A winter ski report released by Club Med has revealed that more than a tenth of holidaymakers now don?t actually ski or board on a winter sports holiday.
The 'Changing Face of Family Skiing' report reveals that winter sports enthusiasts are no longer heading to the slopes just to ski, as 81% of Brits agree there is more to do on a ski holiday than skiing and boarding, and are opting for additional winter sports activities.
The results showed, of those who didn?t ski or snowboard on their last holiday, an ever-growing range of adrenaline-fuelled options are now being chosen instead, including cross-country skiing, Nordic walking and snow shoeing.
61% of those questioned agree that with the extra winter fuelled activities, ski and snowboarding holidays are now a better experience for children than they used to be.
The report also reveals that skiing continues to remain a popular holiday for families, with 93% considering a snow sports holiday as an option in the not so distance future.
Etiquette was also explored in the report which uncovered that less than two-thirds of skiers are actually confident they understand the rules on the piste, a figure which drops to just half (54%) for those who haven?t skied in the last two years. Older skiers are however more aware of ski etiquette (66%) than the younger generation (55%).
Rules on the piste are often overlooked by skiers including respect for others on the slopes; respect for information, markings and signs; correct speed and behaviour; and rules around overtaking on the slopes.
Bookings for winter family holidays are up by 9% for this season versus last for the operator, with a large proportion having not skied before. Meanwhile, with all-inclusive bookings growing in popularity, 52% now incorporate some form of added leisure activity within the cost such as walking tours, ice-skating, massages, rock climbing or snowmobiling.
Estelle Giraudeau, the company's managing director, said: ?Skiing is more popular than ever with the British market, yet over a tenth of people heading on a ski holiday during the 2015/16 will now choose to opt-out of skiing or boarding altogether. We recognise that, with 43% looking for alternative adventurous activities, such as riding snowmobiles, it?s more important than ever to continue to grow the alternative options available to holidaymakers. ?
The company offers a range of winter sports activities including sledging/luge,Nordic walking, cross country skiing, snow boarding, weight training/fitness, hiking, sauna, Turkish bath, snowmobiling, ice-skating, paraski and dog sledging.
As an example of prices, a seven-night, all-inclusive break in Avoriaz, France leads in at ?999 per adult (from ?1,175) and ?829 per child (from ?979), with children aged under four staying free. It includes flights from Gatwick and is based on an April 10, 2016 departure.
For further information visit www.clubmed.co.uk
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