 Poster: A snowHead
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Seeing as this particular forum is designed for 'Solo skier' discussion, i'm surprised there isn't (unless i'm mistaken) a sticky for people who either like to ski/travel by themselves or have to because they don't have anyone to go with.
Would it be worthwhile to have a topic specifically designed for sharing information about hotels/websites/deals that have single rooms?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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That might be a good idea. Although being a Snowhead means never having to ski alone, lol.
The snowhead bashes are great if you are alone as they will give you a room mate of the same sex, so keeping costs down.
UCPA/Action Outdoors are good too as you also share a dorm room with others.
There are a few hostels in ski resorts, which are dorms also. I'm off to Zermatt in December and Austria in January on my own staying in hostels. They are also good for meeting people to ski and socialise with if you are on your own.
Some chalets offer single rooms at no suppliment. I went with ice and fire in la plagne a couple of years ago and it was lovely and good social group.
But I think the main reason for the Solo skiers thread is so you can talk to others about going away together or filling a last spot on a trip.
But the best fun, value and skiing is done on a bash, I've been on 7 and loved every one, I've met some life long friends and hopefully I can join one this season although dates don't work out very well for me this year, fingers crossed.
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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 pramstrasller in mayrhofen has 2 single room with no supp
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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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| tim000 wrote: |
| the pramstrasller in mayrhofen has 2 single room with no supp |
and we have our first one.
I'll add the only one that I know of -  Ridge hotel, Morzine.
Perhaps when we have a few more, someone (with better computing skills than me) could start to compile a database of single rooms in different resorts?
Having spent hours searching and contacting different Tour Operators trying to find a ski holiday for myself, I quickly realised that some of them didn't cater for the single skier whatsoever, and the ones that did, just slapped a single supplement on for a twin/double room.
This lead me to building my own DIY trip instead, and I was pleasantly surprised at how 'cheap' it came out. Considerably cheaper than with a TO. £475 ALL IN to Chatel (flights, transfers, studio accom (SC), ski and boot hire & lift pass).
I've had a look at UCPA/Action Outdoors and whilst they seem decent value compared to some ski holidays, you're still looking at £600+ once you've added transport, and that still only gets you into a shared room or a dorm. Granted you get tuition/classes which may appeal to some. Incidentally, do UCPA/Action Outdoors offer deals without tuition? (reducing the cost further)
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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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Ski Weekends have single rooms in the Hotel Verseau in Brides les Bains that don't carry a single supplement.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We're usually happy to offer rooms in our chalets without a single supplement - does depend on dates, etc.
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tignes chalet company have a couple of single rooms.
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You will find catered chalets at La Plagne with no single supplement here: http://www.ice-fire.co.uk/
Stayed there previously and excellent all round.
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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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@speachmaus, are you in the Jugendherberge in Zermatt in December? I'm contemplating a trip this year and knowing there was a kindred spirit in town would make my mind up (weather considerations notwithstanding).
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Many Italian hotels have single rooms.
Eigerguesthouse in Mürren does a reduced single occupancy rate.
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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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| Quote: |
I've had a look at UCPA/Action Outdoors and whilst they seem decent value compared to some ski holidays, you're still looking at £600+ once you've added transport, and that still only gets you into a shared room or a dorm. Granted you get tuition/classes which may appeal to some. Incidentally, do UCPA/Action Outdoors offer deals without tuition? (reducing the cost further)
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With UCPA, as mentioned you normally receive lessons with the package, as a more experieced skier/rider you also have a fully qualified mountain guide on the more advanced offpiste course, incl avy gear. UCPA also includes your ski pass, which is another +- 200 euros most places. You can book without the lessons (autonome), but it's a tiny saving and not worth it for me.
As you can tell, i'm a big fan! Having said that, some of the older UCPA buildings are a tad, erm, rustic...
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If our hotels have single rooms they charge them without a supplement (but they book up very early), if they can take two people in a room they charge an empty bed supplement & these vary a great deal. On all our holidays we match up those who are prepared to share a twin room to avoid the supplement.
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You know it makes sense.
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I've found http://www.thefrenchskiresort.com/ and http://www.homeaway.co.uk/ very useful for finding studio accommodation. It allows you to filter out anything that is designed for more than 2 people (1 bed).
Obviously it would work out cheaper still if you had someone to share the cost of the studio itself, however I've been pleasantly surprised at how cheap some studio accommodation is. Plenty of accommodation to choose from between £150-£200 for a whole week. You can even get some for as little as £130.
