Skiing 24-25 Season who/where/when?

[Car bon]

Poor start in Andorra - practically no snow and Grandvalira have delayed their opening - which should have been today

No snow forecast for the next week either

[oddman]

oddman said:

ChocolateFrog said:

ChocolateFrog said:

oddman said:

No affiliation except being a fan of their skis.

Black Crows Black Friday sale

Has some pretty decent offers. I've been looking for an insulated shell/resort jacket and was leaning to Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft which is really highly rated and reviewed. The Black Crows jacket is at 60% off RRP and less than half the best price that I could find for the Helly jacket so couldn't resist.

If you're after an all mountain charging ski the big pink one (Corvus) at less than £400 is a decent price. Team with some Salomon/Atomic Shifts and you have a really versatile package.

Thanks for that, picked up a few bits.

Subject to import duty, which is a bit annoying and wasn't made clear at the checkout.

Expected that with shipping from France TBH. I'm getting a message for tomorrow delivery but haven't had the ransom note yet.

Jacket arrived yesterday. Big and boxy in style but a size down would not be big enough with other layers. Wrist gaiter things work really well with gloves. Sensible hood which sits well when not in use and comfortably covers helmet. You know you're going to be completely sealed in on a windy snowy chair. Loads of pockets - more than you need really. 4 big pockets on front (likely won't use the lower ones) An internal phone pocket a stretchy internal pocket for skins and the super useful sleeve pocket for pass. Furry polartec lining which I have in a cycling gilet and I know works really well. Shell is a non goretex membrane. AIUI they're all much of a muchness but goretex clearly leads the market and partners with top brands. TBF its very rare to be skiing in pissing rain and I have other shells for touring/ ski mountaineering. For £215 it's an absolute bargain

No additional fees for me.

[MiniMan64]

Car bon said:

Poor start in Andorra - practically no snow and Grandvalira have delayed their opening - which should have been today

No snow forecast for the next week either

st.

[robertsnuffles55]

I've booked to go to val D'Isere this year but my gosh it is expensive. By the time you've added up ski pass, accomodation and transport you are already at over £1000 pp.

[The_Doc]

It always was.
A complex holiday in the mountains.

[prand]

robertsnuffles55 said:

I've booked to go to val D'Isere this year but my gosh it is expensive. By the time you've added up ski pass, accomodation and transport you are already at over £1000 pp.

It's always been an expensive holiday. Recent price increases have made it more obvious. However ive found you can try to limit costs.

Having 2 teenagers means I'm now basically paying double with 2 small adults in tow but by cutting my cloth its possible to trim back in areas that could be very costly. So for our trip to France this Christmas this is what we did for just over £500 per head: (food not included)

1. Off peak as much as feasible (this year going just before Xmas as soon as both finish school). Cheaper flights, accommodation, ski lift cheaper too as early season deals.

2. Self catering in an apartment. (Taking a few bags of pasta, porridge, tins of soup, frozen lasagne (has been k own!) etc to save a few €€ on meals, will be making nice french bread sandwiches for lunch too.

3. Go on a shorter trip with careful flight selection to maximise slope time. This trip we're away for 4 nights but arrive in resort about 11.00am and flight home is 8pm so nearly 5 days skiing. Flying to Geneva gives us a lot more choice than Chambery/lyon.

4. Book ski equipment through Alpinresorts.com, their best discounts in France but 4 people's worth of skis, boots, helmets for £60 each. Choose shop nearest the main lift with storage and you have a short walk to the lift with your gear in the mornings.

5. Hiring a car so we can stay in the lower altitude location with more and cheaper accommodation
and drive to find the snow if necessary (I.e were staying in Les Gets, likely we will need to go to Avoriaz for snow) Car Hire same as 1 way taxi transfer (couldn't get the shared transfer (which are good value) timings to work). Similarly don't stay in Val D'Isere, stay in Tignes Val Claret instead as one rssort is considerably cheaper than the other. Yes it's not the same town and that's half the fun but you get access to the same mountains!

6. Only taking one hold bag on the airline, everyone takes a rucksack for under the seat and 1 holdall fits everyones ski suits and saves 3x£70 extra

I really do miss the all inclusive nature of a catered chalet, with a nice hot tub food and drink all provided, but this is the best way I've found to get the family on a trip without spending twice as much as a 2 week summer holiday!

Edited by prand on Friday 29th November 14:25

[GriffTorque]

Just booked a week in Val Thorens for mid-January—totally unexpected since I figured skiing was off the cards for a couple of years with newborn twins arriving in April. But after some chatter between mates in the group chat this week, it didn’t take much convincing

We’ve sorted an Airbnb apartment and booked 'Le Shuttle' for the early hours of Saturday. With any luck we’ll be in resort by 4 pm just in time to check in & grab a few beers...

The weapon of my choice: my A6 Allroad. I've thought about taking the Disco 4, but between its thirst for fuel and its 'quirky reliability', it didn’t make sense given we don't really need to additional space of the Disco!

All said and done, with accommodation, shuttle, fuel, and lift passes, costs will come in in just under £1,100 each for the three of us. Not bad for VT, will be my fifth time there in as many years.

[ChocolateFrog]

There's no freshly baked cake waiting for me in the chalet at 1700 now I'm paying for myself

I think we're at the £600 mark pp staying in Briançon, driving, equipment hire, ski school x3 and passes for 2 adults and 2 young children (child's passes are free).

Probably hard to do it much cheaper these days.

