How do you book your Ski/Board holidays?
Discussion
I've been to 3 travel agents today and got some various prices.
I've always booked a package deal - insurance, flight, transfer, hotel, ski carriage and lift passes.
I'm wondering if there are benefits to be had, by booking these individually. I appreciate this would be on a 'per case basis', and wondered if it's potentially worth the headache.
I would like to go to Soldeu - Andorra. This would mean flying from Bristol to Toulouse (or possibly Barcelona) and then a rather long 3.5 hour transfer to the resort. I'd have to book the flights independently, as well as insurance(s), the hotel and various other things.
I'm very familiar with the resort, so wouldn't require the services of a 'rep'
Has anyone done similar to this?
I've always booked a package deal - insurance, flight, transfer, hotel, ski carriage and lift passes.
I'm wondering if there are benefits to be had, by booking these individually. I appreciate this would be on a 'per case basis', and wondered if it's potentially worth the headache.
I would like to go to Soldeu - Andorra. This would mean flying from Bristol to Toulouse (or possibly Barcelona) and then a rather long 3.5 hour transfer to the resort. I'd have to book the flights independently, as well as insurance(s), the hotel and various other things.
I'm very familiar with the resort, so wouldn't require the services of a 'rep'
Has anyone done similar to this?
Edited by I Love Lamp on Wednesday 3rd November 15:18
I used to do packages, but started doing DIY - however this only really saves you money if your travel arrangements mean you don't need an airport transfer.
We started either driving or taking the train to the Alps which meant either a funicular ride (up to Les Arcs) or a short taxi ride up to other resorts. The chalet we stayed at the last couple of years came to pick us up from the station. Taxis from Geneva or Chambery can get really expensive even with a few of you splitting it, and hiring a car means paying for a full weeks use, even though you'll only be in it for a few hours each way.
As said, most resorts now have english-language online booking for lift passes. Sometimes they email back and want photos which you can just attach, then they post the passes to you - no queuing in resort. Even Ski Set and the like have UK websites for booking hire kit, no need to book an agent at all. Travel insurance is almost always cheaper elsewhere, especially if you travel a few times a year and can get an annual policy.
We started either driving or taking the train to the Alps which meant either a funicular ride (up to Les Arcs) or a short taxi ride up to other resorts. The chalet we stayed at the last couple of years came to pick us up from the station. Taxis from Geneva or Chambery can get really expensive even with a few of you splitting it, and hiring a car means paying for a full weeks use, even though you'll only be in it for a few hours each way.
As said, most resorts now have english-language online booking for lift passes. Sometimes they email back and want photos which you can just attach, then they post the passes to you - no queuing in resort. Even Ski Set and the like have UK websites for booking hire kit, no need to book an agent at all. Travel insurance is almost always cheaper elsewhere, especially if you travel a few times a year and can get an annual policy.
This year booked direct with hotel with travel from the Swiss Travel Centre who are in the process of sorting all out travel arrangements and have no interest in selling us accommodation, very impressed. Previously booked accommodation via ownersdirect.com and driven. Been on a couple of packages (Crystal and Mark Warner) but don't think they offer you anything you can't arrange online. Infact our Crystal reps were a nuisance and just wanted to sell us extras.
I really enjoy arriving at resort, finding my own accommodation, having a quick shower and heading out to get my bearings, buy lift passes and pick up any hired kit. It's all part of the fun for me but some like being handed passes by the rep and being told where to hire kit from.
Transfers are the only issue I guess. Must be some guy with a mini-bus doing shuttles to and from resort. Might be worth a post on snowheads forum?
I really enjoy arriving at resort, finding my own accommodation, having a quick shower and heading out to get my bearings, buy lift passes and pick up any hired kit. It's all part of the fun for me but some like being handed passes by the rep and being told where to hire kit from.
Transfers are the only issue I guess. Must be some guy with a mini-bus doing shuttles to and from resort. Might be worth a post on snowheads forum?
Edited by astroarcadia on Wednesday 3rd November 18:44
always do it separately.
Used to be three of us. Hired a apartment off a guy local to me in Tignes. Booked with whoever had the cheapest flights from Brum. Hire a car from Geneva. Job done.
Last year there was 10 of us (done it once before about 5 years ago). So booked a 6 bed and 4 bed apartment in Tignes at a hotel, two cars, and the same as before. Hotel did a deal with inc lift passes, so a week in Tignes inc lift pass was £500 ea which when the lift pass is £200 is pretty good going.
This year there is 12, and for a change we're going to have a chalet to ourselves.
I was looking at 4 hire cars, with 3 people in each plus their luggage which was £600, but we can get a private transfer for €600 so we're going to do that.
It's costing about £450 ea inc lift passes of £200.
Last time i did a package was to Minorca with the kids, and i kicked myself 'cos i'd paid loads for a poxy bus transfer when the hotel was only 20miles away from the airport. A return taxi would have been cheaper
Used to be three of us. Hired a apartment off a guy local to me in Tignes. Booked with whoever had the cheapest flights from Brum. Hire a car from Geneva. Job done.
Last year there was 10 of us (done it once before about 5 years ago). So booked a 6 bed and 4 bed apartment in Tignes at a hotel, two cars, and the same as before. Hotel did a deal with inc lift passes, so a week in Tignes inc lift pass was £500 ea which when the lift pass is £200 is pretty good going.
This year there is 12, and for a change we're going to have a chalet to ourselves.
I was looking at 4 hire cars, with 3 people in each plus their luggage which was £600, but we can get a private transfer for €600 so we're going to do that.
It's costing about £450 ea inc lift passes of £200.
Last time i did a package was to Minorca with the kids, and i kicked myself 'cos i'd paid loads for a poxy bus transfer when the hotel was only 20miles away from the airport. A return taxi would have been cheaper
meant to add. First time we did tignes we did a package. 4 of us.
Ended up in a place called Hameau de Borsat in Val Claret.
There was a entrance hall, a kitchenette. A living room which doubled up as sleeping for two and another room the size of two single beds in separated by a curtain. So you had one on the sofa, one on a bed and two on mattresses on the floor.
We called it Hameau de Borstal as that seemed more apt.
This year for about the same money we paid 10 years ago we're staying here:
http://www.chaletrevive.co.uk/chalet_photos.asp
Ended up in a place called Hameau de Borsat in Val Claret.
There was a entrance hall, a kitchenette. A living room which doubled up as sleeping for two and another room the size of two single beds in separated by a curtain. So you had one on the sofa, one on a bed and two on mattresses on the floor.
We called it Hameau de Borstal as that seemed more apt.
This year for about the same money we paid 10 years ago we're staying here:
http://www.chaletrevive.co.uk/chalet_photos.asp
Edited by davethebunny on Wednesday 3rd November 19:50
Thanks all.
I'll certainly be looking into this then. Although Andorra is perfectly driveable, I'd rather not.
If the conditions are bad, of which I've seen them bad enough to make a 3 hour coach trip into a 24 hour coach trip with the assistance of the army, I'd rather not be driving!
I'll certainly be looking into this then. Although Andorra is perfectly driveable, I'd rather not.
If the conditions are bad, of which I've seen them bad enough to make a 3 hour coach trip into a 24 hour coach trip with the assistance of the army, I'd rather not be driving!
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