New Year skiing

There was a post a while back about how to get a cheap deal at New Year.
I must admit I did reply saying that there was probably no such thing...
well just thought I'd post this to encourage others who may share my
attitude. It certainly is possible to get a good deal.

I found a large self catering apartment in Samoens (links to Flaine/Grand
Massif). 4 of us are driving from the UK and the total including ferry,
tolls, fuel and accomodation is coming out at £250 each for the week (600
for the apt, 400 for transport).

The deals are out there, the lessons are simple - avoid the tour
operators (at least the main stream TOs offering inclusive
flights/chalets etc) these guys know New Year is a very busy time and
they cash in big time. The best deal we could find at a snow sure resort
(sic) with a TO was over £700 each. Use the internet and search the
resorts tourist office pages. Finaly, don't rely on the internet
exclusivly, we eventualy found our place by phoning around.

One final tip for New Year, book now. We found several great apartments
that were already booked.

Now, we just need to sort out a roof box for all the skis etc. Can anyone
recommend any of the rental companies or is it better to buy?

Steve


--
+----------------------+
| steve_a_haigh |
| @ |
| hotmail.com |
+----------------------+

On 08/09/2003 10:48, in article ,
"Steve" wrote:

There was a post a while back about how to get a cheap deal at New Year.
I must admit I did reply saying that there was probably no such thing...
well just thought I'd post this to encourage others who may share my
attitude. It certainly is possible to get a good deal.

I found a large self catering apartment in Samoens (links to Flaine/Grand
Massif). 4 of us are driving from the UK and the total including ferry,

Much improved links this year as well. It's not my idea of the perfect ski
staion though, the lift sitiuation and access from town is a long way from
ideal, however, it's possibly one of the nicest places you can stay in
France. YMMV depending on exactly where the apartment is located. I notice a
few people drive down to Morillon and park there for access to the slopes so
that might be a useful tip.

tolls, fuel and accomodation is coming out at ?250 each for the week (600
for the apt, 400 for transport).

Is that the charge (400) for the tunnel/ferry or where you including petrol
and tolls etc? I ask since my girlfriends brother was suggesting driving out
for Xmass/New Year and I guessed the tunnel would be taking the chance to
rip-off travellers as usual :-) He could fly for 300 maybe but it's
expensive and just for him the ferry doesn't look good, ironic since
accomodation will cost him nothing :-)

As for the apartment, it's relative, the owner will be pretty happy with 600
quid probably as well. I know we would be for the same period :-)


Now, we just need to sort out a roof box for all the skis etc. Can anyone
recommend any of the rental companies or is it better to buy?

I've a 600 litre Autoform box, I'm pleased with it. I get more annoyed
having a garage full of snow chains and roof racks for cars I don't have any
more :-) I have to say I'd buy one, UK rental looked expensive but I've not
looked for 10 years.


Steve

"Steve" wrote in message
...
snip
Now, we just need to sort out a roof box for all the skis etc. Can anyone
recommend any of the rental companies or is it better to buy?

Strongly recommend The Roof Box http://www.roofbox.co.uk
no connection - just v.satisfied customer.

And agree about New Year availability at moment - we had a lot of probs
finding hotel in Zermatt / Saas Fee about 6 weeks ago so situation now must
be worse. And problem finding a flight at a reasonable fare? but I see you
are driving - good luck.

HTH Mike

Ian Spare wrote:
On 08/09/2003 10:48, in article ,
"Steve" wrote:


There was a post a while back about how to get a cheap deal at New Year.
I must admit I did reply saying that there was probably no such thing...
well just thought I'd post this to encourage others who may share my
attitude. It certainly is possible to get a good deal.

I found a large self catering apartment in Samoens (links to Flaine/Grand
Massif). 4 of us are driving from the UK and the total including ferry,


Much improved links this year as well. It's not my idea of the perfect ski
staion though, the lift sitiuation and access from town is a long way from
ideal, however, it's possibly one of the nicest places you can stay in
France. YMMV depending on exactly where the apartment is located. I notice a
few people drive down to Morillon and park there for access to the slopes so
that might be a useful tip.


Land prices have also doubled over the last two years thanks to a
British influx (according to a local friend of mine who can't afford a
place now :-(.

On 08 Sep 2003 22:24:58 GMT, Ste Smith
wrote:

snip

The tricky bit was finding a flight. The prices these theives charge
just because it is New Year are unbelievable - even with EasyJet, the
flights cost about £180 return minimum (before transfers). The even
trickier bit was finding a flight that didn't land at Geneva/Lyon last
thing at night with a daunting 4 hour transfer to follow - getting into
Val at about 3/4am.

I've found out some interesting stuff here too...

Swiss have a lot of cheap(ish) flights from London to Geneva. There
are some drawbacks; to get them you either have to fly at very
unsociable hours (almost talking charter flight timeing I.e. checkin
at 5am type of thing). This gets you a flight for £170. Or, fly via
Zurich. Sounds a bit dumb, but the total flight time London - Geneva
was still under 5 hours and cost about £140. I didn't check but I
would guess this means there are still goood deals to Zurich if you
are heading that way.

I've found some websites are better than others, and I've finaly
narrowed my search down to 3 sites:- expedia, travelocity and airnet
(all ".co.uk"). Only one of these shows up the routes via Zurich
(travelocity I think, but I'm not 100% on that). Opodo is also worth a
look but I find the site awkward to use. Come to think of it none of
them score highly for usability, but that's a topic for a different
thread...

I gave up on the low cost airlines, they are fine if you can fly
outside "popular" times, but the cost for weekend flights is always
more than a good scheduled deal. Also, with scheduled you'l get a lot
less hassle with skis.

Steve

~ If emailing, please use: Steve_A_Haigh
~ @
~ hotmail.com
~

Steve wrote:
David Off wrote:

Steve wrote:

On 08 Sep 2003 22:24:58 GMT, Ste Smith
wrote:

snip


I've found out some interesting stuff here too...

Swiss have a lot of cheap(ish) flights from London to Geneva. There
are some drawbacks;



Like the airline is bankrupt and may stop flying at any moment.
Caveat Emptor.

Ah yes, there is that. I thought they'd got around it all by winding up
Swiss Air and starting the new company called just "Swiss". They are
moving to the low-cost model too and plan to start charging for food and
drink quite soon. The menus, with prices, were already in use when I
flew a couple of weeks ago but they hadn't started charging yet. They
have also stopped handing out free chocolate too.



Simon Brown is normally quite well informed on this but I read that they
were 400 million Euros in the red and looking for another bale-out. It
would worry me a bit.