Who's going skiing and where? 23-24
Discussion
brickwall said:
I bought my PdS season pass for 22/23 back in April. 560CHF, so equates to about 9 days skiing.
No idea when I’m actually going yet, but that was too good an offer to miss.
That's a decent deal - on a similar basis, I've just bought a season ticket for the Grand Massif for 525 euros per adult and 325 euros per child, which is an offer which finishes at the end of September. I think that also equates to around 10 days skiing so I've booked 2 weeks for next Easter in Samoens in April with the family and I'm also hoping I can get there some time in March to make good use of it.No idea when I’m actually going yet, but that was too good an offer to miss.
For me, this next season is also about improving my technique, so I've also booked three weeks with a company which offer ski coaching, which will mostly be Meribel - first week will start on the 10th Dec.
The_Doc said:
prand said:
I booked a private transfer from Geneva to Les Gets via Findtransfer.com, not done this before but seems legit and decent price (€480 return for 8 in a minibus). Alps2Alps who i have used before were quoting over €1000!
For 8 people that's a good rate 480/8=Eu60A weeks GVA car hire is rarely less than £350 these days for 4 adults, but you do get the car in resort which we like a lot.
It will take a while for the transfer companies to rebuild their fleets and then competition push prices down again. Ditto the Car hire companies.
Skiidyygonzales went from 80+ vans to about 5 I think.
Bobajobbob said:
Son number 2 booked with mates in Switzerland in Feb and full family booked in Avoriaz at the end of March. Now just need to sort out a trip with my friends earlier in the season.
My only worry this season is that energy costs may have a very real impact on resorts and their ability to operate all lifts, services and snow cannons. It might be wise to favour resorts that have renewable energy supplies if that is a thing? Anyone know? Otherwise expect massive surcharges and inflation on lift passes. If there is an impact I guess it would be most likely at the end of the season but I wouldn't be surprised if some resorts close early this year.
French energy costs are significantly lower than UK prices right now. I wouldn't worry about it. The cap for 2023 has already been announced.My only worry this season is that energy costs may have a very real impact on resorts and their ability to operate all lifts, services and snow cannons. It might be wise to favour resorts that have renewable energy supplies if that is a thing? Anyone know? Otherwise expect massive surcharges and inflation on lift passes. If there is an impact I guess it would be most likely at the end of the season but I wouldn't be surprised if some resorts close early this year.
Amateurish said:
French energy costs are significantly lower than UK prices right now. I wouldn't worry about it. The cap for 2023 has already been announced.
Yes - what comes with a sensible Nuclear energy policy that also allows you to sell surplus electricity overseas.I did notice in France this summer that general prices were up, so am expecting higher (i.e. food, drink etc) prices in resorts.
prand said:
Amateurish said:
French energy costs are significantly lower than UK prices right now. I wouldn't worry about it. The cap for 2023 has already been announced.
Yes - what comes with a sensible Nuclear energy policy that also allows you to sell surplus electricity overseas.I did notice in France this summer that general prices were up, so am expecting higher (i.e. food, drink etc) prices in resorts.
EDF is owned 85% by the French state, but EDF weren't too happy about being told what their prices were, so they have launched legal action against the French Government for €8.3bn !
Seemingly the 15% of EDF not owned by the People weren't too happy.
One wonders if the 85% were happy with the price of the legal action. The lawyers always win.
AND..... the French government has plans to buy up the remaining 15% for €9bn, thus doing away with a tiresome legal action. A renationalisation
I predict lorries parked on motorways and people burning tyres in yellow vests, or business as usual a la France....
It’s quite a coincidence that nuclear policy has been mentioned because only last week I’ve decided that the Bulgaria trip I booked 7 months ago for Feb half term can’t go ahead due to the nuclear policy of one t
t in particular. It’s a pity really because I’d got a great deal when I booked it before we left the resort this year.
t in particular. It’s a pity really because I’d got a great deal when I booked it before we left the resort this year. The_Doc said:
The French government legislated a price cap for energy, ie a law to keep prices down.
EDF is owned 85% by the French state, but EDF weren't too happy about being told what their prices were, so they have launched legal action against the French Government for €8.3bn !
Seemingly the 15% of EDF not owned by the People weren't too happy.
One wonders if the 85% were happy with the price of the legal action. The lawyers always win.