[Doggleg]

Missus and I are going to Courchevel for 16 days from the end of December. Just checked the cost of passes for 14 days, 1644 euros!! It feels like it has increased a lot. Don't remember it being that expensive last year. We normally just take the Courchevel valley but online they only have the full three valleys pass mentioned. We'll wait until we get there and see if it's an option in the shop, and whether there's decent snow cover.

[Jurgen100]

I’m doing Arosa in Switzerland in March. Anyone been before? Any tips / recommendations welcome.

[malks222]

Doggleg said:

Missus and I are going to Courchevel for 16 days from the end of December. Just checked the cost of passes for 14 days, 1644 euros!! It feels like it has increased a lot. Don't remember it being that expensive last year. We normally just take the Courchevel valley but online they only have the full three valleys pass mentioned. We'll wait until we get there and see if it's an option in the shop, and whether there's decent snow cover.

I think the 3V have been quite punchy with their year on year increases, and yes it’s now become noticeable! also i think the courchevel area pass has increased more that it’s almost not worth it, and should just get the full 3V pass (quick check and its €35 extra for full 3V for 6days, but costs €43 if you go to upgrade for one day….)

Think rough costs for us for courchevel 1650, for 2 adults + 1 kid @ february half term is:

apartment £1,000
flights £1250 (3 x checked bags 2 x skis)
transfer £600
lift passes £800
ski school £250

£4k before spending is a pretty chunky number!! and i know we could do it cheaper, but it’s my favourite holiday of the year, and I just love skiing!

[Doggleg]

Agree, it's definitely not a cheap holiday now. Interestingly, I think equipment hire is still relatively good value. If you book with Intersport online in advance, the cost reduction is significant over just hiring in the shop in the resort when you get there. We are 400 euros for 14 days for one ski package and one board only (I take my own step-ons).

[ChocolateFrog]

Doggleg said:

Agree, it's definitely not a cheap holiday now. Interestingly, I think equipment hire is still relatively good value. If you book with Intersport online in advance, the cost reduction is significant over just hiring in the shop in the resort when you get there. We are 400 euros for 14 days for one ski package and one board only (I take my own step-ons).

Agreed a relative bargain. Booked yesterday to get the extra BF deal. Top spec kit for a week for €100. The kids stuff was around €25. I think the service package for a week was either an extra €6 or €9.

Feels like great value to me.

[oddman]

If you go once or twice a year and fly, adding what airlines charge to carry skis to servicing costs whether DIY or shop, there isn't much of an economic case for owning your own skis.

[MiniMan64]

Is the general thought that booking the kit hire online ahead of time is a much better deal than in person on the day?

[oddman]

MiniMan64 said:

Is the general thought that booking the kit hire online ahead of time is a much better deal than in person on the day?

I think it's generally the case but even if not, it means you have more time to think about and research your choices and not forced to take what's left if much of the equipment has been pre booked.

I've done this for a trip where I took cabin luggage only - wore ski clothes, boots in overhead bag. Was really pleased to try a pair of skis I was interested in buying.

[Jurgen100]

My view is if you go every year (even if only once a year) you’re better off buying your own skis and boots. Hire costs were reasonable ten years ago but not any more. Now you just pay through the nose to rent a battered pair of skis.

Another added bonus is you avoid the bun fight of going out to get your skis, fitting etc and then having to return at the end of the holiday.

[Doggleg]

MiniMan64 said:

Is the general thought that booking the kit hire online ahead of time is a much better deal than in person on the day?

I think the saving with Intersport was about 25% between booking online ahead of time and renting on the day in the shop. Even booking ahead you can still end up with whatever they have left. I ended up with a very short board last year (152cm instead of my usual 160+) but it turned out it was great and I won't go back to a big board if I can help it.

[wobert]

Doggleg said:

MiniMan64 said:

Is the general thought that booking the kit hire online ahead of time is a much better deal than in person on the day?

I think the saving with Intersport was about 25% between booking online ahead of time and renting on the day in the shop. Even booking ahead you can still end up with whatever they have left. I ended up with a very short board last year (152cm instead of my usual 160+) but it turned out it was great and I won't go back to a big board if I can help it.

I’ve booked through Intersport for Belle Plagne, £120 each for boots, skis and poles.

That’s what I paid last year.

Noting others expenditures, mine are as follows:

Base holiday £3,100 for 3 adults, hotel, half board.
Ski Passes £900 for 3 adults
Ski hire £350 for 3 adults
2 hrs ski lesson for 3 adults (refresher) £210

So, £4.5k before food and drink.

This is my annual treat to my adult children after they lost their mum (aged 54) in 2023.

It’s about spending time together and making memories, if that means making a few sacrifices during the year, then so be it!

Edited by wobert on Saturday 30th November 13:30

[MiniMan64]

prand said:

It's always been an expensive holiday. Recent price increases have made it more obvious. However ive found you can try to limit costs.

Having 2 teenagers means I'm now basically paying double with 2 small adults in tow but by cutting my cloth its possible to trim back in areas that could be very costly. So for our trip to France this Christmas this is what we did for just over £500 per head: (food not included)

4. Book ski equipment through Alpinresorts.com, their best discounts in France but 4 people's worth of skis, boots, helmets for £60 each. Choose shop nearest the main lift with storage and you have a short walk to the lift with your gear in the mornings.

Cheers for this link, we’d been pricing up on Intersport and it was about £400 for two adults and two kids but that website is quoting £225 at local shops which seems like a bargain. That’s Saturday to Saturday though since we arrive Saturday and can’t get into the flat until 4pm so won’t actually ski till Sunday but I figure getting the kit that evening is a better idea.