Skiing

[mikasas]

Just back from a week in Morzine, staying with Morzine Ski Chalets, great job. Couldn't reccomend any more. Snowed twice when we were out too so the snow was brilliant! Can't believe its going to be a year at least before I've ski's back on me!

[Rois]

Morzine Ski Chalets appear pricey though! 

I hear the resorts are staying open a bit later - boyfriend is going for a few days after Easter and if I'm not busy, i might join him.

[WeeDonns]

That time of year again when I'm looking into ski holidays again. Has anyone booked anything yet? 
Any good websites for deals to share with us?
Our group has taken a big hit with people getting married and having kids. Looks like it'll just be 4 of us this year, and one of them is a teacher so we have to go mid-term!

Not sure where to go either. Have been comparing DIY and package deals and there's not an awful difference in price
Has anyone been to Slovenia? I'm seeing some good deals, with really nice hotels but I'm not sure about the number of slopes

[Rois]

I'm obv a DIY advocate on these things and prob going back to Morzine for a week.  Coming out with a price of around £800 all in (flight, transfer, catered chalet, lift pass, eqp hire) for January, about £30 more for 3 half days of lessons.  Our catered chalet last year was the best value I have had skiing - apart from the initial outlay, I prob spent €250 extra. 

Half term is completely different and I will be avoiding as long as possible.

I looked at Val Thorens this time as well which was coming out at a similar price but the transfer is the off-putting part - up to 4hrs from Geneva.

Absolutely Snow and Alpine Elements are two small travel companies that have lift pass deals etc but you're kidding yourself if you think you will find many deals for half term.

[WeeDonns]

Well the plan is to convince the teacher to, ahem, 'take leave' another week...
Not only will it be way more expensive, but the slopes will be far busier on half term

Went to Val Thorens 3 years ago and have to say it was class. We got the full 3 valleys pass but probably only needed it 1 day when we went to Meribel as theres so many slopes in Val Thorens. Nearly everywhere is ski in ski out too. I'd definitely go back, the transfer didn't seem too bad to be honest.

How many of you went to the catered chalet? I like the idea of it, breakfast & evening meal made for you

[Rois]

There were 16 of us I think last year, we did a deal where we paid £40 extra each and had unlimited drinks provided by the chalet.  They prob made money on us to be honest as all we drank was beer and wine.  The downside was that we didn't go out into town too much after apres ski, but that was our choice. 

Look up the website www.chaletsdirect.com and check out the Solutions Room - I use it quite a bit.  If you want a catered chalet, post up your requirements and private chalet owners come back to you with their options. 

I've stayed in a few catered chalets and you can get really reasonable ones and really fancy ones - unfortunately I've yet to stay in a mega-fancy one...the majority have outdoor hot tubs or saunas which are a nice touch at the end of the day.

If you haven't been to Portes de Soleil, seriously think about it - Morzine is one option but there's also Avoriaz, Les Gets, Chatel and a few other smaller resorts.  The ski area is immense, maybe a bit smaller than 3 Valleys but you don't have to ski the same slope twice in a week. 

[seafoid]

I think prices will be lower this season because of the recession. Ski resorts have to compete harder for a smaller pool of skiers.

[Rois]

I think prices will be lower this season because of the recession. Ski resorts have to compete harder for a smaller pool of skiers.

Why this season rather than the last few? 

I reckon it's the tour operators rather than the specific resorts that control the pricing dynamics, and in Ireland, they just limit the flights so their prices don't fluctuate so much.  I rarely see really really good bargains from tour operators who fly from Ireland.

Us Nordies like the movement of the euro over the last yr...

[seafoid]

I think prices will be lower this season because of the recession. Ski resorts have to compete harder for a smaller pool of skiers.

Why this season rather than the last few? 

I reckon it's the tour operators rather than the specific resorts that control the pricing dynamics, and in Ireland, they just limit the flights so their prices don't fluctuate so much.  I rarely see really really good bargains from tour operators who fly from Ireland.

Us Nordies like the movement of the euro over the last yr...

I noticed it in Switzerland last year. They were offering free passes to kids under 9 in the Alps near Lake Geneva. This year it's free passes and free accommodation for kids under 9. 
Lots of people on the continent have stopped skiing because of the recession.

[Orior]

Val Thorens is brilliant. Guaranteed snow and great variety of slopes.

[Rois]

I noticed it in Switzerland last year. They were offering free passes to kids under 9 in the Alps near Lake Geneva. This year it's free passes and free accommodation for kids under 9. 
Lots of people on the continent have stopped skiing because of the recession.

Ah I see.  I think it's a different kettle of fish in Switzerland where their exchange rate has made them uncompetitive in the context of European skiing.  Esp around Lake Geneva, when you could choose to ski in the (relatively) cheaper French or Italian resorts.
 
Kiddies savings not really relevant for people like WeeDons and myself who don't have to consider any nippers when booking ski hols. 

Don't see much difference in price for my own holiday, lift pass price for Portes de Soleil has increased.

Val Thorens sounds like a good place alright.  It doesn't have the same number of private catered chalets and options for DIY hols. 
When you were there did you ski into Les Menuieres?  It holds itself out as being a good gateway into Val Thorens and the other 3 Valleys resorts. 

[Hardy]

Val Thorens is brilliant. Guaranteed snow and great variety of slopes.

I can't wait to meet her.

[el_cuervo_fc]

Has anyone been to Slovenia? I'm seeing some good deals, with really nice hotels but I'm not sure about the number of slopes

I'm heading to Bled in Slovenia the day after boxing day.  I haven't been there in a few years but the last time I was there everything seemed pretty reasonable in terms of equipment etc.

Got flights last week for about £130 each flying into Venice from Dublin.  We are gonna get a bus hired out between about 10 of us.

[Rois]

Well - anybody going?  Anyone been? 

My friend flew out this morn for a weekend skiing and a colleague is heading off in the morning.  I'm not off myself until 23 Feb - first time i won't have skied in January for about five years. 

[WeeDonns]

Going to Soll on 16th Feb. Been there before, would have preferred to check out somewhere new but feck it, can't wait now!