Cheapest skiing? Post Reply

[Cheapski]

Hi
We want to go skiing this year but we're having our own little Irish debt crisis!

Soooooo can anyone recommend the cheapest way to get away?

Does anyone know if it is better to drive and self cater? Or with the price of the euro should we be looking for a cheap allin holiday?

If I can get it to 500 pounds each for the week that would be brill, 650 pounds at a push! There are four of us (two grown-ups and two sons of eleven and six) then brilliant. We don't mind where we stay or if we all share a room!

Advice gratefully received

CS

[northsidemum]

Hi
A friend of a friend takes her family off skiing every year with a company called Esprit which sounds very reasonable & she talks very highly of, so they might be worth checking out.
Good luck

[twice_as_nice]

For our cheap ski holidays pre kids, we would fly to zurich and rent an apartment in Davos. The apartment block we stayed in was called haustouring I think (google that) - or try searching on davos.ch

Apartments are pretty basic but clean and pretty cheap before christmas at least (I think they get a bit more expensive after). Skiing in the area is excellent, good range of blues, reds and blacks so great for all levels.

The town isn't that brilliant but ok.

hope you find something!

[Cheapski]

thank you to all the replies so far. Does that mean its better to fly than drive? I've always thought that the car journey would be hell but if its a way of saving a few hundred pound its might be worth it.

Also, does that mean in the long run its cheaper to rent a self catrering apartment and cook than try to get a cheap chalet holiday?

Thanks

[ladyofacertainage]

For the cheapest holiday you need to take the kids out of school, much the cheapest way! For us we drive, hire a self catering apartment and choose a smaller less well known resort as the lift passes are MUCH cheaper ( a bigger cost than you might think). If any of you are beginners choose a resort where the nursery slope lifts are free and you won't need a lift pass. Take some food out with you in the car- non perishables and basics (food in resort is expensive) and packed lunches for midday.

[Karen Simmonds]

Have you considered Bulgaria? If you are frequent skiers then you may not be as inclinded to go as the ski areas are not extensive. Suffice to say it works with young children. I travelled with my family 2 years ago in peak season (the New Year period straight after Christmas). We stayed half board in a hotel and had childrens ski clubs included. The whole lot came to just over £2300 including passes.

Let me know if I can be of more help. I own the travel agency, Travel Matters (off of Nightingale Lane SW12 ). If you end up booking a chalet hotel style holiday with flights and transfers up the mountain, it should not cost you any more money and will save you precious time, if we looked into it for you.

As some one else mentioned, there are the likes of Ski Esprit, Neilson, Crystal, Inghams etc. Let me know if I can help further.
email info@travelmatters.co.uk
Tel 0208 675 7878
Best, Karen

[janburt]

Hi - we have an apartment in Chatel in the Portes du Soleil region which we rent out occasionally to cover the running costs. It has 3 bedrooms and sleeps up to 6. It's right opposite a chairlift and there are 4 different ski areas in Chatel itself, plus you can link to Avoriaz, Morzine or even ski into Torgon and Morgins in Switzerland. Free shuttle buses stop outside the apartment. The nearest airport is Geneva (1.5 - 2 hours away) or it's 600 miles drive from Clapham! I'm not sure when you're thinking of going, but let me know if you're interested and maybe that week might be free. The town website is www.chatel.com.

[kewty]

I am a huge fan of driving out, as it means that you don't have to keep on lugging all the kit in and out of various forms of transport. Also you can fit in 8 days of skiing instead of the usual 6 if you drive over night. Also price wise, depending on tolls etc and where you are driving to, it should cost approx £500 total travel. Also if you are doing self catering it is easier to do the shopping. Also it means that you can go and visit other nearby resorts. The benefits are endless...!

Self Catering we have found to be the cheaper option, the down side is that after a hard day's skiing you still have to cook, but then you can choose fondues, raclettes and all your favourite foods.

[juliantenniscoach]

try searching lastest offers through iglu.com. self drive seems cheap but you have to have a big enough car to do a big shop away from the resort otherwise food will cost you a fortune. petrol and tolls will take a big hit at your budget too.

you may find that an all/inc chalet holiday works out cheaper. take a look at skiolympic.co.uk very good company with lots of travel options and quite a few family rooms.

[MumSW17]

I received this link from a travel site I subscribe to, may be useful?

£449 -- Full-Board France Ski Week, Save £216
http://www.travelzoo.com/uk/top20/82617974-935014/
Source: Crystal Ski