BA baggage handling at LHR is atrocious, so is their baggage tracing, as is their system for delivering it once it has been found. I had my own lost baggage tale just before Christmas and it was ultimately my AirTag in the lost bag which reunited me with the bag some 8 days later, but only after precisely telling baggage handlers where the bag is and sounding the alert from the AirTag inside the bag.

There has been little or no investment in this area by airlines in many years, not just BA although LHR is particularly bad, and somebody must’ve calculated it’s cheaper to pay compensation than professionally handle baggage.

For the future though, the advice from CWS is good. Buy essentials you need, rent ski equipment that is missing on a day-by-day basis and claim it all on your return. Never let it spoil your well earned holiday.