 Poster: A snowHead
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New here so first of all a big hello
Let me explain my situation, ive been skiing once about 10 years to Canada when still in school and it was without doubt the best thing i've ever done. No idea why i haven't been since. My Girlfriend hasn't been and id like to take her as a surprised on her Birthday weekend in February.
At the moment we're saving for our first house so it cant be overly expensive, although in France or Austria are preferable. It will be her birthday so good Apres Ski is essential.
We dont live to far from the Manchester Chill factor so lessons probably wont be needed by the time we get there.
Thank you
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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When in February? Are you able to avoid the school half term holidays?
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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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waltonred, welcome.
February, when? If you coincide with French vacances scolaires (and are in France) you won't enjoy it as much.
Italy generally good value for money. Champoluc for example is a charming village and reasonably easy transfer.
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so lessons probably wont be needed by the time we get there
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You reckon? I have skied for nearly 40 years, certainly done easily in excess of 1,200 days on snow (typically 50 days a year), have had many lessons and still take them. You may choose not to on this trip, but that does not mean they won't still be recommended... 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Monarch fly to Innsbruck from Manchester. You can either do the city and ski deal or make your way to one of the resorts close by. The train system is really good and so you can get about pretty easily.
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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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waltonred, take a look at flying from Liverpool, Manchester or Leeds/Bradford to Salzburg. Lots of choice within an easy hour or less, but if you clash with either Fasching or one of the UK Half term dates you may find it difficult to a shortened week, especially if it is over a weekend as you then block off 2 complete weeks in high season.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Monarch do fly, but only one flight and on Sunday, Monday and Thursday. Might work.
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thanks for the replies, i'm from Liverpool so Liverpool and Manchester are best for flying from. Her birthday is 27th February and is a Friday so would be looking to go Thursday to Monday.
Done so much reading and seems so much to take in as I literally know nothing about booking a Skiing holiday, ive been advised by a mate about ski in ski out places are best? Austria seems very reasonable for beer prices but theres something about being in view or Mont Blanc that is really attracting me.
Thanks again and look forward to more replies
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Her birthday is 27th February and is a Friday so would be looking to go Thursday to Monday.
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... and herein lies your biggest problem. Although you'll miss high season in France and Austria, this is still one of the busier times and unless you look at expensive hotels, few places will take a weekend booking that 'breaks' 2 busy weeks. Most affordable hotels and pensions (B&B's) only book Saturday to Saturday during the season. In addition, airlines such as Jet2 only fly on Saturdays on their winter skiing routes (although Ryanair fly almost daily and Monarch appear to have some flights). Likewise, Tour Operators are either Saturday-Saturday, or occasionally Sunday-Sunday.
Suggestions:
Stay in a city that also has access to skiing - Innsbruck is the usual option. Here you'll find business hotels that will take weekend bookings, and you're only a short bus or train ride from the slopes.
Take girlfriend out on her birthday and give her a 'We're going skiing at Easter' present. At Easter (or from mid-March onwards) you might find more 3- or 4-day breaks available. Or do a whole week in March for the same money as a weekend in Feb.
P.S Welcome to Snowheads
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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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Although you'll miss high season in France
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 on the contrary, that's bang in French high season. Go somewhere else.
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Take girlfriend out on her birthday and give her a 'We're going skiing at Easter' present. At Easter (or from mid-March onwards) you might find more 3- or 4-day breaks available. Or do a whole week in March for the same money as a weekend in Feb.
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good advice, provided it's after the first week in March if you want to go to France.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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quinton, googiew, I'm getting lots of notifications this year offering short stays - Sunday to Thursday or Thursday to Sunday, pay for 3 nights and get 4, including ski passes as well, that sort of thing. Not sure of it being indicative of a change in the perception of the hoteliers in my areas (Ski Amadé mainly) or anticipating the loss of Russian/Ukrainian and other Eastern European clientele.
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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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Samerberg Sue, This short-stay development sounds interesting - I know that some of the Dutch and Scandinavian TOs offer shorter breaks to Ski Amade and other Austrian areas. A big problem from the UK though is the need and cost to get over to the mainland; Dutch, Danish and German guests will drive. It's hard to do a weekend break if your local airport only has Saturday flights.
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This is direct from the hotels, many of them 4 & 5 star ones, which is what makes me think they are preparing for a shortfall this winter!
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You know it makes sense.
