Dont slope off without winter sports travel insurance

The collapse last week of posh people's chalet operator Descent International will have left many skiers out of pocket as those who booked accommodation only with the company won't be able to claim a refund from the company's ATOL licence. They should, however, be able to transfer their winter sports travel insurance to alternative holidays.

Descent International, which included Prince William among its top-notch clients, went bust with an estimated debt of £1.5m. Clients who booked one of its chalets ? which cost tens of thousands of pounds for a week ? will have little chance of getting any of their money back.

However, those who booked packages that included flights will be protected by Descent International's ATOL licence and paid out of a bond lodged with the Civil Aviation Authority.

Descent is the second niche ski operator to fail this year, following Ski All America which went out of business in the spring. Both were hit by the recession, the weakness of sterling and, in Ski All America's case, high fuel prices.

Other ski operators, including some of the biggest names in the business, admit they are facing tough times and consequently they are offering big discounts to encourage customers to book early for the coming winter.

Deals include £150 per couple cashback and 2-for-1 ski hire packages from Ski Total and free lift passes and free ski hire from Inghams.

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