| With all the technological advancement of the | | | | However it needn't be so expensive. Forward |
| modern age, billed to make life easier, one can't | | | | planning allows weekend skiers to make use of |
| help but wonder why people seem to be working | | | | buying cheaper flights far in advance. The |
| harder than ever? Time is indeed a premium | | | | guaranteed snow of ski resorts close to Geneva, |
| nowadays, making demands on leisure time and | | | | (Chamonix and Morzine-Avoriaz), give weekend |
| the cost of a short break heftier than ever | | | | skiers the peace of mind to book early. |
| before. | | | | 4 and a half hours to resort: |
| However weekend ski breaks are becoming the | | | | A Gatwick or Luton to Geneve flight at 20.10 |
| latest trend among the white collar community. | | | | allows the keen London worker to leave the |
| This insatiable demand is driving the cost of | | | | office at between 5.30 and 6pm to get a 6.30 |
| scheduled airfares through the roof. City boys and | | | | train before check in closes at 7.30. The half hour |
| girls are paying through the nose for their three | | | | check-in and the 1 and a half hour flight, followed |
| day respite - three days of skiing that can cost | | | | by a one hour transfer to resorts such as |
| far more than a full two week ski holiday in high | | | | Chamonix, Flaine, Les Gets or Morzine mean that |
| season! | | | | he or she can catch last orders at the Budha bar |
| Indeed the so called "budget airlines" have made | | | | in Morzine or the famous Bdn bar in Chamonix! |
| skiing more accessible to "those with no time", | | | | What can often turn out to be just a 4 and a half |
| not so much in their low fares, as their regular | | | | hour trip door to door, makes weekend ski |
| schedules of up to 10 flights a day.. Let's not | | | | breaks comparable with a drive to Cornwall, and |
| forget the quick turn around, online booking, | | | | thus all the more attractive to city folk. |
| "speedy check-in" and all to a premium ski | | | | But where to go? |
| destination such as Geneva which is within an hour | | | | Chamonix offers high altitude skiing just 1 hour |
| of a snow covered slope. Their schedules consist | | | | from Geneva. With all its slopes above 2000 |
| of early morning or late evening flights to fit in | | | | metres, and as the home to Europe's highest |
| around your prior work commitments, a fast | | | | mountain - it offers snow sure climes from |
| turnaround and generous hand baggage policies | | | | December to May so you don't have to book |
| which make them even more convenient for | | | | your weekend ski breaks at expensive last |
| weekend ski breaks. | | | | minute prices. Chamonix also offers one of the |
| Unlike the more traditional weekly ski holiday | | | | most vibrant and eclectic cafe cultures in the alps, |
| which seems to get cheaper with time as over | | | | and with over 148 bars and 200 shops not to |
| committed Tour Operators sell off seats at | | | | mention some of the best non-ski attractions in |
| knock down prices - the weekends work in a | | | | the alps, Chamonix allows the time conscious skier |
| different way, and unfortunately scheduled | | | | to pack maximum action into their precious |
| airfares get more expensive with time. | | | | weekend ski breaks. |
| This is perhaps due to a number of reasons that | | | | Morzine and Les Gets are also within the desired |
| drive demand; whether it is the uncertainty of | | | | one hour dash of Geneve; and as part of the |
| snow, the popularity of DIY ski holidays or the | | | | vast Portes du Soleil it offers an unrivalled variety |
| premiums paid by business class. One can't help | | | | of skiing and a truly charming "chocolate box |
| thinking that it is the sheer time saving | | | | resort" with boutique shopping, lovely restaurants |
| advantages of weekend ski breaks that drive | | | | and beautiful chalet-style architecture. |
| these costs skyward. | | | | |