Skiing for New Year - expensive?

Smiley Lassie!

Hi everyone,

I know it's a bit early to be thinking about New Year 2012 but I'm planning the years holidays and want to know if it fits in!

Is the week over New Year an expensive week to go skiing? How much would it cost to go to a ski resort for accomodation, ski lessons, gear hire, life passes etc? There will probably be a small group going so would be shared accomodation. Also how far in advance would you need to book it for New Years and where would be the best place to go?

Thanks in advance

Rew

Its more generally expensive then going a couple of weeks later. Accommodation is more expensive after that its all the same prices. Price is going to depend on where you go type of accommodation etc. Id say budget 100-150 for ski rental, 200-220 for a pass 800-1000 for travel and accommodation half board or 600-800 self catering.

Spook_ie

We went to Obertauern for New Year's just gone (cant believe we're home nearly 2 weeks) - this is the first time we have done this time of year, but we had no choice this year for a number of reasons.

We waited until early April and seeing as there was no sign of Ryanair or Aerlingus releasing flights to Salzburg, we decided to look elsewhere, we ended up booking Lufthansa, Dub-Fra-Salz, initially I was a bit hesitant but it ended up being great, we paid 150 euros per person and that included all taxes and charges, and a 20kg case each and a ski bag ! We left Dublin @ 6am and were in our apartment in Obertauern just before 2pm.

The transfer was 53 euros each return.

I can only speak for Obertauern, but we found that alot of places there give preferance to customers that have been with them the previous New Years, but having said that, we had no problem getting the accommodation we wanted and we also booked that in May, but alot of accommodations dont make offers until June/July.

EileenG

Short answer: YES. Travel company load up the New Year's week, knowing full well that every parent with children at school have to take this week or take the kids out of school. It's quite common to see a basic package of €1000+ which is reduced to €300 the following week.

However, if you book direct, it's not quite as bad. For years, we've been going to the CIS in Val Cenis, and the week after New Year is around €350 and the week of New Year is €450, and includes a massive New Year's eve dinner and champagne.

If you are confined to this week, do your homework. There are no bargains this week, but it's possible to ski without having to out a second mortgage.

Fattes

Austria and France are expensive at new year for a couple of reasons.

School holiday

Russian Christmas starts

Big Holidays in both countries.

Go independant and try Italy.

Smiley Lassie!

Thanks for all the responses everyone! I will look into it in the next couple of months and hopefully find something reasonable! It's the only week I can go skiing as I'm not able to take a week off from Jan to April in work! unless we went before Christmas but I doubt it would be good snow anywhere the week before Christmas?

EileenG

It's a very cheap week, and if you go somewhere high and snowsure (Val Thorens or Tignes) then you'll find bargain. But you may find the atmosphere is a bit thin, many resorts don't formally open until Christmas week.

I would suggest you check out the CIS in Val Cenis, they do a great bash for New Year's Eve and it's all included. Accommodation is very basic, but the food is good and the craic is great.

Smiley Lassie!

Thanks Eileen, will definitely look into that!