Last minute deals...

A snowHead

Are they as good as they sound? I've just been looking at holiday discount centre and they offer holidays from £200 each. I've paid £1500 notes for our ski trip this weekend, but I can't afford to do that again and wonder if sites like these are the bargains they appear?

Also, I had to pay £160 for boot and ski hire! Is it worth buying your own?

A snowHead

I think many of the last minute deals are not quite as good as they seem. Deals can be based on full occupancy, flights from Gatwick, and there may be a few supplements to add before you get a final price. However, if you are flexible about where you want to go and what sort of accommodation you are after, and assuming it's not a peak week, you are almost certain to save a bit by booking late.

Ski and boot hire booked through a TO varies in price, yours sounds particularly expensive. I do save a bit by having my own equipment but it's not much, factor in the cost of purchase, servicing, airline carriage over the number of trips and the savings are negligible although better if you buy secondhand or in end of season sales. However the benefits for me are having nice boots that fit and perform well plus skis that I know and trust.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Thanks for your input QB. The deals did sound a little bit too good to be true.

When you speak of end of season sales... when is a good time to go? Is the Snow & Rock at Chertsey any good?

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faithsdaddy, S&R Chertsey is OK as those places go. I've picked up some good gear there - usually 6-8 weeks before the end of season. I guess it depends on what you're after. If its boots, then go much earlier IMHO. They will have a better range in all likelihood and, in terms of boots, I think it pays not to cut corners (though I am sure someone will come along with evidence to the contrary).

I got my first boots from S&R, Chertsey and they were outstanding in terms of service and fitting. My son had his fitted at S&R in Hemel at the ski centre. Excellent service and attention there too. Although after 2 hours on the slope there required some adjustment, they were spot on about it.

On the last minute deals front, it can be a gamble. At least you can assess the snow conditions, though. Personally, I've booked £320 HB, F & T hotel-based ski holidays that are amongst the best I've experienced - great snow, decent food, OK hotels. Overall, great value.

You can always ask about particular resorts/accommodation here before committing snowHead

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Depends how many your £1500 is for I assume thats for 2 of you?. And whats included in that?

I'm off to mayrhofen on saturday for just over £300 per person B&B. booked last week, thats a TO package. I've had SC apartments in france for around £250pp (based on 2) at the end of march, again an all in package. These are flying from Scotland.

But I prefer booking all the bits myself, 10 days over christmas with flights from EDI a car, apartment in les menuires for a week and then a hotel near albertville for the remaining 3 nights came in at £675 per person. Last march we had a huge apartment in les sybelles for about £450 pp (car, flight apartment) all booked the previous september. But I think our best is the trip to the PdS this coming march which comes in at £383 pp for flights, car and apartment and thats for 7 days skiing. So you don't need to get a late deal to get a good price.

As for whether buying gear is good value, well you have to bear in mind EZY etc charge £50 ski carriage, and then theres an edge and wax, but I wouldnt dream of not skiing on my own gear and have done so for 30 years.

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I've done lots of last minute deals from Edi, Newcastle and Manchester, every one has been a cracker and great value. We also do lots of self booked self catering which can be comparable on price but its really difficult to beat the last minute half board deals you can get.

After all it is free

I don't know where you're looking but there was plenty of last minute availability this January/early Feb in catered chalets (flight, transfers, bed, board inc. drinks/wine) for between £200-£400, at least 50% off brochure prices. If you can book on Mon/Tues and go the following weekend, you can get the deepest discounts. I lucked out and got a 4*Chalet deal 5 weeks in advance for 8th Feb to La Ros for £365. Generally 7 night durations, so 4-night weekend trips would be difficult. Not really a suitable option for groups, peak dates or those who need to give notice at work for hols. Mostly Gatwick/Manchester, but occasionally regional airports, but less choice.

There's currently availability to La Ros for 1st Feb for £299pp in 5 different catered chalet apartments. Check www.igluski.com, but TO on that one is www.skiworld.co.uk

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faithsdaddy, you can get fairly decent TO prices even booking earlier. We paid £359 per person for two people, half board, flights and transfers to Soll, departing 8th February, even by booking back in October. Lift passes BOGOHP on top of that, and ski hire £56 each for a week from skiset by using a discount code.

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the deals are always based on a minimum of 2 - so if you're a single traveller you're unlikely to get much of a deal

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I think people were looking at the reports and webcams and waited. We went to a wonderful chalet in Chatel 2 wheels ago, en suite, hot tub ,transfers to and from lifts and the food was first class. They have discounted the next 2 weeks heavily so anyone coming across Chalet Timide Chatel are in for a real bargain shame the snows came the day we were leaving, so will try again in March!

You know it makes sense.

If you book a very late bargain they're often so glad to shift it that they won't charge a single supplement. Some of the bigger TOs will not be as flexible.

Help!!

Last minute deals...

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