Grab a bargain with our top weekly ski deals

Calling all blog readers who want to grab a ski bargain this winter! Take a peak at our personal favourites below and find the rest of them of our ski deals page on our website.

New Year skiing for only £180
Erna Low is offering a week in Puy St Vincent over New Year for £180pp (reduced from £220pp). This price includes 7 nights accommodation in a 1 bedroom apartment at the Residence Le Hameau des Ecrins on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 26th December. The apartment sleeps 4 people and is located in an ideal position at the foot of the slopes in Puy Saint Vincent 1800.

15% off and FREE breakfast in Serre Chevalier
Erna Low is offering a week in Serre Chevalier in January for only £186pp (reduced from £214pp). This price includes 7 nights accommodation in a luxury 2 bedroom apartment at the Best Western Premier Chantemerle with FREE breakfast and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 9th January. The apartment sleeps 6 people and is located in an ideal position in the buzzing main resort of Chantemerle.

Luxury in Morzine for only £223
Erna Low is offering a week in The Lodge in Morzine for only £223pp (reduced from £270). This price includes 7 nights accommodation in a luxury 1 bedroom apartment at The Lodge Morzine on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 9th January. The apartment sleeps 4 people and the residence boasts a gym, jacuzzi and sauna as well as a bar and restaurant.

HUGE savings in Avoriaz
Erna Low is offering credit crunch skiing for only £91pp (down from £164 pp) in Avoriaz this winter. This price includes 7 nights accommodation in a studio/cabin apartment in the Maeva Residence Antares on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 16th January. The apartment sleeps up to 4 people and is located in the high altitude, ski in ski out resort of Avoriaz. 

Visit our website on www.ernalow.co.uk or call the sales team (George, Katie, Rob, Kirsty or John) on 0845 863 0525 for more information.

Be sure to check back often for our very own pick of the best deals!

After Olympic snowfalls, Whistler opens this weekend!

Whistler must be cruising the luck wave at the moment, not only are the 2010 winter Olympics heading their way in February but they have also just announced they are will be opening 12 DAYS EARLIER than expected after epic snowfalls across North America and Canada in the past week.

Whistler Mountain is opening its doors early, this Saturday, November 14, with Blackcomb Mountain following in its footsteps on Thursday, November 26.
According to our friends over at Whistler, 70-100 cm of snow fell over the past seven days creating the perfect base to welcome skiers this weekend. And, with the cold front moving across the south Coastal Mountains, forecasts indicate another 65cm of snow could fall by Saturday. Combined with the onslaught of their 160 snow canons, and this early season is off to a very white start. Envious? Us? Maybe just a little bit…

Let the season begin!

you better get working if you want to be ready in time!

Looks cold! wrap up warm Whistlers!

Ski holidays to Whistler start at £1193 per person, based on double occupancy in a deluxe studio at the Pinnacle International Hotel. Price includes 7 nights lodging on a room only basis, direct flights with British Airways from LHR-YVR, shared shuttle transfers to resort and all applicable taxes and surcharges. Available through Erna Low www.ernalow.co.uk 0845 863 0525

It’s SHOW time! Erna Low at the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show…

The aftermath of the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show, Sappho gives her account of her busiest week of the year…

What a week it was! Acrobatic ski jumps, a fashion show, an ice rink, comedy club even real snow for the kids to play in… it was all go last week as Erna Low descended to the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show at London’s Olympia.
As always, the show proved the best way to kick start the season and we enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces on the stand as well as all at all the parties that accompany the show.

Olympia goes all out for the Ski Show

Wednesday 20th was opening day and we all got the impression that the show was much busier than usual (we put this down to the £5 tickets!). In addition to seeing all our favourite journalists and industry partners, many visitors dropped by to see what we have on offer for this winter. That evening we trotted down to the Putney Rowing Club for the Ski Club of Great Britain’s annual industry party which is always an event not to be missed, especially when it involves sipping bubbly with views over the river. Thank you all at Ski Club for keeping us so well hydrated! Thursday is always the personal highlight for the team when the entire Erna Low contingent descends on our stand for the client ‘Meet the Staff’ event. It was fantastic to see so many of you there and do hope you thoroughly enjoyed yourselves as much as we did. We sipped wine with you and toasted a great season ahead well into the night…let’s just say that I’m not sure we were all mentally ‘here’ the next day!

