 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi All,
I have just returned from skiing in Tignes with a few mates and had a great time. We do the same trip each year, stopping in the Hotel Les Melezes. With finances the way they are, this is the only trip a couple of us get each year. We would love to go for longer and more in season, but that is the way it has to be.
So we have just has 5 days skiing, for £600 all in. That is flights, catered accomodation, transfers, ski hire, lift pass and beer money. Those of you who know the Melezes know that ist is not exactly luxurious, but the deals they do are just such good value for money.
The down side is that this trip was the the 8th time I have been on either the late or early deal to Les Melezes. I still enjoy it, and my wish to go elsewhere is by no means a reflection on the Melezes, but just a desire to go somewhere new.
So here is my challenge to the snowheads vaults of information and knowledge. Where else could we go for the same price?
There are usually 6 of us but that can go up of down by a couple. We are not fussed about late night partying, but we do like a laugh. Happy to avoid school holidays. Happy to build the package ourselves or go with an operator. Not fussed where we go as long as there is snow. Not fussed when we go ( early season, late of prime)
The only place that I can think of to hit that price point is Bulgaria. I have been before and liked it, so would be happy to go again.
Summary
£600 quid budget for everything including hire/pass/accom/flights and spends
6 - 8 middle aged blokes
Open to any country
Open to any date
Over to you guys and thanks in adance for taking the time to read and hopefully come up with some ideas
Cheers
Smag
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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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@smagsmith,
Have you looked at Mountainsun resorts in Italy? The Dolomites are spectacular, the skiing is good & beer is cheap 
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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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Choose dates asap.
Book flights as soon as they become available.
Italy.
Easily get under £600.
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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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quite an easy target to beat... @smagsmith, I'll PM you.. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for the PM @flangesax, . I will share it with the other guys and see what they say
@under a new name, any more of a steer about Italy? I have never been so would be starting with a blank page. Which resort? What time of year? etc
Chheers
Smag
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@smagsmith, almost anywhere.
Cortina, Courmayeur maybe not super budget.
Avoid the usual high season weeks.
Somewhere with easy transfers from Milan (either) or Turin probably best, mind you, somewhere like Champoluc would work and hire a cheap car.
Accommodation? Half board in a two star hotel, maybe 3 star.
I'd expect to easily beat your target.
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£600 quid is pushing it for anywhere fully catered if you're hiring skis.
I think you've done well.
I was offered Tignes or VT £348 in catered chalets with Inhams for this week. Throw in £190 for full lift pass and it doesn't leave much beer money or ski hire.
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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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| Quote: |
quite an easy target to beat... @smagsmith, I'll PM you..
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It was a little harder than I thought including the currently released flights... but @smagsmith had the option of either about £3 spending money or about £100...
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| Quote: |
if you're hiring skis.
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...forgot that bit too... but that is max €120 for "VIP's" skis and boots.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I Slovakia is cheap
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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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| stewart woodward wrote: |
@smagsmith,
Have you looked at Mountainsun resorts in Italy? The Dolomites are spectacular, the skiing is good & beer is cheap |
Cheapest price at their chalet in San Cassiano (apart from the very first week in the season) was £419 this season. Add flights for £120, ski pass at £142 (local area), transfers at £70, ski hire £38 and thats up to around £790 already (well over the £600 budget).
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@smagsmith, Crystal to Planibel Apartments in La Thuile is showing £519pp for ski plus package (everything but boot hire incl.) for 17th Jan (flying from london). Have used the apartments before, basic accomodation, great location. Self catering though, not catered.
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You know it makes sense.
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I'd be interested in any results, what budget were you thinking for spends? I've been struggling to hit similar budgets with an estimate of £20 per day "on top spends"
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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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beer in Italy isn't that cheap, actually. Wine and hot chocolate is far better value. Though I suppose if you are based in the Espace Killy most things, most places, seem cheap in comparison.
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Poster: A snowHead
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So it is not as easy as it seems then. What I don't understand is how can the place in Tignes be able to operate at such a low cost and no one else can? I know the Melezes is not the ritz but it is fine for us and is in one ofthe big resorts. I would have thought that there are alternatives on a similar budget but it looks like that is a unique deal in the whole of the Alps. Is the Melezes making no money, or are other deals not such good value for money
Cheers for the replies so far
Smag
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@smagsmith, who do you normally book with?
