Ski package prices: book or wait ?

Hi
I took a ski package to Austria in January with one of the Big Travel Operators, booking it about one week before I went. I thought I'd like to go back and do the same package in January next year, but checking it out with the same Big Travel Operator now the price is considerably more than I paid in Jan 2010. In general, do prices from these travel operators fluctuate much, and if I wait until December would I be likely to find that the price had dropped (assuming there were spaces) ?

Any experiences welcome ! Thanks.

In general, they won't drop the prices until a few weeks before the travel date that I've noticed in the past. Sounds like you bagged a bargain. We'll be 'last minuting' this winter.

Thanks Nelly; will wait then and try to do the same this year )

Prices are way up this year, mainly because the accommodation is now being sold at the rate the tour ops paid for it so I am told, which was obviously hit by the exchange rate.
I also understand flights are down 30% for this season, so prices are going to be high for now.
Having said that, the odd bargain can be found. But IMO you either want to get yourself on a catered chalet or all inc package where you get a good deal and book in advance so you know you've got it, or chance it and get a late deal like you did before. I am certain that ski holidays will be down on last year, and therefore they will have no choice other than to discount heavily at last minute. Great if you can be flexible.

There were fewer late bargains last season compared to the year before.
A lot of the apparent bargains were gone when you rang up or tried to book on line - the web sites were slow to update - or they left them deliberately so that people would enquire and give them an opportunity to sell the holidays they had got.
A lot of the time accomodation was available but no flight seats remained. Gave up on the boys week - sob sob.

The previous year the capacity was greater & we got a bargain week in Les Arcs - good 4 star hotel on the slopes, half board for £250 a head. Someone else booked a day later & got the same a £900 holiday for £200! We were gutted!

We booked the family holiday to Cormayeur early & got a better deal than we would had we left it later - the prices went up significantly.

Think about booking direct with a chalet operator I wangled a great deal chalet board for a week including transfers for three peeps £934 8)

Just had a look through the Crystal site cheapest found for all countries was Alpe d'huez departing Gatwick 16/01/11 chalet board £431.