Skiing for the first time. Need som advice

Hi,

I am looking to go skiing in late January or early February.

Is it better to go on a package deal, or will it be better value to book it all seperately?

I am looking to get flights, hire equipments and get lessons and ski passes. I do not really wan topay any more than 450 each ( me and my Girlfriend) for the lot. What is te best way to do this? Flights are cheap, but where can I get good value ski hire and lessons without going through the package route.

Any advice you can give me would be great. I am a ski virgin and a dummies guide and any resort suggestions would be great

Many thanks

Ste

Hi Stephen,

Firstly, late January is generally a great time to go as it's really the low season. Far fewer people mean less crowded slopes and better prices on accommodation... and usually the snow will be good too (no guarantees there though!). Definitely go before the half-terms start to kick in in February.

It's easier than ever to book everything yourself but there are obvious advantages to getting a package, as it's your first time.

If you opt for a package holiday, wait until a week or two before you go - late January always has good availability and there will be some great bargains to be had.

If you go DIY, start looking for flights now but hold your nerve; Easyjet are cheap if booked really early, but BA and Swiss are very competitive on price to Geneva at least. If you find a good price to Geneva then bag it; there are dozens of resorts within an hours drive and you can take your time to pick one. Wait until the week before to book accommodation; small hotels are often keen to negotiate if they've empty beds.

You'll also need to sort out transport from the Airport - car hire is most flexible but there are good bus and train links to some resorts, so do a little research and draw up a short-list.

Pre-book ski hire online - we have a deal with SkiSet that will give you at least 20% off the walk-in price, sometimes as much as 40% for the quieter weeks (like late January!).

Hi Stephen,

I was in the same position as you in 2004. I skied for the first time in Feb 2005 and i absolutely loved it. I went to Filzmoos in Austria. Its a small place and many people won't have heard of it, but its fantastic. Its a great place to begin skiing and the ski school is fab (both of them are infact!). I went in the dreaded Feb half term and it wasnt that busy at all, being a small place. The skiing is very good and the snow i had while i was there was incredible (although it snowed heavily every day :lol: ) I went back in Feb 2006 and sure enough i will be there this coming Feb! Check out www.filzmoos.at, the resort site. Its got some good information on there about accomodation etc.

I hope that helps, and if you want to know any more, just ask :)

Ben

I am a ski gypsy so I avoid the crowds and marketing !
Take any package deal, then break it down into its parts and see if you can beat the overall price!
The internet is a powerful tool and can help you locate great centers that are not huge, thus can not attract many skiers or have major marketing programs.
Evaluate your trip needs. What is most important?
Skiing. Partying. Hotel activities etc...
Watch out for that cheap hotel...5 km. away from center!
If you are beginner may I suggest a center that is noted for .good" teaching. Why do you need a center that has 60% expert runs!!!

Know your needs!
Know your budget!
Search!

In my experience tour packages are great for "sheep", for the gypsy there are always "hidden" pearls!
You pick. Tours offer you "all planned activities"
Just have fun and welcome to this life style.. Watch out it is addictive!

Hi Stephen,

For a much more pleasant introduction to skiing look towards the Pyrenees. Here there is a totally different attitude to skiing - no pushing and barging in lift queues - in fact no lift queues (apart from 2 weeks in Feb)

We can arrange your holiday for you offering a very simple package of airport transfers and catered accommodation. We can help with lift passes, lessons and ski hire etc - if you want. Prices are much cheaper than the alps ( and that includes beer!!!)

Check our site for more info on www.pyrenees-ski-experience.com or you can call or email for a quote.

Our prices include airport transfers from Perpignan (Ryanair or bmibaby), bed, breakfast, afternoon tea and four course evening meal with aperatif and wine.

Hi,

Thanks for the response.

Can you give me some samples of costs and resrot packages for the 26th January for 7 days

Many thanks

Ste

Are you looking to do it with a tour operator like Crystal, Inghams etc or on your own??

If its to do with tour operators, check out their websites and you can cost up your chosen hotel(s) and resort. Its very simple!!

Hey....I did the package thing with Inghams when I started skiing and in total it cost about £ 850 pp including private lessons, ski passes, accommodation, transfers etc etc...As someone else has said, the internet is a powerful tool and I have never booked a package again!!

You can pick up deals off the internet, speak to hotels direct, gain friends off sites like this who know people who will offer lessons in resort and it works out so much better value for money.

Having tried both routes, I would never go package again....just start to make contacts!!

Jo :-)