Erna Low's Emma, Jess and Victoria enjoying the show

Parties continued with the Snowbombing party on Friday night and we all enjoyed revisiting our student/seasonnaire roots at the Natives launch of their Show Love Tour at the imperial student union in South Kensington.
The rest of the show proved very successful with many visitors dropping by the stand to enquire about ski holidays as well as ski property for sale through sister company Erna Low Property.
Can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Sappho, PR/Marketing Manager at Erna Low

Promotional Offer – WIN your Eurotunnel crossing!

Warning: spot of unashamed self promotion coming up but we want to keep all our fans, followers and up to date with our special offers too!

WOULD YOU LIKE A FREE EUROTUNNEL CROSSING FOR YOUR NEXT SKI HOLIDAY?

Erna Low are delighted to have teamed up with the lovely people at Eurotunnel to offer you the opportunity to win a free crossing when you book your January ski holiday with us!
Eurotunnel is the fastest and most hassle free way to start your trip to the slopes, taking only 35 minutes to transport you from Folkestone to Calais.
The advantages of travelling by Eurotunnel are many; you can enjoy up to two extra days on the slopes, there is no wait to disembark in Calais, you can fill your car up with necessities for your holiday, you can avoid all the queues at the airports and still benefit from the great shops in the Eurotunnel terminal.  Erna Low can book overnight stays for you if you wish to take your time to drive down and you can also choose when you want to arrive in resort.

Book your apartment or hotel now and you could win a free standard Eurotunnel crossing.  This competition is open to all Eurotunnel inclusive bookings for the weeks commencing January 9th, 16th & 23rd 2010 made by Friday 28th August 2009 .  Please call us on 0845 863 0525 for further information, to check availability and to enter the competition.

All bookings will be entered in to a draw, winners will be advised by telephone on Monday 31st August.  Competition not open to Erna Low employees.  Conditions apply.

Never driven before? have a read of our self drive guide for some handy information, hints and tips on getting the best out of your drive!

THIS IS ON TOP OF ALL OUR USUAL EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNTS AND GREAT VALUE HOLIDAYS SO PLEASE CALL NOW ON 0845 863 0525.

Le Tour comes to Bourg

Sappho packs herself off to Les Arcs to meet the cyclists coming in…

When we were told earlier this year that Bourg St Maurice had been named as the arrival town for the 16th stage of the Tour de France, we immediately started looking into our flights. So imagine our excitement when we heard that 14 teams of the Tour would be starting in our beloved Arc 1950… Lance Armstrong and Bradley Wiggins included!

This called for some serious planning, not to mention an extra quick crash course on the world’s most watched race.
So I packed off, with a couple of journalists in tow, on Monday 20th July to Arc 1950, (Erna Low’s bestselling holiday destination as well the location for the Erna Low Property french office) and what a trip it was.
The village was looking its finest, the sun was shining, the cows were mooing and the whole village was buzzing with the knowledge that the cyclists fast approaching.

Les Maillots Jaunes proudly decorate sunny Bourg

On Tuesday 21st, after a morning of white water rafting from Bourg St Maurice to Moutiers along the Isere river, we took out seats in the ‘tribune’ seating area at the arrival in Bourg perfectly positioned under the big screen to watch the cyclists ride in from Verbier/ Martigny in Switzerland through La Thuile (Italy) and down from La Rosiere.
While ducking and diving for the freebies being hurled into the crowds, the crowds grew more and more excited at the cyclists descended. They made it look so effortless but we were reminded how dangerous it can be as one of them slipped coming down from La Thuile and had a nasty fall. Ouch!
Mikal Astarloza riding for the Euskatel Team was the first to come in with a time of 4h14m20s, swiftly followed by five other riders all making it 4h14m26s. For full table of results, please see here for the full results table.
The overall ranking was unaffected however with Contador (in the ‘Maillot Jaune’ for fastest overall time), Hushovd (in the ‘Maillot Vert’ for most points), Pellizotti (for most ‘climbing’ points), A. Schleck (fastest overall youth) and Astana (best overall team) still leading the way.
It was quick dash after the prize giving back up to Arc 1950 in order to beat the team’s trucks and entourage who would soon be making the slow climb. We sat in George’s Bar, drinking our beers in the sunset as we played cyclist celebrity spotting as they all made their way to their apartments. We saw Mark Cavendish making his way to Auberge Jerome and word on the village street was that Lance Armstrong was in Prince des Cimes and having dinner in Chalet Luigi that evening. Some of the Russian teams apparently travel with their own chefs to ensure a good nutrition but the rest were obviously out for the evening as the village restaurants were full to burst!
The village had relaxed their ‘pedestrian only’ policy for the evening as the streets where packed with the team trucks and thousands of pounds worth of bikes all strapped to the roofs of the branded cars.

