Organising group boarding/skiing trip for xmas/new year

cooper82

hey all,

Resulting from this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056031656, just wondering who would be interested in grouping together for a trip around xmas or new year?

I've only ever boarded in Kilternan and I'm a beginner so havent a clue about resorts etc...totally open as to where to go, would like a fairly lively apres ski though

so whos up for it?!

Poll Added

Only vote in the poll if you are genuinely interested in taking part in a boardsie ski/ board trip this season. The poll options are a bit limited so I could only narrow it down to two week time slots, but once we get an idea we can narrow it down.

It's multiple choice so you can vote for whenever works for you.

robinph

Surfing_Xboxer

count me in for shizzle !

Static M.e.

1st half January

It could be a good idea to post if you Ski or Board and your level as well. It might be possible to do group lessons, if needed

Definitely interested in a new years trip

Snowboarder (Intermediate/Advanced)

robinph

2nd half February

I'm interested.

Don't care where, don't care when*.

Are we thinking along the lines of actually trying to sort out a group booking. Complicated and a lot of hassle for some poor sole, means everyone is in the same place though. Or do we do something more like saying Boards.ie Winter Sports forum people will be in resort X on week Y, and then everyone arranges individual flights and accommodation?

Either way and although we don't actually know each other it would be a solo trip in a group so best of both worlds.

Skier.
Level: I don't know

* Except for one week in Feb I can't go anywhere.

Missgoggles

Hey I'm definitely up for it...Im not sure which would be best...if we went packaged deals...groups get discounted rates...or if we go individually and let people know what time and when, it would give flexibility...
we could say everyone each have a look at the best (cheapest) options they can find, and we will put it up on here and make a decision??

Im a boarder (beginner - will be intermediate after the trip:p)

cooper82

yeah would be good to be able to take advantage of the discounted prices but difficult enough to organise payment etc. Maybe some travel agents take separate payments from each group member? Action Outdoors UK does this, where everyone pays independantly, see 'Booking' here: http://www.action-outdoors.co.uk/groups.aspx

If we all went solo and met up there - do most resorts have hostels as for myself anyway, Id be hoping to get fairly inexpensive accomodation...

Definitely everyone looking up deals and posting them on here is good.

I'm def up for doing lessons too

robinph

2nd half February

I have previously done a booking with DireckSki, I think it was, where we could each pay separately, they even allowed for one of the group not actually taking the flights as they were making their own way from elsewhere. I'd not be flying from Dublin anyway just to add that bit of confusion to the mix.

Missgoggles

I was having a look at the action-outdoors website, I went online to see how much flights would cost on top of this, and most of the routes arent up yet. It seems like a good idea as the lessons etc are included. Thats one option anyway.

Price:
All inclusive: £568 - 690 with instructions £540 approx with out instruction
Flights: €150 approx
total: approx €800


second option:
I went on to the following website....http://www.maison-des-quatre-balcons.hostel.com/index.php...which is a hostel close to the paradiski ski area(France) it has availability for 6 bed dorms costing €23 per night (€161 - 7 nights) also free shuttle bus that goes every half hour. Lift pass in this area is €249 for 6 days. I went last year on this pass and didnt get to half of the places on it, its that big!!
My group met a bunch of lads who actually did some lessons with us for free, which I would be thinking of doing again, and maybe only pay for 1 or 2 lessons. But there are plenty of schools you can join!
Closest aiports are Grenoble,Lyon & Geneva - low cost carriers are yet to put up flight options. We hired a car last year, which was incredibly handy for getting food etc, but Im sure there would be bus services. Anyway thats another option.

Prices:
accommodation - €161
Ski pass - €249
Ski Hire - ??
Ski lessons - €110 (5 days) €170 (6days with equipment hire)
Flights - €150, estimating
Transfers - €50, estimating

total: €720 approx depending on what you need
additional costs: food, alcohol etc.

Option 3: Direct Ski option...

Should we go as a group the costs look to be around €640 and then you can include the rest (insurance, ski hire etc) and your additional costs.

All in all I think going over new years is going to be costly but for me, as I will be going again in January, I need to try and take as less time off work as possible, so this would be the best time for me personally and I'll keep my eye open for any specials etc to try and get the cheapest possible deals.:rolleyes:

cooper82

hey missgoggles,

yeah Id say we should be able to organise a group thing where we all pay individually.

Action outdoors is a good option, as its all inclusive bar flights, Id been looking at a week in Val d'isere, from Dec 18th: http://www.action-outdoors.co.uk/hol_valdisere_UCPASnowboardFull-TimeInstruction_18-12-2010_0.aspx. the only drawback with Action Outdoors is you're tied to certain dates.

