I just returned from a great trip to Jay Peak in Vermont, USA (strongly recommend, even though it was bloody freezing!)
Of course, everyone comes back from a ski trip and all that they want to do is go on another one! So what I was asking was what are the technicalities of going as a group of 17 and 18 year olds, surely because there are 18 year olds means that insurance etc. is fine?
What we were wondering is where is the best resort to go to and what kind of accommodation is the best (there will be 10 of us so we will need somewhere biggish, but we are happy with cooking.) Because of our age we will want somewhere fun.
I yearn to go back to the states, so anyone that can suggest a way of getting there, we were wondering if we waited until we were at uni then we could do it during the Christmas break but early on so it is out of school holidays.
Any info would be great and I am willing to answer any questions on Jay Peak!
Cheers guys!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Welcome to Snowheads Probably best to have a word with a tour operator e.g. Crystal or Inghams, but I shouldn't think you'll have any problems.
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?
For fun and USA - Lake Tahoe - Heavenly Valley. Hands down. Great Skiing, plenty of large houses to rent, gambling, casino buffets, headliner shows in tahoe.... it would be amazing.
For fun and USA - Lake Tahoe - Heavenly Valley. Hands down. Great Skiing, plenty of large houses to rent, gambling, casino buffets, headliner shows in tahoe.... it would be amazing.
Thank you for the suggestions, as for food etc. what is the cheapest way to do this? Would these areas be relatively cheap to live in. I heard Andorra is very reasonable but isn't that extensive for advanced skiers?
Thanks for the USA suggestion, of course the main cost is flights. Where I have been in the states (Mount Snow, Jay and Sunday River) they have all been resorts and so the food etc. is astronomically pricey. Would it be expensive at Lake Tahoe??
many of the University trips occur in early December and nearly always head to VT or Tignes or another high resort. Most go on coaches to keep the costs down. If i really think hard i can remember a trip to Tignes in about 1985 on a coach from Victoria. Happy days!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
jakepds wrote:
telford_mike wrote:
Welcome to Snowheads Probably best to have a word with a tour operator e.g. Crystal or Inghams, but I shouldn't think you'll have any problems.
Do these companies charge a large fee for organising the trip?
Obviously tour operators make a profit, so there is a chance you will be able to book it a bit cheaper if you DIY, but if you have a group of 10 you will usually qualify for a discount. Something like 1 in 10 goes free, buy 10 lift passes get one free etc. It would be well worth asking a TO then seeing if you can better their offer DIY. If you can, go back and ask if they will match it.
I usually DIY for family holidays, but whenever I have been involved organizing a large group I always used a TO. DIY really brings in the savings when you are taking young kids, I don't think you lot would qualify any more
After all it is free
After all it is free
Quote:
"HeidiAmsterdam" For fun and USA - Lake Tahoe - Heavenly Valley. Hands down. Great Skiing, plenty of large houses to rent, gambling, casino buffets, headliner shows in tahoe.... it would be amazing.
Minor issue with the gambling if they are all 17/18 and of course they would not legally be able to drink.
Last edited by After all it is free on Wed 24-02-16 13:18; 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 can use self catering apartments and have a very economical week, probably c£100 each for a place to stay. If you go France you can travel by bus with Snow Express to make things even cheaper.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
SnowPenguin wrote:
Quote:
"HeidiAmsterdam" For fun and USA - Lake Tahoe - Heavenly Valley. Hands down. Great Skiing, plenty of large houses to rent, gambling, casino buffets, headliner shows in tahoe.... it would be amazing.
Minor issue with the gambling if they are all 17/18 and of course they would not legally be able to drink.
Forgot about that - drinking and gambling age is 21....
For fun and USA - Lake Tahoe - Heavenly Valley. Hands down. Great Skiing, plenty of large houses to rent, gambling, casino buffets, headliner shows in tahoe.... it would be amazing.
Thank you for the suggestions, as for food etc. what is the cheapest way to do this? Would these areas be relatively cheap to live in. I heard Andorra is very reasonable but isn't that extensive for advanced skiers?
Thanks for the USA suggestion, of course the main cost is flights. Where I have been in the states (Mount Snow, Jay and Sunday River) they have all been resorts and so the food etc. is astronomically pricey. Would it be expensive at Lake Tahoe??
Thanks in advance!
Check the website of les lourettes - I thought their half board option was reasonable - they have a high season and low season price. Also, I like the location for Verbier, as it is in the center of a trinagled canyon and you can ski off 3 different directions. It's is ski in/out. Basic accomodations - dorm like rooms, but a nice common area. Fly to Geneva, take the train from the airport for about an hour to Sallanches, then just a taxi from the train station up the mountain, about a 15-20 minute ride or so. ez-pz lemon squeezy
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.