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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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The Melezes specialises in short breaks. In most places a week is better value than 5 days and places geared up for 7 night stays are not always flexible. The transfer deal with the Melezes' own mini bus is also worth a lot.
The cheapest options (which people on SHs have done, and reported) is one of the "all in" deals in the less well known French resorts with self catering accommodation and passes (and hire of skis if you want) thrown in. But to be economical you need to drive there, really and not many vehicles will take 6 adults and their stuff.
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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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And for catered options, it's hard to beat UCPA.
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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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| flangesax wrote: |
| @smagsmith, who do you normally book with? |
Mountainsun
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Try Sunweb, in January with you booking your own flights and private transfer.
Or go to Super Besse in March. Cheap flight to Lyon, rent a Renault Espace then drive the last bit.
Have a look at airbnb for cheap apartments generally and let the cheapest flight dictate when you go.
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This winter I went away with Crystal to Sestriere, Italy for £549 for half board accommodation, flights, transfers, lift pass and free ski carriage/hire (boots to be paid for). I obtained this deal at the Ski and Snowboard show at Earls Court in November and it was available for any week in January and most weeks in March too. We stayed in Hotel Du Col and they provided us with cling film to wrap sandwiches up for lunch each day (reducing the spending costs) and drinks were free during eating hours (wine, beer and soft drinks). There was also a bar on site too. Your budget is do-able I believe. This was for 7 nights.
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Depends if the catered accom is vital but I had a go at a DIY in Mayrhofen, Austria. A pretty awesome place for a lads trip. This was a first try as well!
Jan 9th - Jan 16th 2016
Apartment for 6 = £505 - http://l88i.imgup.net/10c63.PNG
Monarch Flights Gatwick - Innsbruck rtn inc 23kg baggage, online check in and allocated seat for 6 = £810 (135 each) http://n76i.imgup.net/2ae6f.PNG
Private Transfer for 6 approx. rtn = 300 euro (£215) Public Transport is around 15 euro each way (includes bus and train)
Ski Hire for 6 days = 600 euro (generous)
Lift Pass for 6 days = 230 euro (14/15 price £165 x6)
So -
£505 accom
£810 flights
£215 transfer
£430 ski hire
£990 lift passes
divide by 6 = £491.66
If you were to stay in Gerlosberg a few miles away still in the Zillertal area, near to Zell am Ziller, the accom could be found for £311 for a week between 6! These prices include absolutely no shopping around or discounts etc...transfer and ski hire you could defo do a lot cheaper.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Tue 21-04-15 21:52; edited 1 time in total
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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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@smagsmith, Have PMd you.
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| Quote: |
And for catered options, it's hard to beat UCPA.
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I doubt you would get UCPA down to £600 by the time you account for travel. Think the cheapest no lesson options are around £550 for a week and you are no way getting travel to the alps for £50 even if you do go by coach! As I keep saying, UCPA is super fantastic VALUE but it is not usually the CHEAPEST option.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I used a place call Snowtrex for a cheap boys skiing holiday a couple of years back. Ended up going to Chamrousse which is a small but nice resort although I wouldn't say there was a lot in the way of Apres Ski. (Was late season and typically French)
In the end I think it worked out at £400 for the week each. Inc flights and food (self catered)
Worth a look.
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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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Have a look at Skibound once they have prices for next season - at present only advertising Xmas week. They do lots of reduced packages during the season to fill their club hotels. Not luxurious but you get a package of flight, transfer and catered chalet in reasonable sized resorts. Just need to add ski hire and pass which they will arrange.
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I've done a cheap mid-season short break to this place the last two years ...
