International Study Finds Skiers Keen to Ski

A study of more than 4,000 people living in The UK, France, Belgium and The Netherlands on their attitudes to skiing this winter has produced some interesting results.

The study was carried out by French research agency Contours and was carried out on behalf of L’Agence Savoie Mont Blanc which represents 112 ski resorts in the famous French ski region, including several of the world’s best known centres such as Val d’Isère, Méribel, Morzine-Avoriaz and Chamonix.

Only 40% of Brits Plan to Travel At All this Winter

Of the 1,107 British people interviewed, 20% said they would definitely go on holiday this winter, 20% were unsure still and 60% said they wouldn’t. The main reason for not going on holiday was the fear of another Covid wave (42%), followed by the worry that their holiday would be cancelled (17%), while 27% said their personal financial situation was stopping them from going on holiday this winter.

Only 7% of Skiers Said They Definitely Wouldn’t Ski This Winter

Among the British respondents, 25% were planning to go abroad to somewhere sunny, while 10% would choose the mountains (compared to 12% pre-Covid). But 190 were skiers who regularly go on ski holidays and 45% of the British respondents said they would go skiing this season (compared to  52% of French, 50% of Belgian and 40% of Dutch respondents).

After a winter without alpine skiing, 42% of British skiers said they couldn’t wait to go skiing, while 27% were waiting for the confirmation that the ski lifts would be open this winter before booking. Only 7% said they definitely wouldn’t go skiing this winter.

 “This winter, it’s open”

“These projections are really likely to reassure all of our professionals who have suffered so much from the consequences of the pandemic. They now can look to the future with optimism and confidence for the next winter season,” says Christelle Ferrière, Marketing Director of L’Agence Savoie Mont Blanc.

Vincent Rolland, the MP for the Savoie department and Co-President of L’Agence Savoie Mont Blanc, said last week, “Cet hiver, c’est ouvert” (“This winter, it’s open”).

Although the French government will announce its decision in mid-October, the local politicians and professionals are optimistic and believe that the 112 ski resorts of Savoie Mont Blanc will open for the 2021–22 winter season.