Whos got Ski 2008/09 sorted yet??

jameshayes

Comon fess up, who's got plans set already?? Where you going, whats the plan?

robinph

Well I've pretty much got my summer 2008 skiing sorted.

Taking skis off to New Zealand for a few weeks, rack them on the back of a campervan and then see where I end up. I'll just be driving around for three weeks but should get to do some skiing at several different resorts down there in that time along with any other crazy activities I come across on my travels. Won't be thinking about the northern hemisphere winter until I get back from that trip though and see how badly I've damaged my credit limit, and limbs, but I expect I'll be trying for something cheap in Europe for next year because of it.

Been looking at possibly doing some heli-skiing down there as well, but that is pretty expensive for the days hire of a chopper and guide and not certain if I'd be able for it or not.

Static M.e.

Yep, got my first trip sorted for New Years in Morzine of course.

I plan on getting to Austria at some stage and then probably back to Morzine again in April.

Also thinking about a pre Christmas trip which was loads of fun last year, but that will be more of a last minute affair

Don1

Heading to New Zealand on the 8th of June for the full season. Oh yeah!!!

Should be in Oberstdorf for a week or so around New Years too. After that, who knows. Might move to Canada. Where ever the wind and wallet takes me!

Necronomicon

Unfortunately I can't book anything until I know my employment situation from september

I'll have the whole of January off so I'd love to do something big, but as it is I'd take a nice week anywhere

Here's hoping next season is as good as last!

bonkey

I have my plans for the coming winter sown up. Of course, thats not saying much, given that I live in Switzerland I shall, as usual, be sking a lot of the Adelboden / Lenk / Zweisimmen / Gstaad area....with possible daytrips to wherever else nearby takes my fancy.

Conditions allowing, I might finally get around to doing the Lauberhorn.

Imposter

bonkey wrote: »

I have my plans for the coming winter sown up. Of course, thats not saying much, given that I live in Switzerland I shall, as usual, be sking a lot of the Adelboden / Lenk / Zweisimmen / Gstaad area....with possible daytrips to wherever else nearby takes my fancy.

Conditions allowing, I might finally get around to doing the Lauberhorn.

Same as that (except for Austria) - I'll see how my mood takes me around November or so as to whether or not I get a season pass and just take it from there.

RATM

Currently trying to find something in France, was leaning towards Chamonix or Morzine. Would love to go somewhere in the 3 Valleys but its just waaay too expensive for our week ( Feb 21 ). I emailed loads of places in La Tania which is considered one of the cheaper villages to stay as you have to take a 25 minute gondola first thing in the morning. Most places were looking for 230-300 euro a week per person to jam 4 ppl into a one bed apartment. Thats crazy money to charge for sleeping on a sofa bed in cramped conditions IMO. And thats before flights, insurance, transfers, lift pass, food and drink, etc.

We've found this place in Chamonix http://www.gitevagabond.com/ which does half board for 32 euro a night which is pretty good. Only thing is they're not taking winter bookings till September and we want to book now as one of the group is a school teacher and we have to go that week.

Chamonix looks good tho' , anyone ever been ?

redzerdrog

yep i have been to chamonix 6 times and i love the place. There is just so many resorts within an hours drive we do a differant one every day. Actually drove to morzine for a day trip during last years stay in chamonix and it was quite good.

The night life in chamonix is also fairlt good with so many lovely resteraunts and nice lively bars and also a couple of nightclubs and a casino.

RATM

Thats good to hear. I was thinking of splitting to Verbier for 2/3 days after we are done with Chamonix, that way flights home on a Tuesday are alot cheaper than weekends ( so the saving will hopefully more or less pay for the Verbier lift pass ).

Whats the story with Chamonix and renting a car? Ive heard the bus service isn't the best, big queues, etc. Do you recommend hiring a car?

Came across this http://www.boarderweek.com/ which happens every year just before Xmas in Val Thorens, its quite cheap, from 225 euro upwards and Thorens lies at 2000m so it should be snow sure even that early in the season. Might be tempted into taking a sneaky slide just before Xmas too:D

c154shalom

I have a 16 year old fanatical snowboarder and looking to book for 2009,he would love a park with rails and lots of them,i would love budget prices.can anyone give me advice please:D

Static M.e.

@c154shalom
if you dont mind a long commute try Livigno. Better of starting your own thread through, you will get a better and more detailed response

Lookin at Livigno for the New Year...have to wait and see.