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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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@mikeycharlton, I guess that's good if you don't mind skiing on your own. Personally I go for Snowhead bashes or companies that room you up with others or Ucpa or hostels where you can meet, ski and socialise with other skiers and boarders.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@speachmaus, To be honest, I've never really considered going on holiday or skiing with a bunch of strangers. That's not to say I wouldn't enjoy it and i'm sure the bashes are good fun.
I guess my main reason for starting this topic was to see what options are out there for skiers wanting to avoid the single bed supplement that all TO's would slap on if you travel by yourself.
I've learned a lot from this forum, whether it be options like UCPA/bashes, or just finding good websites that help you build your own DIY trip. Also people sharing information about hotels that have single rooms.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@mikeycharlton, bashes are my favourite ski trips. I've been on 7 now and loved everyone. I have met people who have become lifelong friends and we meet up and go skiing out with snowheads too. I didn't ski for s few years because friends had children and other priorities so I looked for ways to ski alone. I have been with TO who if you book early can get single rooms. It was while on a Crystal trip to Cormayour that someone told me about snowheads and that was the start. Now I have lots of folk to ski with. They are not all a bunch of Internet geeks (well some are lol)
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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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Park Hotel Gran Bosco in Sauze d'oulx has no single sup.
I find searching on the Crystal and Inghams sites for 1 passenger brings up most of the single or low sup options. I think Inghams has a section on the site that tells you all the ones that have no sup. I find Austria and Italy the best for single skiers.
For me single skiing means just that, going on my own! It can be boring, even depressing at times (sat on your own at dinner is the worst!) but I prefer that to having to put up with someone that annoys me!!
I always use tour operators, as much as I like the idea of driving to the Alps and touring round a few resorts, an injury would be a nightmare. Having a rep to call on if something goes wrong is a good idea in my my book. Whether they'd be any good is another matter!
On a couple of holidays I've spent the entire week hardly speaking to anyone which can be a bit strange. But on others I've met some really nice people and had a much better time in the evenings. The skiing is always good though.
I'm in the position of having a non skiing wife and it seems daft to spend a fortune on a holiday for her to spend all day sat around the hotel. She hates the cold as well! This year though she's decided to come along on one of my trips so we are looking at a resort where there might be more for her to do. I'm a bit worried I might miss my 'me' time though!!
Looking for holidays for two is so easy compared to 1, there are tons of options and all the offers are available. I find you have to book early for the no single sup holidays, no leaving it to the last minute for a deal, you just have bite the bullet and pay!
That's my take on the world of single skiing anyway.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Useful link that.
Cheapest deal for 9th Jan is £299 for flights, transfers and SC accommodation, which is very good.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I got flights, transfer, half board hotel, inter skis and Milky Way area pass for £660. I was struggling to get deals like that 10 years ago.
One of the ones I would also recommend is the Hotel Cielo Blu in Passo Tonale. It's a strange looking hotel but the staff, service and food are excellent and it's in a reasonable position. This year I waited too long to book and it was booked up. I think they only have one single room so it soon goes. This year it was a Ski Plus hotel which meant you got ski hire and lift pass for about another £120.
If Passo Tonale is for you (I like it) then the Hotel Miramonti has single rooms. They are basic and the hotel is a bit impersonal but it's about 100m from the slopes and you can sometimes get some good late deals. I wouldn't pay full price though.
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Hotel Serenella in Cervinia has single rooms. We are booked for the 16th Jan through Iglu if you need ski buddy company.
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@ski53, cheers for the invite, but I've got myself sorted. Going to Chatel 9th-16th Jan.
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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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Good option for single person over Christmas:
La Vallée Blanche
£339
Alpe d'Huez
Sat 19 Dec 2015
Bristol
7 nights
Half board
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Another single room/person offer for Christmas:
Guesthouse Schneeberger
£339
Mayrhofen
Sat 19 Dec 2015
Manchester
7 nights
Bed and breakfast
Both of these also have options to ski high/glacier should it be required.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Nina will often do a single room in our B&B in Morzine, if it fits around other bookings. Worth an ask, via the site below.
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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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The La Vallée Blanche option is now £100 off so from Birmingham £209 HB for a week at Christmas, single/no supplement room. Reviews are mixed (good, average, and bad) but wouldn't expect anything else at the price. I've just booked including ski carriage at £249.
