Jetsettersblog

1. Take a pre-paid Currency card

With the pound performing so badly at the moment, holidaymakers are being advised to take a prepaid card away with them. Caxton FX offers a best exchange rate guarantee and they always beat the rates offered on the high street. (www.caxtonfxcard.com)

Caxton FX cards look and act like debit and credit cards, but are preloaded with cash (a bit like a pay as you go mobile phone.) You choose which card you need (Euro, US Dollar or Sterling), decide how much you want available to spend on it and then transfer that amount to it. You can’t spend more than that, unless you top it up, something that makes prepaid cards a good budgeting aid.

The Caxton FX card charges no ATM withdrawal fees abroad, no transaction fees, no monthly fee and no application fee, which makes it unique in the prepaid card universe.

2. Choose the date carefully

Choosing your dates is important when it comes to saving money on the slopes. Christmas, Easter and February half term are by far the most popular dates to be on the slopes. For example, www.crystalski.co.uk offers a 7 day break in Andorra in January for as little as £339, with bed and breakfast included. The same break during the February half term (starts from the 14th) will cost you double – £745.

The weeks commencing 13 December, 20, 17, 24 and 31 January, and 7 February are also very good value.

3. Book a last minute deal

If you are travelling in a small group – between two and four of you, it may be worth waiting for a last minute deal as they are so much cheaper. Check out www.uk.travelzoo.com or www.alpineanswers.co.uk/deals for great last minute deals.

4. Book ski pass and hire before you go

Another trick is to book your ski pass and ski hire online before going abroad as many websites offer great deals such as 2 for 1 ski hire and online discounts. Try www.ski-republic.com and www.alpineanswers.co.uk

5. Added extras

If you can go during the low season, ski companies offer all sorts of added extras as an added incentive.

www.Crystalski.co.uk is offering packages including lift pass and ski hire starting at £479 self-catering, or £599 half board – not bad when you consider the Alpe d’Huez lift pass alone costs £190.

The Alpine Club (www.thealpineclub.co.uk) is also offering two for one deals on Three Valleys lift passes for anyone travelling in January.

6. Catered accommodation is cheaper

Staying in catered accommodation means you won’t spend a fortune in expensive restaurants and shops. The fewer Euros you have to buy, the cheaper your holiday will be. Many ski companies offer you an all-inclusive package, with flights, transfers and food included.

7. Avoid the hot spots

Steer clear of the big locations in European skiing – Val D’Isere, Courchevel, Meribel, St Anton, Verbier, Courmayer and try a different location. If you’re looking to hit the slopes this winter without spending a fortune, a ski break in Romania offers excellent value for money. In comparison to the steep excesses of Europe, the average holiday in Poiana Brasov costs around £200.

Bulgaria, Slovakia and Austria are also ideal destinations for those looking to keep costs to a minimum. At the cheapest Alpine resort, Scheffau in Austria, the bill for the same basket of food, drink and lift pass costs less than half that in Courchevel.

8. Book with the right airline

With the weak exchange rate raising the cost of ski hire, it makes more sense to take equipment with you from the UK. However, from Wednesday, BA will charge to transport sports equipment, and a pair of skis or a board will cost at least £56 return. Ryanair charges £60 return for online bookings, £80 if paid at the airport. BMI Baby provide an alternative option, and continue to carry skis without charge…although for a “limited time only.” Enjoy it while it lasts!

9. Buy a local SIM card

Using your English mobile can cost up to 10 times the price you would pay in the UK. Instead, buy a local SIM card on your holiday so local and international calls are more reasonable.

10. Dynamic Currency Conversion

If you’re given the option to pay in local currency or sterling, always choose the local currency. This is a new process called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). The retailer or ATM invites you to pay in sterling and then does the exchange rate at an unfavourable rate, which costs you money. During last year’s ski season, Caxton FX research shows that around £30,000 was wasted at just five of the most popular ski resorts in Europe through DCC.