Confused.com uncovers the true cost of a French ski holiday

Added: (Thu Mar 18 2010)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Ski reps from across France have teamed up with Confused.com to reveal the alarming price differences skiers face when travelling to France, with the most expensive resort being Courchevel.

Skiers visiting Courchevel will pay 26% more for a ski pass than those in neighbouring resorts and will be using equipment that is a whopping 74% more expensive to hire.

Confused.com reveals some of the differences holidaymakers can expect to pay:

• Aprθs ski on a Courchevel slope will cost the wine drinker 356% more than those sipping on a Montgenevre mountain
• Ski school goers can expect to pay 43% more in Courcheval than they will in Samoens
• Courchevel has the highest prices across the board

Steve Williams, head of travel insurance at Confused.com, said: "Ski holidays are widely recognised as an expensive break away. Looking at the extras people will have to pay once they get there gives us an idea of where the French financial hotspots for skiers are. As a result of rocketing prices and a weak Euro, the Alps are at their most expensive. People need to budget correctly to ensure all they need is affordable once they have arrived.'

One element of a winter sports holiday that is an essential purchase is comprehensive holiday insurance. Adding medical bills to an already expensive break must be avoided as the cost of treatment also carries a hefty price tag in Europe.

Williams continued: ‘People may be tempted to look at these prices and risk hitting the slopes without travel insurance; this will be exceptionally risky and a false economy. Our travel insurance comparison service will always offer low, competitive prices for travel insurance which is one bill the customer can be certain will not spiral out of control.'

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:

Press office
Confused.com
02920 434 398

Steve Williams
Head of travel insurance
02920 435532

Notes to editors

Information provided by the Good Ski Guide travel reps, exclusively for Confused.com

Table 1
Prices of 6 day ski pass
Resort Price
Courchevel € 228
Val D'Isere € 218
Samoens € 204
Serre Chevalier € 194.50
Montgenevre € 181

Table 2
Prices of 6 day ski school
Resort Price
Courchevel € 260
Val D'Isere € 250
Montgenevre € 230
Serre Chevalier € 130
Samoens € 107

Table 3
Prices of a pizza
Resort Price
Courchevel € 16
Samoens € 12
Val D'Isere € 11
Montgenevre € 8
Serre Chevalier € 7.50

Table 4
Prices of boot and ski hire
Resort Price
Courchevel € 120
Serre Chevalier € 111
Val D'Isere € 110
Montgenevre € 95
Samoens € 68.80

Table 5
Prices of a bottle of wine
Resort Price
Courchevel € 25
Val D'Isere € 16
Samoens € 12.50
Serre Chevalier € 11
Montgenevre € 5.50

Confused.com is one of the UK's biggest and most popular price comparison services. Launched in 2002, it generates over one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, van insurance, motorbike insurance, breakdown cover and energy, as well as financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and life insurance.

Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides a free, objective and unbiased comparison service. By using cutting-edge technology, it has developed a series of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help customers with their decision-making, subsequently finding them great deals on a wide-range of insurance products, financial services, utilities and more. Confused.com's service is based on the most up-to-date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators.

Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.