Bricks and mortar ski operators in Dublin

Dero

Hey all.
Myself & herself heading into town this weekend (a rare occurrence for us, especially alone). Anyway, we're mulling over booking a family ski holiday for early next year and thought it might be a good idea to go and sit with someone who knows the resorts and might give better advice face to face than online or by phone.

I've been skiing twice, both times on DIY trips with friends, but it'll be the first time for my wife and kids. I'm not adverse to going DIY or doing an online package, but I thought since we'll be in town anyway, we may as well call in somewhere for a chat.

So the question is, does anyone have any recommendations for physical agencies specialising in ski holidays? I know I can Google a list of places to visit, but someone here may have relevant personal experience.

Thanks.

olaola

The only one I can think of is Crystal, if they're still there!!

Fattes

Dero wrote: »

Hey all.
Myself & herself heading into town this weekend (a rare occurrence for us, especially alone). Anyway, we're mulling over booking a family ski holiday for early next year and thought it might be a good idea to go and sit with someone who knows the resorts and might give better advice face to face than online or by phone.

I've been skiing twice, both times on DIY trips with friends, but it'll be the first time for my wife and kids. I'm not adverse to going DIY or doing an online package, but I thought since we'll be in town anyway, we may as well call in somewhere for a chat.

So the question is, does anyone have any recommendations for physical agencies specialising in ski holidays? I know I can Google a list of places to visit, but someone here may have relevant personal experience.

Thanks.

Crystal used to have an office off Grafton street but I don't know if they still do, and topflight might still have one on Jervis street but again not sure.

To be honest you probably wont get great advice in either, they will just sell you what is best and most profitable for them and most TO staff wouldn't have a great grasp of ski resorts. I once had a TO tell me I would be better off booking my lift pass with them! As an ISIA instructor I pay around 10-15 euro a day for a lift pass :rolleyes:

cormee

Fattes wrote: »

Crystal used to have an office off Grafton street but I don't know if they still do

They still do, yes. They're opposite The Bailey, on Duke St.

trashcan

Topflight have an office in Jervis St. Not sure if they're open at the weekend. Before I went skiing the first time myself and my ski buddy were in the great outdoors looking at gear and they recommended Westendorf. Great recommendation and have gone there ever since.

d2ww

Hi Dero, I'm guessing that as soon you mention 'beginners', Andorra will come up. However the 4-5 hour transfer may not suit younger kids( or yourself!)
What weeks are you thinking? Personally, I would go somewhere high like Cervinia to ensure good quality snow. Although, in early Jan it can be really, really cold.

Dero

Thanks guys.

Crystal are still in Duke Street, so I'll call in there and see what they say. I'd be happy enough to build our own holiday except that I've only been to two resorts (Les Arcs & Val Thorens), so simply have little exposure to other options. I was hoping a ski-focussed travel agency might have good suggestions, but frankly I'd probably do better with the advice I get here...

We're flexible with destinations and dates but we were loosely targeting Austria for the first week of February, but not wedded to either. Austria because both kids (12 & 16) are doing German in school, so might get them a bit of linguistic as well as physical exercise. In addition, my wife likes the idea of it, especially if the resorts are more villages/towns then the Costa del Snow of purpose built resorts like VT et al (again, may be a misconception).

For accommodation, self catering is preferred, but if options are limited, we'll do a hotel.

Open to suggestions though. I've been twice (with our very own cormee), and would be well able for reds, but happy with cruisy blues too. The others will want lessons, but I've no idea how much they'll need. Three days? Five days?

So, in essence, this is now a plea for advice. :-)

P.S. Zell am Zee was suggested in the Ski Season 2016/2017 thread. Looks nice, but I've never been.

d2ww

I've been to Zell am Zee, St Johann, and Westendorf over the years, and I've had enough I'm not going back. The problem with that whole Kitzbuhuelalpen(sic) area is that it's too low. Each time you're faced with freeze/thaw which produces icy conditions up on top, and wet heavy slush down at village level. Now, while that won't faze most experienced skiers, beginners don't need that.
That said, Mayrhofen could be a good call as the nursery slopes are at ~1800m.

Russman

d2ww wrote: »

I've been to Zell am Zee, St Johann, and Westendorf over the years, and I've had enough I'm not going back. The problem with that whole Kitzbuhuelalpen(sic) area is that it's too low. Each time you're faced with freeze/thaw which produces icy conditions up on top, and wet heavy slush down at village level. Now, while that won't faze most experienced skiers, beginners don't need that.
That said, Mayrhofen could be a good call as the nursery slopes are at ~1800m.

Not to doubt you in any way, shape or form, but how much of an issue is the lower altitude of some of the Austrian resorts ? I've always assumed they were pretty snow-sure, but anytime I try to research it there seems to be massively conflicting opinions. Some spectacular arguments on here too in the past !:eek::)

I'm trying to narrow down options for a trip this year and its like a needle in a haystack tbh. Mostly first or second timers, and we're looking at Ski Welt, Mayrhofen or Saalbach in Austria, or somewhere in Italy, Livigno or Passo Tonale maybe. Only thing slightly putting us off Italy is the lessons are only 2hrs per day as opposed to 4hrs in Austria.

Fattes

Dero wrote: »

So, in essence, this is now a plea for advice. :-)

P.S. Zell am Zee was suggested in the Ski Season 2016/2017 thread. Looks nice, but I've never been.

Nobody does family ski holidays better than the Austrians, but don't tell them that! Maxyrhofen would be my first choice, and after that the ski Circus (Saalbach/Leogang)

In Italy Sestriere or the Aosta valley Pila would both be great.

hawkwind23

If you look into Aosta/Pila feel free to ask me , ive spent months researching it

cormee

Did you sort a destination out, Derek?

Dero

Yeah, we've pretty much narrowed it down to two options. Plan A is a family trip to Mayrhofen, either at the end of January or the start of February (not mid-term). We haven't decided yet whether we want to spend that money this year though or wait till next year for a family trip. If we don't, plan B is myself and Will head off with just the two of us to Les Menuires for a week in the Three Valleys.

Have you decided anything yet?

cormee

Not yet. Discussions haven't even started yet! Kind of like the look of St. Anton though.
Be sure to check out the Fred Covilli piste if you go to Les Menuires.

Fattes

Dero wrote: »

Yeah, we've pretty much narrowed it down to two options. Plan A is a family trip to Mayrhofen, either at the end of January or the start of February (not mid-term). We haven't decided yet whether we want to spend that money this year though or wait till next year for a family trip. If we don't, plan B is myself and Will head off with just the two of us to Les Menuires for a week in the Three Valleys.

Have you decided anything yet?

You wont go far wrong with either of those options, the last 2 weeks of Jan are probably the cheapest week of the year to book and ski with great deals to be had.