Since the Brexit vote, political relations between Britain and France have been a little awkward. But when it comes to skiing and snowboarding, French resorts are keen that Brits know the entente cordiale is still in place and they are very much open for UK business.
To underline this, the resort of Les Arcs, part of the huge Paradiski area, is organising a Great British Celebration at the end of March. The four-day festival for its “British friends” will feature a Robin Hood tournament (with contestants armed with foam-tipped arrows), a pyjama party, ski and sledge races between the nations and several other opportunities to “celebrate the Franco-British friendship”.
The whole resort will be decked out in red, white and blue – conveniently the same colours as the French flag – from the railway station in Bourg-Saint-Maurice to the 3,226-metre summit of the Aiguille Rouge, where a union jack will be planted. An online campaign involving a spoof Queen is also planned and discounts of 20% off accommodation will be available.
“Brexit has not affected UK bookings this winter,” said Marion Grognet, marketing director of Les Arcs, “but British skiers and snowboarders make up 45% of overseas visitors to Les Arcs, and we want to remind them that the resort will always be their home. Whatever is happening with politics, we have a fun relationship with UK skiers and this week is about sharing jokes and good moments.”
Les Arcs has been a firm favourite among UK skiers and snowboarders since the 1990s, and many apartments, hotels and chalets are British-owned. Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, chief executive of UK tour operator Erna Low, said Les Arcs is the firm’s most popular resort, thanks to its wide skiing area, links to La Plagne, good off-piste options and its suitability for everybody, from beginners and families to advanced skiers.
While it remains to be seen how rising costs and perhaps the introduction of visas will affect the number of visitors from the UK, some French employers are worried about the effect of Brexit on their British staff, who are already suffering from the deflated pound.
Giles Bickford, who runs Chamonix-based FTX Holidays, said: “I’m concerned that when the final break happens, we won’t be able to employ UK seasonal staff. It would be a lost opportunity for young Brits to follow the path trodden by so many youngsters who have enjoyed working in the Alps for a ski season.”
While some of us may have mixed feelings about celebrating our Britishness right now, one in three British skiers and snowboarders heads to French resorts each winter, and as one of them, it’s good to know we’re still welcome.
• Les Arcs is running an exclusive offer for British skiers: seven days’ accommodation in a studio apartment and Paradiski ski pass from £258pp, a saving of £73 (arc1950.com). The Great British Celebration runs 25-31 March.
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