AND..... the French government has plans to buy up the remaining 15% for €9bn, thus doing away with a tiresome legal action. A renationalisation
I predict lorries parked on motorways and people burning tyres in yellow vests, or business as usual a la France....
Still not fully tied down for Businesses in France, current proposals for a ten fold increase!EDF is owned 85% by the French state, but EDF weren't too happy about being told what their prices were, so they have launched legal action against the French Government for €8.3bn !
Seemingly the 15% of EDF not owned by the People weren't too happy.
One wonders if the 85% were happy with the price of the legal action. The lawyers always win.
AND..... the French government has plans to buy up the remaining 15% for €9bn, thus doing away with a tiresome legal action. A renationalisation
I predict lorries parked on motorways and people burning tyres in yellow vests, or business as usual a la France....
prand said:
Amateurish said:
French energy costs are significantly lower than UK prices right now. I wouldn't worry about it. The cap for 2023 has already been announced.
Yes - what comes with a sensible Nuclear energy policy that also allows you to sell surplus electricity overseas.I did notice in France this summer that general prices were up, so am expecting higher (i.e. food, drink etc) prices in resorts.
The pound is falling against the Euro which will only make things worse.
Does anyone have any suggestions on places to help me get the missus a bit of beginner experience, I’m hoping to take her away for a long weekend In December, to have some lessons on actual slopes, before a ski holiday next year. (She’s already done some indoor snow centre lessons)
- go Thursday, return Tuesday.
- quick flight from london or luton.
- not too long a transport to resort
- ski in ski out preferable
- budget up to £3k
I’m not too fussed about which country, just need whatever is quickest and least faff to get her as much time on the slopes in lessons.
I like innsbruck, but it’s not a ski in, ski out resort.
- go Thursday, return Tuesday.
- quick flight from london or luton.
- not too long a transport to resort
- ski in ski out preferable
- budget up to £3k
I’m not too fussed about which country, just need whatever is quickest and least faff to get her as much time on the slopes in lessons.
I like innsbruck, but it’s not a ski in, ski out resort.
You need to go high for reliable snow in December.
Minimum 1800 m in the French Alps.
My parents do 2nd to 4th Saturday in December every year, before the tourists arrive and sometimes there isn't enough snow to ski.
Although admittedly all she needs is some resort nursery runs which might be pisted. Or might not that early in the standard season.
Some years they have amazing empty slopes on very good early snowfall. Literally whole days without seeing people apart form on the lifts.
Minimum 1800 m in the French Alps.
My parents do 2nd to 4th Saturday in December every year, before the tourists arrive and sometimes there isn't enough snow to ski.
Although admittedly all she needs is some resort nursery runs which might be pisted. Or might not that early in the standard season.
Some years they have amazing empty slopes on very good early snowfall. Literally whole days without seeing people apart form on the lifts.
Greshamst said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on places to help me get the missus a bit of beginner experience, I’m hoping to take her away for a long weekend In December, to have some lessons on actual slopes, before a ski holiday next year. (She’s already done some indoor snow centre lessons)
- go Thursday, return Tuesday.
- quick flight from london or luton.
- not too long a transport to resort
- ski in ski out preferable
- budget up to £3k
I’m not too fussed about which country, just need whatever is quickest and least faff to get her as much time on the slopes in lessons.
I like innsbruck, but it’s not a ski in, ski out resort.
On your criteria, I'd suggest also considering the available terrain. If your other half is more of a beginner, and you are going for a long weekend, then I would suggest looking for easily accessible, confidence inspiring, wide, fairly shallow gradient, blue/ish slopes as part of your criteria. - go Thursday, return Tuesday.
- quick flight from london or luton.
- not too long a transport to resort
- ski in ski out preferable
- budget up to £3k
I’m not too fussed about which country, just need whatever is quickest and least faff to get her as much time on the slopes in lessons.
I like innsbruck, but it’s not a ski in, ski out resort.
The key imo is to try and get your other half hooked on skiing; the pleasure of being in the mountains, the scenery and the air etc whilst also helping her to feel confident that she can make progress. And the type of slopes will be a big part of that.
So with all that in mind, I'd look at one of the nice hotels close to the slopes in Courchevel.
EddieSteadyGo said:
On your criteria, I'd suggest also considering the available terrain. If your other half is more of a beginner, and you are going for a long weekend, then I would suggest looking for easily accessible, confidence inspiring, wide, fairly shallow gradient, blue/ish slopes as part of your criteria.
