Topflight Today FM Ski Trip 2014

PeeWee80

Has anyone else noticed that facebook page image has now changed to 2014?
https://www.facebook.com/TodayFmSkiTrip

Do you think they are going to announce something soon?

As much as liked Kirchberg this year, it was amazing. Really hope its somewhere new for 2014.

PeeWee80

Looks like this is official website http://www.todayfmskitrip.ie - appeared the other day.
Releasing details in next few weeks by the looks of it.

shortmar13

Hi,

I've booked to go on this trip this year with 2 friends, anyone got any tips from last year? Staying in one of the Pensione's but looks quite nice.

PeeWee80

shortmar13 wrote: »

Hi,

I've booked to go on this trip this year with 2 friends, anyone got any tips from last year? Staying in one of the Pensione's but looks quite nice.

I've booked again!! Cant wait. I'm in a pension too. I know it from last year. Pensions are usually very good. Basic, but they're clean and well looked after as the family owners take good care of them.

d-don

eh ok ... €700 average for flights and hotel. then ! lift pass 241 .. then for normal people ( 240 for skis -helmet-boots ) then maybe ski school 180 ... give or take the above by 20 euro or so .. so a total of around 1350 per person my maths is crap because i am in shock... pardon the pun but not a snow balls chance in hell ....i'm sure its great fun but with that money skiing booking myself I would live like a king for a week:D:eek:

epopnomis

Pretty much playing for the today FM staff to go have a jolly. Way Way overpriced...

Fattes

Like most things topflight do it is very over priced! That said it is normally a quality week and every one is soooo positive about it.

PeeWee80

Agree... not the cheapest week. But it is the best week.

IMO - you get what you pay for.

If you want the best skiing holiday ever. This is it.

Fattes

If you want the best skiing holiday ever. This is it.

If you want an average ski holiday with a large volume of organised drinking sessions this is it!

To be honest you could get the same in Verbier with much better skiing, better snow and the same night life for that same price you will spend on this trip!

The terrain in the Ski-Welt is mild and crap, nothign challanging or excitign the snow record is average at best.

PeeWee80

Fattes wrote: »

The terrain in the Ski-Welt is mild and crap, nothing challenging or exciting the snow record is average at best.

You obviously take the sport very seriously, which is great. That is why you're very negative towards this trip. It clearly isn't suited to yourself.

But for the vast majority who have never been skiing or only have been a couple of times who are looking to go on a holiday with craic. This trip is perfect.

Also, never heard anyone complain about Kitzbuhel/Kirchberg ski area before. Isn't it regarded as one of the best? It's subjective I suppose.

Fattes

That is why you're very negative towards this trip.

No I am negative towards the trip more, people who say it’s the best trip ever & the cost, there is nothing here you could not get for 1/2 the price from say Crystal/ Inghams/ Self arranged trips. With a bunch of friends.

Most of the stuff in Kitzbul is cruisy red's its big ticket run the Streif, is actually only skiable in the advertised race form for the 3 days after the WC downhill. The rest of the year they rope it off in sections and for bloody good reason.

Compare TF to any other operator and they are expensive, this trip is extortion. This forum is about information especially for beginners or those relatively new to winter sports. Lets remember the only posts you have ever made are in relation to the Topflight, Today FM trip not suspicious at all.

A quick comparison of prices All based on 2 people Price Per Person. The week 1st week of Febuary, the week before the Today Fm trip

Today FM trip Pension EUR 828 Bed and Breakfast basic accommodation

Inghams 4 Star HALF Board to Kirchberb – 810.69 Hotel with Pool and Sauna

Kitzbul with Crystal ski – 3 Star Half Board EUR 757 or 4 Star HALF Board EUR 850 –Both hotels Pool and Sauna.

CardinalJ

If its €824 for a pension that's utter robbery, especially given what I presume is a big volume booking. Is that only for your flights/transfers/accom?

I paid €459 for flights/transfers/B&B in Mayrhofen las year. Basic, but fine for the price. Presumably the same as whats on offer here for almost double. Man that is steep!!!

Fattes

That is not the worst of it some of the Pensions are €998!!! I **** you not I could not believe it.

Its this kind of price gouging on the part of Topflight that makes people think skiing is expensive!

CardinalJ

I'm sure everyone going will have a great time, but I just feel beginners, who I presume this is being aimed at, are being taken for a ride.

If you think of the most expensive resorts you can go to in Austria, St Anton is deffo on the list. I went there to a fully catered chalet with all you can drink, for around €850 with flights transfers with Crystalski. It was a big booking so we got a discount, but still the booking for Todayfm/topflight is probably 10 times as big.