Gite le Belvedere in Argentiere, Chamonix Valley
(check them out, they have a website and terrific reviews in tripadvisor, and are run by a young British team)
Argentiere not usually associated with cheap prices, but this is a real find. Chamonix valley really cool, plus with the large group you could keep the comfortable dorm rooms to yourselves and save $$ (well under £20 per night). With competition on transfers from Geneva .. we use Aply bus door-to-door for £40 return .. you'll have plenty of cash left over for skiing & food plus flights, should manage well within your £600 budget. I'd recommend food at the Gite, very good food at E20/day (£15/day) for breakfast and dinner. Should get a week's ski pass and kit for under £300. We've flown Gatwick-GVA both years for £60 with easyjet, flying out saturday afternoon, returning wed evening - but get in early for the cheaper GVA flights.
Good luck!
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks for all the suggestions guys. looks like ther are a few options. What about leaving it to the last minute and taking pot luck. We could all book the time off work and even book a flight and then seee what we can get within driving distance of the chosen airport.
Cheers
Smag
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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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@smagsmith, In principle booking late is a great idea, but in practice with a large ish group and mid season savings are not (normally) big enough to warrant the hassle and worry. The amazing £400 all in deals are well suited to just a few people as its usually filling the remaining spaces at a catered chalet or the last room in a hotel. So for 6-8 of you I would get it all sorted sooner and the relax and enjoy the trip. As myself and others have posted above there are ways and means of doing it on the cheap.
Ski hire, transfers and flights can be cheaper if booked way in advance, accom is a bit of a toss up, depending on whether you decide to go on a quiet week or not.
Is there a particular week you want to go on?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Look for low season January and March. We used crystal ski last year, Jan LesArcrs1600, 320 pp flight transfer hotel, self catering. This year I was looking last minute deals on crystal ski Web site, for the end of March, there were deals starting from 250 self-catering.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@AthersT, totally flexible on when we go ( as long as there is snow)
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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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| smagsmith wrote: |
| @AthersT, totally flexible on when we go ( as long as there is snow) |
In that case your best chance of a good deal and good snow, will be the first few weeks of Jan.
Did you see my quotes above? Would that interest you?
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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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| benboski wrote: |
I've done a cheap mid-season short break to this place the last two years ...
Gite le Belvedere in Argentiere, Chamonix Valley
(check them out, they have a website and terrific reviews in tripadvisor, and are run by a young British team)
Argentiere not usually associated with cheap prices, but this is a real find. Chamonix valley really cool, plus with the large group you could keep the comfortable dorm rooms to yourselves and save $$ (well under £20 per night). With competition on transfers from Geneva .. we use Aply bus door-to-door for £40 return .. you'll have plenty of cash left over for skiing & food plus flights, should manage well within your £600 budget. I'd recommend food at the Gite, very good food at E20/day (£15/day) for breakfast and dinner. Should get a week's ski pass and kit for under £300. We've flown Gatwick-GVA both years for £60 with easyjet, flying out saturday afternoon, returning wed evening - but get in early for the cheaper GVA flights.
Good luck! |
My God ! I had to use Google Streetview to make sure but it is the place I thought it was
I stayed there for a month when I used to do a lot of climbing over 25 years ago. It was good value then so glad to see it's still going strong
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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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Pick a week, book it off work and wait, last minute we've done a week catered chalet inc lift lasses for £500, every year there's last minute deals £299pp upwards, not inc, passes etc, just got to be brave enough 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@feefee, where do I get these "lift lasses"???
also he is booking to 6-8 people, how many times will a hotel/catered have that many spaces late on?
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@AthersT, oooh I didn't see that haha 
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This nearly tempted me this year but I missed the cheap flights. If you book flights now (some Easyjet to Geneva still at £60 return), and pick an off-peak week, it sounds good value (not catered though). I have also stayed at Melezes, is good value (only problem the time I went was poor food)
http://www.rudechalets.com/winter-holidays/morzine/the-rude-lodge/
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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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La Thuile, Italy. Planibel Apartments. Not a great nightlife, but a few bars about. Good value and good skiing. We went in February (family of 4) last year, week after half term I think, for £1500 including flights from Scotland. Lift passes cheaper than a lot of resorts and you can get over into La Rosiere as well.
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Went to La Thuile once, apartments were OK, no nightlife, thought skiing was disappointing apart from the black run home, La Ros link was closed so can't comment on that. On the 600 budget Les Melezes was my best trip but only 4 nights. Keeping a keen eye on this thread for hints for next season 
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