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