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My advice would be go for a week. Two reasons -
1. First day can often be more stressful than enjoyable, lots of rushing about renting gear and working out where you're going. Every day after that gets progressively more enjoyable as you relax and your skiing improves.
2. You'll probably find a last minute deal for a one week package is no more expensive than putting together a long weekend for yourself.
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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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Samerberg Sue, It’s interesting that you are seeing that. Typically the hoteliers would be confirming deposits this time of the year and so seems that they may not have seen the volume of confirmed bookings that they would have liked. Could be that after an up and down season last year that people are happier to hold on and book last minute.
Whether or not the hotel booking engines have had an influence. Over my way it was primarily direct booking with the hotel, 30% in advance with most of them sticking to the traditional Saturday to Saturday. I’ve noticed that a lot more of them now are appearing on the likes of booking.com and so maybe they are realising there is demand for shorter and even 10 day breaks etc outside of the sat-sat arrangement.
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Poster: A snowHead
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googiew, that's my way of thinking, plus more and more people are actually using online searches to book direct. I've always managed to get odd holiday lengths - this Christmas/New Year I'll be away from the 20th Dec to 6th January for example. No problem with that from my hotelier with a booking for 18 days, nor do I have to cough up a deposit in advance, just confirm my dates closer to the time! I'll book the same period for 2015/2016 when I pay my bill for this year. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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This is direct from the hotels, many of them 4 & 5 star ones
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The 4 & 5 star hotels have always been more willing to do short stays, as they have the size to risk this and operate a different business model to the small Pensions and B&Bs. Risking 8 empty beds in a 200-bed hotel that also has income from its bars, restaurants and nightclub is different to risking 8 empty beds in an affordable 20-bed B&B.
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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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Samerberg Sue, is spot on. Adjust your days to midweek to Sunday. I have booked a couple of 3/4 day trips and many chalets will help you out. Trying to go Thurs to Monday will limit options where as Weds to Sunday makes life easier.
Flight £100-£150 ish
Chalet for 3/4 days £300-400 ish
Ski Hire £50-60 ish
And get some lessons in resort. You wont regret it.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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You could try flying to Munich and going to Garmisch. There are easyjets nearly every day from Manchester to Munich and a short regular train to garmisch.
Garmisch is more a locals day out place than a resort for foreigners so there will be hotels offering rooms by the day rather than week block booking. Don't know about the nightlife as I have only done day trips but the town is a good size. The "classic" area can be a bit limited in bad years compared to the top Austrian resorts (should be no problem in Feb) but the Zugspitze area is snow sure and the views are spectacular. There is plenty there for a weekend.
I have been trying to arrange a budget long weekend for workmates and have just managed to get something in Grand Massif (similar travel benefits of easyjet to geneva) but nowhere there seems to want to do short breaks. Last year Pierre and vacances had lots of short break options, this year none! maybe it is only the 4-5 star end which expect to lose the Russians.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sauze d'Oulx in Italy. Fly to Turin, 1h15m transfer. Loads of hotels on Booking.com. Great resort, cheap & easy to do.
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quinton, I've actually always found it easier to book odd periods with smaller 3-Star and lower hotels and B&Bs, they are the ones with a flexible business model The posh guys were never so flexible. I've even been for the odd few days in the so-called notoriously difficult St Anton. I think my advantages are that I speak the local lingo and can make up my mind relatively late on (i.e. leaving it to last minute). I'm also much more flexible than you guys as I don't have to factor in flights or a journey from the UK. 
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Right, sorry for the long delay, been at the Ryder cup all weekend 
with the way my holidays are distributed in work its best I go Thursday night to Monday afternoon if possible.
Ive decided that the best flying routes are either Liverpool - Geneva or Manchester - Munich, the flights are really cheap which helps. So can use now recommend an area to Ski and stay around Mont Blanc or close to Munich please with easy access to slopes.
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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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The problem with Austria from Liverpool at least is that you can't get return flights for a short break or you couldn't last year). It might be possible to fly out to Innsbruck from say Liveropol and return to Manchester but that'd be a bit of a faff.
For Geneva then it might be worth trying Les Gets or Morzine for a long weekend/short week break.
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halfhand, spot on. Munich is another good option for Austria. Austria is much easier to do short breaks as France is predominantly full weeks only.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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From Geneva Morzine or Avoriaz are great options - Avoriaz is ski in ski out which is ideal for a short break.
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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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| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
| halfhand, spot on. Munich is another good option for Austria. Austria is much easier to do short breaks as France is predominantly full weeks only. |
Yep, we managed a short break in Mayrhofen a couple of years ago flying in to and from Munich.
