 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Hi all. A friend and I are looking to go skiing in the alps, preferably Austria, next March. I'm not sure when the best time is to book it up as we want to save some money if possible. I'm hoping to get some advice from someone who has booked a last minute deal before. How late should I leave it before booking? Is 1 month still too long before the departure date? I'm a bit worried that waiting any closer than that might restrict our options. Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Quote: |
Is 1 month still too long before the departure date? I'm a bit worried that waiting any closer than that might restrict our options.
|
Yes it is too long before, if you want to save money. But yes, of course a last minute deal will restrict your options; why would anyone book early at full price otherwise?
For a late booking you need to be flexible about your destination, the style of accommodation and probably your departure airport.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Sorry, I should have said severely restrict our options! Just hoping to get any idea of how late I can leave it and still get a bit of choice over resort, hotel etc
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Bulgaria awaits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
About 10 days before but it could be just a couple of days before that you get what you want.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Gremlin81, Later in March you could probably wait until a few days before. We have had dead cheap deals waiting until 24 hours. Resort selection criteria were ..... anywhere with snow and a hill is fine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We have done lots of last minute deals to Austria in March/April, normally booked about 5 to 10 days in advance depending on my nerve, all have worked out very well. The best one yet cost £400 for flights, transfers and half board in Manni's Sporthotel Mayrhofen, the others in the group had paid more than £800.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gremlin81, Have an open mind for where you could ski. Last season I was in St Anton, 4* chalet deal booked 7 days before departure at £400 less than those who booked a couple of months in advance. Essentially you just need to be lucky rather than choosy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Book the flights now, then accommodation nearer the time in which ever resorts you want.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
Essentially you just need to be lucky rather than choosy.
|
this. Got a great deal in Courchevel 1650, good chalet, early January, 48 hours before departure. But had already decided to drive, so transport wasn't an issue. On another last minute deal got the train down, 2 extra days skiing, but had to cross Paris between stations - all part of the fun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Gremlin81, if you're happy to be very flexible about where you go, leave it until as late as your nerve will stand! However, also be prepared that you may well end up going somewhere you hadn't previously considered (or WOULD'NT have considered a few months earlier) and have shredded nerves in the interim. With only two you might be lucky as the experience of others above will show.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Gremlin81, Pick a list of resorts you fancy, preset budget which you're happy with, agree this with your friend and charge up your debit/credit card to suit.
Start checking big TO websites, snow reports and forecasts 2 weeks before you want to go. When the snow report and forecast look good, the resort is on the list and you're under budget press "Buy It Now".
If this fails go for the cheapest deal you can see two days before departure and have a great time anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you want to save serious money don't commit to day before, if you want more certainty just negotiate as hard as you can booking as soon as you're comfprtable. TOs are wise to the late deals "perception" but know that most punters are chicken when it comes down to it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
LAte deals used to be easy to come by, but I find over last few seasons there gave been drying up due to TO reducing what they have on offer in the first place I suspect. Equally you will probably always get a late deal from Gatwick, it's us in the provinces that lose out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
