The Rise Of Shoulder Skiing - VIP SKI’s Latest Figures Show Double-Digit Growth In Early December & Spring Family Bookings,
As airports fill up over the coming weeks, many skiers will be setting off on their annual ski trips to the slopes. However, the familiar peak travel periods are starting to shift. Increasingly, more travellers are choosing to head out during the shoulder season, the quieter period between France’s busiest months and the off-season. VIP SKI is seeing a rise in demand for holidays outside Christmas, New Year, and the February half-term, as skiers seek to take advantage of quieter slopes, better value, and still-excellent snow.
VIP SKI has seen a steady rise in shoulder season demand over the past decade, with early December bookings growing by 31.1% from 2014 to 2024. The lowest point was in 2017, but demand bounced back dramatically the following year, up 64.1%, before peaking in 2019 and again in 2024. Even the sharp COVID-related drop in 2021 (-60.8%) has been followed by a strong, sustained recovery.
The trend is being fuelled by retirees free from work commitments and households without children who aren’t bound by school holiday dates. For them, early December offers festive charm without the Christmas crush and, with all VIP SKI properties sitting above 1,800m, consistently dependable snow. In Val d’Isère, for example, the season opens on 30 November, offering some of the highest and most snow-sure skiing in Europe, with pistes reaching 3,400m.
Go there: Val d’Isère sat at 1,850 m and pistes reaching as high as 3,400 m, Val d’Isère is the perfect place for an early season ski trip. A seven-night stay at No 1 Bellevarde in Val d’Isere, arriving 30 November 2025, is priced at 1,060 pp, based on twin occupancy. Prices include daily continental or cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner on six days, twice weekly canapes and return transfers from Geneva Airport. This also includes a FREE six-day Espace Killy lift pass. VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com)
At the other end of the shoulder season, March and April skiing is enjoying its own surge in popularity. Last year saw one of the largest April snowfalls on record since 1994, with 90cm falling in La Plagne at 2,000m on 17 April 2025. Mornings bring pristine, sun-kissed slopes, afternoons, the warmth of the spring sunshine.
Spring skiing also appeals to families with very young children, who benefit from longer daylight hours, milder weather, and VIP SKI’s flexible childcare options for ages 4 months to 12 years. In 2024/25, family bookings for spring rose by 10.8%, continuing a year-on-year upward trend.
Go there: La Plagne this season sees the unveiling of Graciosa with 16 fully catered luxury chalets, a striking new development. High snowline means genuine guaranteed snow for all in La Plagne. A seven-night stay in the Annapurna Suite (sleeps 4 - 8 guests), from 22 March 2026, costs from £1,471pp. Graciosa has family bedrooms with bunk beds, if the third or fourth bed in a room is occupied, it will be eligible for a discount of 50% off the adult price. Price includes daily continental or cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner on six days, twice weekly canapes and return transfers from Geneva Airport. VIP SKI (0203 892 4060, www.vip-chalets.com)
VIP SKI is offering an additional earlybird offer until 31 October 2025.
