Skiing Holiday - Need Advice

chillymonster

Hi,

We've decided to go a Skiing Holiday in Jan/Feb
But since we have never been one before, we have NO CLUE what to do.

Can i have anyones & everyones opinion on this.

* Where & Whats affordable?
* Any hints on things i wouldn't think of?
* Any websites or Travel Companys that caters for all of this?

*Well, everything i need to about Skiing but were affraid to ask.




Thanks

nigelgg

Look here for a list of ski operators
http://www.travel-lists.co.uk/lk2ski.html

We are first-timers. I will be booking with Neilson, part of Thomas Cook. Check here:
http://www.neilson.co.uk/snow.aspx

leachyd

Finally people are starting to talk about skiing. I've been itching to go since i got back from the summer holidays!

The main thing about skiing really is your budget. People still seem to think you need to be loaded to go, but you certainly don't. If we know what yuor budget is, then might be able to able more relevant advice etc, such as where to go. For example some resorts do free ski passes for children, etc. Anyway, before i go on, let me know what your intial feelings are and i can try help you out

pandora205

January-February is a good time to go from a snow point of view but avoid half term as the prices rise then. For a first time, I'd suggest a resort offering 4 hours per day instruction. When I learned (lots of years ago) the instruction was particularly good in Austria, although often French resorts are more convenient. Andorra is also popular with Brits and good value (though I've not been).

I arrange my own package these days but my preference for many years has been to stay in a catered chalet. These are British run and include wine with the evening meal and afternoon tea, so pretty economical although rarely cheap (not least as they tend to be in France and Switzerland which aren't).

It is well worth learning on a ski slope in the UK before you go too, as this will save you several days of beginner practice on your holiday and help you become familiar with equipment and ski lifts. It's also a good idea to get as fit as you can, as this saves time and sore muscles.

If you post more details about yourselves (single, group, family etc.) and the type of holiday you generally enjoy (smart, clubbing, self-catering, etc.) I'll give some more suggestions.

PS Start saving now! Ski holidays are never cheap as there are lots of extras, like equipment hire and lift passes.

moonpie

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as we've booked a week in Switzerland in February. None of the family has ever skied (myself, my wife or our daughter aged 9) and we really have no idea what clothing we need. As this is our first time I really do not want to splash out on stuff we might never use again - we all have good quality (imho) raincoats, Lowe Alpine XCR and Dare2be but do we need special socks, footwear (when not skiing), underwear, fleeces, trousers etc.?


For OP's info we will be staying with Swiss friends in either their chalet or a hired chalet so we might save a bit on accomodation but they have told me that equipment hire (skis, sticks, helmets and boots) is between 50 and 70 CHF per day and that ski lift passes can be between 25 and 78 CHF for a day (the latter being for Zermatt, the most expensive)

barginunter

We ski every Christmas and never pay more than half brochure price. The first week in Jan (after New Year) is the cheapest week of the season and my favourite. There are less people and snow is usually excellent (in the right resort). If you can possibly go then you will get really good deals starting to appear mid-Nov onwards.
We always pre-book ski-hire online. If you can't borrow any, buy your ski gear from Aldi - it'll be in soon (subscribe to their newsletter for advanced notice http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/service/newsletter.php?WT.z_src=main ). You'll need thermals, ski suits, ski socks, hats/helmets(can hire) and gloves (mitts warmer).
Andorra is supposed to be good for newbies with Antipodean instructors. The big companies all do Learn to Ski packages. There are companies which specialise in family holidays - you don't give much detail. Skiing is a great family holiday - you'll have a real laugh!

Dan_S_3

Have you any idea what country you would like to ski in?
How long do you plan on going for?
What activities would you like to do when your not skiing?
How old are those people going?
Budget?

There are some amazing places out there to ski but some are not cheap.

fvm

Ski Power, are offering a discount of £150 pp if you book your January ski holiday during October - should be ideal for you.


For example, located on the outskirts of La Tania is Chalet Topaz (sleeps 16). The eight-bedroom chalet has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment. Perfect for those who enjoy the more decadent side of skiing, guests will enjoy Cordon Bleu chefs cooking a five-course meal each evening, before relaxing in the large outdoor hot-tub (big enough for eight guests at once).


Just a short walk from the resort centre and 120m from the ski lifts, a week’s stay, commencing 16 or 23 January, now cost just £459 pp (based on two sharing) – reduced by £150 pp. Price includes seven nights’ catered chalet hotel accommodation (daily breakfast and a five-course evening meal six days a week). Flights and transfers can be added for just £154 pp. Call Ski Power on 01737 30 60 29 or visit www. skipower. co.uk for more details.

vervin

Have private lessons ,you will learn quicker .Waiting for 7 to 9 others [in a ski school] to what you have been shown, it can take most of the week. A one to one is brill , or two to one etc.You will only need a few . Worth the extra arrange it when you get there.Have a fun time.

bloomers5

Hi we are planning a skiing holiday, but feel like a lamb to the slaughter.

Only done it once before on a skiing school trip to Italy - now i'm 43! Hubby and I and two children are complete beginners (could maybe do the snowplough again). We are poorish, no clothes etc. We have friends wilth snow gear we could borrow and I will check out lidl...but what country do we go to? Where do we hire skis from - how does it work? Do we pick it up here/there?
A friend said the cheapest we can do it for is 2 grand - is that right? Hubby fancies Italy because of the food, but what about Poland? or somewhere else in former eastern europe. Will the staff speak english?
MSE's really really appreciate your thoughts on this.

bloomers5

hazelrichardson

Hi

2 grand is really expensive in my opinion. I have now been to Bulgaria twice, Austria and France.

Clothes are best from either TX Maxx, or look on ebay. Most of my clothing came from charity shops when I first started out.

Skis will be hired from the resort, if you do a package deal then you can book these at the same time as your holiday as well as the ski passes and lessons which will be cheaper. If you go DIY like I do then you can find lots of companies on the internet (google search) to book your equipment direct with a shop in the resort.

Eastern Europe is a bit hit and miss. I went to Bulgaria last Christmas and found that there was no snow! Luckily we had a massive amount over night and for the rest of the week but you would need to go later in the season to guarentee snow. Alot of the staff in Bulgaria only speak limited English but I have no idea about other countries.

I have never once needed thermals. I just wear a vest top, long sleeve t-shirt and my coat. Sunglasses are essential as are a good pair of gloves and socks.

There are alot of resorts which aren't much good for beginners so you need to be careful.

I had lessons to begin with and they do really help. My daughter always has lessons so that she can meet other kids and make some friends for her holiday. She enjoys going out by herself for the day and buying her own lunch etc. I would give your kids mobile phones if they are having lessons away from you as you are unlikely to be in the same group so may need to get in contact.

Please ask any more questions as I am quite well versed in the different option now!

H