 Poster: A snowHead
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Just wondering what are peoples opinion on booking very last minute? With reference to Austria / Italy / Andorra? Now France is off (presuming it stays that way)
How late can you leave it to book - taking into account time to organise all those test thingees!!
How late would tour operators allow you to book - which seems to be the safest option right now?
I'm thinking around 7 days out would be doable??
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Depends on who you go with. In my experience 2 people flying from the South East will get the majority of good deals going if they’re flexible on where they go and catering type.
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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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I'd happily book with a TO with 1-2 days notice but would make sure I'd researched my destination country well. Crystal currently have some amazing deals leaving this weekend, just looked at Italy and they're from £299 HB, Sauze d'oulx over xmas week.
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I think last minute (ie less than 48 hours) is probably the most reliable way of actually guaranteeing some sort of holiday this season.
Who knows what's going to happen to rules in every country in 2 or 3 weeks time, or even later in the season.
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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 think you'd be mad to book more than 48 hours ahead at the moment
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@Dippy,
I nearly booked last Saturday to travel on the Monday.
I also considered the Sunday. Was put off in the end by the tests & uncertainty of what would happen if I tested positive out there.
As my insurance company CS was closed the weekend, I could not check, so did not risk it
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| mikeycharlton wrote: |
I think last minute (ie less than 48 hours) is probably the most reliable way of actually guaranteeing some sort of holiday this season.
Who knows what's going to happen to rules in every country in 2 or 3 weeks time, or even later in the season. |
My only concern is the rules changing while you're out there, but to be fair there is usually a few days notice.
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There's an EU travel meeting today, might make things clearer regarding restrictions generally and they may stick for a bit longer and also if eg Austria are likely to impose new criteria
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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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| t44tomo wrote: |
| I think you'd be mad to book more than 48 hours ahead at the moment |
While I agree, I also would be reluctant to book right now without at least having an antigen test that can be certificated in my hand/already completed...
(even if I currently have several weeks of bashes booked...)
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Booked a (DIY) trip on 4th Dec, flew on 5th. At least for vaccinated for adults it's really not that difficult!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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So it loooks like a wait and see game - 2 fully vaxed adults - flexible as to where and when (I'm talking January not holiday time) living in SE so any London airport ok (although would prefer to drive but very unlikely thats going to happen now). Only book with a major Tour Operator (least hassle and best cover it seems).
Well it will certainly be a job to keep up with all the rule changes - lets see what the New Year brings!
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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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Booked Thursday following france cancelling. Travelling Sunday. Wish us luck
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Checked out 9 seats for Bristol to Innsbruck on Monday for a week with tui a few hours ago - 120 return!
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You know it makes sense.
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Yeah think that’s the best option. Wait and see!!!
Over 50 boostered, ready to go 15th Jan but could be flexible. Live within reach of all London airports or happy to train/drive
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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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Also could do Harwich/Holland to avoid France. But thinking flying doesn’t involve more than one border!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Lucywuk, Similar scenario! I'm keeping an eye on package holidays to see how the prices go.
Very tempted by some 4/5* Hotels in Austria at the moment, but it would be great if France opens up to Brits after the holiday season so we can just jump in car and go!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Dippy wrote: |
@Lucywuk, Similar scenario! I'm keeping an eye on package holidays to see how the prices go.
Very tempted by some 4/5* Hotels in Austria at the moment, but it would be great if France opens up to Brits after the holiday season so we can just jump in car and go! |
Me too. But if I book now and then we get covid …. Are we covered??? That’s my last issue. I think I could almost isolate for around a week before going. So a last minute one seems possible
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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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I'm unlucky enough to have to stick to a pre-planned week and fingers crossed. My dream is to be able to just up sticks and go away whenever and wherever the snow is good, but between the wife, kids, and work, I don't think I'll be in that situation for around 30 years, ie retired!!
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7 hours prior to flight take off is the most last minute I've booked, and I was in Devon and flight from Manchester. That was all before children though. Now most often drive but have been known to book and/or change accommodation enroute.
I do have a eurotunnel booked for first week of school Easter holidays. Which resort and country we go to will depend on situation and restrictions / testing requirements at the time.
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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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Hinterglam all-in including ski pass's for week, booked Friday afternoon, Manchester - Salzburg Saturday morning 2 adults £800 total. Dreadful skiing weather only got two full days in but still enjoyed the break.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thinking this is the only option now.
I’m lucky my apartment have offered later on the season or next year - keeping their deposit- so I think I’ll go for next year. Eurostar strongly have cancelled my incoming train, so I’m hoping that allows me to cancel the entire booking and get a refund.
Then we will go with a wait and see attitude as maybe by March it will be better and we can go.
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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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I have moved flight dates several times and hire cars, given up on accommodation - there will be somewhere available when I know for sure trip is viable - one huge bonus is I will be able to follow the snow 
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@Lucywuk, I have an annual worldwide travel insurance (Staysure) - which I am sure covers us if we contract covid before departure.
The cost of an annual policy including winter sports cover was not a huge amount more than if I had just paid for our last holiday (Dubai) as a single trip and I got 15 months cover which is enough to cover part way through next winter also. Just hope I never need to use it!
I was very tempted to book for Austria (as a package) for early Jan - but have decided to hang on - if we get through new year and no more restrictions my thoughts are there will be something - somewhere!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@dippy I should look at mine as I have annual insurance via my bank account
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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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It can definitely work if you are prepared to be flexible. Best I ever had was Flights, H/B, transfers, lift pass, ski hire, tuition for 3 people in Arinsal, Andorra. Booked 2 days before departure.
I was prepared to go this weekend and was looking at a few last minute deals to Andorra/ Italy/Bulgaria, but hesitated and missed them. Will have another crack at something next week!
As @Nadenoodlee, says, if only 2 travelling from SE England it's a no brainer. Thousands to be saved!
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| Pastorius wrote: |
| I'm unlucky enough to have to stick to a pre-planned week and fingers crossed. My dream is to be able to just up sticks and go away whenever and wherever the snow is good, but between the wife, kids, and work, I don't think I'll be in that situation for around 30 years, ie retired!! |
ha dont fill your hopes up that in 30 years and possibly retired all healthy and in good spirits you will be able to do anything when you like . The demands from your offspring the mrs (same,different or just a passing friend )will conspire along with the grandkids !!which is truly a pleasure that i never even thought about 30 years ago will along with the demands of work ( retirement may not be a luxury thats as readily available)nor mind global warming { no snow)or a virus the chances of you doing as you like are wether holiday date resricted or not are zilch, as someone above retirement age still working in thankfully good enough health to consider going skiing for the 55th year on the trot apart from last year can testify a virus is only a small difficulty but im still hopeful of going this season at some point , cheers
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You know it makes sense.
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Re good deals; as stated on another thread, as I booked so late I didn’t manage to get discounted pass or rental, but as I didn’t go skiing for two years prior, man maths says I’m quids in 
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