The key imo is to try and get your other half hooked on skiing; the pleasure of being in the mountains, the scenery and the air etc whilst also helping her to feel confident that she can make progress. And the type of slopes will be a big part of that.
So with all that in mind, I'd look at one of the nice hotels close to the slopes in Courchevel.
+1 that Courchevel would be a lovely place to be. Although I have no idea what December snow is like there though as it’s a fair bit lower than Meribel and Val Thorens?The key imo is to try and get your other half hooked on skiing; the pleasure of being in the mountains, the scenery and the air etc whilst also helping her to feel confident that she can make progress. And the type of slopes will be a big part of that.
So with all that in mind, I'd look at one of the nice hotels close to the slopes in Courchevel.
Marcellus said:
Will there actually be many resorts (if any) open much before Christmas?
The last few years, particularly the French Alps that I have been watching, has not been too bad for pre christmas snow.The worst in my memory for the last 10 years was Christmas 2014, when there was practically nothing until Boxing Day when there was a huge dump, unfortunately on changeover day which caused utterly carnage on the roads with thousands stranded in their cars.
Otherwise there's usually been enough to at least ski, sometimes a bit scratchy, but artificial snow and good management makes the most of it. Other years, like last year for instance, was a fantastic start to the season, some resorts opening early due to excellent snow cover. The high resorts like Tignes, Less Arcs 2000, Val Thorens, and to a point Avoriaz, are generally good.
This year is a tricky one to call, will warm dry conditions experienced in most of Europe continue into Autumn/Winter? Or will the seasonal cold systems kick in as usual? Nobody seems sure yet. Memory says its usually mid November when you start to see significant snowfalls (or not) to predict what the start will be like.
I've got everything crossed for some snow before Christmas as we're going to Les Gets, only about 1000m so not the best for guaranteed snow on 17 Dec!
Would normally be Silver Star in BC for Xmas, but we had pretty much written it off down to the vaccine regs and our oldest child becoming 12 (not keen on being jabbed). However it seems that Canada may be lifting all COVID entry regs on 30th Sept, so maybe we have a chance - especially as Early Bird passes are available until mid October.
Then of course the pound decided to disappear into the toilet, making the already sparse flight options likely to be even more expensive by the time we are ready to buy.
Ho hum.
Then of course the pound decided to disappear into the toilet, making the already sparse flight options likely to be even more expensive by the time we are ready to buy.
Ho hum.
eps said:
Richard-390a0 said:
3rd week of January ClubMed Val Thorens for me & a mate coming over from L.A.
Really enjoyed it when we went with ClubMed in Les Deux Alpes - great fun!! Hopefully they still do the 'treats' in the morning as you leave to go to the slopes - a bit of genepi or similar! Make sure you partake if they do!
EddieSteadyGo said:
Greshamst said:
Does anyone have any suggestions on places to help me get the missus a bit of beginner experience, I’m hoping to take her away for a long weekend In December, to have some lessons on actual slopes, before a ski holiday next year. (She’s already done some indoor snow centre lessons)
- go Thursday, return Tuesday.
- quick flight from london or luton.
- not too long a transport to resort
- ski in ski out preferable
- budget up to £3k
I’m not too fussed about which country, just need whatever is quickest and least faff to get her as much time on the slopes in lessons.
I like innsbruck, but it’s not a ski in, ski out resort.
On your criteria, I'd suggest also considering the available terrain. If your other half is more of a beginner, and you are going for a long weekend, then I would suggest looking for easily accessible, confidence inspiring, wide, fairly shallow gradient, blue/ish slopes as part of your criteria. - go Thursday, return Tuesday.
- quick flight from london or luton.
- not too long a transport to resort
- ski in ski out preferable
- budget up to £3k
I’m not too fussed about which country, just need whatever is quickest and least faff to get her as much time on the slopes in lessons.
I like innsbruck, but it’s not a ski in, ski out resort.
The key imo is to try and get your other half hooked on skiing; the pleasure of being in the mountains, the scenery and the air etc whilst also helping her to feel confident that she can make progress. And the type of slopes will be a big part of that.
So with all that in mind, I'd look at one of the nice hotels close to the slopes in Courchevel.
This year it’s 2nd-10th December, I think in Val Thorens.
Fabulous fun if you’re a student, pretty holiday-ruining if you’re not.
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