 Poster: A snowHead
|
going with them to st anton anyone had good /bad expieriances with them ? all looks good and chalet murr looks good  just thought id ask if any opinions on them ,plus how much would it cost for lessons for three of us |(beginnersish) for a couple of mornings ?
cheers for any replies
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
jedny, group lessons? if so 149euro for 3 days per person. go to www.stantonamarlberg.com there is a link to the ski school with all the info there.
Good luck - take lots of money 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Been with Ski Total a few times and always found them pretty good. We were however disappointed last year as the chalet was really too small for the number of people they crammed in. We also thought the food quality had dropped (ie the food not the chalet hosts). The last complaint was a rediculous pick up time to go back to the airport (just to accommodate other passengers). This year we are going DIY but generally I think Ski Total are pretty good. Just got back from St Anton - you'll have a fabulous time - Enjoy 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
In my experience they're about as good as any of the mainstream chalet operators. Went to Lech with them last year at easter... chalet was a bit tired but pretty much ok.... staff were friendly and pretty efficient, particularly as it was the last week of the season.... food perfectly acceptable..... only issue i had with them was that people had travelled with kids and they were told when they arrived that the kids had to eat ay 6pm and the parents at the main meal time of 7.30pm.... just what they though these poor parents were supposed to do with their 2 and 4 year olds whilst they lorded it around the dining room I don't know... thing was that a straw poll of the pther guests in the chalet showed that nobody else minded the kids being in the dining room.... that was the only black mark really.... rest was perfectly acceptable for the money we paid.... wouldn't have wanted to have paid full brochure price but I think thats more down to the fact that it was Lech and prices are very high rather than Ski Totals brochure pricing policy... If you've got kids though, check the small print as u might be in for a nast shock!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Agree with SnowGod above, also went to Alexandra in Lech with them in December 2008. Would use them again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
I'm peeking at this thread through my fingers as we are going with Ski Total to Lech in Feb - please don't say anything horrible about them! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stayed here ... http://www.skitotal.com/AccommodationDetails.aspx?accomId=3034 ... a couple of Easters ago. Good food, no wine restrictions, huge bedrooms and they even waited in to feed our group at well gone midnight when our Innsbruuk (sp) flight was diverted to Munich (they must be used to that). No complaints at all, 1/2 brochure price etc but felt like they weren't trying to scrimp to make up the other 1/2. BTW, this chalet (Elfie) is about 20 minutes walk and a 50-75 metre climb away from Galzig towards Rendel (warm ski & boot lockers provided FOC in town). Some of the others in the chalet moaned about the walk but the description does kind of give you a clue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
I've used them for groups for the last 5 years and have already booked for next year.
tessaventer, How did you find the Alexandra and Lech?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've been with them to Zermatt, had a couple of niggles, there was a random single bed that could only be accessed via one of the rooms and they stuck a random punter in it, we were very lucky that we paid a supplement for sole use of the chalet and hence they had to relocate him. But had we not they would have apparently insisted it was filled which I think was out of order since it didn't have it own access.
Also the chalet hosts seemed to be given a budget to feed us rather than a set list of meals like other chalet companies. This meant the food wasn't too great as I reckon the hosts were puting their own shopping down on the trip.
Other than the above it was OK, reasonable price and good chalet and location.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
tillywhim, Location-wise, it's a bit out of town in a quiet area but it is certainly possible to walk into Lech from the chalet, not so good the other way round in boots with skis but there is a ski bus to the door if you time it right. The rooms we had was spacious and fine. The bar and lounge area was a bit tired but they had only taken over the chalet the year before so maybe they've done it up by now. Lech is great, plenty of skiing to keep you occupied for a week, especially if you are intermediate skiers and go over to Zurs and back. St Anton for a day is also possible. Good apres ski if you want it in town.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Quote: |
the chalet hosts seemed to be given a budget to feed us rather than a set list of meals like other chalet companies.
|
with a decent chef, that's a far better arrangement - the "it's thursday so it's spag bol" approach is OK for gap year workers!
| Quote: |
they would have apparently insisted it was filled which I think was out of order since it didn't have it own access.
|
absolutely out of order! Sounds bizarre. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just got back from Zermatt with them, it was a late half-price booking so had modest expectations and wouldn't have complained if it wasn't quite up to scratch. Some guests had paid full price so we all got equal treatment which was good, chalet was cleaned regularly, food cooked by a chef who had a fair bit of experience was excellent, labelled wines served until the end of dessert, good friendly attitude and attentive service from all the staff, seemed like it was being well monitored from above. Decor and bathrooms were a little dated but it was clean and comfortable.
Niggles from other fussier guests were small portions of meat and cheese at breakfast, not really a problem as they would always bring more if you asked. There were hints that there was a cost-cutting exercise being implemented called 'save the snow' which included encouraging guests to switch lights and heating off when not needed. I think they are being squeezed at both ends by having to discount the holidays to sell them here and facing rising costs in resort due to weak pound, not sure whether this makes the operation unviable though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Used them in Val dIsere last year on a late deal. Chalet excellent, our chalet host good - chalet host downstairs evidently useless lots of complaints from that chalet re food/standards. I also saw evidence of resort manager level cost cutting; our rep had silly problems, like not being able to source a spare towel for someone, and not having enough glasses for everyone to have wine/water at once and there was some holding/faffing with transfers. If I'd paid full price I'd have been annoyed at the standards (would have been just over £1000) at the £450 I paid it was all pretty good - easily better than the crystal and first choice chalets I'd used before. Nowhere near yse standards (cheaper, same resort, specialist small operator). Staff were all friendly and helpful though and nothing was seriously wrong, just niggles.
