 Poster: A snowHead
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I'd welcome the collective knowledge of Snowheads on how to get a good last minute deal.
I'm hoping to go away for a week towards the end of Feb/early March and am flexible on dates.
If you're looking to get a really good deal, how late should you leave it? Does anyone know of a particular tour operator or accommodation that sorted them out with a good deal.
I'll go anywhere there's snow and lifts spinning!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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'll go anywhere there's snow and lifts spinning!
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that's the right attitude. I got three good last minute deals in the days when I did TO trips. One 48 hours before departure, the others nearer a week (for those we arranged our own travel, once driving, once by train).
If those dates are firm, might be best to avoid France especially in the second half of February, which will be Paris holidays. If you do the week beginning 7 March the French resorts will be a lot quieter. Won't make much difference to UK TO prices but far nicer - and ski lessons will be cheaper, if that's relevant.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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At the very worst, last minute means in the week before travelling. At best, it means the Thursday or Friday before leaving on Saturday. To get those deals you have to:
- Be massively flexible about where you're going.
- Be in a small group of people, party of 2 is ideal.
- Contact a travel agent or tour operator directly over the phone. Web deals are ok but nothing like the deals that you can get by speaking to them direct.
- Play hard ball and haggle. Particularly when dealing with the TO/travel agent direct, there are big reductions to be had on Thursday or Friday. Don't be afraid to just make a low offer, if it gets rejected who cares?
As Pam says, early March is better than late Feb. If you can do mid to late March that is better still.
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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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| Dav wrote: |
At the very worst, last minute means in the week before travelling. At best, it means the Thursday or Friday before leaving on Saturday. To get those deals you have to:
- Be massively flexible about where you're going.
- Be in a small group of people, party of 2 is ideal.
- Contact a travel agent or tour operator directly over the phone. Web deals are ok but nothing like the deals that you can get by speaking to them direct.
- Play hard ball and haggle. Particularly when dealing with the TO/travel agent direct, there are big reductions to be had on Thursday or Friday. Don't be afraid to just make a low offer, if it gets rejected who cares?
As Pam says, early March is better than late Feb. If you can do mid to late March that is better still. |
I'm all for trying this but may get outvoted by the other 3 in the team. Need a 2 bedroom apartment for 4 nights from Friday 6/3. Only downside is flights to GVA already booked.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Need a 2 bedroom apartment for 4 nights from Friday 6/3. Only downside is flights to GVA already booked.
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Ah, well, that does make a huge difference. Booking just an apartment (there are loads of links on resort websites) you are very unlikely to get a "last minute reduction" - the price is the price, and if you want a non-standard period (as you do) there's little mileage in trying to haggle. So if you find something suitable I'd grab it now.
That Friday night will be the problem (talking France here) as it's the last night of the busy French school holidays. The following week you will certainly get something but quite likely to have to pay for a whole week, even though you're only using half of it.
But there are some owners who do flexible times (Hells Bells is one of them).
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That Friday night will be the problem
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Tell me about it @pam w, . Some ar$e wanted cheap flights without considering the whole deal 
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Yeah, what Pam said. Late deals are pretty much all the TOs trying to offload their last remaining package deals. And with non-standard dates like that you've got a job to just get something, most owners look for a full week booking in season, typically Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. Hotels may be the better bet.
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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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There was a discussion recently about a "valley" hotel, and there is what looks like a really nice place in Sallanches. http://www.orangeriemontblanc.com/
Armed with a car there is lots of top skiing within an easy commute. Chamonix, Grand Massif, Combloux, Megeve, St Gervais, Les Contamines......
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