| Many naysayers are predicting a slow ski season | | | | of the higher-altitude ski resorts, so they have more |
| simply because of global warming and increasing fuel | | | | snow earlier and later in the season. Some predict |
| costs. | | | | similar challenges for the 2007-2008 ski season. |
| The 2006-2007 British ski market saw a three per | | | | Crystal Holidays is prepared to face these challenges |
| cent increase despite challenging snow conditions and | | | | head-on by helping in the fight against global warming. |
| fuel prices. Three per cent may not sound like a large | | | | During the 2006-2007 ski season, Crystal Ski Holidays |
| number, but the numbers are astounding. The | | | | was the first major operator to offer their |
| 2005-2006 ski season saw approximately 921,000 | | | | customers the opportunity to participate in a |
| Brits take a ski holiday. The total of skiers rose in the | | | | programme to offset the carbon emissions created |
| 2006-2007 season to 1.19 million. | | | | by their flights. Crystal has signed on to the "carbon |
| Let's face it; we, as human beings, love to pamper | | | | neutral" scheme with The CarbonNeutral Company. |
| ourselves from time to time with a holiday. Die-hard | | | | CarbonNeutral makes investments globally in projects |
| skiers are not going to let the possibility of poor | | | | like solar, hydro and wind farms in a massive effort |
| snowfall or fuel prices stand in their way of a ski | | | | to cut back on greenhouse gases. Many of Crystal's |
| holiday. They know their favourite resorts will have | | | | customers are more than happy to join in with |
| things taken care of. On the other hand, people who | | | | donations and support for the cause. |
| have been dreaming of a ski holiday for years aren't | | | | Many of the greatest ski destinations are |
| going to let poor conditions stop them either. People, | | | | jump-starting their ski conditions by making their own |
| in general, will do what they want, no matter what | | | | snow early in the season. This will give natural snow a |
| the conditions. | | | | great blanket to stick to. Some of the higher |
| Crystal Ski Holidays knows this to be true. They | | | | elevation areas are already seeing a nice amount of |
| aren't worried about losing business. They know how | | | | natural snowfall in countries like Austria and Andorra. |
| to take care of their customers. They see a lot of | | | | Resorts in these areas are generally booked months |
| repeat visitors year after year. The 2006-2007 | | | | in advance and don't let things like negative |
| ski-season suffered from low snowfall and high fuel | | | | predictions hold them back from having a great ski |
| costs. High-elevation resorts, like several of Crystal's | | | | season. |
| resorts, had no problems with low snowfall. | | | | No worries, ski enthusiasts! Your favourite ski |
| France continues to be the most popular ski holiday | | | | destinations will welcome you with man-made snow |
| getaway with just over 37% of UK skiers enjoying | | | | this season if natural snow is slow. The bigger ski |
| chalet and club hotel holidays. Two contributing | | | | resorts have invested in several snow cannons over |
| factors also aided France's popularity in the | | | | the years. Several of these snow cannons are |
| 2006-2007 ski season: the first being a difficult start | | | | working overtime until nature catches up. They have |
| to the season because of a late-starting winter | | | | also build reservoirs to aid in snow production during |
| yielding low snowfall to start; the second factor being | | | | slow-snowfall months. |
| a late Easter. Many skiers enjoy taking a lengthy ski | | | | The 2007/8 European ski season looks set to be one |
| holiday during Easter break. France is home to some | | | | of the best yet! |