RATM

c154shalom wrote: »

I have a 16 year old fanatical snowboarder and looking to book for 2009,he would love a park with rails and lots of them,i would love budget prices.can anyone give me advice please:D

I was in Jasna,Slovakia last winter.Its definately budget and it has a park with about 8 different rails and 10 jumps. We paid STG£250 for a week including lift pass with these guys http://www.propagandasnowboards.com/. Transfers are included if you fly to Poprad but not if you fly to Bratislava in which case its 3 hours on the train and around 15 euro one way. It was a good cheap holiday and we spent v.little, go karting was to be had at night for 5 euro/15 minutes also was a thermal spa nearby as well as cheap restaurants/bars at nighttime.You could get a very nice meal, for eg a whole pork knuckle which would feed the family for 10 euro.
Its not that high of a mountain ( about 2000m at the top, 1500m at the base )and by the day we left it really needed some snow in certain patches but Im sure it would keep your son occupied for a week.

Censorsh!t

I'm prob heading to Bankso in Bulgaria for a week as i've an apartment out there, but also going to slovenia if i can afford it.

keezer

Goin on our 1st sking hol in jan to samoens near chamonix in in the french alps cant wait

ShayK1

Oberstdorf for New Years. Flights book, still working on Accom..

Don1

I wonder would the same people let us back there again this year? if I promise no kicked in doors and smashed vases?!
Hoping to go on this trip, but as yet unsure, due to financial and current location issues!

ShayK1

Don1 wrote: »

I wonder would the same people let us back there again this year? if I promise no kicked in doors and smashed vases?!
Hoping to go on this trip, but as yet unsure, due to financial and current location issues!

If these places don't get back to me I'm gonna see if Haus Sinz will take me back.

5starpool

Is Val Thorens an expensive resort (food/drink etc) as I am considering going there with a group in Jan. the only other French resort I have been to is Val d'Isere which was very expensive in resort and considering we couldn't ski most of the time due to high winds and driving snow, it turned out to be quite a factor.

paulharte

Yeah, val thorens is a pretty expensive place. Its maybe not quite as expensive as val d'isere, but it is a french "super" resort, so prices are similar.

Myself, I might be able to get away at christmas/jan, but the only thing thats definite is the irish champs in march

robinph

France is expensive regardless of where most of the time I think. Val Thorens is part of the 3 Valleys area though so there should be plenty of options nearby that you can find something a touch cheaper than in that main resort, Les Menuires is the next one down the same valley as Val Thorens but still linked in with the main lift system. There are some villages in 3 Valleys that are actually much further down the hills and not skiable to, so you need to get a separate gondola up and down every day.

Static M.e.

paulharte wrote: »

I might be able to get away at christmas/jan, but the only thing thats definite is the irish champs in march

Any idea yet as to where it will be on?

paulharte

Its looking like les 2 alpes, barring any problems with the resort letting us have slalom/boardercross space. Should know more very shortly

paulharte

robinph wrote: »

There are some villages in 3 Valleys that are actually much further down the hills and not skiable to, so you need to get a separate gondola up and down every day.

True, I would advise staying away from Brides-les-bain (directski go there). Its very cheap for accom but there is NO nightlife whatsoever

Polarbear2020

I'll be in Canada for the season doing a ski instructor course :D Excited is not the word!
Doesn't start till 13th Jan, really want to get a trip in first week of January in Europe with friends before I depart but we'll see how funds go...

Bit bummed I'll be missing the Irish Champs too, I wanted to head along this year with some friends for the craic.

Anyone any info on Marmot Basin, Jasper by the way???if so do share as I'll be spending 4 Months there...

NiallJKelly

RATM wrote: »

Currently trying to find something in France, was leaning towards Chamonix or Morzine. Would love to go somewhere in the 3 Valleys but its just waaay too expensive for our week ( Feb 21 ). I emailed loads of places in La Tania which is considered one of the cheaper villages to stay as you have to take a 25 minute gondola first thing in the morning. Most places were looking for 230-300 euro a week per person to jam 4 ppl into a one bed apartment. Thats crazy money to charge for sleeping on a sofa bed in cramped conditions IMO. And thats before flights, insurance, transfers, lift pass, food and drink, etc.

We've found this place in Chamonix http://www.gitevagabond.com/ which does half board for 32 euro a night which is pretty good. Only thing is they're not taking winter bookings till September and we want to book now as one of the group is a school teacher and we have to go that week.

Chamonix looks good tho' , anyone ever been ?

hey,

have been to chamonix before2 years ago-its great and i would recommend it to anyone but I went to Tignes last year and its even better. everything is closer together and your on the mountain so no need for 1 hour queues in the mornin to get up the mounyain like you have in chamonix

Static M.e.

@Polarbear2020

I might be going to Marmot Basin in early January, some random info for you

The below is from the World Snowboard Guide…

"Marmot Basin is a bit of a Canadian gem and a resort that is highly rated. Just driving to the resort is a pleasure with out of this world scenery. Located in the Rocky Mountains, Marmot attracts snowboarders and skiers who like their slopes hassle-free, without hordes of visitors cluttering up the runs and lifts. Despite being a popular haunt, no one spends more than a few minutes queuing in lift lines here. The lifts can shift over 10,000 people an hour up hill. The terrain is evenly split between all levels and all styles of riding, with some favourable backcountry. Bowls, trees, flats, it's all here with the most demanding areas to be found higher up. Marmot is also a place where they regularly hold snowboard events including the New Ground Snowboard Cup and the Easy Rider Cup."