Entourage in Arc 1950

After having breakfast in Le Brasserie 1950 on Wednesday 22nd, at the next table form Richard Virenque, the trucks and teams departed Bourg to commence the 17th stage of the circuit. The gruelling mountain stage from Bourg to Le Grand-Bornand through Beaufort, Megeve, Sallanches and Cluses. 
I now realise I hadn’t quite grasped how much more the Tour was than a few men crazy enough to cycle round a country but what it also means for the fans and the towns that welcome them. The buzz and excitement it brings with it is infectious and I can safely say I have been converted to a dedicated follower… now where’s the 2010 schedule?!

To view all the photos, become a fan on the Erna Low facebook page!

Sappho Barkla is the PR and Marketing Manager for Erna Low Holidays and Erna Low Property.

Summer stays are available in Arc 1950 from just £336 for a family of four in a luxury self catered apartment for 7 nights, includes free activity pass, self catering basis, no travel http://www.ernalowsummer.co.uk/ 0845 863 0525
Winter prices at Arc 1950 start from £533 for a one bedroom apartment for a week (up to two people sharing) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free upgrade to Flexi Plus. www.ernalow.co.uk 0845 863 0525

Will this recession finally kill the ski industry?

The answer is ‘No’ according to Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, CEO, Erna Low. Read on for the press release on our findings on why we do not think this is the end of ski holidays.

Will this recession finally kill the ski industry?

Erna Low says: No!

• How Erna Low fared last winter season
• Results of surveys on client base – why we lost and why we gained
• Study of notable trends
• Forecast for next season

With the recession deepening and a big question mark looming over how tour operators will fare next winter, Erna Low has conducted several studies on why our clients changed their holiday habits. Where did we lose bookers? Where did we gain?  Will skiers ski next winter in the light of economic uncertainty? The results are released today in the Erna Low Credit Crunch Report.

The International Passenger Survey predicts that 2009 is likely too see the biggest negative growth for a considerable time and only the second fall in overseas holidays in over a decade (after 2008). However, from the recent studies conducted, Erna Low is confident that skiers will still find a way to keep skiing for years to come.

Notable changes in habit include: choosing less expensive departure dates; opting for self catering packages rather than a catered chalet holiday; a preference to self drive; heading for less expensive resorts with good quality accommodation. Due to Erna Low’s extensive portfolio of accommodation in over 80 resorts worldwide, we are well equipped to offer clients great alternatives when economising on their ski holiday.

Key highlights of our ‘08/09 season survey showed that while Erna Low interestingly lost marginally more clients than were gained, the value of the holiday booked increased, providing a more profitable yield.  With 45% of lost bookers blaming the financial situation for not taking a ski holiday, nearly a quarter of new bookers opted for Erna Low purely for price and excellent value of product. Several responses to our survey stated a move away from the more expensive package operators to Erna Low as a means to keep quality skiing in the recession.

‘The current economic climate did change our plans and we took a self catering rather than hotel option – surprisingly we did find that self drive was very convenient, especially with a family.  It was also a last minute decision encouraged by great snow conditions which meant we felt that the deals available were not too expensive,’ says one happy client who almost decided against taking a ski holiday last season.

