 Poster: A snowHead
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As the thread title says, anyone seen any great deals for holidays leaving next week? Also any advice on which tour operators are open to negotiation on dropping single supplements or anything? I tried it with the web chat on Crystal earlier and my questions around filling empty chalets by reducing or removing the supplements were completely ignored, I think it may have been a robot.
Any advice appreciated, I usually book in advance but I am itching to get away...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'm also interested in what TOs will be open to negotiation, but for leaving on the 19th. Get the feeling that I missed the boat a bit for a real deal when Crystal had their £100 off Cyber Monday 
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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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Yeah that Alpe d'Huez deal was very good, I would have taken it if it wasn't Christmas week as I have other commitments.
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Is there any chance you can book your own flights? If so I reckon you could get a real bargain with an independent operator that week
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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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@Minion1980, @SnoodyMcFlude, Conditions are dire so the TOs should bite your hand off.
The smaller TO might be easier to negotiate with - it's hard to get past the robots with the bigger operators
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| Minion1980 wrote: |
| Yeah that Alpe d'Huez deal was very good, I would have taken it if it wasn't Christmas week as I have other commitments. |
That one had gone by the Monday I think, but was still showing on the site. Whenever you tried to book it a message cropped up that said "this package is no longer available". I think the Val D one was decent but I ummed and aahhd about it (especially as the reviews for the accommodation were shocking)
Nadenoodlee No reason why not, other than it being more things to organise which come tumbling down around me 
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I'd book flights nearest to the best area @SnoodyMcFlude, (check transfers in advance) and post on chalets direct
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| red 27 wrote: |
@Minion1980, @SnoodyMcFlude, Conditions are dire so the TOs should bite your hand off.
The smaller TO might be easier to negotiate with - it's hard to get past the robots with the bigger operators |
Just out of interest who exactly are the smaller Tour Operators? I check Crystal, Inghams, Neilson, Skiworld and then also check Iglu and Sno but these two are agents are they not?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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If dealing with big TOs then it's worth popping in to their high street travel agent shops rather than calling up. The best deals are usually to be found there, often some ridiculous last minute deals to be had (having worked for Crystal before in-resort I was often staggered by the prices that some punters got). You often have to chance it right up to the Thursday or Friday before travel though, and busier weeks are an absolute no-no. Pre-Xmas and early Jan are the prime target weeks for a discount.
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| Dav wrote: |
| If dealing with big TOs then it's worth popping in to their high street travel agent shops rather than calling up. The best deals are usually to be found there, often some ridiculous last minute deals to be had (having worked for Crystal before in-resort I was often staggered by the prices that some punters got). You often have to chance it right up to the Thursday or Friday before travel though, and busier weeks are an absolute no-no. Pre-Xmas and early Jan are the prime target weeks for a discount. |
Good advice, I might try this tomorrow and then again later in the week!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Make sure you say 'I want to book today' @Minion1980, sure fire £££ technique
Smaller operators - I can't name them all- for example in my resort they'd include Rude, Mountain Mavericks, More Mountain, Treeline Chalets for example. Just pick a resort and Google RESORT NAME CHALET COMPANIES
There's a wonderful world away from the big companies 
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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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Ahh I see, thanks Nadenoodles 
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| Nadenoodlee wrote: |
| I'd book flights nearest to the best area @SnoodyMcFlude, (check transfers in advance) and post on chalets direct |
Will give it some thought but initial looks suggest it's all a bit pricey for me. I'm trying to get flights, t'frs, accomodation, pass & rental for under £650 if I can. Not worried about going s/c as can survive on taking some stuff and about £100 (managed this for 3 trips now). THe deals are out there too, can doing La Tania with a local pass (which I assume is Courcheval only) for under that. Another 360 would get the area pass but I'm not sure how easy it would be to get all the way across to VT and back again in a day.
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You know it makes sense.
