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Cheap ski/boarding hol-advice please!

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  • 02-12-2009 11:01pm
    #1
    Kelso
    Closed Accounts Posts: 123 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    Been boarding once before, others in group either newbs or boarded/skied once before. 4-6 of us. Looking at going with travel agents going to be about €800-€900 a head with gear rental/lift passes/lessons. Is it possible to do it cheaper than this and is it better to book yourself or go with an agent?
    Also for gear/lessons/passes, is it better to book in advance or get at the resort?
    Thanks a mil!


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    #2
    EileenG
    Registered Users Posts: 5,775 ✭✭✭EileenG


    I've mentioned it before, but www.cis-valcenis.com is excellent value. The price includes full board, including a four course lunch and unlimited wine, and your lift pass. Your extras are travel (fly to Paris and get an overnight train to Modane), ski hire, lessons and drinks.

    Val Cenis is good for a novice/intermediate group, it's got a good mix of runs, and it's not too busy, so you won't get skied over by crowds.

    Generally, I think that unless you get a last minute bargain, it's cheaper to do it yourself. Keep an eye out for cheap flights, grab one to any airport that has bus or train links to the Alps, and go from there. Go for one of the smaller resorts, everything will be cheaper, and at this stage, you don't need hundreds of miles of piste.


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    #3
    bongo2
    Registered Users Posts: 45 ✭bongo2


    Went to Andorra last year. Total cost for 5 people for one week was €2000. Flew Aer Lingus to Barcelona. Hired large estate car with Europcar. Rented self catering chalet. Pre booked skies/boots + ski passes online before we left. With a little bit of planning you can ski cheaply.


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    #4
    mal_1
    Registered Users Posts: 163 ✭✭mal_1


    Kelso wrote: »
    Hi all,

    Been boarding once before, others in group either newbs or boarded/skied once before. 4-6 of us. Looking at going with travel agents going to be about €800-€900 a head with gear rental/lift passes/lessons. Is it possible to do it cheaper than this and is it better to book yourself or go with an agent?
    Also for gear/lessons/passes, is it better to book in advance or get at the resort?
    Thanks a mil!

    Can it be done cheaper? when you put in everything, yes probably but you have to do the leg work to save. Sometimes its just not worth it, useless your off beatin track or weekending
    Have done both (package & DIY ) regularly, lets say one of each, each year.
    Have the tendency to go on the package for a week in the high season, Christmas newyear, etc, but only by trying to pick up a 'last minute'.deal. It never for buttons,stills costs but what you tend to get last minute is a decent hotel 'half board' saunas etc which is a bit of comfort, which are not to be sniffed at.
    Would generally put together the long weekend option, usually late in the season, St Patricks Day, late march-april when theres also a bit of sun in the air, usually go through somewhere like Fredrichafen or Zurich. The train or bus services are wonderful and you can save. However there always hidden costs (baggage charges etc), and importantly the responsibility.

    To answer your question, if you have to ask it, maybe better doing another holiday or two through agency to get the idea what you need to do and like in resorts before putting it all together.
    The final query, yes you can book everything at the resort, maybe slightly cheaper but would be marginal.


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