Cheap long weekend skiing but where?

[Ungarsee]

Me and a mate are planning a long weekend to get some skiing in but do not want to spend a packet. There are loads of deals around at the moment for a week but my holiday period runs from March to Feb and I only have two days left to take.

So, can anyone recommend anywhere? We're not picky on area, we could drive if the price stacked up and self catering is not a problem. Also we're not expecting to find 5 star so happy with relatively basic accommodation.

Budget wise if we could get it nearer £200 than £300 for transport, accommodation and passes etc then happy days. Is this going to be possible and if so where?

Cheers

[deeen]

Box Hill ?

[fiveoclockhero1]

Leith Hill?

[Ungarsee]

I was thinking a little further afield than Surrey but looking out of the window you could have a point!!

[maser_spyder]

Easiest place to get to for a weekend is probably Chamonix.

Fly to Geneva (cheap), 1 hour transfer to Chamonix with Alpybus or similar.

Great snow, big area, plenty to do.

Chamonix town is a bit of a dump (it looks like a leftover town from an 'exposition du concrete, 1990'), but there's loads of restaurants and bars, etc.

[tvrolet]

Cairngorm

And this is despite telling some folks not to bother with Scotland who asked late last year. At that point we were predicting (as always in recent times) rocks, heather, sleet and winds that would blow you off your feet. But there's a full cover right now and a bluebird day predicted for Friday. I'll be there

Seriously though, check the forecasts as things can change really quickly - it might be slush to your knees in a fornight or boilerplate and gales. Scotland's never going to have the range or vertical of any of the major areas - three valleys it ain't - but right now it's driveable and for a real el-cheapo break you could probably get a B&B or 'chalet' [static caravan] at the end of the ski road.

Then again, even though I'll be skiing in Scotland over the next few weekends/days off, I'm off to Chamonix at the end of the month, and then off to Lake Tahoe at Easter so it is 'second rate' (or less) in terms of world-class skiing - but right now there's great conditions and it can be cheap.

[Ungarsee]

Thanks gents. I've had too many stories from my wife of miserable days spent on the scottish slopes when she was a youngun to take a punt on Scotland but Chamonix looks like it could be a goer. Can you recommend any good sites for sorting accommodation?

[maser_spyder]

Ungarsee said:

Thanks gents. I've had too many stories from my wife of miserable days spent on the scottish slopes when she was a youngun to take a punt on Scotland but Chamonix looks like it could be a goer. Can you recommend any good sites for sorting accommodation?

Google is your friend.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=chamonix+apartments



The plus side of Chamonix (Concrete City), is there are loads and loads (and loads) of small soul-less concrete apartments. It's a room, bed, and small kitchen, in a huge block with hundreds of others, ideal for a long weekend. No charm at all, but that hardly matters for 2 or 3 nights!

I took 10 guys out there on a stag week a couple of years ago. Apartment was 550 euros for the week, shared between us. (55 euros a week each for the mathematically challenged). Flights and transfers came to another £100~~ We had a week away for about £150 plus lift pass and food, ridiculous bargain.

I know a few people that do long weekends in Cham, it's quite popular because it's so close to an airport, and has generally good snow and lots of accommodation.

I know a guy that used to finish work at 3pm on Friday, get a 4.30 flight, and be in the bar by 9pm! Did the reverse on Sunday afternoon, flight out at 7pm, home by midnight. He used to do it a good few times a season.

I've probably not made it sound all that nice, but actually, it's a good fun place, lots of bars and restaurants, very lively, popular with young people so has a real buzz, and proximity to Mont Blanc means you get a proper scattering of real enthusiasts.

Beware though, it's not an ideal beginners resort. The nursery slopes are naff. Intermediates and above will find the terrain perfect, lots of reds and blacks, and off piste can be had as there are loads of good guides in the area.

I've actually spent three or four weeks there over the years, so although I'm not that keen, it still keeps coming to get me.

My gripe is with what the French mountain restaurants charge for a meal (it's bloody obscene), and a beer at the end of the day. I'm also not over-keen on concrete! Other than that, it's a good resort.

HTH.

[andy400]

Borovets - Bulgaria. Had some great skiing there (beginner/intermediate). Cheap. Ok nightlife.

Also- Sarajevo (where I am typing this), an often-overlooked former Olympic venue and very cheap.

Edited by andy400 on Thursday 7th January 07:08

[tony_666]

There are also lots of small villages around Chamonix that do cheap hotels ...if you enjoy driving then drive down thru the night to go out and back thru the night to come back ....if there's a couple of you sharing the driving then you get a couple of hours sleep whilst the other is driving. I do this quite often, either driving thru the night on the Thurs or Fri and coming back on the Sun or Mon night and straight into work. Saves on hotels as well.

[Amateurish]

Ungarsee said:

Me and a mate are planning a long weekend to get some skiing in but do not want to spend a packet. There are loads of deals around at the moment for a week but my holiday period runs from March to Feb and I only have two days left to take.

So, can anyone recommend anywhere? We're not picky on area, we could drive if the price stacked up and self catering is not a problem. Also we're not expecting to find 5 star so happy with relatively basic accommodation.

Budget wise if we could get it nearer £200 than £300 for transport, accommodation and passes etc then happy days. Is this going to be possible and if so where?

Cheers

Driving won't fit your budget. It will probably cost about £400 all in so that's all your budget blown. You might be able to get Easyjet to Geneva for £50 each.

[russ_a]

You will be lucky to get a flight and lift pass for £300.

If money is the main driving factor then another vote for Scotland here!

I went boarding in Yad Moss in the Lakes last week and it was excellent.

[maser_spyder]

russ_a said:

You will be lucky to get a flight and lift pass for £300.

If money is the main driving factor then another vote for Scotland here!

I went boarding in Yad Moss in the Lakes last week and it was excellent.

For a long weekend only, it's possible.

For example;

19th to 23rd Feb, with easyjet right now, flights £27 out, £19 return, £46 total (plus baggage if you need it).

Transfers 15 euros each way on the bus.

That's about £75 for travel, right to Chamonix town.

Lift pass 107 euros for 3 days.

Accommodation 100 Euros each (based 2 sharing). (chamonixweekends.com - you might get it cheaper!).

Total - 207 Euros, (about £180), plus £75 travel.

Approx. £255 plus food and drink.

HTH!

[Nobby Diesel]

Ungarsee said:

Thanks gents. I've had too many stories from my wife of miserable days spent on the scottish slopes when she was a youngun to take a punt on Scotland but Chamonix looks like it could be a goer. Can you recommend any good sites for sorting accommodation?

Try here...http://www.chamonet.com/
Somewhere to stay will be cheaper up or down the valley. Try Les Houches, La Tour, Argentiere. If you must be in Cham, look for Cham Sud.

[Ungarsee]

This is great. Thanks for all your help guys. Chamonix is definitely looking like the place, just need to do my research now.

Thanks again.