Poster: A snowHead
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Hello!
I'm looking to go skiing with my wife in January and would like to fly from Bristol.
Given that it's low season (and there's just the two of us) I initially thought that I'd leave it until nearer the time and find a last minute deal, but in my excitement I've been scouring the internet already and there seems to be very little availability on Bristol flights now, let alone in a few months time.
Does anyone have any experience of booking a last minute ski trip from Bristol? Is it even possible or is it a case of going to one of the bigger airports? I guess that one option would be to book flights now and book a chalet only nearer the time but I suspect that this might mean more ££££?
Any advice would be gratefully received!
Many thanks!
Nick.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Without wanting to worry you. I thought the same last year. Leave it to a couple of weeks before for a cheap TO package from Bristol. Ended up flying from Birmingham as the dates we wanted had sold out.
A chuffing ball ache from west Cornwall...........
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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wns198, you have a PM
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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We have booked cheap flights from Bristol to Geneva, and a cheap hire car to get us to Les Arcs. Easyjet gets more expensive as time goes on, not cheaper.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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dennisp, for 2 people spending €950 on accomodation only seems a little excessive.
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Squeezyjet does Geneva, Lyon, Innsbruck and Salzburg at least and BM (was British Midland) do Munich and (don't know in winter) but were doing Verona in Summer and some Swiss related outfit Helvetic or the suchlike do Zurich in the scheduled arena. As for charters - good range other than Italy which seems rather disappointing. I have had good prices on Salzburg and Geneva fairly close to the event but Innsbruck is always very dear. Helvetic seem rather pricey and they do not have the swiss related benefit of skis free but??? you can have more than one piece of baggage as long as the combined fall within whatever the weight allowance is - as always their baggage policy is not overclear.
Mind you from Surrey I am not sure why you would want to go to Bristol - poorer range of flights, less competition, extortionate parking and since they developed the new gates miles to walk like Gatwick. I only go to Bristol because Exeter and Flybe are so expensive and it is impossible on some Flybe aircraft to take sensible length skis.
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We did last minute from Bristol in the 2011 Feb half term to Andorra. It was our first trip. I came home from work on the Friday, asked the kids if they fancied skiing
and did a search and we left at 6am on the Sunday. Considerably cheaper than flying from Gatwick.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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wns198, you are presumably talking about tour operator packages? If you are very keen on flying from Bristol and want maximum flexibility book a flight now from easyJet to Geneva, and a hire car. You will then have a vast choice of accommodation of all kinds, including very nice 2-bedroom piste-side apartments from about €450. There are also a good many splendid independent catered chalets, if that's what you are looking for. Or, of course, hotels. And you'll have a far wider choice of resorts than is featured in the tour operator brochures.
The choice of accommodation would be wider if you book Saturday flights.
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Yes we ended up with Thomson. We now go independent as it is generally cheaper and more flexible. I live in Surrey so driving is an option too which also adds flexibility. We only did the Sunday because that is what seems to operate to Andorra, we knew nothing about skiing, owned no kit (had to drive round on the Saturday buying and borrowing) my husband had died 6 months before and I was perhaps behaving a bid oddly!.
Quite a few airports within a couple of hours drive from Surrey so might be worth considering a few others.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Have a look at 'Catered-ski-chalets.co.uk', very reasonable prices, quality places to visit too! Check it out
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Mid Jan is looking good. My favourite time. Beware the 1st week of Jan, Orthodox Christmas is the week after new year it is starting to get less quiet for the accommodation. Russian visits to France are increasing by +40%pa. They will be taking up more and more of thethe Lux and mid range places.
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Wow!! Thank you so much everyone for all your advice. That's really helpful.
Think I'm going to book something now and take advantage of the lift pass and ski hire offers rather than gambling..who knows, maybe later on the season there may be a last minute deal too!
Thank you everyone again, I really appreciate it. Roll on the snow!!
Nick.
Ps. Just so you don't think I'm going mad I've recently relocated to Bristol (haven't updated my profile yet,)
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You know it makes sense.
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Bristol to Barcelona flight
NOVATEL Bus from Barcelona to Pas de la Casa / Soldeu
Or Bristol to Salzburg Austria
Or Bristol to Geneva
Or Bristol to Zurich
Done them all, book early
ALTERNATIVE last minute package deal
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