Id like to get my lessons inclusive but its not a deal breaker. That hostel near Paradiski looks good...and having some days with lessons and some not would prob be good too.

I'm gonna do a bit of proper research over the weekend and hopefully come back next week with a few options.

keep the suggestions coming everyone

robinph

2nd half February

You can always book lessons in resort, although the paying for as much as possible before hand helps with budgeting. Some would not be wanting lessons or rental though, but it looked as if that Action Outdoors site allowed each person to select their own extras, but still booking as a group.

cooper82

So I'm finding it really hard to get decent priced deals. So far Action Outdoors http://www.action-outdoors.co.uk/ is coming out on top.

Was on to Topflight yesterday, as a general guideline price they quoted me €769, €59 for single supplement, ok not bad, but then €299 for lessons!! thats a total rip no? I've not been on a winter hol before but that's too expensive for lessons.

All there is to think of extra with Action Outdoors is flights, as lessons and even 3 meals a day are included. I also think now I have to scrap going over xmas as its too pricey and am now thinking 2nd week Jan maybe...

What travel companies have people found decent deals with before? I know theres no such thing as a cheap winter hol but I figured Id get something decent for €900?

robinph

2nd half February

Lessons would be a big part of the price alright, not sure that I remember them being quite that high before when I was getting them though.

markhenry5

If you have a group, check out the www.proskitraining.com website. The do group deals, all in from under €700.

flikflak

2nd half January

markhenry5 wrote: »

If you have a group, check out the www.proskitraining.com website. The do group deals, all in from under €700.

What do you mean by "all" in?

Guys, I could be interested in coming along but could only go 1-8th Jan or 22-29th Jan. Dont need lessons or eqip hire so just flight, transfer, accomm and pass.

markhenry5

All in - flights, transfer, accommodation, lift pass ( 6 days ), boots, ski or board hire, ski school ( 15 hours ). Some free guiding for higher end skiers thrown in for free.

flikflak

2nd half January

^ ok thanks.

I presume that for people with their own eqip and who dont need lessons the price would be cheaper?

robinph

2nd half February

I'm only seeing longer instructor and GAP courses on that site, what pages were you looking at?

flikflak

2nd half January

http://proskitraining.com/soldeu/group-holidays/

There you go

markhenry5

On the website front page LHS there is an icon '' GROUP holidays '' This gives a sample price for a large group which comes in at €480 incl flight, transfer, accommodation and lift pass.
The answer to the other question. If you have your own equipment or d'ont need ski school then you get charged accordingly i.e. less

countryliving

hi, i have'nt been sking in a few years but i am trying to arrange a trip away over xmas 26/27 or 28 dec for new years eve with 1 or 2 of my friends. yeh, we would love to link up with a group - we are girls in our mid 30's! & we just wanna have a nice holiday in a nice location etc..good nightlife etc.....

Holy Diver

Hi all, I went on last years trip organised here. It was kinda last minute at the end of the season. We booked with crystalski and they allowed us to each pay separately. Might consider this trip depending on when and where. Intermediate boarder and wouldn't be getting lessons....

roadrunnermick

Hi everyone , Interested in joining in ,anyone have any more info on travel plans
Cheers

Static M.e.

1st half January

Just wondering if anything ever happened with this?

I dont think I can another New Years in Ireland again..

robinph

2nd half February

Was just about to bump this thread myself as well to see if anyone was still interested...

Missgoggles

Yeh I'm not sure what everyone else is doin! I just went and booked. Found a mate that could get the time off, so booked flights etc to Les Arcs in France. More the merrier if people want to come...going over xmas!! I went independently but crystalski have deals at the moment...pm me if you want more details!!

robinph

2nd half February

I've added a multi choice poll to the thread so we can see who is interested and see if we can start to get things rolling. Vote if your interested and for whatever date ranges would work for you.

robinph

2nd half February

Shameless thread bump to see if anyone else is interested...

flikflak

2nd half January

Yes, I could be interested but I have an exam on the 15th Jan so cant go either week each side of that.

Could go 1st - 8th Jan or 22nd - 29th Jan or any other time apart from above.

1st - 8th Jan seems to be quite expensive as most people will still be off work.

Would prefer el cheapo as this is an additional ski holiday to the week I already plan on going on but dont want to stay in a hostel type place. Am happy with small b+b/apartment/hotel.

Dont mind where it is!

robinph

2nd half February

I just had a quick look on DirectSki yesterday for prices around the Xmas/ NY week, as I'd been expecting it to be excessively priced, and they seemed to have SC packages from €600'ish upwards. Mostly in France or Andorra until you clicked through to the more expensive pages.

