Today FM Ski -Trip 2013 - Kirchberg

marvin80

So the Today FM ski-trip is going to Kirchberg, Austria, 2nd to 9th February 2013.
Myself and the girlfriend are planning on going skiing for the first time, and thinking of going with the Today FM trip.
We have a few questions, hoping someone can answer them for us:

1. Can anyone that has been to Kirchberg recommend any of these places for accommodation. We were thinking of getting the cheapest accommodation available (a B&B) but on second thoughts we think we might be better off getting a hotel on a half-board basis. Would anyone have any recommendations?

http://www.topflight.ie/ski-breaks/austria/kirchberg.aspx

2. Would ye recommend renting ski boots there (€58) or just buying them in Ireland.

3. Is food and alcohol expensive? How much is a pint of beer or a dinner?

Sorry for all the questions

bovril

I've never been to Kirchberg myself but have been a few times B&B and a few times half board in Austria. I prefer B&B to be honest but that might just be me. Depending on the hotel the half board dinner can get a bit boring. The place we stayed in last year the food was similar each night and very salty. You are also tied to a schedule with half board. If you go B&B you can vary where you go, you don't have to go for a big meal if you decide to eat a big lunch. You have the freedom to go for a meal later on if you want to do something while the half board dinner is being served. We had one hotel one year that did a lovely Half Board meal but even still I was bored every evening sitting in the same table in the same restaurant. I would have preferred to head out to different restaurants.

Have a look at Trip Advisor and see if they give reviews of the hotels and especially the food they serve at dinner.

On the boots front, if it's your first time then I would rent. Do a bit of research online if you can about recommended rental shops in Kirchberg and take your time in the shop the day of the fitting and make sure you are happy with the fit.

PeeWee80

Hi Marvin

I've been on the trip a few times with Topflight & Today FM - Best Ski Trip Ever!!

I was actually in Kirchberg last year (2012) and got talking to a lot of people who were staying in various hotels & B&Bs on the trip.

The consensus was that the Hotel Alexander is the best hotel with most people in, great food and right next to the Today FM Broadcast. Its only about €200-€300 more than a pension B&B (but that includes all your evening meals, higher comfort and amazing location) http://www.topflight.ie/ski-breaks/austria/kirchberg/hotel-alexander-hb.aspx Ive also heard that the Kirchbergerhof & Rosslwirt hotels are good too.

IMO - Whilst a pension B&B is cheaper up front, its a false economy as you end up spending more over there for food.

Kirchberg in ski terms is cheaper than its ski neighbours of Kitzbuhel, Zell etc... not bad value... good happy hours if you stick to beer or wine, you're laughing.

I would make sure you rent your ski gear, make sure you pre-book with them as there is usually 400 or more going. I would also recommend the ski school, pre book again as its so busy. Its great for socialising if nothing else!

Hope that helps

Fattes

1. The Today FM trip is expensive! from a basic start point, you will have just as much craic in any busy Austrian alpine resort and could save yourself a few quid,I have been on one or two and they are great craic but not for the price difference. (I got to go free ). If it is in your budget and you are happy to pay it go as they are super.

2. Would ye recommend renting ski boots there (€58) or just buying them in Ireland. - Rent get Mid Priced boots and the cheapest skis you can rent (Will make learning easier trust me). Take all the time in the world getting the boots that fit right and are the most comfortable. This is very important!!!!!!! You would be mad to buy for your first trip.

3. Is food and alcohol expensive? How much is a pint of beer or a dinner? Austria is cheap eat on the hill at Lunch (Spagetti Bol & Chips with Coffee or beer for about 10-12 Euro) Average large Beer will be 3-4 Euro in resorts and will vary from bar to bar

4. Get up to the Ski Club of Ireland and do a one day course before you go you may even have me teaching you if you are really unlucky!

5. TK Maxx is your friend they all ready have ski gear in including some top notch Quicksilver/Roxy and Spyder stuff. Also a great place to get good gloves and Socks.

6. If you need anything give me a shout & prepare to have your life changed skiing and the mountains really does get under your skin.

rosslenihan12

Hi Fattes, i was just wondering since you have been on this type of trip before, is there additional charge in booking to bring your own board or is it better to leave it behind and rent?
Also, have you been to this resort before? What is the standard like, although a relative novice i have done two trips to north america (whistler/vancouver for a few days and utah for a week) and am planning another to denver before trying europe for the first time...is there a good spread of difficulty over the mountain?

Fattes

rosslenihan12; Last time I was on the trip Skis/Boards were €15 each way. I have never stayed in Kirchberg but have skied Kitzbul home of the Streif piste which is Pants staining scary.

Ski are will be very different to anything you have skied in North America, More piste focused and once you eave the markers you are on your own. Very Pretty Austiran resort with plenty to keep you busy for the week.

PeeWee80

Fattes: Agreed, its not the cheapest ski trip to go on, and certainly not the most expensive either. But every extra euro paid is more than worth is for me. Whilst you can have the craic in most ski resorts, its not guaranteed. What the Topflight ski trip with Today FM gives you is organised craic... they manage to get everyone together (more than 400 people last year), every day & every night with excellent entertainment with great people out for the same. For me that is priceless!

rosslenihan12; Kircherg / Kitzbuhel has a very broad range of skiing. Sounds like your not a bad skier, but maybe a little unsure. First try the blue runs off the fleckalmbahn to warm your ski legs up. There are some great blues up there before moving on to the reds. As Fattes said there are some very difficult runs also including the famous Hahnenkamm black run in Kitzbuhel... very steep and icy.. ouch!

