Father and son - cheap option first week in April!

A snowHead

Hi Snowheads. Few years back I got some excellent advice from you all so thought I would come and ask again.

I'm a separated father and am looking for a cheap option to take my 11 year old son to Europe for a weeks skiing departing 2nd of Feb. He's happy on blues and easier reds. Close to the slopes to be able to walk preferably.

Biggest driver is cost, not looking for luxury but at the same time as I'm with my son I would prefer somewhere we can feel comfortable and safe. Self Catering likely best option I think?

I live in Scotland, Aberdeen being the closet main airport but accept that I will likely need to be flexible with regard to departure point.

Scottish ski areas not an option thanks. OK for a day or two, not a week.

Any help out there please?

Thanks very much. Very Happy

A snowHead

If you're quick then flights from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Salzburg with Jet 2 are less than £100 return. Come and ski in the Ski Amade at Flachau which should suit your needs.

Have a look at our Facebook Page @TheRedandWhiteSkiCompany for ideas. I have a vacancy in our apartment that week and we can negotiate on price. Email me at TheRedandWhiteSkiCompany@gmail.com if this is what you're looking for. I'd rather have someone in who will appreciate it than an empty apartment. If you're Forces or a Veteran then we can be very flexible.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

First stop cheap flights
2nd stop huge lift pass deal.for 11 year old.
3rd stop hotels.com or Airbnb.

I think the cheapest way of skiing europe this year is a flight to Barca or Northern Italy and hire a car for fifty quid for.the week. Hire kit for cheaper rate before you get to resorts.

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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@cameronphillips2000,

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I’m going to see what panaga52 suggests but will bear your suggestions in mind. Perhaps a little to late to organise all that though.

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Try la Thule.... cheap and self catering at the bottom of the slope

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Just been on Crystal and the cheapest they had was the one below. BnB, 375 each:

https://www.crystalski.co.uk/ski-resorts/austria-ski-holidays/niederau/pension-franzl#.XC0bYlxZwaQ

Or cheapest half board, 445 Slovenia:

https://www.crystalski.co.uk/ski-resorts/slovenia-ski-holidays/bohinj/hotel-kristal#.XC0cf9An4pM

Or cheapest sc, 475 Austria.

https://www.crystalski.co.uk/ski-resorts/austria-ski-holidays/rauris/rauris-apartments#.XC0dcikc9rg

After all it is free

@Boofont, had a friend in same position, he used to drive (admittedly did live down south) and stay in the cheaper IBIS/Accor etc options in Sallanches and then drive up to Les Carroz and park each day. Might not be so easy to park at half term but worth considering a valley stay and drive or a gondola up (Les Arcs??) if you really want to save on accommodation.

@Boofont, if you keep an eye on esprit ski website they often have last minute deals

https://www.espritski.com/deals-now/january-ski-deals/?pa=1&adults=-1&children=-1&infants=-1&country=0&resort=0&airport=0&chalet_types=&max_occ=&dates=20190105_20190106&sort=post__in&sort_type=DESC&

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@Boofont, 2nd Feb is outside all the main school holidays seo getting a deal should be easy enough.

If I was you I would be thinking last minute catered deals. Might be a bit lonely the two of you self catering so staying in a catered chalet or Hotel with other punters around might help. Although obviously there won't be many other children around.

Will your son be taking lessons?

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I agree with @Layne. Last minute catered.

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I would think that you'll find it more expensive in self catering, as there are only two of you and most self catering apartments are set up for 4+ people (could be wrong though). You'll probably find it cheaper in a hotel/b&b/shared chalet, I'd have thought.

You've got loads of time though, so I wouldn't worry too much about timescale. As per previous posts, you may be best to set aside the date and book it later.

@Cheesie168,

Thanks, driving not an option. Dover for example is 640 miles away - 12 hours at least I imagine! Appreciate the response though. Smile

You know it makes sense.

@ansta1,

I have done two Esprit holidays before with my lad when he was younger. He is 11 now, a little old maybe? He said he would rather ski with me - think as I'm a soft touch! Wink

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@Layne,

Good advice. It's a short break in the Scottish local school calendar hence why I'm thinking then. He would miss three days of school and with Easter so late it's the only real option.

A snowHead

@pam w,

Thanks for the reply. Actually, I recall you offering advice the last time I asked, think you suggested Esprit a few years back? Cheers! Smile

A snowHead

@porkpiefox,

You might be right. I did wonder about B&B but it's having the lack of somewhere nice to sit of an evening.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

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I've done a couple of trips with just me and my son (older than yours) and I'd recommend being prepared to pay a little more upfront to reduce the hassle and the number of things you alone have to be responsible for. E.g. half board will work out a similar cost to alternatives but will save you the hassle of wondering what to cook/shopping for it/cooking it/clearing it up; assuming your son isn't a fussy bug like mine.
Don't get somewhere that's a bus or taxi ride into town or to the lifts, 500m is plenty when carrying clobber. Renting a locker saves you the carrying part but not the dependency on bus timetables.

