, Families Off Piste week in Andermatt offers quiet slopes, away from the crowded pistes of many resorts with accommodation in the relaxed atmosphere of the 3* Hotel Sonne. Mountain guides are provided all week to take adults and children to find the best of Andermatt’s powder. £1295 half board incl. scheduled flights, transfers and mountain guides.

For adults who are restricted to travelling during this period without children, Ski Freshtracks have availability in Grindelwald, a picturesque corner of the Jungfrau region. Staying in the 4* Sunstar Hotel, single rooms are at no extra supplement. Instruction is included in the price: £1050 half board incl. rail transfers and Ski Club leaders. (Flights available from ~£250).

Several of Slovenia’s ski resorts have undergone developments for the 2009/2010 season, offering skiers and snowboarders new facilities and greater access to the country’s slopes.

The new ski piste linking Slovenia’s Kanin ski resort with the Italian resort of Sella Nevea will have its official opening on December 23rd 2009. This will create the first international ski area in the region, with a new aerial lift and ski run providing a wider choice of slopes for winter sports enthusiasts. A single lift pass will give skiers and snowboarders access to the pistes on both the Slovenian and Italian sides of the border. Daily lift passes for Kanin-Sella Nevea area start from €24 per adult and €15 per child.

December 23rd 2009 will also see the opening of a new gondola lift at Maribor Pohorje, Slovenia’s largest ski area, situated in the northeast of the country. The new lift will run from the foot to the summit of the Pohorje Mountain in six minutes, with a capacity of 1,000 people per hour. This is double the capacity of the previous lift.

One of Slovenia’s most famous resorts, Kranjska Gora, has recently opened a children’s outdoor play area. A new magic carpet lift has been installed to transport young skiers safely. The area is open to all children and is free of charge.

For skiers and snowboarders looking for an adrenalin thrill a new snow park has been created at the Cerkno Resort in northwest Slovenia. The Cerkno Snow Park is aimed at snowboarders and acrobatic skiers and snowboarding and freestyle skiing instructors will available to teach beginners.

Slovenia has over 280 kilometres of ski runs offering downhill skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and cross-country skiing. Also available in selected ski resorts are snowmobile excursions, dogsled rides and horse-drawn sleigh rides.

At present the Slovenian mountains are enjoying regular snowfall with more predicted throughout the season.

Families wishing for a white Christmas can still enjoy a winter wonderland holiday with The Adventure Company.

February half term is a great time for a snow trip, with cross-country skiing, dog sledding and snowshoeing.

Bulgaria, Slovakia and Andorra are all alpine destinations with thick blankets of snow guaranteed – making them perfect winter playgrounds.

The following trips still have availability for February 2010 but, as with all school holidays, families are advised to book early for the best deals on flights.

Bulgarian Winter Experience, February 13 – 20
An action packed centre-based week surrounded by Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains. Staying in the village of Chepelare, which boasts the longest ski run in the country, holidaymakers will have the opportunity to test it out with some downhill and cross-country skiing. A snowshoeing expedition through the forest in search of deer, foxes and wild boar is just one of the highlights of the trip.

The trip costs from £869 for adults and from £789 for children. These prices include flights, accommodation, transport, activities on the itinerary and some meals (seven breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners).

For full trip details visit http://www.adventurecompany.co.uk/trip-details.aspx?productid=77149

Teenage Slovakian Snow Adventure, February 14 – 21
Slovakia is one of Europe’s most mountainous countries and the Tatras Mountains provide the ideal location for a centre based activity week. Learning how to dog sled and handling a team of between two and six dogs is an exciting part of the trip. Travellers will learn how to mush their team and navigate the snow-covered tracks. Also included in the itinerary are skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, swimming in thermal pools and dinner with a Slovak family.

The trip costs £899 per person. These prices include flights, accommodations, transport, activities on the itinerary and some meals (seven breakfasts and two lunches).

For full trip details visit http://www.adventurecompany.co.uk/trip-details.aspx?productid=48910

Winter Activity Week, Andorra, February 14 – 21
Igloos are a vital component of mountain survival and travellers will be taught how to make their own during this trip. There will be the opportunity to speed through the snow-covered forest on both snowmobile and dog sled, before trying out the oldest form of mountain transport – snowshoe.

The trip costs from £1,069 for both adults and children. The price includes flights, accommodation, transport, activities on the itinerary and some meals (seven breakfasts and six dinners).

