Booking your snow getaway as far in advance as possible has many advantages

Book your snowy getaway There are many advantages to travelling as far in advance as possible. On the one hand, you will be sure that there is availability for the dates you want. On the other hand, you will have access to the best prices. In this sense, you can find the best SKI OFFERS at Estiber.com. In many cases, they include travel, ski pass and hotel.

Summer, the best time to plan your snowy getaway

We are living in a summer in which heat waves have hit the whole of the peninsula with special emphasis. So, even if you find yourself on the terrace of your house or in the garden by the pool enjoying a cocktail and the breeze, you are probably fantasising about the moment of putting on your ski clothes and enjoy your favourite sport.

It is true that there are still a few months to go before the main Spanish ski resorts open. However, that's OK. As is usually the case with almost any kind of trip, book in advance is often the key to ensuring access at the lowest possible price.

Foresight as a key factor for the best discounts

There are several proverbs that apply perfectly to this point. This is the case, for example, of "the early bird catches the worm" or "the foresighted man is worth two". When it comes to finding offers and promotions for a getaway to the snow, you can't go wrong.n impulsive decision making and without advance notice it is often the worst enemy.

For example, booking your summer ski trip for the 2022/2023 season can cost you a lot of money. savings of up to 20 % in the final price. In most cases, resorts and operators prefer to ensure occupancy during these dates, even at the cost of lower prices.

It is the law of supply and demand. At present, hotels are empty. However, as the number of bookings rises, the number of vacancies decreases. And, of course, the demand remains, so it is necessary to pay more to get a place.

On portals such as Estiber, to benefit from this type of discount, all you have to do is 10 % of the total amount to be paid at time of booking. The remainder is payable up to 20 days in advance. So, if there are still several months to go before the date of your trip, you still have time to plan financially. Even if you're a little tight on cash right now after the summer holidays.

Booking in advance is particularly important in the case of families and large groups of friendsThe reason? This type of traveller tends to demand larger rooms, which are the least common and most in demand during the ski season.

What happens if the season starts and there is no snow?

Unfortunately, no date is certain for the opening of ski resorts in Spain and Andorra, although it is true that forecasts and estimates are usually made. This is mainly because it depends on weather conditions and how much or how little snow has fallen.

For example, in 2018, the first ski resorts opened their doors for the 1 November holiday. This is the best figure in the last 15 years. However, the 2020/2021 season did not start until 6 December, i.e. until the Constitution bank holiday.

Obviously, when the date of your trip arrives and there is no snow in the ski resort where you have booked your ski pass, it may seem, a priori, a serious problem. However, in reality it is not. This is because, between 15 November and 23 December 2022, the resorts offer a so-called "snow guarantee".

But what does this mean? Quite simply. In case you have booked between these dates and, due to the weather, there is not enough snow to ski, you will be able to cancel or change your trip without costing you a single euro.

Therefore, booking in summer no risk is involved for your pocket. Even if you fancy an early snowy getaway to make the most of the ski season. You can be sure that if there is no snow, you will receive a refund or, failing that, you will have the opportunity to change the dates of your trip.

I had an unforeseen event and I have to cancel my trip: what do I do?

This is another very common doubt that makes many people hesitate to book their getaway to the snow. After all, there are several months between the summer and the date of travel, and they can many things happen that are impossible to foresee. We are talking, for example, about a sudden indisposition, the illness or death of a family member, or an injury that leaves us bedridden or couch-bound for a few weeks.

Let's not kid ourselves. In many cases, the small print of these excellent travel, hotel and ski pass offers reveal that there is no possibility of cancellation of the trip (unless the snow guarantee applies). However, there are others that do not. This is the case, for example, with Estiber.

Portals such as this one allow users to cancel their trip and get a full refund of their payment with up to 15 days in advance to the start date. And without asking you for any explanations whatsoever.

Another option is to take out insurance for the trip, which usually involves a small increase. This policy guarantees that if you can't go, you will receive a full refund. So, if you only have to pay a few euros more, consider taking it out.

Where to go skiing this season?

The quality of the ski resorts in Spain and the peninsula as a whole is beyond doubt. Proof of this is that the finals of the 2023 Alpine skiing World Cup will be held in Andorra. Specifically, the competition will focus on the Soldeu and, above all, El Tarter sectors of Grandvalira.

Let us not forget that, at present, Grandvalira is one of the most important ski resorts in Europe. It has 139 pistes, 75 lifts and no less than 210 skiable kilometres. It's amazing. It even offers activities such as snowmobiling, snowshoeing, tobogganing, etc.

Now, how much can it cost you to spend two nights in Grandvalira including ski pass and accommodation included. Of course, it depends on the quality of the hotel. Currently, booking a three-star hotel in December can cost between €160 and €180 per person. On the other hand, if you prefer the luxury of a five-star, you can get it for around €240 per person.

Forecasts for the 2022/2023 ski season

As we have already said, it is impossible to foresee what the ski resorts will be like once the 2022/2023 snow season kicks off. What we do know is that, conditions permitting, ski resorts such as Grandvalira are planning to open on 2 December in order to make the most of the December long weekend. Likewise, although it is not definitive, the estimated closing date is 16 April 2023.

For its part, Sierra Nevada is scheduled to open its doors on 25 November, while Baqueira Beret will open the following day. As we have already said, this will be done as long as the snow conditions allow it.

The choice of these dates has been made on the basis of the weather forecast in the coming weeks and in the history of the last few years. So, at least in this case, there is every chance that booking at any time from December onwards will be synonymous with success.

As far as occupancy is concerned, the vast majority of ski resorts have forecasts of recovering pre-pandemic figures. Something that, in some cases, they already achieved last year. This is the case, once again, of Grandvalira, which sold more than 1,870,000 ski passes in the 2021/2022 season.

Without a doubt, this is a fact that should encourage you to book with the as far in advance as possible your trip to the snow. However, the forecast is that this year the number will be higher than this figure due to the full return to normality. So, the sooner you secure your ski pass and accommodation, the better. It will be cheaper and you will also ensure availability in the most difficult months.

In short, if you like to make at least one trip to the snow during the ski season, make the most of the summer to book your hotel and ski pass. This is the only way you can be sure of a discounted price and full availability. And there's nothing to worry about, as all the main resorts on the peninsula offer a "snow guarantee". Take a look at Estiber's offers and don't worry about a thing.