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| Millom wrote: |
| The La Vallée Blanche option is now £100 off so from Birmingham £209 HB for a week at Christmas, single/no supplement room. Reviews are mixed (good, average, and bad) but wouldn't expect anything else at the price. I've just booked including ski carriage at £249. |
Some absolutely cracking deals to be had on the crystal ski website this weekend.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hotel Serenella was dreadful when I stayed there some years ago, would not have given it one star.
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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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We've got spaces left for the first week of the season (13th - 20th December) in our Chalet Bon Vie for £299 per person, and I'd be happy to do no single supplement for snowheads (mention you are a snowhead when you get in touch).
Details via our website below . . .
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Poster: A snowHead
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I managed to get a deal to Serre Chevalier last year in late March with no single supplement at the Plein Sud hotel, food was good and it was a good deal, it was just a shame that most of the ski area below 2000 was not worth skiing (or boarding as it were) yet I still paid the full price lift pass. I go on my own most of the time as I only really know one person who participates in snow sports and the past 6 years he has only come away once due to marriage, house purchases and other rubbish excuses.
My experience is very similar to Japes', on the mountain being alone is fine and actually very peaceful and pleasant as you can go at your own pace and do whatever run/area you want.
But finding good deals is hard and often I am paying around £1200 for flights, h/b hotel accommodation and lift pass/board carriage but then I like resorts with large linked ski areas.
It's a shame but I guess with the space in the alps limited and the sport being so popular it is easy to understand why very few hotels/places cater for the single traveler.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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That's a very good point Minion, the more popular places tend to be the ones where it is hard to find no single sup hotels, probably because they have no problem filling them.
One thing I did once was leave it right to the last minute and then search on the usual sites for deals for two. By then all the single places have gone but there are usually loads of cheap last minute deals for couples. I then just booked for two using my wife's name - though obviously knew she was going to be a 'no show' at the airport! I think that time I ended up paying about £600 total but it was still cheaper than the few remaining single places and was cheaper than the brochure price at the start of the season for two sharing. I also ended up with a nice big double room!
It's worth a try if you can stand the thought that you have 'wasted' the price of someone's holiday!
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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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Last day for the Crystal discount, 100 for a single person.
In my experience there are a few options for single travellers.
1. Book early single rooms without supplement in off-peak weeks (price and resorts both good and choice of airports)
2. Wait until quite late and get a room without the supplement in most weeks (price and resorts usually cheap BUT less airports available)
3. Book everything yourself and find hotels, guest houses with single rooms (price and resorts ok and great for 10+ days)
These options should be fine for most people and allow you to go nearly anywhere for a good price.
Larger French resorts actually usually have v. good single options for late deals i.e. Les Arcs, La Plagne, 3 Valleys, Tignes, while Austrian and Italian resorts usually good for single rooms or low supplements if you plan ahead yourself.
Another option is to book a car and travel around finding cheaper accommodation slightly away from ski resorts.
In any case there is never the need to pay more than 400-500 per week for a flight/transfer with catered accommodation in some cases much cheaper (200-300) if you talking pre Christmas, January or March.
As mentioned above with Crystal until end of today you can book in Alpe d'Huez for 209 HB flying from Birmingham for Christmas week. That's a good ski resort for a bargain price not much more than flights and transfers alone would cost.
I would also say that if you are a beginner skier/boarder (1st, 2nd or maybe even 3rd week) then don't get persuaded to go to some of the bigger resorts. Find resorts that fit your requirements better and at a lot lower price, particularly for extras such as lift pass, drinks, lessons etc.
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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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| sammawby wrote: |
| Last day for the Crystal discount, 100 for a single person. |
Although I'm sure that they put the price up compared to last week. I'm in two minds on whether to book today for Alpe D'Huez and risk the chance of a lot of snow stopping me from doing much, or waiting until nearer the time and possibly seeing prices/options go up a bit. I think that I'll stick it out and make a decision near the time based on forecast, I'd rather try going to Austria (not been yet) but am wary that the resort will be much lower and may not have full snow.