I think Aberdeen means you'll have to use Edinburgh or Glasgow airports, but be prepared to have to leave the house at stupid o'clock and pay for a week's parking. There might be some benefit in flying shorter duration rather than longer to Easter Europe, but it will maybe depend on departure times.

E.g. https://www.crystalski.co.uk/ HOTEL XALET VERDÚ @£469pp but may be a better deal later

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@Penry,

Thank you. I should have considered Andorra as I have been before (to Pas) and of course it is good value. To quote you, I have a fussy bug too. what is Arinsal like please? The last time we skied was Val d'isere where he was happy with all the blues and reds.

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Really appreciating all the responses from you all. Thank you very much.

Looking like I would get a free lift pass for my son in both Pas and Arinsal - perhaps Andorra is the place to go.

Also, a lot you mentioning Crystal. I've never used them before, any good?

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

without knowing your budget have you looked at familyski?
familyski.co.uk

They have 2x option coming back for £499 adult & £399 child for catered chalet + transfers from Geneva.
Obviously you have to add ski hire, lift pass, etc. on top.

https://familyski.co.uk/les-coches-chalets/chalet-les-arolles/
https://familyski.co.uk/ardent-chalets/chalet-la-chalande/

After all it is free

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Sunweb.

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@Boofont, Austria has the best snow in Europe right now, and those lovely snowheads Ange & Ben have some availability at their house here in Ski Amadé (austrian-adventures.com). Family-friendly guest house right in the heart of Ski Amadé. Either cheap flights to Salzburg or it's around a 13-hour drive from Calais with no tolls (but you need winter tyres and a €9 vignette for Austrian motorways).

@Boofont, we have a room available here at Haus Susanne, Radstadt. We are 45 mins from Salzburg airport in Ski Amade. We have hosted many Snowheads over the years. I will send you a pm. Ange

You know it makes sense.

@queenie pretty please, @flangesax,

Thanks very much. I have replied back Ange.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@Boofont, I would perhaps look at a UPCA trip with action outdoors. It will cost more initially but with everything included, takes the strain out of it. It'll set you back between 1500 to 2k but that's everything, pass, equipment, food & lessons, and you can possibly find a twin if you call them. Also it's great for socialising. Otherwise look for a last minute deal through crystal, ski world etc as they can be quite reasonable.

A snowHead

I can recommend staying with Ange if you can get cheapish flights to Salzburg. Handy having a car there though, it’s a short walk to the bus, then 5 mins to the nearest ski area. The drive from Salzburg is very easy (as easy as getting to Forfar from Aberdeen). You’ll get somewhere to relax in the evening, some adult company and Ben doing the cooking if you are in luck. Very good value.

A snowHead

Sierra Nevada, Spain.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Rocket ski have some good deals for your week https://www.rocketski.com/component/hotels/?resort=A&airport=A&searchdate=2019-02-02&numadults=2&numchild=0&numinfants=0&rnd=1547031081?utm_campaign=RS-Jan-2019-3&utm_medium=email&utm_source=CMA_ROCKET%20SKI&utm_content=

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Quick update. Looks like that week is a non starter. My lads mum has put the anchors on it so I’m now looking first week in April. Think I’ll ask same question again for that week in another post. I appreciate its late in the season but I’m sure some of the higher areas would work.

I really appreciate all the replies. Thanks very much.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Boofont,

Early April is still a great time to ski if (as you say) you choose somewhere high.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

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Lots of good options in early April. snowHead

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

I'm not sure whether the dates are (un)suitable or the price is in/out of budget, but we are a group of about 10 varying in age from 8-70, varying in ability from "Never had skis on" to comfortable on most pistes, going to St Vigilio (Kronplatz) at half term, 16-23 February. We have a couple of spare spaces. Accommodation isn't the cheapest but is good quality and very well situated. Self catering. Accommodation is €270 per person. We are flying to/from Treviso and then hiring a car or two. If interested, let me know and I can work out a likely cost

@JohnHSmith,

Thanks very much for the kind offer and if it were suitable I would surely consider it. However, the school holidays in Scotland are different than England. In fact where I am (Morayshire) they don’t have a half term. There’s a couple of in-service days as mentioned early Feb, next it’s Easter holidays which are the first two weeks in April this year. Yes, they’re not actually at Easter.

It’s really generous of you to offer though and I do appreciate it.

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Hi @Boofont, sounds like we might have the same hols as you Smile

I realise esprit might be a little young for your son, but they do un-advertised single parent rates which you'll only get by phoning them. Some of the other companies don't take children outwith english holidays which is a pain. They've been doing last minute rates down to about £299pppw lately so worth a call. You could always book lessons etc independently Smile

Help!!

Father and son - cheap option first week in April!

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