Early Snow brings cheer to ski tour operators

Ski tour operators grappling with the recession got some help from the weather with early snow. Low temperatures have resulted in the snow settling; conditions which left a number of ski resorts blanketed with a thick layer of snow, usually found in mid-winter.

Swiss resorts like Saas Fee, have reported snow depths of more than 3 ft (1m) on their upper slopes while the Austrian resort Kitzbühel opened on the 24th of October this year, the earliest in 80 years. Weekend visitors who were hoping to get some skiing and snowboarding action were delighted.

Unseasonable weather has been a cause of concern to Alpine resorts in the recent years. Temperatures as high as 65F (18C) brought back memories of the tourist drought experienced not too long ago, when warm weather ensured minimal footfalls to the resorts. Tour operators had also expressed concerns that the recession coupled with the poor exchange rates would drive holiday rates up beyond the grasp of many. Now, however, reports of an increase in holiday bookings are trickling in from more optimistic ski tour operators.

Holiday makers too are responding to the great weather and the more positive economic outlook. Tour operators are encouraging them with a variety of cheap deals.

Swiss ski resorts are also likely to get a boost in visitor numbers this season, thanks to excellent deals offered by a number of airlines. Budget airline Ryanair is offering free carriage of ski-equipment for 1,000 lucky travelers.

Among the mainstream carriers, Swiss airlines remains one of the few that still offers all passengers free ski-equipment carriage.