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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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The prices *did not* go up as I was looking before and after (I'm a little surprised too). The offer of 100 off is per booking so better for singles than couples and is only valid in December i.e. pre Christmas, Christmas or New Year. I'm pretty sure the prices won't go any lower (with this discount) even for late deals and the flight options are still good at the moment. If you are going from London airport worth waiting but otherwise maybe not. Weather this next week is not ideal (hot) so I'd say high resort in NW France is better option than (lower) Austria as things stand but that could change. Alpe d'Huez has a little tree stuff (some easy, some harder) but not too much. Also option to go to Les Deux Alpes for a day or two which also has a little tree stuff (some easy, some harder and also higher slopes if weather too sunny). If the weather is still sunny then the top half of the mountain in Alpe d'Huez suits better skiers (red/black) so probably be more careful if I was a blue run skier and booking now for Christmas.
By the way when you say:
"risk the chance of a lot of snow stopping me from doing much"
I'm kind of hoping there is a lot of snow while I'm there (as long as not too windy and lifts closed). Noting better than quiet slopes, no queues, and powder everywhere because it's snowing and the vis is not great (particularly at a busy time of year).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Silverski also has discounts for 13th Dec and Christmas for example.
13 DECEMBER - GATWICK ONLY
The following chalets now £269pp (£299 for singles):
Chalet Lily, La Plagne Soleil
Chalet Rose Blanc, La Plagne Soleil
Chalet Boulevard, La Plagne Centre
All the above chalets are virtually ski door to door!
I wouldn't say a super deal but ok considering they include flights and food. La Plagne Soleil would be quite a good location particularly for beginners.
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| japes1275 wrote: |
That's a very good point Minion, the more popular places tend to be the ones where it is hard to find no single sup hotels, probably because they have no problem filling them.
One thing I did once was leave it right to the last minute and then search on the usual sites for deals for two. By then all the single places have gone but there are usually loads of cheap last minute deals for couples. I then just booked for two using my wife's name - though obviously knew she was going to be a 'no show' at the airport! I think that time I ended up paying about £600 total but it was still cheaper than the few remaining single places and was cheaper than the brochure price at the start of the season for two sharing. I also ended up with a nice big double room!
It's worth a try if you can stand the thought that you have 'wasted' the price of someone's holiday! |
Wow I have never thought of this. How do the tour operators deal with this when you turn up to check in at the airport alone? I am very tempted to try this.
As for Alpe D'Huez will it be crazy busy in Xmas week? I'm tempted to book it but I'm not familiar with the resort and it looks like lots of black runs which if they are icy/unpisted are a big no no for me on a snowboard and from some very brief internet research the two reviews I saw of it both said avoid holidays as it gets jammed.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Mon 30-11-15 18:59; edited 1 time in total
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| Millom wrote: |
Silverski also has discounts for 13th Dec and Christmas for example.
13 DECEMBER - GATWICK ONLY
The following chalets now £269pp (£299 for singles):
Chalet Lily, La Plagne Soleil
Chalet Rose Blanc, La Plagne Soleil
Chalet Boulevard, La Plagne Centre
All the above chalets are virtually ski door to door!
I wouldn't say a super deal but ok considering they include flights and food. La Plagne Soleil would be quite a good location particularly for beginners. |
I was just about to book this when I realised the Vanoise Express isn't opening till the 19th which put me off, it's a shame.
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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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@Millom, La Plagne is definitely a great place for beginners, but I've been there 2 out of 3 ski trips so looking to experience something a bit different this time...although would still be open to it if the deal is right. I wouldn't say I'm a great skier but I can hold my own on red runs for the most part. 13th Dec is out though as can't spare any time off work until we break up on the 18th.
Airports are all a pain, it's 3hrs to Gatwick or Birmingham, but does give me a bit of flexibility. There was a deal for one trip that I'm sure was more expensive on Friday than it had been the week before, but couldn't say for certain.
As for the weather, I had experience of low vis at VT back in January and it was a complete pain. Yeah the slopes were empty but I couldn't see enough to get my rhythm going. On the occasions that the cloud cleared a bit it was fantastic laying new tracks in fresh powder while still on piste, but as soon as we got lower it just became a pain again.
Very difficult choice. Can go to Soll with full area pass including Kitzbuhel (unlikely I'd use that too much, but thought I'd use it for comparison), catered chalet (a bit away from any lift) with skis for £555 from LGW....or S/C to Val D'Isere with Espace Killy pass for 10 quid less (obviously still have to pay for food).
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I can recommend ADH it is not all black un pirated runs its a good sized and varied ski area but I can't comment on busy times, I went there just after new year and wasn't too busy.
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FAQ