The town of Jasper also has its annual festival in the middle of January so that should be good too

Jasper Tourism: http://www.discoverjasper.com/
Ski Area Site: http://www.skimarmot.com/
Trail (Piste) Map: http://www.skimarmot.com/trailmap.html#
World Snowboard Guide review: http://www.worldsnowboardguide.com/resorts/canada/alberta/marmotbasin/index.cfm

Polarbear2020

Cheers Static!

Might see you out there so;)

SnowMonkey

im doing another winter season, i dont think i could manage life where i only got to board for 3 weeks of the year ...

Polarbear2020

SnowMonkey wrote: »

im doing another winter season, i dont think i could manage life where i only got to board for 3 weeks of the year ...

Sweet, where you doing it? where did you do it before? Ill be doin my first full season(kinda, not in the working sense) any tips for me?

ShayK1

Did anyone elses plans get F**Ked today by Ryanair?

I had flights booked for dec 30th to jan 6th and they change the dates to dec 27th to Jan 8th

1) thats 5 extra days which I wouldn't be able to afford.
2) My OH is a teacher so she has to be back in school on the 7th

Dunno about anyone else but I definately won't be flying Ryanair ever again.

SnowMonkey

Polarbear2020 wrote: »

Sweet, where you doing it? where did you do it before? Ill be doin my first full season(kinda, not in the working sense) any tips for me?

I do sere che in near l2a nie quiet resort as aposed to 3 valleys etc...
id recomend, a 20k jacket, first of a good set of goggles that are polarised,
buy last years gear its cheeper... :cool:
suf to bring with you vitimin C tabs because you can get all sorts of odd deaseas's over there.... Couple of packs of condom's, :cool:, laptop dvds books..

as for food a handy tip is get to no the chefs in the hotels for neilson, skitopia, crystal, etc useually make more then they need and its free grubb and good grubb. Live cheep, go out on a wensday night only. allways the best night... Get to no chalet girls they all ways have left over food to ...

fod being important allso sleep if its snoing heavy at four o clock in the day you wanna be getting home for some chow dvd, and hilling out so your as bright as a spark for the coming powder day. i got loads more info but i mush dash

Polarbear2020

SnowMonkey wrote: »

I do sere che in near l2a nie quiet resort as aposed to 3 valleys etc...
id recomend, a 20k jacket, first of a good set of goggles that are polarised,
buy last years gear its cheeper... :cool:
suf to bring with you vitimin C tabs because you can get all sorts of odd deaseas's over there.... Couple of packs of condom's, :cool:, laptop dvds books..

as for food a handy tip is get to no the chefs in the hotels for neilson, skitopia, crystal, etc useually make more then they need and its free grubb and good grubb. Live cheep, go out on a wensday night only. allways the best night... Get to no chalet girls they all ways have left over food to ...

fod being important allso sleep if its snoing heavy at four o clock in the day you wanna be getting home for some chow dvd, and hilling out so your as bright as a spark for the coming powder day. i got loads more info but i mush dash

Cheers!:)

paddyb

just booked my flights to Japan during the week. going mid february for two weeks

Static M.e.

How much is that going to cost paddyb?

I would love to go to Japan, its on my list

tech

I looking to go Skiing / Snowboarding in Feb

Where is the best place to get a good deal, is a package the way to go ? or book flight find a apparment to rent and go that what

I was thinking Vous in NOrway or Austria

Has anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

Imposter

If you are booking yourself there are 2 things which you need to be careful with:
1- Make sure you can sort out transfers to and from the airport.
2- Ensure that the accommodation is in or near the resort it's supposed to be in. A lot of the time it's further away than you think and it means you need taxis and/or buses to get around which can get expensive.

With regard to packages check the conditions for any extras as in my experience there tends to be hidden costs to most packages. With ski holidays make sure the lessons, ski-hire and lift passes are what you require if you book them as part of the package. This will depend on your experience level and whether you need lessons or not. Booking these as part of the package can save you money but only if it's exactly as you need. For example I booked a "beginners pack" once which contained lessons, ski hire and lift pass but the lift pass was only for absolute beginners and I had to spend more on a better pass.

paddyb

Static M.e. wrote: »

How much is that going to cost paddyb?