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You know it makes sense.
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Geneva then to Morzine, I'd go early March.
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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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waltonred, as this is fairly new to you, and if you would feel more comfortable with a package you could try a weekend specialist eg http://www.skiweekends.com/ Tel: 02380 986 566
Always best to speak to them directly but from a quick check on their site, they do flights from the north west on a Thurs to Mon and for your dates would be £488 per person for travel and B&B hotel. If you go to Chamonix it puts you at Mont Blanc.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Ray Zorro, Not a bad suggestion but Chamonix might be a bit tough based on the OP description for their ski experience (limited and none) and not the most accessible for slopes.
waltonred, I'd also recommend that you have some lessons. Maybe a course at Chill Factore and then a couple of private lessons when you get wherever you go to. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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halfhand, I agree that the skiing is spread around, however as a complete newbie, she won't need a big area to practice. There is easy skiing to be had all around. There is a beginners area in town and one of mine learned to ski at the base at Argentiere and we all skied comfortably at La Tour.
As she hasn't skied before (and if she doesn't get on) then Chamonix is a good town to be in and there are things to do for the non-skier, including a trip up the Aguille du midi cable car and/or the train up to the glacier at Montenvers.
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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 took a few friends to Tignes on a lad's 3 day ski trip - a bit like the OP 2 of them had skied once or twice many moons ago and the other a complete beginner - they had several lessons over here then had a private lesson on the first morning of the trip and they still struggled, i think they found the scale of the mountains and the length of the slopes pretty daunting - i think there's a world of difference between having lessons in the uk in a fridge or on a dry ski slope (still very useful though i must add) to trying to ski (and enjoy it) in the mountains on your own.
If you can afford it have a private lesson each morning for the 2 of you if you can even for just an hour - that way you'll gain confidence and can practice on your own on the afternoons.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Hello again everyone
After much thinking and reading, ive decided flying to Munich and transferring to Skiwelt which seems quick and easy
next question, which area would we be best staying in or even which hotel?
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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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Most Apres in Skiwelt would be Soll I think. I went there in '08 and I remember the Apres being fun - not the volume of a St Anton or Saalbach/Hinterglemm as it's a small place but certainly enough for a long weekend - just off the main road from Munich as well I think. Lot's of Pensions/B&B's in the area too. Quite cheap as well.
Westendorf/Kitzbuhel/Kirchberg also close by are good alternatives. Kitzbuhel would probably be as good if not better.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Try Catalonia, really nice skiing.
Masella/La Molina (Alp 2500) has very long runs and lots of tree lined runs at all levels, plus above snowline at top.
been twice - loved it. Local instructors much better for adults than the French silver foxes.
Or, maybe also near Barcelona - Vall de Nuria - has to be accessed by a cog train. I have not been here, friends have. They recommended it for one day for wife and myself as beautiful, romantic, wildfire, etc, but only about 20km of skiing. However, for a beginner or not skied in along time, perfect for 2 days, as most runs will be skiiable - why pay a fortune per dayfor 300km of skiing when you are going to be able to do about 5km in your part of the resort if you are not yet able to ski difficult runs to get to other parts of the resort.
I think a great start, next time move onto a full size resort.
For Masella/La Molina (140km of slopes), either cheap flight to Toulouse and lovely easy drive in hire car, or Barcelona.
For Vall Nuuria, fly to Barcleona, take local train from airport, change in centre, and take train to resort - not sure which option is cheaper from Manchester.
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Samerberg Sue,
Where are you off to for 18 days at New Year?
We have booked a similar length trip for January (including driving from the UK) but will be hopping about a bit. We are having a couple of days in Bregenzerwald, followed by 10 days in Fliess - for day trips to various resorts (eg Pitztal, Serfaus, Fiss, Ischgl); and finally 3 days in the Lehrmoos/Zugspitze area.
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Bergmeister, Based in my regular hotel in Altenmarkt. I'll be back there as well for the first week of February, so as a regular customer who brings in new clients I suppose there is flexibility for a reason.
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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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seemed to be going round in circles and over thinking everything
talked myself out of Austria as read several times the snow isnt guaranteed good due to low altitude
been told Andorra might be an option flying from Liverpool?
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| waltonred wrote: |
talked myself out of Austria as read several times the snow isnt guaranteed good due to low altitude |
Snow isn't guaranteed anywhere but Austria at the end of February is about as safe a bet as you will find.
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