Families wishing for a white Christmas can still enjoy a winter wonderland holiday with The Adventure Company.

February half term is a great time for a snow trip, with cross-country skiing, dog sledding and snowshoeing.

Bulgaria, Slovakia and Andorra are all alpine destinations with thick blankets of snow guaranteed – making them perfect winter playgrounds.

The following trips still have availability for February 2010 but, as with all school holidays, families are advised to book early for the best deals on flights.

Bulgarian Winter Experience, February 13 – 20
An action packed centre-based week surrounded by Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains. Staying in the village of Chepelare, which boasts the longest ski run in the country, holidaymakers will have the opportunity to test it out with some downhill and cross-country skiing. A snowshoeing expedition through the forest in search of deer, foxes and wild boar is just one of the highlights of the trip.

The trip costs from £869 for adults and from £789 for children. These prices include flights, accommodation, transport, activities on the itinerary and some meals (seven breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners).

For full trip details visit http://www.adventurecompany.co.uk/trip-details.aspx?productid=77149

Teenage Slovakian Snow Adventure, February 14 – 21
Slovakia is one of Europe’s most mountainous countries and the Tatras Mountains provide the ideal location for a centre based activity week. Learning how to dog sled and handling a team of between two and six dogs is an exciting part of the trip. Travellers will learn how to mush their team and navigate the snow-covered tracks. Also included in the itinerary are skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, swimming in thermal pools and dinner with a Slovak family.

The trip costs £899 per person. These prices include flights, accommodations, transport, activities on the itinerary and some meals (seven breakfasts and two lunches).

For full trip details visit http://www.adventurecompany.co.uk/trip-details.aspx?productid=48910

Winter Activity Week, Andorra, February 14 – 21
Igloos are a vital component of mountain survival and travellers will be taught how to make their own during this trip. There will be the opportunity to speed through the snow-covered forest on both snowmobile and dog sled, before trying out the oldest form of mountain transport – snowshoe.

The trip costs from £1,069 for both adults and children. The price includes flights, accommodation, transport, activities on the itinerary and some meals (seven breakfasts and six dinners).

For full trip details visit http://www.adventurecompany.co.uk/trip-details.aspx?productid=33013

For more information about all The Adventure Company’s trips and for reservations visit www.adventurecompany.co.uk or call 0845 609 0890.

As skiers become more adventurous, the demand for courses offering the chance to improve off-piste skills rises. Every week of this winter season, adventure holiday specialist Ski Freshtracks (www.skifreshtracks.co.uk) offers off piste ski courses in the French resort of Chamonix.

Skiers with little experience of skiing off piste can join an ‘Aspirers Powder Practice’ week, while those with more off piste experience under their feet can opt for one of the ‘Expert Powder Experience’ weeks.

All courses are graded by standard to ensure skiers are always in small groups of the same ability and groups are lead by fully qualified mountain guides (UIAGM) to find the best of the off piste in the area.

“The mountains guides we work with have been involved with Ski Freshtracks holidays for many years”, says Caroline Boileau, General Manager of Ski Freshtracks. “They know what our holiday makers want from their off piste week and we choose guides for their knowledge and expertise. Many of our skiers return year after year to ski with their favourite guide knowing that they will be in a small group of like-minded skiers.”

Course only price £390 including a mountain guide, use of a mini bus for private transfers around the Mont Blanc valley, and a Ski Club leader on every holiday. Courses with accommodation also included, from £995.

For those looking for a Christmas get away there are still places on the ‘Christmas Cracker’ in Chamonix. For intermediate to advanced off piste skiers the course runs from 19-26 December. Course only cost – £390.

Visit www.skifreshtracks.co.uk for full details and for bookings call 0845 45 807 84

On Sunday, January 31, 2010 the 9th annual New England Women’s XC Ski Day comes to the Waterville Valley Nordic Center. Inspired by similar women’s cross-country ski events in Norway (the Inga Lama) and Alaska (the Alaska Ski for Women), this day-long event is “for women, by women.” Participants will find ski clinics for every level of skier – from first-timers to seasoned masters – led by some of the best women ski coaches in the country. Added to these clinics will be waxing demonstrations, opportunities to demo top of the line ski equipment and clothing and lunch with some words from Olympic athlete Joan Ben oit-Sam uelson. The day wraps up with a short, fun 1 km relay with prizes for the top two teams in five categories – mother/daughter, sister/sister, relative/relative, friend/friend, oldies/oldies.