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Doable @SnoodyMcFlude, especially if you're on your own ad not hindered by 'faffers ' 
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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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| Nadenoodlee wrote: |
| Doable @SnoodyMcFlude, especially if you're on your own ad not hindered by 'faffers ' |
I am a faffer! Me and a mate did a reasonably easy VT to Courchevel 1550 and back again with plenty of time to spare (including a couple of leisurely stops) so don't doubt that it's doable. Although I do seem to remember that I made at least 1 mistake and got the wrong lift. The real question is whether I'd get enough skiing from it to be worth the £60, or if I'd be happy enough pootling round Courchevel for the whole week.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Minion1980, mountainsun & snowheads
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Action outdoors or a SnowHeads bash would be my advice for the budget
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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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| Kamikaze Pete wrote: |
| Action outdoors or a SnowHeads bash would be my advice for the budget |
Looked at Action Outdoors and still an option. No Bash to fit the dates that I can do (19th-26th December)
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Well I just got what I think is a pretty good deal, £329 in a chalet in Les Arcs 2000, double room single occupant. I rang i-Ski and the fellow there was very helpful in finding it for me, it is with Ski Total. Now I am crossing my fingers for those long range forecasts which are showing some snowy conditions that week
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Are yous skiing or snowboarding?
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Snowboarding...
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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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We have a few rooms left for 13-20th Dec for £299pp fully catered with no single supplement - any use? Details via the link below . . . .
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@Minion1980, Avoriaz will be open from the 11th and so will we here in Morzine. Contact management( Nina)
if of interest for a 's price.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Go on chalet direct solution room and post your requirements inc cost and then begin to negotiate. Make sure you pick somewhere where the snow is good. A lot will also throw a free transfer in.
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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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| red 27 wrote: |
@Minion1980, @SnoodyMcFlude, Conditions are dire so the TOs should bite your hand off.
The smaller TO might be easier to negotiate with - it's hard to get past the robots with the bigger operators |
Conditions are indeed so dire that Argentiere is opening two weeks early and entire Chamonix one week early.
Dire indeed, or not really at all... 
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Where the inversion has reared its ugly head, it isn't pretty.
T -7 until first turns. But where is still the question.
I might wait until Thursday to book, if I have the nerve. Going with a car, so all options still on the table.
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You know it makes sense.
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Conditions far from dire here in Tignes (as I have been describing every day for the last week)- the resort may will up fast with late bookers as some of the lower resorts suffer a bit but Skiworld still have the full chalet deal from £352.
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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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Tignes is definitely a contender.... there are definitely still some friendly to my wallet options in Tignes... you may see us there.
I'd like to go to Murren/Wengen, but it is still to dear, unless I want to do self catering, but I'd really like a vacation from the kitchen.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Friend just booked for january on crystal ski.... All ready to press "go" on line but delayed it for half hour... Suddenly got offered 200 quid discount !!!!! Result
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Getting very tempted to book something for the 12th/13th also, but have been worrying about a lack of snow; reading that Tigne is doing well and having literally just reserved my first set skis... temptation looks to becoming a certainty!
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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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@yorkshirelad, where did your friend book?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I spent today skiing the dire conditions in Avoriaz, which has opened early, to show everyone how dire it is I assume @under a new name,
It was heaven
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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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I have a question re Tignes... I have seen chalet deals in Les Brevieres, but looks as if chairs are currently shut from there. Is it possible to get to slopes still, by bus etc? Have been to tignes before but stayed in VC only.
Obvs don't wanna book somewhere and be confined to a room for a week no matter how cosy!
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Also looking for 12/13th week so any further advice would be great!!!
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Looks like best bets are Tignes & Val Thorens. Although just saw some nice posts from Avoriaz.
Verbier is claiming 250cm - and then Saas-Fee - both are pricey though
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| yorkshirelad wrote: |
| Friend just booked for january on crystal ski.... All ready to press "go" on line but delayed it for half hour... Suddenly got offered 200 quid discount !!!!! Result |
discounted from how much to how much?
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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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It's all a bit crazy confusing!!
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Booked for champoluc for january .. On line price started at 1810 all in fir two people, strange hiw waitng 35 minutes got him 200 discount..
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FAQ
