Snow and ski - Recommendations for weeks skiing in April

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Recommendations for weeks skiing in April - learner

Hi

I'm trying to get my head around booking a skiing holiday.

I've never skiied before so am concerned about being fleeced!

As a first time skiier, I expect what I'm looking for is pretty
standard - flights (from London) to the destination, accommodation,
equipment hire, ski lift passes and teaching.

What I can't seem to find is anyone who can bring that all together
inclusive - it would be nice to be able to arrive and not have to
worry about sorting these things out. Is there an operator anyone
would recommend?

Also, I know April is getting a bit late for snow - is it best to head
for high altitude areas like Les Deux Alpes and Val Thorens?

Any tips gratefully received!

Recommendations for weeks skiing in April - learner

wrote in message
...
Hi

I'm trying to get my head around booking a skiing holiday.

I've never skiied before so am concerned about being fleeced!

As a first time skiier, I expect what I'm looking for is pretty
standard - flights (from London) to the destination, accommodation,
equipment hire, ski lift passes and teaching.

What I can't seem to find is anyone who can bring that all together
inclusive - it would be nice to be able to arrive and not have to
worry about sorting these things out. Is there an operator anyone
would recommend?

Also, I know April is getting a bit late for snow - is it best to head
for high altitude areas like Les Deux Alpes and Val Thorens?

Any tips gratefully received!

As far as I know, the only TO which will literally put all that together
(probably excepting ski hire) is Club Med. However, most specialist ski TOs
will help you with all the extras (i.e. tuition, ski hire, lift passes) in
resort if not always in advance. Lots of the specialist chalet operators
exclude flights (a growing trend as more folk book their own el cheapo
transfers) but many others do the package (f'rinstance Inghams, Crystal,
Olympic, Mark Warner).

And, yes, April can be a bit late depending on a) the weather b) which end
of April you mean c) the altitude of the resort. Should be OK in France
(e.g.Espace Killy, bits of 3vallees) and Switzerland (e.g.Zermatt - though I
skiied there mid-April last year when spring was early and warm so twas a
bit limited). More difficult in Italy (excepting Cervinia) and Austria. And
there is always North America....

I'd be surprised if you have much of a problem finding a nearly-inclusive
package - judging which of them is any good is more difficult.....

Paul

Recommendations for weeks skiing in April - learner

wrote in message
...
Hi

I'm trying to get my head around booking a skiing holiday.

I've never skiied before so am concerned about being fleeced!

As a first time skiier, I expect what I'm looking for is pretty
standard - flights (from London) to the destination, accommodation,
equipment hire, ski lift passes and teaching.

What I can't seem to find is anyone who can bring that all together
inclusive - it would be nice to be able to arrive and not have to
worry about sorting these things out. Is there an operator anyone
would recommend?

Also, I know April is getting a bit late for snow - is it best to head
for high altitude areas like Les Deux Alpes and Val Thorens?

Any tips gratefully received!

Hi whoever (names are nice)

Most of the big companies will offer a learn to ski package with their
holidays - this includes lift passes, ski lessons and equipment hire and
they charge less than the sum of the individual parts. Don't forget you
still have to buy/borrow the appropriate clothing. It's never that cheap,
but is reasonable competitive so simply shopping around should allow you to
get a good deal.

High altitude is a good idea (I'll add Tignes & Val d'Isere to you list,
others will have more places) but so is leaving it late and booking where
the snow is still in
good nick.

HTH

Paul S

Recommendations for weeks skiing in April - learner

On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 08:18:19 -0800 (PST), in
,
wrote:

Hi

I'm trying to get my head around booking a skiing holiday.

I've never skiied before so am concerned about being fleeced!

As a first time skiier, I expect what I'm looking for is pretty
standard - flights (from London) to the destination, accommodation,
equipment hire, ski lift passes and teaching.

What I can't seem to find is anyone who can bring that all together
inclusive - it would be nice to be able to arrive and not have to
worry about sorting these things out. Is there an operator anyone
would recommend?

A bit of an outside bet, perhaps, but if you (preferably) speak French
and don't mind hostel-style accomodation, the UCPA offer packages
which include accomodation, food, lift pass, equipment hire (including
clothing, I understand) and intruction for bargain-basement prices.

For example, a week in Flaine starting March 30th will cost just Eu445
for all the above. (Forgive the wrapped link)
http://www.ucpa-vacances.com/recherc...mois=3&jour=30
Given that a standard week's lift pass alone is Eu218, that is an
incredible price.

They don't offer transport packages from the UK, but if you can get
Eurostar to Paris or Lille they'll include the French coach or rail
journey. Or just get Easyjet to Geneva and use one of the transfer
services listed at http://www.flaine.com/fr/acces-station-avion.php

Also, I know April is getting a bit late for snow - is it best to head
for high altitude areas like Les Deux Alpes and Val Thorens?

Flaine also has an excellent late snow record (it would be my first
choice in April), although UCPA also have centres in many other ski
resorts, including high ones such as Val Thorens and Tignes.

Recommendations for weeks skiing in April - learner

On Jan 7, 4:18*pm, wrote:
Hi

I'm trying to get my head around booking a skiing holiday.

I've never skiied before so am concerned about being fleeced!

As a first time skiier, I expect what I'm looking for is pretty
standard - flights (from London) to the destination, accommodation,
equipment hire, ski lift passes and teaching.

What I can't seem to find is anyone who can bring that all together
inclusive - it would be nice to be able to arrive and not have to
worry about sorting these things out. Is there an operator anyone
would recommend?

Also, I know April is getting a bit late for snow - is it best to head
for high altitude areas like Les Deux Alpes and Val Thorens?

Any tips gratefully received!

Personally I would suggest avoiding the big resorts. Everything is
more expensive, from lift passes (that covers miles and miles you
don't need) to accommodation, bars and restaurants. Places like Val
Thorens are great for more advanced skiers and this is the kind of
people who go there so as a beginner on the slopes it can feel a bit
intimidating.

Most French resorts are open until 26 April so for early April you can
go pretty much anywhere. From mid to late April it's better to choose
glacier/high altitude resort. My recommendation is Vaujany part of the
Alpe d'Huez ski area.

How about driving there. It takes all the hassle from going through
airports away and then you are in control of your itinerary. It's all
motorway to the French Alps so an easy drive. It's generally a lot
cheaper too when with a few people.

Some Easter deals on smaller resorts on http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/ski/ea...iing-deals.htm.
Peak Retreats can organise accommodation, ski equipment, ski lessons,
lift passes...
In La Norma for instance based on 4 people staying in a 2 bedroom
apartment by the slopes for the week of 05/04 it would cost you £310
pp all in (Eurotunnel with a car with free premium Flexi-Plus ticket
upgrade, quality skis & boots, 6 half day ski lessons and lift pass)
see http://www.peakretreats.co.uk/ski/la-norma.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
XS
Peak Retreats http://www.peakretreats.co.uk
Ski Collection http://www.skicollection.co.uk