Event organizers Trina Hosmer, of Stowe , VT , and Anne Donaghy, of Meriden , NH , started these clinics to share their love of the sport with other women. “We want to teach women the joy of gliding that lies just beyond the plodding walk usually taught to new skiers” says Trina Hosmer, a member of the United States’ first women’s Olympic XC Ski Team in 1972. They are both very excited about holding the annual Women’s Ski Day at the Waterville Valley Nordic Ski Center . “We’re encouraging women to come for the weekend,” adds Anne Donaghy. “This is a wonderful location, with groomed terrain for all levels of cross-country skiers, from easy meadows for the beginner to more challenging terrain farther out for experienced skiers. Plus the Town Square Condominiums and Snowy Owl Inn are offering special Women’s Ski Day rates that include breakfast and unlimited use of all the resort amenities.”

At the heart of the New England Women’s XC Ski Day on January 31 are the ski clinics. The instructors provide three clinic periods throughout the day, ranging from beginner classic or skate technique, Intermediate classic or skate and uphill/downhill classic or skate. The all-women team of instructors includes former Olympic, National team, and collegiate skiers who know how to make skiing fun. There are enough instructors so that each group can be further divided up to accommodate all abilities. Every year this event raises money to benefit a local women’s organization. This year the event benefits the Circle Program which provides to socially and economically disadvantaged New Hampshire girls the skills, courage and confidence they need to handle challenges in their lives. This event is made possible by the support of the New England Nordic Ski Association and main event sponsor TD Bank; other sponsors include L.L.Bean, Isis , Toko, VBT Bicycling Vacations, Designer Gold, Rossignol.

For more information and to register online, go to www.nensa.net and click on “Women,” or mail to: Event Directors, P.O. Bo x 104 , Meriden , New Hampshire 03770 . Cost is $25 for NENSA members and $30 for non-NENSA members before Jan. 22, 2010. Registration is limited to 200 participants and fills up early.

Alta Badia (www.altabadia.org), a stunning ski region at the heart of the Italian Dolomites (recently declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site), opened for the winter season on November 21 2009. Alta Badia is made up of six picturesque alpine villages: Corvara/1550m, Colfosco/1650m, La Villa/1430m, San Cassiano/1540m, Badia/1320m, La Val/1350m.

The season launches with a Winter Warm Up promotion, a new hotel, Lagació Mountain Residence in San Cassiano, and a ski-gastro theme launching a Breakfast with Powder Snow package and 10 new dishes – created by Michelin-star rated chefs – for 10 mountain rifugi. New snow-making machines have enhanced the Alta Badia cross-country ski area. Hotel Rezia in La Villa has upgraded from a 2- to a 3-star hotel and the recently created lift connection between Santa Croce and La Villa has added a new dimension to Alta Badia’s ski area.

Thanks to state-of-the-art snow-making technology, connections between the villages of La Villa, San Cassiano and Corvara will open on November 21 with other ski links opening as soon as snow conditions permit. Experienced skiers will be able to tackle the famous World Cup black run, Gran Risa, and Bamby 2 and Alting – training slopes for the international giant slalom and men’s slalom -will also be open.

EARLY SEASON PACKAGES:
Winter Warm Up 2009: From November 21-28, the promotion includes accommodation at participating properties, lift pass, ski/snowboard school and equipment hire at favourable rates. Skiers and boarders will be invited to try out the latest 2010 models of leading brands’ skis and snowboards. For participating properties, availability, prices: www.altabadia.org

Superski Dolomiti Premier: From November 28-December 23, special rates continue with a ‘4 nights for the price of 3’ offer inclusive of accommodation, lift pass, ski/snowboard school and equipment hire. For participating properties, availability, prices: www.altabadia.org

NEW PROPERTIES:
Lagació Mountain Residence (www.lagacio.com) in San Cassiano opens on December 4 with 24 luxury eco-apartments, built to the highest eco-friendly standard using local materials. Each apartment offers cooking facilities and accommodates from 2 to 6 people on a B&B basis. The breakfast menu changes daily offering breads, herbal teas and jams made by the owner. Residents may pre-order the ‘bio-box’ containing a variety of local produce from eggs and cheese to milk and speck. There is also a wellness area where guests may use a variety of different saunas and book treatments. Prices start from €180 per apartment per night based on 2 sharing inclusive of breakfast. Extra beds for children under the age of 3yrs are €50 per night inclusive of breakfast.

