Who is going skiing and where in 2016

[malks222]

i've been on a few different ski holidays, some DIY some with crystal. the ones with crystal have been of varying quality too (1 amazing, 1 good, 1 dreadful) i know it can depend on the staff in resort....

but who do PH use when booking the annual ski trips? I've looked online at loads of different options, crystal, inghams, le ski, vip ski, mountain heaven, silver ski........ do any provide better value for money? I really dont mind somewhere basic as long as the foods good and the place clean (silver ski look like they could fit the bill, but reports not been so good recently) but happy to pay for somewhere nicer (as long as it actually is)

[a311]

It depends where, when, etc really I find on price. Going DIY unless you book ahead flying to a seasonal airport which have limited numbers of flights will be the a decent % of your trip which is why self drive is popular with many DIYers. Geneva usually have cheap flights and there's plenty of skiing within a short drive.

IME DIY is more cost effective when you go to resorts off the UK operators radar. We went to Obergurgl last April DIY, flew into Munich (self drive transfer was ~3 hours) HB hotel was really one of the best hotels I've stayed at ski and non-ski they sorted out the passes etc. Hotel sorted the passes etc with a hefty bar bill it was around 1K pp from memory all in. it was the second to last week of the season so got free upgrades etc and had a cracking time.

Passes are pretty much fixed price, the main attraction for using firms such as Crystal have been when we've wanted something specific i.e. a large chalet for a big group and the 2 for 1 lift pass deals are pretty good saving anywhere from £80+

[NordicCrankShaft]

No snow due until the middle of next month here, but have a weekend in a Norwegian resort called Geilo. Didi it last year aswell was beautiful!

Managed to pick up some Atomic cross country ski's for around forty quid on the weekend so excited to test them out!

[5potTurbo]

Now booked Engelberg (CH) for a weekend with colleagues/mates/drinking buddies (10 of us) for 22-25 Jan.
It's only ~5h to drive there.

[Leithen]

All booked for Silver Star in B.C. Canada over Xmas again. Bit of an expedition for Mrs L and I with three kids aged five and under, three flights and car hire, but wonderful once we are there.

Our eldest had her first lessons there last year and has been on dry slopes all spring/summer - looking forward to skiing with her for the first time.

[malks222]

I've done diy (flights and hire a car or take the train) from munich/salzburg to soll/ zell am see and package deals to courchevel and les deux alpes.

i think this year i'm looking at 1 week, courchevel (not fussed which area), staying in a chalet, flights from the north (preferably scotland, but this limits even more). I'm just trying to find out if the pretty pictures and good story on 'le ski' website actually translate to better holiday, or if i'm better saving a few hundred quid and going for a cheaper crystal or even silver ski package?

[GreatGranny]

Going to keep an eye on this thread once you all return :-)

Planning a ski holiday with 3 families in 2017.

Varying abilities from complete beginner to good/fearless type skier.

6 adults & 6 kids aged 7 - 17.

Going Feb half term or first week in Easter.

Interesting to get approx. costs pp off people who are going next year so we have an idea on budget.

[seefarr]

5potTurbo said:

Now booked Engelberg (CH) for a weekend with colleagues/mates/drinking buddies (10 of us) for 22-25 Jan.
It's only ~5h to drive there.

That is an absolutely cracking resort - some great terrain there. The town is quite low so it can rain in town (so everyone stays down) and barfing with snow up top. We had two days of lots of powder and quite empty mountain.

[a311]

GreatGranny said:

Going to keep an eye on this thread once you all return :-)

Planning a ski holiday with 3 families in 2017.

Varying abilities from complete beginner to good/fearless type skier.

6 adults & 6 kids aged 7 - 17.

Going Feb half term or first week in Easter.

Interesting to get approx. costs pp off people who are going next year so we have an idea on budget.

You will be bent over if you go Feb half term, depends how easter falls in 2017 but I expect costs to be lower and resorts to be quieter IME. You also have to factor in what the conditions will be like. Late March and April are my favourite times to ski, longer days, chance of nice sunny days to ski then enjoy sitting on sun drenched terraces enjoying a cold beer. If it is warm though the pistes can deterorate after lunch, especially pists that are lower down and/or exposed to the sun, getting chopped up, slusly and moguled.

I'd consider resorts than are mainly off the UK tour operators radar and possibly non French if you plan to go in February as it's not the amount of UK skiers which is the issue but the French schools holidays depend on area so essentially there's 4 week where the French also flock to the Alps in droves.

Just did a quick check on Crystal Feb Half term 16 £1335 is the cheapest per person (lift passes etc not included).

That's compare to £790 the week before for the exact same accomadation. Not 100% mark up but still.....

Easter is about £300 a head cheaper than Feb.

[malks222]

finally got my finger out, courchevel 1650, flying out 3rd of january for a week in a catered chalet with 'Le Ski'. very excited!!!

now fingers crossed the gf actually enjoys (well anything better than absolutely hate) the trip this time round.

alos need to know work out if i can get away for a second trip in february with my mates............ well she has 2 hen do's this year, it would only be fair.

[Myd]

We are trying La Plagne end of January with Crystal, never been before but reviews have been good and consistent. We'll continue with our young daughters ski lessons as they've done well over the years with ESF schools. Would welcome any tips on where to eat in the town to mix up our half board. Can't wait :-)

[Welshbeef]

GreatGranny said:

Going to keep an eye on this thread once you all return :-)

Planning a ski holiday with 3 families in 2017.

