We may just be feeling summer's on its way, but the team at Powder Byrne are thinking more about snow as they plan next season's skiing programmes.   Simon Meeke, Director, outlines the key highlights for next year: 

1. “We are noticing an increased demand from families who have never skied before, but who aspire to learn to ski together.  Powder Byrne's adult courses have been more popular than ever, so we are looking to expand our range of programmes for adults:
   1. Learn in Style Beginners  & Learn in Style Plus (for rusty skiers)  are to be expanded into more resorts.  They work very well alongside our SnoZone Beginners programme for kids (10-14 years);
   2. Complimentary ski guiding – for the exclusive use of our clients.  This programme for regular skiers, is to be expanded into our concierge resorts where we wish to add further value (see below);
   3. PowderZone courses to introduce more advanced skiers to the joy of skiing off piste”
2. “We are continuing to seek out new resorts to complement the demand from families keen to learn to ski together, and which offer a wide range of skiing suitable for all levels.   Davos in Switzerland for instance, a recent addition to our portfolio, has exceptionally good beginner slopes with very good access to hotels and we will be adding an additional two hotels (The Ameron Hotel & Steigenberger Grand) to the portfolio to cater for the increase in demand.” 
3. “Our core Yeti programme (4-9 yrs) remains our flagship kids' course and we will continue to invest in its development by refreshing our activities both during the day's tuition on the slopes and for the evening activities which we provide as an additional service if required.”
4. “We will continue to develop our engaging programmes for older children who have progressed through Yeti & SnoZone(10-14 yrs) and are looking for a more original and advanced approach to ski tuition.   As well as our PB Ski Academy, PB Slopestyle Academy, and Martin Bell Academy, we are developing another more advanced SnoZone programme (14 years +) for older kids who still wish to hone their skills and take their skiing to a higher level.”
5. “With the pressure on bookings for Christmas & New Year, we are focusing on recommending our early season opportunity in Flims & Laax for the week commencing 13th December.  This early week is popular with families whose children have already broken up, who wish to avoid the busy Christmas holiday peak weeks.” 
6. “We are increasing our product in high altitude, snow-sure resorts and will be piloting some of our kids programmes in Lech at Easter.  We have noticed a big increase in the popularity of the Arlberg as clients recognise that this region seems to hold onto its snow late into the season.”
7. “We are delighted to be launching a new concept for clients who would prefer to ski in a more adult focused resort.  These clients, whose kids may well have outgrown Yetis and SnoZone,  still need to ski in school holidays, but would prefer a more adult environment – less small kids on PB's exclusive flights and in hotels.  However, they still wish to benefit from Powder Byrne's added value in resort with complimentary ski guiding and full service. So we are looking to expand our concierge service in a select number of resorts which will now have a Resort Manager in place and experienced ski guides for the exclusive use of Powder Byrne clients.  We are delighted to launch this concept in Zermatt at New Year and look to expand into other resorts at February half term.”

“Powder Byrne's new brochure for 2015/16 is about to land on our clients' doorsteps.  Our new-look website has also just launched  www.powderbyrne.com/ski/luxury-ski-holidays, so we are looking forward to further early season bookings to add to those already secured, as our clients realise the importance of booking early to ensure the best flexibility and choice of holidays for peak periods.”

Powder Byrne Media Contact:  Jenny Trevor                                        

Tel: 020 8246 5300

Email:  jenny@powderbyrne.com

Website:  www.powderbyrne.com

Notes to editors:

Powder Byrne was founded in 1985 by Rory Byrne. In 1988 Powder Byrne became the first operator to specialise in corporate ski weekends, offering companies complete flexibility of travel dates and event arrangements.  In 1989 Rory Byrne won The Independent's Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. In 1994 the decision was made to specialise exclusively in high service hotel-based holidays and Powder Byrne now offer a range of exclusive ski destinations across the Alps and Dolomites. In 1995 a Summer Resorts programme was added and in 2009 Air and Space was created providing soft adventure experiences for families.