Ski trip over christmas and new year!

[Seany88]

Hi everyone,

Not posted in here before but after a bit of advice. Thanks to the way xmas and new year falls this year I have the best possible opportunity of actually getting away for a decent amount of time! Getting a few friends together and we've decided a ski trip is best (other options were New York but its only really for new year's eve and a road trip around France). We're on a budget so I suggested we road trip it to a resort...as surely this'll be cheaper than flying?

So I'm after confirmation that this is indeed the cheaper option , suggestions of a decent resort to go (that is driveable) and can anyone recommend any chalets etc that would put up with us!

[flyingjase]

Cheap and skiiing over Xmas aren't really compatible

Driving to the Alps will be cheaper if there are a group of you to share costs or try the snow train.

You may strike lucky and get a cheap package deal to a less populr resort but don't hold your breath

Chalet's at Xmas are mega bucks and get booked ages in advance - it's one of the most popular times to go skiiing

I went to Val a few years ago over Xmas & New Year and as Chalet's are Sat - Sat booking we had a to book a hotel. The most budget hotel we could find was still over £200 per night and that was an ancient 2 star.

Good luck - I'd try Eastern Europe if you want budget

[Seany88]

flyingjase said:

Cheap and skiiing over Xmas aren't really compatible

Driving to the Alps will be cheaper if there are a group of you to share costs or try the snow train.

You may strike lucky and get a cheap package deal to a less populr resort but don't hold your breath

Chalet's at Xmas are mega bucks and get booked ages in advance - it's one of the most popular times to go skiiing

I went to Val a few years ago over Xmas & New Year and as Chalet's are Sat - Sat booking we had a to book a hotel. The most budget hotel we could find was still over £200 per night and that was an ancient 2 star.

Good luck - I'd try Eastern Europe if you want budget

Thanks for the reply.

Wishful thinking I guess, but have managed to find a deal to Andorra for about £500 so I guess that's good? Any idea of costs if driving and splitting costs between 4-5? Lift passes etc seem ridiculous prices!

[Iain328]

Seany88 said:

flyingjase said:

Cheap and skiiing over Xmas aren't really compatible

Driving to the Alps will be cheaper if there are a group of you to share costs or try the snow train.

You may strike lucky and get a cheap package deal to a less populr resort but don't hold your breath

Chalet's at Xmas are mega bucks and get booked ages in advance - it's one of the most popular times to go skiiing

I went to Val a few years ago over Xmas & New Year and as Chalet's are Sat - Sat booking we had a to book a hotel. The most budget hotel we could find was still over £200 per night and that was an ancient 2 star.

Good luck - I'd try Eastern Europe if you want budget

Thanks for the reply.

Wishful thinking I guess, but have managed to find a deal to Andorra for about £500 so I guess that's good? Any idea of costs if driving and splitting costs between 4-5? Lift passes etc seem ridiculous prices!

Where in Andorra? Went to Arinsal last Feb & its a bloody long coach transfer from Toulouse

[Seany88]

Iain328 said:

Seany88 said:

flyingjase said:

Cheap and skiiing over Xmas aren't really compatible

Driving to the Alps will be cheaper if there are a group of you to share costs or try the snow train.

You may strike lucky and get a cheap package deal to a less populr resort but don't hold your breath

Chalet's at Xmas are mega bucks and get booked ages in advance - it's one of the most popular times to go skiiing

I went to Val a few years ago over Xmas & New Year and as Chalet's are Sat - Sat booking we had a to book a hotel. The most budget hotel we could find was still over £200 per night and that was an ancient 2 star.

Good luck - I'd try Eastern Europe if you want budget

Thanks for the reply.

Wishful thinking I guess, but have managed to find a deal to Andorra for about £500 so I guess that's good? Any idea of costs if driving and splitting costs between 4-5? Lift passes etc seem ridiculous prices!

Where in Andorra? Went to Arinsal last Feb & its a bloody long coach transfer from Toulouse

Err...Arinsal how long was the transfer? First choice is saying arrive Toulouse 9.10am...will we get to ski that day?

[maser_spyder]

Seany88 said:

Iain328 said:

Seany88 said:

flyingjase said:

Cheap and skiiing over Xmas aren't really compatible

Driving to the Alps will be cheaper if there are a group of you to share costs or try the snow train.

You may strike lucky and get a cheap package deal to a less populr resort but don't hold your breath

Chalet's at Xmas are mega bucks and get booked ages in advance - it's one of the most popular times to go skiiing

I went to Val a few years ago over Xmas & New Year and as Chalet's are Sat - Sat booking we had a to book a hotel. The most budget hotel we could find was still over £200 per night and that was an ancient 2 star.

Good luck - I'd try Eastern Europe if you want budget

Thanks for the reply.

Wishful thinking I guess, but have managed to find a deal to Andorra for about £500 so I guess that's good? Any idea of costs if driving and splitting costs between 4-5? Lift passes etc seem ridiculous prices!

Where in Andorra? Went to Arinsal last Feb & its a bloody long coach transfer from Toulouse

Err...Arinsal how long was the transfer? First choice is saying arrive Toulouse 9.10am...will we get to ski that day?

Google maps is your friend, but basically, no.

I've done Christmas and new year a few times over the years, Christmas is great fun, but new year is just very expensive for flights and accommodation.

Don't even think about driving that far, it's not worth it.

Drive to the french resorts, or even austria or switzereland, but not eastern Europe.

If you plan to drive, budget for winter tyres or snow chains, etc.

[Iain328]

Seany88 said:

Iain328 said:

Seany88 said:

flyingjase said:

Cheap and skiiing over Xmas aren't really compatible

Driving to the Alps will be cheaper if there are a group of you to share costs or try the snow train.

You may strike lucky and get a cheap package deal to a less populr resort but don't hold your breath

Chalet's at Xmas are mega bucks and get booked ages in advance - it's one of the most popular times to go skiiing

I went to Val a few years ago over Xmas & New Year and as Chalet's are Sat - Sat booking we had a to book a hotel. The most budget hotel we could find was still over £200 per night and that was an ancient 2 star.

Good luck - I'd try Eastern Europe if you want budget

Thanks for the reply.

Wishful thinking I guess, but have managed to find a deal to Andorra for about £500 so I guess that's good? Any idea of costs if driving and splitting costs between 4-5? Lift passes etc seem ridiculous prices!

Where in Andorra? Went to Arinsal last Feb & its a bloody long coach transfer from Toulouse

Err...Arinsal how long was the transfer? First choice is saying arrive Toulouse 9.10am...will we get to ski that day?

No chance - they say its 4 hours but really its 5 hours+. The ski hire shop is actually up the mountain so unless you have your own gear you won't get skis the first day anyway. Ski hire place was very good though with good gear. You are unlikely to get your lift passes until the very end of the arrival day anyway.

Food up the mountain was (I thought) very expensive too. Went at half term with the kids it wasn't too busy. Its not a bad little ski area but its not the 3 valleys/Ischgl/St Anton etc. .

Arinsal town is on a steep hill too so you don't want to be staying too far from the ski lift. Had a good time there & it was ideal for what we wanted, but I wouldn't go back (because of the travelling as much as anything).