Varying abilities from complete beginner to good/fearless type skier.

6 adults & 6 kids aged 7 - 17.

Going Feb half term or first week in Easter.

Interesting to get approx. costs pp off people who are going next year so we have an idea on budget.

Buy BA flights 51 weeks in advance. You know the time so get them booked up you'll save a lot v waiting.

[shunt]

Hochgurgl DIY from Munich, opening week, we'll be there 14th November, looking at the webcams it's already full of snow, can't wait.

Obergurgl booked for mid December and La Tania family chalet booked for end of Jan. Should be able to squeeze another one in around March. Getting your Mrs hooked on skiing can be expensive.

[Mal001]

malks222 said:

i've been on a few different ski holidays, some DIY some with crystal. the ones with crystal have been of varying quality too (1 amazing, 1 good, 1 dreadful) i know it can depend on the staff in resort....

but who do PH use when booking the annual ski trips? I've looked online at loads of different options, crystal, inghams, le ski, vip ski, mountain heaven, silver ski........ do any provide better value for money? I really dont mind somewhere basic as long as the foods good and the place clean (silver ski look like they could fit the bill, but reports not been so good recently) but happy to pay for somewhere nicer (as long as it actually is)

We've used Crystal, Inghmas and Neilson and to be honest they are all pretty much the same with a few pounds difference here or there depending on airport choice.

I wasn't planning on going this year but saw a bargain week at the Sonnalp in Hinterglemm with Crystal for £550! When I went back to the site to check it's gone. Arse.

[Cheib]

Verbier with the family for ten days on 18th Dec, we were okay for snow there last year when places like Chamonix weren't so should be fine.

Going back for a lads weekend early March.

[Silver993tt]

We always wait until 2 weeks before we want to go before we book. That way you can see accurately what the snow conditions will be like and also you always get the best deal. There's always lots of offers after the early season hype as most companies/hotels/apartments are desperate to offload their excess capacity. We do this at least twice a year, never fails.

[Mal001]

Silver993tt said:

We always wait until 2 weeks before we want to go before we book. That way you can see accurately what the snow conditions will be like and also you always get the best deal. There's always lots of offers after the early season hype as most companies/hotels/apartments are desperate to offload their excess capacity. We do this at least twice a year, never fails.

Who do you book with? We normally do the same but have found that a lot of the choices disappear after Christmas.

We go the third week in January when it's usually quieter in Austria.

[Silver993tt]

Mal001 said:

Silver993tt said:

We always wait until 2 weeks before we want to go before we book. That way you can see accurately what the snow conditions will be like and also you always get the best deal. There's always lots of offers after the early season hype as most companies/hotels/apartments are desperate to offload their excess capacity. We do this at least twice a year, never fails.

Who do you book with? We normally do the same but have found that a lot of the choices disappear after Christmas.

We go the third week in January when it's usually quieter in Austria.

We contact the hotels/apartments directly, usually in Austria. We do go off season and not during school holidays.

[hotchy]

malks222 said:

cant quite decide where to go/ what to do. I took the GF with me last year for her first ski holiday (had lessons and couple of days up north in scotland before the trip) she had lessons in resort but didnt really enjoy it.

we spent a week in zell am see, i dont think the resort lent itself to beginners very well. not huge amounts of beginners areas and she didnt feel confident on blues. this coupled with an instructor that done the- 'follow me' ski lessons didnt really help. I was a bit gutted because before we left she was very happy on snow plough turns and seemed to be getting some enjoyment out of it. but came back not feeling the love for skiing.

now the dilemma is do i cut my losses and go skiing with my mates, or give it another try? I'd love her to enjoy skiing enough to do a weeks holiday with me most years. also thinking of trying a much better beginner friendly resort. i've been to courchevel before and loved it (ok its not gonna be the cheapest) but remember as beginner it had lots of nice mellow green runs to really get the confidence up and not be stuck on 1 beginner run. with lots of options to progress. thats the most beginner friendly resort i've been to (been to courchevel, les duex alpes, zell am see x 2 and soll x 2), and has lots of options if she doesnt want to ski every day

what do you think, bite the bullet, give it another go and take her to courchevel or ditch it and have a boys week?

(couple weeks late reply but here goes)

Me and the gf, first time skiiers the both of us. 1 lesson up north where i failed after thinking i could easily hit they massively steep green runs full pelt, no brakes but my body roll haha. Left me feeling a bit, meh about it all but the holiday was already booked.

Passo tonale, italy. Stayed in the cheapest hotel, chile blu, which was an excellent hotel! Less than £500 for flights, half board and lessons and equipment hire. (leaving enough for a holiday with the boys too. )

Every run, blue to red was "easy" and some very very long and flat so very enjoyable. Instructors where fantastic. Had me parallel within 2 days. Even though your in a group, they really take time and get you skiing. Sat down after i turned left to a glacier black run haha, no chance id ever make that yet. Saved one we italian 4 year old? from the ditch at the chairlift poles, she had an entire conversation with me and im yet to know what she was saying as i dont speak italian.

This holiday is what really changed my mind about skiing after my glenshee disaster. Cant wait to go on holiday again! Id recommend this to get a newbie into skiing as nothing is really scary there at all.

Edited by hotchy on Wednesday 28th October 16:52

[popeyewhite]

Wengen, end of January.