Ski Holidays 2010 - Is it Better to Book Early?

By Edward Ockelton

There has been a lot articles and press releases written about when to book next season's ski holidays. Many of these have reported that there could be a complete lack of accommodation because large tour operators have cut the number of chalets they are running. The industry advice is (rather unsurprisingly) "book early or face disappointment".

Is there any truth to these statements, or is it just spin/pr from within the ski industry to try and encourage people to book early for what could be a difficult season?

Some of what is written is in fact true. A number of tour operators have significantly reduced the number of catered chalet holidays they are will offer. So a customer who usually holidays with a particular operator may find that there is less availability with that operator during winter 2009/2010.

However, what most of these articles and press releases have failed to point out is that although chalets may have been dropped by a particular operator, these properties still exist and in most cases, the owners still want to rent them out.

Generally, booking a ski chalet through a large tour operator is not the cheapest way to take a ski holiday (although many like the security which this affords). Because these operators often have large overheads, they are unable to offer chalet holidays as cheap as owner run businesses. So if a chalet owner finds his or herself without anyone renting their chalet, they will offer it for rent direct, often at a fraction of the cost of the tour operator. In these days of the "internet savvy" holidaymaker, it doesn't take very long to package the rest of your holiday independently, with airport transfers and outside catering. The result? A ski holiday at a fraction of the cost.

A booking agent in Chatel reported:

"Just because large tour operators have reduced the number of chalets that they offer, doesn't mean that there will be less chalets to rent. On the contrary, there are now a large number of chalets available which were previously tied in to expensive contracts with tour operators.

In our resort, one catered chalet tour operator decided not to continue for next winter. This meant that there are now less catered chalet holidays available. However, most of the ski chalets which were rented by the company are now available with a number of different booking agents, in many cases at a lower price."

Of course, the main New Year and half term weeks will be booked up early. However, if you have flexibility over which date you can holiday, then rather than having reduced supply, this coming winter may well see a number of increasingly desperate property owners slashing rental prices in order to get some bookings. The truth is, no one knows for sure, but there is certainly no need to panic and book an early holiday just because the ski press has told you to!

All Mountain Holidays offer ski holidays and ski chalets direct. Accommodation in most ski resorts worldwide. The site also offers weather and snow reports, as well as ski & snow news. ------------------------------------------------ For more articles and information on Ski Holidays, see www.bestskisource.com.

Utah Ski Resorts Are Perfect For Ski Vacations

By Jonathan Wickham

It is said that the largest snow on this earth is found in Utah and with a standard of 500" of earth's driest and also the lightest powder annually. There are many great Ski resorts over here ranging from less expensive to more expensive resorts. Utah ski resorts are world class ski resorts.

Utah cannot be beaten for its consistency and its terrain of the deepest and the lightest powder around. In the year 2002 Utah ski resorts also hosted the whole world and so they are nicely prepared to greet you. It has one hour drive from the international airport, Salt Lake.

If you want to spend your ski vacations nicely then Utah ski resorts is where you can relax and have an unforgettable experience with your family and friends. Utah ski resorts are respected for its typical powder skiing. In these resorts there are also perfect trainers to teach you skiing properly.

They have amenities like Spa, swimming pool, nice and spacious rooms and the guests will surely enjoy the Club Solitude. There are also abundant activities. The Utah ski resorts provide local organic food along with fresh ingredients. There are creative and cultural happenings throughout the year.

Park Cities ski schools are composed of Snowboard and the Park City mountain ski Resort providing a range of programs, classes for children and special programs for skiing offered to the disabled people in the area.

The blueslip Bowl is really loved by experts and it is almost busy all through with its access from the Homerun.

Silverlode is another very attractive and accommodating place for those beginners who would want to get some improvement on their glade skiing.

http://www.sundanceresort.com/ is an authority in the area of utah ski resorts and utah ski resort. Jonathan Wickham is a freelance writer.

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Visit a Ski Town on a Rocky Mountain Vacation

by Joe Dockter

Many people like to visit ski towns and villages on their Rocky Mountain vacation. Some of the more popular towns in Colorado include Aspen, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, Vail, and Winter Park. While these towns are known for their ski resorts and wide variety of winter sports, many people planning Rocky Mountain vacation like to visit during the summer to enjoy hiking, mountain biking, camping, whitewater rafting.

