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Mystery shopper: Online, first time skiing in the Alps

Location: Online ski agents
Wanted: Two friends are keen to go skiing for the first time in the Alps for a week in January. They are looking for advice about accommodation, equipment and lessons.
Budget: £3,000

Sno.co.uk
88%
The website was easy to navigate and find hotel details. My phone call was answered after 27 seconds. The agent established a rapport and thoroughly discussed my wishes for the holiday. I was recommended a seven-night stay at the Hotel Tirolerhof, Austria, departing on January 13 from Gatwick. The total cost came to £1,814 including flights, transfers and full-board accommodation, as well as lift passes, ski and boot hire and lessons. The agent emailed me full details within an hour and called me in the evening to follow up. I was very happy with the recommendation as the resort catered for beginner skiers and worked out cheaper as I would not be using the advanced-level slopes. The adviser brought the holiday to life.

Igluski.com
77%
This website was easy to navigate and had advice for first-time skiers. A friendly agent instantly recommended Les Gets when I said I was new to skiing. I was offered a seven-night stay at Chalot Monet in Les Gets, near Geneva, flying from Gatwick on January 14 for a total cost of £2,233 inclusive of accommodation, flights, lift passes, equipment and five lessons. The agent did not ask many questions at first but became more personable, talking about the town and offering 50% off lessons.

Skisolutions.com
55%
The agent was friendly and asked me what type of hotel I wanted. When I said I was a beginner and was seeking recommendations, they said they would email me. I got the impression they’d have liked me to call back when I had more of a firm idea. I was told a chalet and flights would cost around £600, and was given prices for lift passes, equipment and lessons. The agent emailed me immediately after the phone call to ask if I wanted any quotes sent over, but did not make any suggestions.


Winning agent

David Paris, travel consultant

“It is great to have won Mystery Shopper! The thing I love most about my job is talking to people about their holidays. Who doesn’t love travel?”


Verdict

The winning agent took into consideration that the shopper had never skied before; however, he could have made more of the budget.


Elite resorts caribbean

Top-scoring agent each month will win use of a car for 10 days.

The winning agent must be at least 25, for insurance reasons. Winners under 25 will win a week’s all-inclusive holiday at an Elite Islands Resorts property. The prize is non-transferable and the car must be driven only by the winning agent. The winner must not have any serious driving convictions. Elite Island Resorts will endeavour to supply the car to the agency but reserves the right to request the winning agent to collect and return the car from Essex or a central location

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