Things can no doubt be tweaked a bit on the search to get the prices down a bit as well.

Missgoggles

Hey All,

If your still looking to go on a trip, heres another option from pistepals.com....

Hi there!

Since it's that time of year again - I thought you would like to know about any upcoming trips for solo skiers. Obviously if you are doing something else this year then I hope you have a great time! IF you are looking to go with an existing group - drop me a line and I can fix you up with accommodation through www.chaletconsultant.com as I have a wide network of chalets in my portfolio.

Solo Skiing Trips this season so far...
Especially with the trips leaving in December/January - best to book flights now otherwise the prices may shoot up closer to the time!

13th-19th Dec in the organisation stages - La Plagne 1800 £199

19th-26th Dec (Xmas!) good mix of guys and girls so far...please join us! Les Gets £450

26th Dec-2nd Jan - (New Year) looking for bookings - Les Gets £600

16th Jan - La Rosiere - £549 inc lift pass and transfers

5th March - La Plagne 1800 - £299!! Running a beginners week this week too. Some great bookings so far!

Please get in touch if you would like to come on any of the trips...

--
Sarah Saunders
Owner/Moderator of Pistepals

I hope everyone gets to go somewhere!! I'm going again in March so anyone looking for a week away then give me a shout.

masseyno9

Missgoggles wrote: »

Hey All,

If your still looking to go on a trip, heres another option from pistepals.com....

Hi there!

Since it's that time of year again - I thought you would like to know about any upcoming trips for solo skiers. Obviously if you are doing something else this year then I hope you have a great time! IF you are looking to go with an existing group - drop me a line and I can fix you up with accommodation through www.chaletconsultant.com as I have a wide network of chalets in my portfolio.

Solo Skiing Trips this season so far...
Especially with the trips leaving in December/January - best to book flights now otherwise the prices may shoot up closer to the time!

13th-19th Dec in the organisation stages - La Plagne 1800 £199

19th-26th Dec (Xmas!) good mix of guys and girls so far...please join us! Les Gets £450

26th Dec-2nd Jan - (New Year) looking for bookings - Les Gets £600

16th Jan - La Rosiere - £549 inc lift pass and transfers

5th March - La Plagne 1800 - £299!! Running a beginners week this week too. Some great bookings so far!

Please get in touch if you would like to come on any of the trips...

--
Sarah Saunders
Owner/Moderator of Pistepals

I hope everyone gets to go somewhere!! I'm going again in March so anyone looking for a week away then give me a shout.

Slightly OT -
If anyone is going to Les Gets this year, either on the trips listed above, or on another trip, make sure you come in and say hi in "le Pub Irlandais." I'm going to be working there for the season, and it would be cool to meet some boardsies out there. Just ask for Brian, or look for the baby-faced blonde Irish guy!!

rn

1st half February

I have firmed up my dates for holidays so am looking for these dates in January... Was thinking Austria this year.

COUCH WARRIOR

1st half January

just booked flights to Geneva 26 - 1 for me & the brother. Will have to decide where to go now

robinph

2nd half February

rn wrote: »

I have firmed up my dates for holidays so am looking for these dates in January... Was thinking Austria this year.

I've just booked myself 9th-15th in Kitzbuhel.

Only ended up with 6 nights rather than the normal 7 that you get in a regular week, but I think that is due to them changing the change over days during xmas/ NY so they had a couple of funny length weeks to get back to their normal sat-sat weeks.

the snowboard crew

Hi guys, if your still up for a trip, we're a new snowboard club run from dublin
we organize snowboard trips to andorra, check us out www.thesnowboardcrew.com we have a trip on the 13 february €750, lessons and lift pass included, we include one day freestyle clinic as well. get intouch if your up for it mikey@thesnowboardcrew.com

frankie55

1st half February

Hi everyone just another person bitten by the snowboarding bug interested in teaming up for the craic, january would suit me

cheers :pac:

epopnomis

1st half March

So is anyone actually booking a trip, I'm up for middle of February if theres a group going.... Not looking at spending a fortune if I can help it, it'll all be about the boarding....

robinph

2nd half February

Unfortunately I think it would take a level of organisation that is a bit beyond a handfull of us on the forum at this stage. I caved in and went and booked a solo trip myself to Kitzbuhel in January, although I do know a guy there for the season I'm hoping to catch up with when there.

For anyone else it's probably worth a look through the posts on this thread and see if any of the locations, dates match with what your interested in. Then book and see if you can arrange to meet with the other boardises in resort.

Not ideal I know, but lots of mini boards meets across Europe would be a start. Bonus points if anyone manages to get a picture of a tin of condensed milk stood on top of a mountain.