The prices being quoted just seem mean.

Fattes

I presume this is being aimed at, are being taken for a ride.

Pretty much sums it up, topflight appear to be struggling in terms of numbers and this and the tag rugby trip are big money spinners for them. Long term however it reinforces the negative cost stereotype with ski holidays and cannot be an effective model for generating lasting business.

The resorts they choose for these trips have two criteria, enough tourist beds (70% of the resorts in TF brochure could accommodate this trip.) and Margin for the operator. Just look at some of the resorts Kirchbert, St Johann, Bad Gastein, All high margin resorts for TO, add to that the group size and the increased margins it brings the profits from this must be huge for Topflight.

Linked to this has anyone else noticed Direct ski have severely narrowed the number of locations they offer this year? Direct Ski is owned by the sons of Tony Collins Topflight boss! Originally their model was selling excess topflight products but you would have all the same reps, hotels etc but at a discount. I am wondering did they become too successful and start eating into TF market base

PeeWee80

A little harsh I think Fattes. I've always said it wasn't the cheapest. Generally people don't mind paying cos Topflight & TodayFM put in such an effort & organisation.

Once again IMO - It is the best (not cheapest) ski trip around.

prunudo

I know this is going off topic but I've noticed that about direct ski too and also their prices have been creeping up year on year.

I'd often thought about going on the Today fm trip but for the money they charge none of the resorts have interested me yet. Having my own gear and not looking for lessons would keep it down but for a first timer it would be a very expensive introduction to winter sports and ultimately turn them away from going again.

Fattes

Topflight & TodayFM put in such an effort & organisation.

There is nothing on the trip that you won’t get in any major ski resort on any other week of the year, including the bands and night time entertainment. Have you been on many other ski trips outside of the today FM one as it is the ONLY THING YOU HAVE EVER POSTED ON BOARDS ABOUT? Which makes me suspect you have either never been on another ski trip or work for topflight.

Even using Topflights own prices, there is a 150- 250 euro premium for the Today FM trip over equivalent non-peak weeks in the same accommodation in Kirchberg! How can you justify that, the entertainment at night hardly, one of the best bands I have ever seen are called on Hal Ice they play free in a bar in a ski resort all winter.

The assessment is spot on it is gouging of consumers and not giving value for money, perpetrating the myth that ski holidays are expensive. I am not arguing the trips are not fun I have been on 5 of them including the first one .

What I am saying is for the money you pay there are better alternatives out there and much better value for money in better resorts, better skiing, with better accommodation and the same craic to be had with a group of your friends.

PeeWee80

Fattes wrote: »

ONLY THING YOU HAVE EVER POSTED ON BOARDS ABOUT?[/U][/B] Which makes me suspect you have either never been on another ski trip or work for topflight

Lol. I've skied for years and skied in many many other resorts in Europe and beyond. I certainly do not work for Topflight, but thoroughly enjoy this trip every year. I see it more as a Today FM trip.

I holiday a few times a year and would book with Crystal / DirectSki etc also. I just find this trip more sociable. Its almost as if there is a built excuse to talk to anyone because you feel like you've traveled with them.

For me, its not about the money. I will pay the premium for the way I feel when i'm there - after all it is a holiday. I've been to the best ski bars and seen all the best aprés bands in them - I agree, they're great. Brilliant infact. But I did find myself not interacting as much and I would be quite an outgoing, social person. Its just you tend to talk to the people you've traveled with, which sometimes is no one else. So, if you're travelling as a big bunch of you then what you're saying is spot on. Its just not like that for everyone. This trip hits the mark for me (and around 500 others)

Rathcoole

Can anyone advise on buying boots in Krickberg?

I want to buy a pair this year and looking for good shop over there.

Anyone?

Fattes

Rathcoole wrote: »

Can anyone advise on buying boots in Krickberg?
Anyone?

Don't! I would do it here before you go. It will be cheaper and you will have more time to get it right

dzer2

Rathcoole wrote: »

Can anyone advise on buying boots in Krickberg?

I want to buy a pair this year and looking for good shop over there.

Anyone?

There is a hervis shop on the pass turn road out of Kitzbuhel. We bought boots there a few yr back best thing we ever done. Dont rush in buying put the boots on make them as tight as possible and walk around. The staff have excellent english and measured and gave great advice. The missus jad to go back to have the boot heated to fit her calves but other that that we never looked back. There is a savage choice to pick from.