 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
Going on our first ski holiday in January, my friend is looking at going to les Arc (she loves it there). Anyway, my partner would like to treat me to another holiday end of march/april (he's been working nights permanemtly now), so looking at where would guarentee snow at that time of year. We are beginners, and prob lookjng at £400-£500 each max
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Dals, what are you hoping to include in that budget? Your intended dates are going to take you into Easter holidays and although that period is the cheapest of the peak school holiday dates, you're unlikely to find accommodation, flights, transfers, lessons, equipment and lift passes for that amount; however, if it's just the first few items on the list, it would be do-able. Lots of places would have decent snow (as far as anyone can tell at this point) then, so you'd have some flexibility there
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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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I'd book the time off and wait to see how the season pans out. Most of the people in the alpine countries are starting to think of spring/summer holidays so it's easy enough to get a good deal. If you HAD to book earlier you'd be advised to look at resorts with higher altitude slopes and/or a glacier. It will most likely be very different experience to skiing in January. Soft slushy snow, and cut up pistes can be daunting to beginners, but in this situation there's nothing wrong with down loading ina gondola or on a chair. However there's nothing better than skiing in a T-shirt, enjoying poor mans powder and kicking back on a terrace in the sunshine with a cold beer!
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Montana, Easter is late April this year. I think the OP was thinking of end of march, start of April not end of March/end of April. You are right £500 strikes me as an impossible budget. Say £150 for beginners lift pass, £80 for lessons, £70 for equipment hire which leaves £200 for transport, accommodation, food and drink. Some people can spend that amount alone on lunch and Apres ski alone.
Back to the original question, most resorts offer good skiing at that time of year. Try other resorts in the tarrentaise, Les Menuires would be a good choice, or if fancy Italy, then Cervina or the monte Rosa resorts would be OK. We had very good snow in Soelden last year at that time of year. My one trip to Andorra in April had good beginner skiing. Try buying where to ski and snowboard and read the reviews.
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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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Dals, sorry, have to agree with the previous posters; you won't get a week's ski holiday for £400 - 500. Sorry. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hi guys
We have our own equipment and dont want lessons, just wondering if there are resorts better suited for beginners maybe cheap
Thanks
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Dals, 400-500 you MAY get something self catering but unless you've a car to shop on route could easily prove a false economy. johnE, suggestion of Cervinia is a good shout full of confidence building long. wide, cruisey pistes. It gets sunny but is high enough snow is retained until late in the season-think well into May and beyond in a good year.
Original advice still stands, wait if you can. We all learn differently, I've seen beginners after 1 weeks skiing being able to get around the resort fairly competently. Enjoying blues and tackling some reds. A long list of resorts will satisfy you're requirements if you can get a little more realistic with you budget.
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Dals,
Val Cenis is north facing and has I believe usually decent late season snow and some good gentle skiing.
It also has both cheap lift passes and reasonable priced accommodation.
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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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unless you've a car to shop on route could easily prove a false economy
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I don't see how self catering can be a "false economy". Even shopping in resort supermarkets you can still eat for a great deal less than paying someone else to do it.
But I agree with Grizwald that it makes sense to wait. It's low season, and in many years you could go to a big range of resorts and find great snow. But other years you would need to head somewhere higher (and probably more expensive) to find good conditions. If the January holiday is your first, you won't really know till after that whether you need lessons. Are you really beginners? Most beginners don't have their own equipment.
How are you planning to travel? Drive? Or get a flight and then either hire a car or get a transfer to the resort. Either option could use up at least half your budget.
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Dals, just realised you posted on the fitness thread and are having lessons in Tamworth - good scheme, but you will find it is VERY different on a real hill, especially if conditions aren't nice (e.g. if the visibility is poor). You will get on much better if you have lessons in resort too - and they are cheaper!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| pam w wrote: |
| Dals, sorry, have to agree with the previous posters; you won't get a week's ski holiday for £400 - 500. Sorry. |
You will if you go via the French UCPA. The ones in Tignes and Flaine have some double rooms, so no need to share with others.
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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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snowtrex will probably have something for around £600 I would have thought and they normally include the lift pass 
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just had a quick look and snowtrex are showing £500ea on the 22nd of march including pass
might be a few suppliments on top but its worth a look....
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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You will if you go via the French UCPA.
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No, not even with UCPA. You have to get there. Even going to Flaine by coach it's £199 on top of the UCPA charge, which will be at least £500 for a week. And there's a small supplement for double rooms (which not all the centres have).
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