World Snow News--February 6, 2009--Statistics published by tour operators, ski resorts and even airlines continue to reflect increased sales this winter, contrary to mainstream media reports.

Figures released by easyJet indicate a 17 percent increase in customer bookings in a bid to escape the UK for destinations across Europe in December 2008, compared to December 2007.

Meanwhile Lagrange, the self-catering ski operator to France, has released their figures for departures over the Christmas and New Year period showing an increase of around 30 percent over the same period last year. The most popular resort for the Christmas week was Val Thorens, while Morzine saw the most bookings for New Year's.

Paul Simmons, easyJet's UK general manager, said: "The last few months have been pretty miserable. The bleak economic climate, the usual round of colds and flu combined with dark nights and mornings seems to have motivated more people than ever to take time out this winter - and who can blame them!"

Another reason for the growing popularity of ski breaks could be the exceptional snowfall this winter season. Many resorts, particularly in Italy and France, were able to open up to a month early.

Ski Lagrange's figures show the increasing popularity of smaller, often more traditional resorts. For example, bookings to Samoens in the Grand Massif increased by 40 percent, which might also be due to their affordability when compared to the bigger resorts of the Alps.

"This growth also shows the strength of self-catering this season. Lots of clients are booking self-catering as a budget option, which allows them to control their spending at resorts in easy ways by making their own lunches, enjoying simple breakfasts and so on." commented Alison Willis, managing director of Lagrange in the UK.

easyJet flies to airports across Europe ideally located for the continent's best ski destinations including Geneva for resorts such as Courmayer in Italy and Verbier in Switzerland, Grenoble for Tignes, Alpe d'Huez and Val D'Isere in France and Innsbruck for Austrian resorts such as Obergurgl and Kaprun. Flights to ski destinations start from £30.99 ($40) per person (one way) and the company has launched an interactive ski map on its website, showing the best airports to fly to for all the major resorts with transfer times and prices.

Ski Lagrange 2009 offers 45 resorts in their brochure and an even wider programme of over 150 French resorts is available online.

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