 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi brains trust
When do accommodation providers usually advertise their offerings for the next season? I’m specifically looking at Val D’Isere for next March. There doesn’t seem to be a lot offered on either Airbnb or booking.com
Thanks in advance.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Try the Val D'Isere tourist office.
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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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@Origen, Thanks.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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Yes. Plenty there. The prices seem reasonable too. Thanks
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@sbooker, you will probably get a better deal if you don't use BC or ABB, although it's as good a place as any to start with. Commission charges to owners and booking/service fees to renters have to be paid for somehow.
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I like renting from the tourist office because I feel if an owner cancelled on you, the tourist office would do their best to retrieve their reputation by finding something. There have been several sad tales of cancelled AirBnBs on Snowheads.
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And also if an owner failed to respond to a problem, the tourist office would help.
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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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Not Val d'Isere but Les Arcs and still in France. Our letting agency, CIS Immobilier, sent out there request for when we want our apartment to be available for rent next winter last week. They have only just started thinking about the winter season. I get the impression that most agengies will have their bookings available Sept or October. Cenrtainly we never see any bookings before September and most come in October or November. I suspect that is because most punters don't think about skiing until the summer holidays are over.
Of course things may be different in Val d'Isere where they have many more UK visitors than Les Arcs.
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@Origen, problem with ABB, they can release your dates without your knowledge, you have very little control over it, and they will price it at your 'default' price. I advertise on both, but have to always be on the ball. Best to book either with TO or direct with owners. Not all of us are scammers, most of us are genuine owners with real accommodation. Owners renting through TO are unlikely to cancel on you, as the TO will ask for your availability and prices in advance of the season. That may be why it is often September before next winter's dates are available.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Yes, I dislike ABB though I have used it. Just listening to an item on BBC 4 Today about Barcelona, where the new socialist mayor has said he will not renew tourist licences because city homes are not available for long term rent for locals. Some of my neighbours tried to get ABB banned on our private estate but their effort was defeated by majority vote and in fact very few of the renters have been any problem. But this is not a "tourist city". Where thousands of places are rented on ABB I do see the problem. It's got a bit out of hand and the pricing policy annoys me. What's the point in a separate "cleaning fee" when there's no option but to pay it. It's just part of the rent, like it is in a hotel. Maybe it's a tax dodge!
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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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| