Ski Holiday-Advice needed

Whest

Hi All,

I am currently looking into booking into a skiing holiday for me and and my girlfriend. Neither of us have ever been skiing. I have recieved a couple of brochures from Crystal Ski and Top Flight but would like some help ruling things in and out. Basically, our requirements are:

• A reasonable price- there seems to be huge discrepencies in prices out there
• Studio/Apt/Hotel Room to house the two of us for a week
• Good apres-ski
• Good Ski School in the resort
• Good package for lift passes, boots, skis etc..

What could I expect to pay for both of us for a week in mid-January. All help and advice is greatly appreciated as we are both absolute novices at this?

Thanks in advance,

Colm

Northern Monkey

You could do a lot worse than Andorra for a first time away. We stayed in Soldeu and the Ski school was excellent. Apres ski was quiet enough, but you could stay in Pas de la casa if you like it lively.

derv

i've gone with tour operators every time i've been ,purely because of convenience, i'm normally organising it for 6 or more.

for 700 - 750 (maybe a bit less) euro you would get:
3 star accomodation that's close to the ski lifts & pubs/clubs for apres ski
flights
bus transfer from airport to resort and back
6 day lift pass
ski rental for 1 week

this is based on my experiences over the last few years.

you can get cheaper but the accomodation is always that little bit further from the ski lifts and apres ski,
in my opinion it's worth paying a few extra quid for convenience and location.

Kmc123

i would agree with derv here, have always hone with directski and have gotten roughly the same price for mid jan, Livigno in italy is a great resort and bennys hotel is located just off the slopes so ski in/out is possible.

Apres ski is mainly in this hotel/bar and it attracts a great crowd, happy hour is always impressive!! There is also a good apres ski bar at at the end of the carasello 3000 run thats excellent fun!!

I would say Livigno would be your best bet

derv

i agree on livigno ,

i went with directski there 2 years ago, i organised a trip for 19 lads (nightmare to do) but the trip was really great ,
livigno is relatively 'cheap' in comparison to some other resorts,
it's great for beginners, and the nightlife/apres ski is good craic!

opinion guy

Well what do you want for the trip ?
Do you want crazy party town in which case Livigno would be good ? Or romantic postcard Christmassy stuff ?

Parts of Austria can be great for the postcard stuff - St Johan in Tirol comes to mind (though beyond beginner level would bore you and snow surity is not great). I was in Kitzbuhel a couple of years back and loved the town. Skiing is good too. Again not as snow sure as higher up places.
I've not been but I've heard some Swiss resorts are great for the postcard type stuff also. French resorts tend to be purpose built and less aesthetically pleasing although there are exceptions (lol but I haven't been to them :P)