HeidiAmsterdam wrote:
SnowPenguin wrote:
Quote:
"HeidiAmsterdam" For fun and USA - Lake Tahoe - Heavenly Valley. Hands down. Great Skiing, plenty of large houses to rent, gambling, casino buffets, headliner shows in tahoe.... it would be amazing.
Minor issue with the gambling if they are all 17/18 and of course they would not legally be able to drink.
Forgot about that - drinking and gambling age is 21....
I guess they'd better go to Utah then - -
I had a look at Tahoe, and wow, I wanna go there!!!!! Looks insane!
Does Utah have different rules? I though Gambling was 18. To be honest, we are there for skiing primarily, as long as we can have fun the alcohol doesnt really matter and after a long day of skiing I'm usually knackered anyway.
Think I'm going to price it up tonight for Europe and the USA, not sure I want to head the result.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Quote:
Does Utah have different rules?
No. Same rule. But since Utah is a relatively "dry" state, you would feel less out of place not able to drink
No gambling in Utah.
The scenery is better at Tahoe. The skiing is better at Utah.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Where in the USA would work as being the cheapest place to go, flights and all, on a ski trip?
I know this is a broad question, but can anyone shed any light. Obviously places like Vail (as much as it pains me to say) are likely to be out, but what about Whitefish etc.?
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@jakepds,
General guide to costs.
Flights to Eastern USA, eg Boston, + New England resorts cheapest overall. Stowe, Sunday River, Killington, Sugarbush, Smugglers Notch, Mad River Glen and several others possible. I don't know Whitefish
In broad terms, a USA trip would cost at least 50% more than a typical European trip. Mainly extra flight and ski pass costs. Might be worse now, given recent strengthening of $. With a group of 10 you should have get some discounts and deals, eg 1 goes free, etc. Premium resorts like Vail, Aspen, Deer Valley, Beaver Creek and Snowmass likely to cost another 50%, ie double the cost of a mid range European ski trip.
Debatable whether the overall mountain and snow experience is worth the extra cost or travel time. That's your choice.
Having skied over 20 USA resorts, I'd never go to USA just to ski. Except perhaps very late season, when Europe effectively shut down. For a trip including sightseeing, cities and skiing all thrown in, USA is very good. Have done those sort of trips in California, New England, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, etc. Ski Mon-Thu each week, sightsee etc Fri- Sun.
But for a pure ski trip, for me, Europe has all the vertical drop, scenery, atmosphere and variety needed. Usually...but not always, it has good snow too.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@HeidiAmsterdam,
Quote:
Fly to Geneva, take the train from the airport for about an hour to Sallanches, then just a taxi from the train station up the mountain, about a 15-20 minute ride or so. ez-pz lemon squeezy
Isn't Les Lourettes in Siviez? In which case you'd get the train from Geneva to Sion which is 2 hours then a good 45 minute drive up the mountain.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Swissie wrote:
@HeidiAmsterdam,
Quote:
Fly to Geneva, take the train from the airport for about an hour to Sallanches, then just a taxi from the train station up the mountain, about a 15-20 minute ride or so. ez-pz lemon squeezy
Isn't Les Lourettes in Siviez? In which case you'd get the train from Geneva to Sion which is 2 hours then a good 45 minute drive up the mountain.
I stand corrected - full of cold and not thinking straight.
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?
abc wrote:
Quote:
Does Utah have different rules?
No. Same rule. But since Utah is a relatively "dry" state, you would feel less out of place not able to drink
No gambling in Utah.
The scenery is better at Tahoe. The skiing is better at Utah.
Unless Tahoe is having an epic season.... but Tahoe is fickle like that.
@HeidiAmsterdam, Poor you, its a good excuse to get some alpine air in those lungs.
That's the plan. Flight to Turin tomorrow at 20:25 - hoping to be through the worst of it by then...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Go to Europe. Cheaper, nearer, better food, better beer, bigger resorts, longer runs, etc.
For the price of a one day lift pass in the US you'll get 2-3 days skiing in Europe (http://unofficialnetworks.com/2015/02/the-10-most-expensive-lift-tickets-in-america), plus flights are obviously much more expensive to US too.
After all it is free
After all it is free
^^ This.
You can get really cheap deals to Europe. You could go twice (December and April) in the uni holidays for less than one trip to the US.
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.
Quote:
Go to Europe. Cheaper, nearer, better food, better beer, bigger resorts, longer runs, etc.
