First time skiing , any ideas!!

gadger999

I am thinking of going skiing next year ( 4 adults and 2 kids-12 +14 years old).
None of us has any experiance, so would like some suggestions on where and when to go and how much its likely to cost all in( ski hire , lift pass etc.)
Thanks.....

Coolhandluke

Friend has just returned from Livigno in Italy with wife and 2 daughters and it was their 1st time skiing.
He's hooked and is already planning a return next year.
They went self catering but found prices reasonable to eat out in the evening.
Only downside with this resort would be the transfer time.

monkeyspanner

Your best bet is to look at the main brochures to see where you would like to go. The 2006/7 preview brochures are already out. The main companies are:
Crystal (part of TUi), Thomsons (part of Tui), Inghams, Neilson, Panorama. You can also try Iglu online http://www.igluski.com which has asubstantial slice of the market.
Because of the age of your Children they are going to count as adults in the brochure prices, although you might find some lift passes and ski hire which count the youngest one as a child.
Christmas and Feb half term are peak periods and the tour companies charge accordingly. You might look at organising a trip yourself especially to USA or Canada as you will pay by the room once you are there.

To give you an idea of prices:

I organised 16days in New England last Christmas with 10 days skiing and 4 nights in Boston for 2 Adults and one of child of 12 for £2500. This included ski passes and 2 weeks car hire (4x4) but no ski hire as we have our own. Food petrol etc on top.

I have just booked a late season 7 day ski holiday package half board in Finland for 2 Adults and 1 child age 13 for £1002. On top of this we will pay about £84 each for 6 day lift passes and ski and boot hire would be about £50 each.

and Finally I have just started organising for christmas 2006/7 with flights to Montreal which I have managed to get for £285 each.

You will need to consider the cost of lessons but most companies do packages where your ski/boot hire and lessons and lift passes are included.

As you are beginners most resorts will be ok. To keep the cost down you might want to try one of the less mainstream countries like Andorra, Slovenia or Bulgaria. USA/Canada are good because the resorts tend to be self contained and well invested and you can combine the skiing with a city break or even in California with the theme parks.

If you want more specific advice please feel free to PM me.

Sarahsaver

Bulgaria
Inghams

Fantastic value and none of the pretension that exists in some northern European resorts.

Kids outfits off ebay, go to soccer sports NOW to get some fantastic savings on ski clothes. A woman in a ski shop advised us to only buy one set of base layer clothes just dry them out overnight.
Hope you go and enjoy it it really is worth it.

Counting_Pennies_2

I too would recommend Livigno, the transfer time is long, about 6 hours, but if you can get portable dvds for the kids and be prepared to have a sleep and enjoy the scenary you will be ok.

It is on the border of Switzerland, and I know there is a tunnel right next to the resort and they were looking at ways of transporting tourists through the tunnel, so you could explore that option.

The good thing about the resort is it is duty free, I loved the ski-ing, and the facilities were good for apres ski.

I also went to Alpes Des Heuz in France and that too is great, the transfer is much less, and the slopes equally as good. I would recommend seeing if you can stay in a chalet with another family, so you get to meet others. Alternatively you could find a chalet hotel (so it has the same sort of catering as a chalet, but it is a smallish hotel, with about 30 rooms) so that way you get to speak to lots of others.

I would recommend booking beginners classes up for you all in advance and booking standard ski hire package, although I would consider an upgrade just for the boots to the best range they have. You will find these are the most uncomfortable of all the equipment, especially when walking in them.

Boots comfort in mind, I would recommend booking your accommodation as close to the ski-school as possible, the brochures will give you an idea, check on the map in the brochure to be sure and speak to your travel agent.

Make sure you drink lots in the evenings to rehydrate yourself after the day of exercise. I would also recommend getting fit so you can make the most out of the holiday and so you can minimise the aches and pains.

That said it is worth all the minor discomforts. Ski-ing is a totally different holiday to any other I have taken, I can't wait to go again in a few years time after I have had another baby and my little one will be four, just ripe for wizzing fearless down the slopes!!!

Counting_Pennies_2

Sarahsaver wrote:

Bulgaria
Inghams

Fantastic value and none of the pretension that exists in some northern European resorts.

Bulgaria is cheap, but I have been there for a ski-ing holiday and it feels cheap! The slopes were in poor condition compared to other places I have been (see my other post above) and the accommodation just as cheap. The food inedible and service not much better. Personally I would say if you don't want to be put off ski-ing for life avoid Bulgaria.

For me if you are out and about ski-ing you want to come back to some measure of comfort.

stellagypsy

Italy takes some beating for value and quality. Lovely people / atmosphere, great for families. Will be going there yet again next year for a "cheapie" week, also just booked Finnish Lapland for a week in March 2007 - looks great for beginners / intermediates.

HTH, Stella x