SKIERS are being offered a range of new services from Leeds-Bradford Airport as rival airlines vie for their business.

Flights to five gateway airports in Switzerland, France, Austria and Spain will provide access to the major ski resorts.

Jet2, based at LBA together with sister company Jet2holidays, are flying to Geneva, Chambery, Salzburg and Barcelona. EasyJet has five weekly flights to Geneva serving the French and Swiss Alps while Monarch will serve Grenoble with a Saturday flight.

Skiers flying long haul can use British Airways' regular flights form Leeds Bradford to Heathrow’s Terminal 5 for connections with Canada and the United States.

Tony Hallwood, LBA aviation development director, said: “With our widest ever choice of ski departures, Yorkshires skiers can be on the slopes within hours of leaving Leeds Bradford.’’ Steve Heapy, Jet2 and Jet2holidays chief executive, said: “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the start of our biggest ever ski season at Leeds Bradford International Airport. With more seats available to popular ski gateways we are the only airline giving local people the widest choice of great value flights to the slopes.”