Looking at the winter season ahead, Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, CEO of Erna Low states: “Skiers have enjoyed excellent prices this season and have scooped up some considerable bargains but next year is going to be different, and skiers need to be aware of this. Last year the major tour operators and chalet companies did not see the crunch coming, and were badly burnt. They took large bed guarantees and they had to sell, come what may. The only way to do this was to slash their prices. Next season will be very different – greater caution amongst operators and far fewer bed guarantees will result in reduced capacity all round. But this isn’t death to the next ski season – it’s a simple case of good housekeeping to ensure survival.”  

Erna Low has many great tips to help skiers, their friends and families to ski this winter – without breaking the bank! Full results and money saving tips for savvy skiers can be found in the Credit Crunch Report as a download from the press centre on our brand new ski holiday website www.ernalow.co.uk/press-centre .

Fancy a summer Holiday with Altitude?

*Press Release – May 2009*

Erna Low, the UK’s original alpine specialist, has announced the launch of their new summer programme – Holidays with Altitude, a selection of the best summer Alpine resorts which offer fun and exciting activities suitable for all the family.

With an increasing demand from clients looking to escape to the Alps over the hot summer months, Erna Low is delighted to offer sporting holidays to the popular French resorts of Les Arcs, Chamonix, Morzine, Les Deux Alpes and Serre Chevalier as part of the new Holidays with Altitude programme.

An idyllic summer view of Chamonix

Using their wealth of experience from selling ski holidays since 1932, Erna Low has launched a new website www.ernalowsummer.co.uk to showcase their latest alpine activity programme and with prices starting from just £282* for a family of four in a luxury self catered apartment, the option for a summer break in a recession is still within reach. The mountains are famous for offering a host of high adrenalin sporting activities such as mountain biking, paragliding, kayaking, white water rafting and for those wishing to ski all year round, why not head to one of the glacier resorts which boast fantastic summer skiing? For those wishing simply to relax and unwind, the Alps could not be better designed. With stunning scenery and breathtaking views, spend your days by the pool or on a sun trapped terrace absorbing the mountain air. Hikes and walks through the numerous national parks of the Alps offer privileged access to unspoilt nature and mountain wildlife.

Activity passes are available and are often even included in the price of the accommodation. For holidays to the village of Arc 1950 over the summer 2009, every guest will be provided with a FREE activity pass for the week providing access to countless activities such as archery, golf, tennis, swimming and numerous fitness classes and well as tuition from professional experts.  If a cultural holiday is sought after, head to the UNESCO town of Briancon in Serre Chevalier, the highest town in France, where the ancient medieval town offers museums, churches and guided tours on its exceptional heritage.  Serre Chevalier is also home to one of the only golf course in the world which is spread over two countries – play the front nine holes in France and the back nine in Italy!

‘As a keen mountain biker, am delighted Erna Low has decided to extend its portfolio to include year round holidays’ says Rob Saville, Erna Low’s summer programme coordinator,  ‘not enough people know about how beautiful the Alps are in the summer and how much they have to offer. I shall personally be booking myself out to watch the Tour de France reach Les Arcs in July and if I can combine a visit to the mountain bike races ‘Megavalanche’ in Alpe d’Huez and ‘Mountain of Hell’ in Les Deux Alpes then it will be a summer well spent.’

See the mountains from a different angle – book a summer Holiday with Altitude.
www.ernalowsummer.co.uk 0845 863 0525 or email summer@ernalow.co.uk.  

Welcome to our blog!

Join Erna Low as we make our way down the beginner’s slope to blogging!

We are launching this blog for you to hear the voice from the UK’s oldest ski tour operator… what we like, what we want, what we think  and what we love on anything to do with the white stuff !

Not only to we want to share our experiences, news, promotions and offers on what’s going on in our world from our home in South Kensington, London but we also want to hear YOUR voice on what anything to do with skiing, boarding, what you loved, what you didn’t, where you had your most memorable holiday or maybe dare share where you found the best powder…

Our contributors consist of our team of Erna Low employees, past and present, each with their own area of expertise be it resorts where we have spent our seasons, ski property we dream of buying, summer activites the alps have to offer, residences we have holidayed in, special equipment we recommend, the clothes we are wearing, or simply our love of cruising the slopes. It’s all on our blog!

Tell us what you think, share your thoughts too as any friend of the mountain is a friend of ours too…

See you on the slopes.