I'd use them again if the price was right, I just wouldn't rush to recommend them at full price.
aj xx
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
We used them at xmas for Saas-Fee..Chalet Hotel was again a bit faded and past its best,but in a great location. Everything worked and the rooms were spacious.
The staff were fantastic and could not be faulted for effort and service etc. Although obviously on a strict budget, the chef (seemed very good) and team produced good food which was not re-hashed on a regular basis. Xmas dinner in particular was delicious...For the price, could not really be faulted! (Ambassador in Saas-fee) 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
We used them in Zermatt Christmas 2008. We were very happy with an excellent chalet host for the seven of us and no problems with transfer etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
tillywhim, I stayed at the Alexander in Lech Easter 09. Place is a bit tired but partly because it was the end of the season. Staff friendly and helpful and food pretty good for a chalet. Location pretty good... only a few mins into town and to the nearest chair. Buses can be crowded as you're quite a way down the route into town from the outlying hotels and chalets. Dki guiding by the chalet hosts worth doing for a couple of days. Rooms a good size and nice balconies although no chairs and tables on them for some reason. Nice sunny ground floor terrace out of french windows and a cosy inside bar area. Its basically a hotel that ski total run as a chalet so decent facilities all round. Would recommend it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
cathy, Esprit and Total are the same company - just different branding for different market segments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
RobW, yes, we realised that
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
cathy, glad you had a good week - how are the new skis turning out?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Avoid at all costs. If you have any problems whilst you are there, the resort manager (well in Zermatt anyway) was not helpful and rude. Complaints to Ski Total have not been dealt with, in fact they seem to support the manner in which we were spoken to by the resort manager. If you expect good customer service, avoid Ski Total. I will be from now on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
cham08, - sorry to read your comments - which resort did you go to?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
tillywhim, i would have thought there was a reasonable clue as to resort in the phrase "(well in Zermatt anyway)" 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Oh! not paying attention sorry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| cham08 wrote: |
| Avoid at all costs. If you have any problems whilst you are there, the resort manager (well in Zermatt anyway) was not helpful and rude. Complaints to Ski Total have not been dealt with, in fact they seem to support the manner in which we were spoken to by the resort manager. If you expect good customer service, avoid Ski Total. I will be from now on. |
Sorry to hear about your bad experience, having met said resort manager in Jan, I could imagine empathy would be lacking, he's probably far too important to be dealing with inconsequentials. 
Reps and chalet staff were very helpful though, though I didn't have any serious issues to address.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes the resort rep was the best I have experienced and the chalet staff were friendly, not very knowledgable about the area/resort - but I guess that is why the resort rep is there anyway.
Aparantly it is Ski Totals policy not to provide keys for their chalets so they are left open 24/7. I know that resort thefts are probably low, but I think this is unbelievable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| cham08 wrote: |
Yes the resort rep was the best I have experienced and the chalet staff were friendly, not very knowledgable about the area/resort - but I guess that is why the resort rep is there anyway.
Aparantly it is Ski Totals policy not to provide keys for their chalets so they are left open 24/7. I know that resort thefts are probably low, but I think this is unbelievable. |
Rep was really helpful and attentive, almost to the point of boredom. I had an 'open all hours' chalet too, seems Zermatt crime is non-existent, difficult place to get away from with the booty on that shuttle train with cctv everywhere. Not a problem for me as I took my wallet and camera with me skiing and they're welcome to take my dirty washing, as long as they bring it back freshly laundered!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Recently back from a week in Meribel with Ski Total. We found them to be very good, enthusiastic and willing. Our chalet and food was excellent. We had the entire chalet to ourselves so didn't have to contend with some of the challenges described. (As an indicator, we usually end up in a larger resort with a big operator like Skiworld or Neilson - we found Total Ski to be better for the same price range).
The one big downside for our group of 30-somethings was the Ski Esprit link. Even though it was outside school holidays the flights and transfers were crawling with kids screaming, shouting and spewing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
SnowGod, So good they went twice??
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Worth bouncing this old thread to report that since being bought out by Hotelplan (about 3 years ago) Ski Total are now absolute toilet. Everything about this once decent tour operator has deteriorated: food, staff, chalet facilities and maintenance, airport/resort transfers, not to mention customer service and value.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@ben76, I have to disagree with you here. We have been with them for the past 2 years and both times they have been better than Crystal, more organised and the food has been good. Obviously it depends on what standard you are expecting but for me they are one of the better TO's.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@ben76, I'd disagree too; we've been with Total several times and have re-booked for next season. This past season's holiday was amongst the best we've had anywhere, with great staff and food, an excellent chalet, and very good service from the resort reps/manager. Where did you go that you found so disappointing?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@jedny, From my experiences Ski Partial > Crystal > Last Choice
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
we're just about ready to pull the trigger on next seasons trip with Espirit. Never had anything more than minor niggles with them, and normally very happy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
, and the rest were fine. Great skiing too in Lech 
.... at the risk of repeating myself.... dunno what happened there 