The winter Skiing brochures are arriving fast and furious, and now is the time to decide where you are going to go. First things first, the Ski Club of Ireland slope at Kilternan, Co Dublin opens this week. If you are planning a ski holiday I would recommend taking lessons before you go. It will ensure that you do not waste time on the nursery slopes when you can be whizzing down with the rest of the pack. Classes are cheaper in September and you may be experienced enough to enter the Business Houses Race in October. SCI can be contacted at (01) 2955658) or email: sci@tinet.ie.
The great Outdoors in Chatham Street, Dublin is having a pre-season ski sale from September 19th. If you need to kit yourself out here's a chance to do it at the right price.
Brochures which have arrived so far include, Topflight, Funski, Crystal, Panorama, Inghams and Skitours. Topflight, voted best Irish ski operators for the past four years, include in their brochure an extended range of accommodation in Livigno and Bormio in Italy. New in Austria is Lech in the Arlberg region. Number one choice with beginners and intermediate skiers, Andorra, Topflight has accommodation in some of the most sought after hotels in Solden and Arinsal.
Funski, another Irish operator will be offering holidays in Andorra and Italy. They have expanded their programme in Livigno, and Bormio, in Italy where skiing is becoming more and more popular. Call them on 1850 20 20 80.
Crystal Holidays brochure features 75 resorts in eight countries including France, the US and Canada. They also have the largest chalet programme in Ireland, ideal for groups travelling together. Skitours (01) 670 4440 is a new company set up by Hugh Cooling and John Bergin to cater especially for groups. They still have availability for December 27th/28th and January 3rd 1999. They can also help singles join a group based on sharing hotel accommodation or apartments.
Panorama this year will have packages to Andorra, the Spanish Pyrenees and Italy. Italy has really taken off in the last few years with Irish operators. Inghams features seven countries in their brochure, six in Europe and Killington in the US. All operators are offering snowboarding packages and most also have flights from Cork, Shannon and Belfast. Special offers with all for groups.
Skiing and snowboarding are the fastest growing winter holidays for Irish travellers. Once the bug bites it's hard to get enough. Skiing is popular with all age groups and attracts families and groups of friends travelling together. Part of the attraction is the nightlife, which is usually excellent. Some resorts are more geared up to the younger crowd, so be sure and ask your travel agent. The US and Canada have become more popular in the last few years with serious skiers. Most tour operators and travel agents can put together individual packages for skiers who want to go for a weekend or a particular place. The direct service to Vienna with Tyrolean Airways has made Austria more accessible.
