Ski enthusiasts had their spring breaks thrown into turmoil last April, following the eruption of the, now infamous, Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland. The ensuing chaos cost airlines over two billion pounds and left many skiers stranded in resort and others unable to use their holiday at all. In view of this, Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, CEO of Erna Low, states “Booking a holiday with a bonded tour operator will guarantee your monies are refunded if your flight is cancelled or withdrawn, but it won’t get you to your holiday. Ski drive is our signature USP.  It is what we do best – and this season we know the only way a skier can ensure he gets to the slopes (and back) is to drive there by car.”

On each occasion that Eyjafjallajokull has erupted, it has been followed by a major eruption at neighbouring Katla which has a much larger crater and is known for its ferocity. Katla has a pattern of its own; it is recorded as having blown 20 times, on average once every 60 – 80 years. It last exploded in 1918 – so, although there are no rumblings at present, another eruption is possible. Along with a series of airline strikes and long delays becoming more the norm, there has never been a better time to consider driving to your holiday destination.

With 40 years of speciality in self-drive holidays for the independent traveller, Erna Low has a vast variety of properties and locations available this season - covering nearly every resort in the French Alps, there has never been a better time to book with the longest running ski specialist in the UK.

Not only does a self-drive holiday ensure no disruption from volcanic activity or airport stress, but skiers who drive to their destination can make huge savings on both monetary and environmental costs. With the carbon footprint per traveller being dramatically reduced based on a shared car in comparison to flying, the green-minded skier is catered for, as is any family group. The convenience of being able to bring home-comforts, as much ski equipment as will fit in the car and any amount of distractions for young children is matched only by the ease and comfort of the automatic FlexiPlus upgrade provided by Erna Low when taking a Eurotunnel crossing. This allows the client to travel on any crossing leaving on the date of departure, offers priority boarding and even includes access to the FlexiPlus lounge.