 Poster: A snowHead
|
I have neglected to book any skiing this year and am now anxious and full of remorse. I have a possibility to do a quick weekend with some mates or take a couple of my kids away for half term. Has anyone ever found a great site for getting last minute deals. I know flights are the main issue at half term, so could entertain the thought of driving to France, but I don't really like France and prefer the German speaking countries much more. I'm not sure I want to drive to Austria on my own - its just too far if I get hurt and I will be tired.
Is it the mainstream holiday companies that are the best or are there other options? I've never really done packages before (once with Direct Ski) , preferring to go DIY so not sure who is out there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
I once did one with a company called Snowtrex for four of us for some silly price. Admittedly it was booked 2 months before and we went at the end of the season to the tiny resort of Chamrousse. Still had 4 days of snow and I think we spent £400 in totally.
Also check out travel supermarket and a site called travelzoo they seem to do some good deals.
If worst comes to it i'm sure a main travel company could arrange something.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Western Austria is no further than a lot of French resorts...or maybe Italy, Val d'Aosta resorts just through the Mont Blanc Tunnel will be quieter than most French resorts at Half term.
Very few bargains to be had at half-term...most of the package operators have a last-minute deals page, but they're unlikely to be discounting half-term deals heavily until a few days before departure to sell the last few, probably to places with iffy snow...or check out an agent like Igluski...then google the accommodation name to find out the tour operator and book direct with them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@Dirty Gibson, For Austria, Southern Germany or Northern Italy including the Dolomites try www.tiscover.com they have accommodation for various durations (not just weekly). 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Beware Icelolly. I found what looked like a great deal (on what was basically a Crystal Holiday). I got all the way to the payment and then they pointed out that transfers weren't included but would be about another £100 per holiday - which made them only slightly cheaper than buying direct from Crystal. I made my excuses and left.
Not sure if this is unique to Icelolly but I was really annoyed especially as I had lined up a group on the basis of the price they were advertising. We went elsewhere.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
For off-peak weeks (i.e. January) the best bet is often to contact the Tour Operators themselves by phone, or in the case of the big TOs visit the high street travel agent. Don't just rely on the website price coming down. If you try it genuinely last minute (i.e. Thursday or Friday before travel) you can often find some unblievable bargains. For most tour ops early January is the least popular time to go with plenty of under-occupancy in the days leading up to travel, and they fill these atthe last minute with some serious discounting/2 for 1 offers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for all the posts. I can't wait so I've bitten the bullet and bought flights to Munich. So much cheaper than Salzburg or Zurich. Now to find somewhere to stay. Needs to have good intermediate skiing for the kids, nice side-piste for me and also at least one good spa/therme. Will probably end up in the Gastein Valley again but the kids watched Chalet Girl last night and want to go to St Anton! Train or hire car from Munich?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
