Skiing Europe 2012

Hey guys, newbie to the site (:!

Me and a friend are going on a skiing holiday this year, we are looking around december 15th, maybe even push to january,

We want somewhere in Europe which is going to be pretty cheap, hopefully somewhere where we can buy a package holiday, but i'm not sure where is recommended for this year as i have read that resorts can vary from year to year?

Does anybody have anywhere recommended? either a country or resort?

We are looking for somewhere with also a bit of nightlife in the evening, preferably a few bars with a younger crowd rather than older

Thanks in advance!

Hello Mikey - and welcome.
:thumbup:
December 15th is pretty early in the season, most resorts will only be partially open at this time.
January would be a much better bet both with choice and likelihood of good snow.

If it has to be December than go really high.
Tignes or Val Thorens in France would be worth looking at (and lively).
Hopefuly others will recommend other resorts in other countries but I am a Francophile.

With a package holiday I suppose it depends on where you are coming from?

Thanks a lot for the reply, i see, i was hoping to be somewhere close to christmas, so you sort of get the festive spirit as well ( as gay as that sounds!) But I'm sure you know what i mean!

However if it is going to be quite dead and not as enjoyable i would much rather opt for the january,

France does look great, my question was probably a bit too broad with 'anywhere in europe' i'd say the countries that we would most like to visit would be ;

Austria, Bulgaria, France, italy, switzerland or Andorra - or have i just named every skiing country in europe anyway lol!?

Anyway somewhere quite lively in one of these countries would be great - Preferably the cheapest possible place!

Also - when i said package, a full bundle (all inclusive with ski hire etc.) would be ideal, but i seen a deal for bulgaria (i know that this isn't ideal for dec so thats out the question) where it was like £400 for a 4* hotel all inclusive with transfers, then the ski hire etc. was only £150 on top, which was ideal, but obviously we are not able to do that time and it was 150km from the airport which although it isn't a problem, somewhere a little closer would be better

Thanks again

Mike

bulgaria depends on your ability and whether you want to ski or drink ..let us know so we can give more considered advice

Thanks for the reply Daved,

100% Ski, although i say quite lively it is because i am not sure what to expect, thinking on, i'm sure any resort would be lively enough?

I am a good skier, i done inline skating for years as a child and when i went to cortina a few years back i was doing black runs no problem, my friend isn't as good however i am going to bring him up to a reasonable standard before we leave

Edit : We aren't specifically looking at bulgaria, however that was just a cheap deal i found, places like italy etc. look stunning however on the deals i was looking at it only really appeared to be Bulgaria, andorra and france that seem cheap, the rest of the places i mentioned seemed quite expensive in comparison, maybe i was looking at the wrong places however?

Hope that helps, thanks a lot

Mike

well dont go to bulgaria then !

you get what you pay for...Val Thorens will give you what you want but you will have to search for a good deal fantastic skiing and a lively resort..but the pass isn't cheap and you will have to do self catering....or wait nearer the time for a "deal"

Hi Mike welcome. I'm looking at Kuthai in Austria, its not a huge resort but face it as beginners you won't be needing a lot of miles to cover. Its only about 40km from Innsbruck so very short transfer also close to stubai glacier and at over 2000m should be safe for decent snow. A 6 day lift pass is 114 euros so shouldnt break the bank. I think Inghams in the only big TO out there at the moment so I'd check them out if I were you. They often have 241 liftpass or rental offers and sometimes decent beginner deals though these vary from resort to resort. Not been there myself so can't comment on nightlife, like I say its the resort we are considering for a group of 25-45 yr old adults this january coming.

the reason some of the resorts/countries you mention are cheap is because if you go too early season you risk a hiking holiday rather than a ski one!!