Aspen started out as a mining camp, and was first settled in 1879. Like many of the ski resorts, it was saved by a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division, an elite Army fighting force specially trained for missions at high altitude. Aspen has become a destination for the rich and famous from all over the world. You might just see Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Jack Nicholson, Goldie Hawn, Cher, Kevin Costner, or Michelle Pfeiffer eating or shopping in one of Aspen's bistros or boutiques.

Breckenridge is another mining town that made it big. It flourished during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, and was established to serve miners working the Georgia Gulch. Breckenridge was the home of the first post office between the Continental Divide and Salt Lake City. Try fly fishing or whitewater rafting on your Rocky Mountain vacation to this picturesque mountain town.

Crested Butte was incorporated in 1880. Some of the first to settle in the area were beaver trappers. Soon the surveyors followed, and then the miners came looking for silver. Coal mining and ranching also contributed to the development of the area. History buffs will enjoy a visit to Crested Butte on their Rocky Mountain vacation. The entire town has been designated a National Historic District. Nature lovers can spend their days identifying the 600 species of wildflowers that grow nearby.

Steamboat Springs was also first visited by trappers. Ranching became a major industry and by 1918 more cattle were shipped from Steamboat Springs than from any other point in the United States. The first ski jump in the United States was built here by Carl Howelsen in 1915. Steamboat Springs has been home to many Olympic skiers and host of the Alpine Skiing World Cup.

Other things to enjoy during your Rocky Mountain vacation in Steamboat Springs include a relaxing afternoon in one of the geothermal hot springs, having fun at the Yampa River Festival, or visiting the James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge, which was named by the citizens of Steamboat Springs and officially opened by James Brown.

Telluride was also a mining town. It is one of the most beautiful towns in Colorado, located in a steep box canyon. Telluride was the first town to use alternating current to power streetlights. In June of 1889 Butch Cassidy robbed the San Miguel Valley Bank. Telluride became a ski town in the late 1930's and the first lift opened in 1974.

You might see a celebrity in Telluride, as many have sought more private surroundings. Oprah, Tom Cruise, Oliver Stone, Christie Brinkley, and Stormin' Norman Schwarzkopf all own homes in or near Telluride. Besides celebrity watching, you can also enjoy the Telluride Jazz Festival or the Telluride Film Festival on your Rocky Mountain vacation.

Vail is another exclusive ski town that was developed by a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division. It is one of the few ski towns that was built specifically to be a ski resort. It is one of the biggest and busiest resorts in North America with more than 1.6 million skier days annually. The gondola was the first in the United States. Former President Gerald Ford lived in nearby Beaver Creek and conducted much of the nation's business from the Vail resort. Other things to see in Vail on your Rocky Mountain vacation include the Vail Film Festival, the Colorado Ski Museum, and the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, a world-famous sports injury clinic whose clients include John Elway, Joe Montana, Greg Norman, Kobe Bryant, Bode Miller, Picabo Street, Martina Navratilova, and Monica Seles.

Winter Park is the closest ski town to Denver, a short 67 mile drive. The resort belongs to the City and County of Denver. Although Winter Park was incorporated in 1978, the town began as two small settlements that sprang up during construction of the Moffat Tunnel. The train trip across the Continental Divide was cut from about five hours in good weather to about 12 minutes regardless of the weather. You can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and fishing on your Rocky Mountain vacation in Winter Park.

While skiing is a great way to spend a Rocky Mountain vacation, you can enjoy visiting many of Colorado's historic ski towns during spring and summer. You can have fun fishing, hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, shopping, and celebrity watching. Visit a ski town this summer and see what you've been missing. Joe Dockter http://rockymountainvacation.blogspot.com http://yellowstonevacations.blogspot.com http://mountrushmorememorial.blogspot.com

About the Author

Joe has a BS in Business Management/Marketing. Joe has 20 years of federal service with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Joe has traveled extensively and is the father of 2 Eagle Scouts. http://rockymountainvacation.blogspot.com http://yellowstonevacations.blogspot.com http://mountrushmorememorial.blogspot.com

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