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