I'd get the Kitzbuleher Alpen Lift pass. This will allow you to get the Ki-West gondola, which links Kirchberg to the Ski Welt. Its only an extra €7 i think and opens you up to host of cruisey runs in Westendorf, Ellmau, Sheffau, Going & Soll aswell as Kirchberg & Kitz.

I hope this helps!

Fattes

gives you is organised craic

The worst Kind of Craic!!!! The trips are fantastic but rock up to Mayrhofe,Sallbach, St Anton, The Three Valleys and you will have just as much fun with less of a bill at the end of the week.

I would reccomend the trip to anyone in a heartbeat but there are cheaper alternatives.

d2ww

Looking like around €900 HB atm, with no single availability on the Topfllight site.
PW80/Fattes, For those people who are not doing lessons but would like to ski with other people of a similar level, is there any organised forming of groups on the first day, or is it all purely random?

Fattes

d2ww; Yep that is the big attraction I guess about the trip you will meet people who want to ski together every day, or even at the pre trip day at the Ski Club of Ireland.

olaola

Fattes wrote: »

The worst Kind of Craic!!!! The trips are fantastic but rock up to Mayrhofe,Sallbach, St Anton, The Three Valleys and you will have just as much fun with less of a bill at the end of the week.

Each to their own, it's not really my bag either. But I know people who have gone and have really enjoyed it.

eldude

Sorry Folks,
I haven't gone on any of these Today FM ski trips , I'm thinking about heading there by myself, as a fella in his mid 30s I'm wondering what is the age profile of these trips?

duckysauce

eldude wrote: »

Sorry Folks,
I haven't gone on any of these Today FM ski trips , I'm thinking about heading there by myself, as a fella in his mid 30s I'm wondering what is the age profile of these trips?

1+ - 90 + age is all in the mind , if you can ski - board go for it

Fattes

fella in his mid 30s

Suonds like the average participant in these holidays to me. I wuld say that 90% of people on the holidays are either male or Female between 24-40.

eldude

Cheers lads, for that

adelcrowsmel

There's no single availability left for this on topflight in any of the accommodation options - I have put my name down on the waiting list or the list to be notified if they come up with anymore single rooms somewhere. I'm disappointed now as it seems like the perfect solution to a skiing holiday if you don't have anyone else to go with....with it being a group thing when you are over there and you would have plenty to get involved in by the sounds of it.
What's the chances of any late single availability coming up from anyone's previous experience any other year?!?!:(

PeeWee80

adelcrowsmel wrote: »

There's no single availability left for this on topflight in any of the accommodation options - I have put my name down on the waiting list or the list to be notified if they come up with anymore single rooms somewhere. I'm disappointed now as it seems like the perfect solution to a skiing holiday if you don't have anyone else to go with....with it being a group thing when you are over there and you would have plenty to get involved in by the sounds of it.
What's the chances of any late single availability coming up from anyone's previous experience any other year?!?!:(

I think you have little chance at this stage.
Why don't you try the Tag Rugby Ski Trip? Supposed to be great for people travelling solo. One of my friends went last year and loved it.
You don't need to play tag. Its more about the craic and social side as well as great skiing. Looks like they are off to Soldeu which is a great resort and also a little cheaper than Today FM Ski Trip

Have a look www.tagrugbyskitrip.ie

Hope this helps

adelcrowsmel

Thanks for that PeeWee80...I will have definitely have a look at the tag trip instead! I'll have my get my act in gear alot quicker next year!!

PeeWee80 wrote: »

I think you have little chance at this stage.
Why don't you try the Tag Rugby Ski Trip? Supposed to be great for people travelling solo. One of my friends went last year and loved it.
You don't need to play tag. Its more about the craic and social side as well as great skiing. Looks like they are off to Soldeu which is a great resort and also a little cheaper than Today FM Ski Trip

Have a look www.tagrugbyskitrip.ie

Hope this helps

Gabbie57

Why don't you try the ski club of Ireland they have organised trips every year for all level of skiers including groups and solos

eldude

All booked and sorted for my first Today FM trip

Super excited and looking forward to it

Just looking at the Top Flight FB page and it seems that theres away more lads than girls going , would that be typical ?

PeeWee80

@eldude

Usually 50/50 split. Spoke to someone in Topflight about my booking and they said the same this year. Roughly 230 men / 230 women & 40 plus crew and bands.

I did hear that the Tag rugby ski trip has slightly more women then men though

mckeowneok

The biggest problem I have with ski holiday bookings is that you find it very difficult to get a full package offer i.e. accommodation, flights, lift pass, gear and ski school all in the one package. Does anybody have any idea what that holiday cost in total?

opinion guy

How was this trip anyone ?

PeeWee80

opinion guy wrote: »

How was this trip anyone ?

Unbelievable! Great craic. Skiing was brilliant and the apres ski even better. Some organising. Hats off to them.

PeeWee80

mckeowneok wrote: »

The biggest problem I have with ski holiday bookings is that you find it very difficult to get a full package offer i.e. accommodation, flights, lift pass, gear and ski school all in the one package. Does anybody have any idea what that holiday cost in total?

To be sure i'm answering this correctly.
1. Are you referring to the Today FM Ski Trip with Topflight?
If so, then I paid just over €1100 all in with Topflight. That was including pass & equipment with flights from Dublin, Transfers, B&B Room. And all the glitz that comes with that trip. Great week and worth the extra few euro's.

2. If you're talking about "ski holiday bookings" in general then you might be better posting on a more relevant thread. But for what its worth. You'd be looking at around 10% cheaper than above. Based on Austria in February with everything included.