Hotel Rezia (www.hotelrezia.com) in La Villa has upgraded this year from 2 o 3 stars. Owned by the Crazzolara family it offers accommodation from single rooms to family rooms for up to 6 people. They differ in style from modern to traditional, all are en suite and some have a balcony. Facilities include bar, restaurant, wellness centre with sauna, vitarium, steam bath and Jacuzzi, and a pool table (the owner will also be delighted to show guests his collection of historic classic cars). The ski lift is a 7-minute walk (shuttle bus is offered foc). Prices, valid from December 3, start from €72 per person per night on a half board basis.

NEW GASTRO-THEMES:
A Taste for Skiing: Gastronomy is major feature for Alta Badia this winter which sees an important collaboration between the chefs of the 3 restaurants in the region with Michelin stars (La Siriola *; Stüa de Michil *; St. Hubertus**), 7 other Michelin-star rated chefs from the South Tyrol and 10 innovative mountain rifugi famous for their Ladin cuisine. Each refuge has invited one of the chefs to create a unique dish, with exclusively South Tyrolean produce, to offer throughout winter season, with guests casting their vote for their favourite (winner to be declared during the Chef’s Cup Südtirol).

Breakast with Powder Snow: Arrive at the Col Alto refuge (2000m) by snowcat to start the day with a typical South Tyrolean breakfast, stunning views of the Sella and Sassongher peaks at sunrise, and enjoy perfect packed-powder skiing before the lifts open. Snowcat transfers on Tuesdays throughout the season from the centre of Corvara; departures 7 am and 7.30 am.

DIARY DATES:
• November 21 : Alta Badia opens for the 2009/2010 winter season
• December 12 & 13 : Cross-country skiing Continental Cup – 2nd year in Alta Badia
• December 20 & 21 : Skiworld Cup Alta Badia – men’s Giant Slalom and Men’s slalom/Gran Risa
• January 12 & 26 : Skikjöring – traditional horse-drawn ski races
• January 17-19 : Chef’s Cup Südtirol – informal competition; ski and cuisine
• February 12 : Slittada da Paur – sleigh procession from Badia to La Villa
• February 23 : Skikjöring – traditional horse-drawn ski races
• February 27 : Tour de Sas – Alpine ski touring race/ Santa Croce
• March 5 : Sellaronda Skimarathon – night ski touring race /Sella Mount
• March (date tba) : Val Mezdí – freeride ski race

ALTA BADIA FACTS 2009/10:
Lifts/Skiing: Alta Badia is part of the world’s largest ski network covered by a single lift pass, the Dolomiti Superski – 450 lifts carry 620,000 skiers per hour serving 1220km of pistes – and is linked to the world famous Sella Ronda, a spectacular circuit of the Sella (3151m) accessible to intermediate skiers – 26km and 4,500 vertical metres of skiing. Cross-country: 38km of trails. Trekking: 80km of well prepared walking paths/tracks.

NON-SKIERS 2009/10:
Alta Badia offers many activities for non-skiers including curling, snow-shoeing, Nordic Walking, ice-skating, horse-riding, ice climbing, and sledging – a favourite for all the family.
Trú Liösa Foram Toboggan run: this exciting 3.5km run starts at Piz Sorega (2003m), reached by gondola from San Cassiano, descends 450m through pine forest and meadows to the edge of the village, with safety barriers in the woods.

TOUR OPERATORS:
Winter holiday packages in Alta Badia are available from many tour operators including Thomson, Momentum, Crystal, Inghams, Neilson, ski2, and many more.

INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS:
Book accommodation via the Alta Badia website: www.altabadia.org. Flights are available to Verona, Bergamo, Brescia, Venice, Treviso or Innsbruck (British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair) and in winter the Italian Terravision bus service offers transfers from most airports. For information about transfers to the villages of Alta Badia visit: www.altabadia.org).

Visit Alta Badia (www.altabadia.org), the small Italian mountain region in the South Tyrol with a big reputation. Proud people in touch with their roots, cherishing their village architecture, unique Ladin language and cultural traditions for centuries. Spectacular Dolomite scenery, world-class gastronomy, and an exciting calendar of sporting and cultural events.