For the price of a one day lift pass in the US you'll get 2-3 days skiing in Europe (http://unofficialnetworks.com/2015/02/the-10-most-expensive-lift-tickets-in-america), plus flights are obviously much more expensive to US too.
Quote:
You can get really cheap deals to Europe. You could go twice (December and April) in the uni holidays for less than one trip to the US.
Thanks for the links, I'll definitely look later.
Are you both saying that there is not pint in going to the USA? Like is there no need to ever go?
I just feel that the USA is superior, however that probably just because that is where I've spent most of my time!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@jakepds, I think you might be approaching this question from the wrong end. "Where's the best place in the world to go skiing".
What, realistically, is your budget for your trip? That's where most of us start.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
jakepds wrote:
Thanks for the links, I'll definitely look later.
Are you both saying that there is not pint in going to the USA? Like is there no need to ever go?
I just feel that the USA is superior, however that probably just because that is where I've spent most of my time!
States (WEST Coast only!) get more snow, hence the hype. How much more is actually pretty debatable in a lot of places (Cali especially) particularly when you look at which seasons the claims are made from and where/how the snow was measured. BC in Canada gets more.
However, it's certainly true that resorts are much bigger in Europe, and some parts of the Alps see very similar snowfall.
I've never known anyone say East Coast USA/Canada has better skiing than Europe though - unless skiing ice is your thing.
For example, apparently Squaw Valley is one of the biggest US resorts, but it's tiny compared to the Arlberg, which is hard to even fit onto a piste map! And the Arlberg is also pretty small when compared to Eu's biggest resorts like 3 Valleys and Portes du Soleil etc!
Squaw
Arlberg
Jay's Peak
In terms of snowfall:
- Squaw averages 11.4 metres a year
- Zürs am Arlberg averages about 10m a season, while Warth in the Arlberg averages 10.5m
- Jay's Peak averages about 9m a season
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Thu 25-02-16 20:12; edited 1 time in total
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.
jakepds wrote:
Are you both saying that there is not pint in going to the USA? Like is there no need to ever go?
I just feel that the USA is superior, however that probably just because that is where I've spent most of my time!
I'm saying that there is really excellent (world class) skiing extensively available in Europe, and it's comparatively on your doorstep. So given you are trying to organise a budget trip for 10 friends around the university holidays... there do seem to be some distinct advantages to staying here. But it also depends what kind of skiing you are into.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@pam w, @clarky999, @Gämsbock,
Pam, the reason I have been vague with the prices is that we honestly are not sure. I think it is now decided that it will be about a grand, but we were just curious whether we could go to the USA and not spend a load more. By the sounds of it we cannot.
Does anyone know anything about Andorra, I've heard that it is cheap and so may be worth looking into, however I have also heard that it doesn't have that much really tough skiing. Let me know if you have been!!
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I think the main problem with the states, is, it is difficult to do without hiring a car - and that adds to the price, plus a lot of places charge more to rent under 25, or 23, if at all.
Unless you got cheap tickets, USA will be out of budget...
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
HeidiAmsterdam wrote:
I think the main problem with the states, is, it is difficult to do without hiring a car - and that adds to the price, plus a lot of places charge more to rent under 25, or 23, if at all.
Unless you got cheap tickets, USA will be out of budget...
Yeah I remember when I went with dad to Jay, the transfers ALONE to Montreal were $400 for the two of us, which we simply cannot afford
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
jakepds wrote:
@pam w, @clarky999, @Gämsbock,
Does anyone know anything about Andorra, I've heard that it is cheap and so may be worth looking into, however I have also heard that it doesn't have that much really tough skiing. Let me know if you have been!!
Does anyone know anything about Andorra, I've heard that it is cheap and so may be worth looking into, however I have also heard that it doesn't have that much really tough skiing. Let me know if you have been!!
Also, can someone clarify what this "snow account" is, I'm new here
That records your financial transactions with the site (purchase of an item or paying for attending a bash or maybe just a donation). It should be (0).
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Ray Zorro, my account shows minus £29.89, which I think means I'm that amount in credit...but never been sure. Funny old game, money.
@intermediate, no, a positive figure is credit. If you click on the amount shown it'll take you to a detailed breakdown.
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.
@fixx, thanks. Strange then, as I paid subs and that shows on account. Never owed a bean on this account. Bailiffs not been in to seize vintage fluorescent 1980s ski jacket - phew! Should I call my solicitor? Should I leg it to Chambery, Geneva or Salzburg tout de suite?
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@intermediate, you should absolutely leg it to any airport within reach of the Alps asap - any excuse for a ski trip surely?!
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
Probably best to have a word with a tour operator e.g. Crystal or Inghams, but I shouldn't think you'll have any problems.
