Budget trip for young couple

Also its worth checking the price all the way through to booking for a few hotels (even if they seem more expensive).

We got a better deal on a hotel that on first prices appeared expensive, however, when we got all the way through the booking it worked out cheaper than some of the hotels that had a lower price estimate (as some hotels have room supplements charged per person per night, which even if its only £10 that adds £140 onto the holiday price!), so its worth pricing a few hotels all the way through to booking to see if they work out cheaper!

(I hope this post makes sense as its difficult to explain coherently!)

RossF wrote:Tino_11, Small world!

Spent some interesting times in Helensburgh during my time with the Royal Navy whilst working in Faslane.

I'm harking back to the days of the infamous and original Akash curry house and a lady I think was called Big Nancy who used to frequent the ale houses of Helensburgh. Not that I had any intimate knowledge of Nancy but was introduced to the scary 'lady' and that was enough for me. :shock:

wow thanks for all the replies folks.

im at work so i dont have much time to post

RossF: I'l be visiting anywhere in scotland that has snow this season, as many times as i can afford to! so if theres snow and the price is right no doubt il make a visit - il let you know if im planning to.

Rustyinn: Thanks, il get back to you about that.

caron-a: Im not sure if i could manage that, il need to book my time off work in advance so the sooner i know the better, plus if i book a certain time period then cant find a good deal im screwed! plus...id love to know im going and when so i can get excited about it...motivation to get through each day of my first line technical support job (its not that bad but still im used to being a lazy student).

GeordieSki: Im glad by budget is realistic! i was worried it might not be enough for anywhere but bulgaria (which ive read about and been thoroughly put off).

re: your 2nd post i think i understand, do you mean price the whole thing myself instead of via a TO and compare the prices? i was considering this but i dont know how good an idea it is being by first ski trip...im sure its doable tho so thanks.

tino_11 wrote:Too right, I was born in Alexandria, lived and went to Primary School in Rhu!!

Flippin eck, one of my clients lives in Rhu - very grand house at the top of a hill overlooking the Loch; a bit James Bond in style to be honest with remote controlled window blinds and all that. Hes about 30ish, wonder if you know him.....

sami_glasgow wrote:Hi all,

First post! Let me introduce myself (breifly).

Im Sami, and I love skiing.

Eh...I had one amazing day on Mnt Cairngorm during Easter this year, now Im hooked. Now my partner, she learnt to ski about 12 years ago wen she was a kid (private school)...we had an hour or so at Xscape a couple weeks ago (not amazing) and it seemed to come back to her quite quickly.

So basically, we are both beginners.

Im looking to have a week in the alps some time in Jan '09.

To be honest...the price is one of my main considerations...I just started paying off my student debts and what not...Id say aroun £1000 for everything for both of us.

Not too picky about night life (apres ski?), and ideally id like to stay close to the slopes. ski in/out looks amazing but maybe save that for another year!

I live in Glasgow, hence the name, but could fly from other uk airports for a better deal.

So yeah, any advice and/or recommendations would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Sami

Sami, welcome.
Firstly, if you go first week in January, you will find the cheapest prices, and also the slopes are about as quiet as they ever will be, so its a fantastic time to go.
For beginners, you want good snow so think about slopes at or above 2000m. Obergurgl, Obertauern and Filzmoos spring to mind for good places to learn in Austria. Cervinia in Italy, Serre Chevalier in France and Alpe d'Huez - all worth considering too.
Expect to pay around £300pp for a week for flights and self catering, although you might find some better deals if you shop about on the net. I went to Mayrhofen for £159 last year B&B, so it can be done.
It might be worth considering a budget chalet, so that you know what you are spending before you go. Remember a lift pass might well sat you back £100-£180 depending on where you go.
Have a look at Isola 2000 in France as a perfect place for you to consider.
Good luck, let us know what you find.

sami_glasgow wrote:
re: your 2nd post i think i understand, do you mean price the whole thing myself instead of via a TO and compare the prices? i was considering this but i dont know how good an idea it is being by first ski trip...im sure its doable tho so thanks.

Hi Sami,

No, I knew I should have made myself clearer, even I got confused reading it back.

When you go on the TO website and search for a particular holiday you will get the price list of all the hotels/holidays available. When I booked, there were 2 hotels, one came up as £430, one came up as £470. When I priced up the full holiday (with ski hire etc) the £470 holiday worked out cheaper, as the £430 holiday had room supplements which added £70 to the price.

Basically I was just meaning to get the FULL holiday price for a few hotels before deciding on what looks the cheapest at first glance. But do go for the Learn to Ski package, it saves loads of hassle for your first holiday!

Let us know how you get on!
:D

Sam, be sure to, I am cheap for lessons as well;)

ah i just realised

i have to factor in all the clothes aswell!

So far I have....a jacket and 2 hats.

Im guessing il need (per person):

warm socks (2 pairs per day?)
waterproof trousers (how many sets would 1 do the week?)
stuff for your legs underneath (what do you guys use?)
thermal t shirt (again how many?)
thermal jumper (same as above)
jacket (1?)
goggles
hat (1?)
gloves (1?)


i guess the more trips you have the more clothes you have but whats the minimum you would advise for my first trip?

thanks all