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