 Poster: A snowHead
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Cheap destinations such as Bulgaria, Andorra, I'm thinking of (others are no doubt available, including less snowsure and lower Italy and Austria - feel free to comment thereupon).
Is there ever a reasonably predictable time of year when they'd be most likely to have enough snow to satisfy your big standard UK intermediate skier or boarder (not 200% marathon-level fit, blues and red, not ice or boilerplate)?
Used to be OK destinations, didn't they? In fact, I did Arinsal/Pal several times back in the very early '00s and Mr G was just learning to board. (And recall getting there in late ish January to a good snowfall after a rather 'dry' start.
I assume that this year (and, I think last?) they have been pretty dire? (Assumption only based on current very cheap TO prices.)
I'm now in a situation where I'm time rich, able to grab and go - though really I do like to plan ahead or have at least a few weeks' notice - but cash poor. So trying to make the most of whatever I can get my slidy bits on for the least possible outlay.
Hence rather desperately searching around for future best options 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Preplanning weeks out is the tricky part and its usually always going to be cheaper leaving it to last min with a TO as long as you can avoid peak peak weeks.
Andorra have had a dire snow year but they have still managed to keep a large volume of terrain available throughout the season so I think you can say its fairly reliable that you will get to ski there at least.
Booking a flight somewhere around the Alps to lock in dates and then accom/resort much closer to departure date usually works for me. I am happy to travel further for better snow if required
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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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How many people travelling, @Grizzler?
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I understand why not for some, but borovets with Balkan holidays late availability for £300/£400 each , everything cheap when there, it's£25 extra for a ski bag 1 hour transfer why not , almost as cheap as staying at home, for Andorra I squally book a few flights early on , about £40 return , then if I decide to go I add everything on later, ( should have gone today till sat but work got in the way ) if not it's not a massive loss. M a beginner so there's probably a better way,
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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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@Grizzler, I live in Andorra. I’ve skied every weekend this season. It’s not been perfect, but it’s been ok. This weekend has been fabulous.
If you’re a reasonable skier/boarder, you’d probably have struggled to enjoy Arinsal but there’s been enough to enjoy elsewhere and this season the weather has probably been close to the worst case scenario for Andorra. Too mild to run snow cannons for big periods of time and very little precipitation when it has been cold, yet they’ve still done ok.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Mon 4-03-24 21:56; edited 2 times in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Just lose the 'preplan' hang up and embrace your 'time rich' position (I've been there, trust me)
Wait for the right place at the right time at the right price
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@Grizzler,
Even some of the larger resorts have suffered at times this winter, but to get an idea on reasonable priced skiing @denfinella, has done some excellent travel blogs on skiing different alpine resorts at a reasonable price.
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Interesting, thanks.
So Andorra, certainly, might not have been a bad choice for a cheap last minute (the El T, Pas side at least).
Is there anything left/worth going for in Bulgaria this year? (If so, there are indeed some bargains to be had.)
How do I find the right place and time bit, then? (Probably for next year now; sadly signed up for some more expensive than planned sea kayak trips instead.)
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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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Surely the point of being time rich is that you DON'T have to plan in advance? If you are a lone traveller DIY will often be cheaper than TO deals which are generally for 2.
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@Grizzler, if leaving it late, keep an eye on weather conditions/current snow conditions everywhere. Look at all possible airport options and be prepared to fly at any time, any day of the week - for example, some very early or very late flight times can be very reasonable flying into Barcelona. Know where to look for accommodation, Airbnb/booking isn’t always the best option everywhere… tourist office/resort websites often work well for Austria lots of properties not on sites like booking, Airbnb isn’t really a thing in Andorra etc… Look for places with a good reasonably priced transfer option - Andorra might be 2.5hrs from the nearest airport, but you can get a transfer for about €60 return and they’re scheduled every 2-3 hours all year round. Some places transfers can be hundreds of £ or only operate on weekends.
Also keep an eye on last minute deals with tour operators.
If you want to take more of a risk, be aware of when airlines begin selling their tickets. They often sell very cheap seats on release. Choose a destination with plenty of possible resorts nearby and decide exactly where you go closer to the time based on conditions.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Grizzler, Austria this season above c.1500m has had good snow cover right from early December. Whilst many resorts are at a low level, and therefore have no snow, a lot of the skiing is up above the snowline.
If you take the Zillertal as an example, we've had warm weather in the main now for weeks and weeks, yet, virtually every run in the valley is open.
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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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@swskier, That's good news. I had a horrid time in Bad Hoffgastein last January (terribly icy), and last mid March in Kaprun/Zell am See was useable, if very slushy, but frighteningly barren (and the glacier just too horribly busy for me).
Zillertal is one of my must-return-to destinations. Couldn't find anything within price range at Mayrhofen, sadly (actually, I recall 1 on the outskirts with Sunweb, though b&b rather than s/c, which isn't 100% ideal). Used to be nice and cheap, but no longer; not for 2025 either.
I will look at other parts of the valley in due course.
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@hammerite, @Origen,
No, you're right, don't have to plan that far in advance. But I struggle a bit without a week's, preferably two's, notice. Mr G still works part time too, and there are always arrangements to be made, certain practicalities, etc.
Would travel as a couple. We are limited by being very northern England, but always do consider all airports within what to us is driveable.
For the moment, just asking about TO packages & destinations (more as a general question about why so much cheaper and the only deals out there now - and whether yet viable options, for this or next year).
DIY is another ball game; hadn't realised Andorra could be feasible though.
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You know it makes sense.
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DIY is another ball game
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But a ball game which gives you vastly more choice. TOs only go to a handful of resorts and, within those resorts, only have options for a narrow range of accommodation. If you stick to TOs then yes, options are very limited. That's just the way it is.
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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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@Grizzler, depends on how much you place a value of convenience to lifts and/or nightlife. I'm sure there'd be something in the valley within your price range but it might come at a compromise.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Grizzler, yes, Andorra is very feasible. I had to fly home to England during the Andorran school holidays a couple of weeks ago. I flew back to England from Barcelona on a Saturday morning. I had to get on the bus at 4am, but the journey back cost about £50 (€33 for the bus and £21 for the flight - only an underseat bag) and I didn’t buy the flight until 3 days before travel.
It’s a long journey time-wise because Andorra is so far from the nearest airport but it’s pretty easy and quite reasonable.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Just as a heads up. Andbus have put the price of their standard service up by a couple of €. However, they've announced a subscription service called APrime. If you subscribe you can get a transfer from Barcelona for €15 or €20 from Tolouse. It will cost €90 a year for subscription usually, but if you sign up before the end of the month you can get it for free.
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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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Do you know is that for Andorran residents or anybody, cheers
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