OT: Ski holidays!

iPete

I've given myself the unenviable task of coming up with a half decent ski package for my unreliable mates!

Looking for recommendations for resorts in the South of France or Austria at the moment. Been using STA Travel to get a rough idea, any other sites worth checking? I'm trying to keep travel/accom to below 500, am I asking the world to hope for an 8 person self catered chalet?

To mix it up, could do with a resort thats good for all levels, ski and snowboard!

Thanks!

risi

It's possible, but depends upon a number of things like time of year etc etc.
A while back (2003) I took 5 other mates to Tignes in early January. Booking directly with a hotel, we got a 6 person apartment (self-catered, but in the hotel) for something like £180 each. Even better, that included a full Espace Killy pass!

Its worth looking at direct rental websites like http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk, where you are quite likely to find an 8 person self catered chalet.
I have a whole range of websites bookmarked for precisely this, but I will have to look them up when I get home later (I'm at a space centre in Italy at the moment with no internet connection from the control room, which is where I'm supposed to be at the moment!).

As for resorts, well, that also depends upon the time of year that you're thinking of going. I went to Les Gets in January and it was great, but I'm not sure I'd go there in March when I've been to other places like La Plagne, Les Arcs.

More if I find it...

Gussio

For the "real" skiing experience, head for the Cairgorms

discurio

my girlfriends mates travel to hopfgarten in austria every year for the past 8 years or so in a big group. im joining them for the 1st time in january.
they have been so many times to the same apartments that the family running it gave two of them a weeks accomadation for a wedding present.
i think it might work out about the price you're looking at. i will find out and post a link when i get home later.

jairaj

check out Crystal Ski's website. We booked through them last year got a good deal and the website is very good with information on all the resorts they offer.

Coach H

Used http://www.igluski.com/ a few times and always good deal.

Stuey01

I've used Neilson 3 times with large groups and always had good experiences.

For a self catered chalet I'd be looking at independant lets in french alps and bargain flights to Geneva. Had a 12berth self catered cahlet in Samoens for a week for just a £1200 before, it was nice too.

chadders81

You could do a lot worse than Les Deux Alpes. It's always pretty reasonably priced and it's pretty big, not to mention going up to 3,600 metres with its own glacier.

Loads of testing blacks and if anyone's a beginner, the nursery slopes are brilliant as they're up on the mountain rather than being in the resort.

Fireblade96

Coach H wrote:

Used http://www.igluski.com/ a few times and always good deal.

+1
Have used them several times. I'm a complete convert to the catered chalet ski* package, so much less hassle than self-catering and organising your own transport.

A couple of years ago I arranged skiing for approx 10 friends via Iglu, got a luxury catered chalet (with hot tub and open fire) in La Tania, flights and transfer included, for about £500 each.
The chalet had free, unlimited, fairly decent wine, plus port and cheese after dinner - which with the exchange rate and 3 Valleys drinks prices saved us a fortune !

* I use "ski" as a generic term. Skiing's for girls, all the cool boys are boarders ;-)

wgwarburton

Fireblade96 wrote:

* I use "ski" as a generic term. Skiing's for girls, all the cool boys are boarders ;-)

Common misconception, that: Boarders are people who think they are cool. Skiers are actually cooler, by virtue of the fact that they don't try so hard.
Boarders often don't get this, which alas rather proves the point...

My hint on organising group trips is that you should anticipate a dropout rate of at least a third. Book smaller than you think you need and get deposits early.

Cheers,
W.

Fireblade96

WGWarburton wrote:

Fireblade96 wrote:

* I use "ski" as a generic term. Skiing's for girls, all the cool boys are boarders ;-)

Common misconception, that: Boarders are people who think they are cool. Skiers are actually cooler, by virtue of the fact that they don't try so hard.
Boarders often don't get this, which alas rather proves the point...
....
Cheers,
W.

Iin my group of boarders there's only one under 40, so we're not talking "cool" in a baggy-panted fashion sort of way !
We love our skiing buddies; they help us along the flat bits ;-)

rhext

Fireblade96 wrote:

WGWarburton wrote:

Fireblade96 wrote:

* I use "ski" as a generic term. Skiing's for girls, all the cool boys are boarders ;-)

Common misconception, that: Boarders are people who think they are cool. Skiers are actually cooler, by virtue of the fact that they don't try so hard.
Boarders often don't get this, which alas rather proves the point...
....
Cheers,
W.

Iin my group of boarders there's only one under 40, so we're not talking "cool" in a baggy-panted fashion sort of way !
We love our skiing buddies; they help us along the flat bits ;-)

I always think of boarders as "cool" in a shuffling down snowy mountains on their backsides sort of way!

schweiz

are the dates on which you will go flexible?

If so avoid Christmas/New Year and the 2-3 weeks that cover half term holidays in the UK and other European countries (normally mid feb to early march) as prices for flights and accomodation will rocket.

Also remember that many (most?) places have arrivals/departures on Saturdays only so Saturday flights with easyjet and the like get booked quickly.

Saying that, for new year 2007 4 of us went to Les Contamines (didn't like the place!) and paid (I seem to remember) about £500 for an apartment that slept up to 8. 2 double/twin bedrooms and sofa beds for 4 in the living room. And we could have the place from Friday because it was empty.

But for a weeks holiday in France or Austria £500 should be more than enough for flights, airport transfers and self catering accomodation. In fact, you'll probably get a weeks ski pass within that budget too. Tourist information offices often act as booking agents so when you've narrowed down the resorts then give them a call.

Example...I've just checked for Wengen/Grindelwald and an 8 person chalet from 26 Feb - 5 Mar can be had for CHF2000. The pound is very weak and that still comes out at £156 per person. A 6 day ski pass is about £200, and easyjet flights from Gatwich to Zürich are £75 (including 1 checked bag per person) so that's £431. Swiss Railways do a special Airport to Hotel 'Swiss Transfer Ticket' which is a fixed price of £79 bringing you in at £510.... and France and Austria will be cheaper!

Also to save money if you buy the ski passes in one go you may qualify for group discount (although this is usually 10+)

Fogliettaz

click below, only sleeps 7 though.

iPete

Thanks for all the great responses, the trip planning is in its early stages so numbers and dates are still open!

p.s. Fogliettaz your link isn't working?!

Fogliettaz

Just type it in the address is correct.

iPete

Thanks I'll have a read later! p.s. you missed an e from saint..

Mr_Cellophane

Are you looking only at packages or are you thinking about booking it all separately ?
Try http://www.cheznous.com for the chalet.