Newquay Ski Flights to France
With the days getting colder and the nights growing longer, some Cornish people may be moaning about the weather but conversely local skiers and snowboarders are getting excited as the European snow season draws ever closer. Polzeath-based ex-professional freestyle skier Kris Lannen has been literally jumping for joy at the news that Air Southwest’s flights to Grenoble take off in just over six weeks time and local ski operator Skitopia and mountain kit provider Penrose Outdoors have joined Kris in welcoming the new flights.
Hundreds of thousands of surfers hit the waves in the summer then crossover for ‘frozen surfing’ on skis or snowboards in the winter. As a result, the direct flights to one of the Alps’ most accessible airports now mean that people can get from the South West to their European ski resort in a matter of a few hours. Previously, locals would have had to drive or fly to connecting airports or travel overland for more than 24 hours to get to their snowy destination.
From the 20th December 2008, Air Southwest, Cornwall’s biggest airline serving nine destinations year round, will be operating a weekly service to Grenoble – the ideal airport to reach some of the best resorts in Europe including Les Deux Alpes, Alpe D’Huez, Serre Chevalier, Montgenevre, The Three Valleys, Morzine and Chamonix. Many more top ski resorts are just a short transfer from Grenoble Airport and prices start from as little as £39 each way including taxes and charges.
Kris says, “I’ve skied for over 25 years and was a freestyle professional but the love of surfing brought me to Cornwall. However every year as the winter comes round, I just itch to get to the mountains. We used to have to travel for up to 24 hours to get to the Alps but now the new flight to Grenoble with Air Southwest means the whole thing is a no-brainer and we can be in the Alps in no time.”
Charles Ardagh, Managing Director of leading independent ski tour operator Skitopia, says, “It’s great news that Air Southwest is running direct routes to the French Alps and we’re talking to them about us potentially working together next year. Having these flights means locals will be able to book their whole trip straight out of Newquay into France and into one of our chalets or hotels.”
Chris Jones of Penrose Outdoors says, “We obviously get all the local skiers and boarders in our store and the new Grenoble flight is certainly causing a lot of excitement amongst everyone I know.”
Karen Medweth, Head of Commercial Development at Newquay Cornwall Airport says, “The convenience of flying from Newquay to the Alps means that our winter flights are already in high demand. This is a great addition to our winter flights schedule in which we can offer a range of flights to suit most travellers’ requirements.”
Skiers and snowboarders can log onto www.newquaycornwallairport.com for more information. To make a booking visit www.airsouthwest.com
Uploaded on: Nov 13th 2008
Taken by: Editor
Taken near: Newquay