I would love to go to Japan, its on my list

flights were €850 but accomodation is pretty reasonable

Polarbear2020

tech wrote: »

I looking to go Skiing / Snowboarding in Feb

Where is the best place to get a good deal, is a package the way to go ? or book flight find a apparment to rent and go that what

I was thinking Vous in NOrway or Austria

Has anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

If its your first time Skiing/Boarding(which from your post sounds like it is but if I'm wrong do correct me as answer will differ), I advise going package. Between gear hire, lift pass, insurance, lessons and transfers to resort(depending on how accsessible the resort is this can be a total headahe between trains and buses followed by taxi's, the costs and hassle of which can often dwindle any original savings made in booking it all by yourself anyway!) . Its a lot to have to organise and something I would not advise doing unless you've been once or twice already and know exactly what you will need etc.
If you go package it means all the above is taken care of for you, and you get pointed in the right direction by reps whenever you have any problems.

February is a good time to go as it doesn't have any major holiday periods in it (xmas, easter etc) so package deals won't be at peak prices. Saying that the week of 14Feb will be higher priced so steer clear of that if you can. Resort will be less busy, shorter queue's and good snow.

I reckon there will be some killer last minute deals to be had this year across all the ski-companies(directski.com however is always great for last min deals, and prices in general) due to the major slow down in the economy i reckon some people may have to for-go the ski holiday this year. From a bit of surfing I have noticed already many of the companies are starting to offer cut prices and special sales, which in my own opinion(I may be wrong now;)) is a sign that holidays are not shifting.

So if I was you I would maybe hang on and chance my arm at a late deal. The problem with hanging on for late deals is that your choice of venue may have to be comprimised. But due to above reasons that I reckon sales of holidays may decrease significantly this year, especially if you go in February(excluding week of 14th), I say you will have relatively large choice on destinations.

Anyway hope that all helps:D
Enjoy the snow!!

tech

Hi Polar

Ive been skiing twice before and love it, I also also done the dry slopes in Dublin!

Imposter

Polarbear2020 wrote: »

February is a good time to go as it doesn't have any major holiday periods in it (xmas, easter etc) so package deals won't be at peak prices. Saying that the week of 14Feb will be higher priced so steer clear of that if you can. Resort will be less busy, shorter queue's and good snow.

I have to disagree with most of what you say especially the above bit. Most of europe gets off for a ski holiday in February. January or March are the non peak times (Easter is usually in April). Even if you are dealing with Irish package operators, I think most also sell in the British market where a lot of schools would have a week off in February.

As for transfers - pick a destination and then do your homework on how to get there before you book flights or accommodation. It can be surprisingly easy to get to some locations.

Packages might work out cheaper and of course if you've never been skiing go with a package, but if you know what's involved you can at least check if booking yourself will work out cheaper.

tech

What locations would you recommend for booing your own flights, accommodation and stuff

Imposter

I live in Austria but i've done quite a few self booked holidays to resorts near Salzburg. Saalbach-Hinterglemm and Zell am See would be 2 of the better known ones.

In terms of nightlife Saalbach/Hinterglemm is my favourite in the area. The skiing is some of the best too.

Flights:
Salzburg - Ryanair and Aer Lingus
Munich - Aer lingus
Times are pretty **** though (or at least have been up to now) for Salzburg.
If you use the transfer site below though this isn't a problem.

Accom: google is your friend.

Transfers: http://www.holiday-shuttle.at/english/index_e.htm does most resorts in or around Saalbach and Zell am See. It's basically a shared taxi. Door to door service and well organised. I think it now goes to Munich airport as well as Salzburg.

Ski hire and lessons: Google is your friend once you find a resort.
Lift passes are pretty much the same everywhere.

mossyj

Hey Folks,

THinking of skiing early this year - around early-mid December and i can get a pretty cheap week in Montecampione in Italy. Has anyone been here b4 + if so any opinions?It looks to be a small resort by the sounds of it but cheap is cheap

Tripp

Currently booked to go to Borovets in Bulgaria. Was there last year and had a great time so decided to head back again \o/

Overflow

Going back to Saalbach first week of March 09, was planning St. Anton but the flights worked out too expensive for us. Maybe next season!

robinph

Went to Borovets a couple of years ago and liked the place as well so may head there again at some point, everything is dirt cheap also.

CASEsensitive

going to Sainte Foy for christmas, hopefully there will be snow

Tripp

robinph wrote: »

Went to Borovets a couple of years ago and liked the place as well so may head there again at some point, everything is dirt cheap also.

Yup everything is insanely cheap. In some places a pint is €1, but this is rare. Cheapest i found was €1.50.
But then again it does have some bad points to it which im sure you know about :P
- The people outside the bars trying to drag you into there bar etc
- Some hotels are outdated

The list goes on but i don't really care because i know exactly what im paying for. As long as you go with a open mind and remember that it is a poor country, You will have an excellent time :P

EileenG

Going to Val Cenis the week after Christmas with extended family. Then in the middle of March, going to Chamrousse for an extended Paddy's weekend, with just the immediate family.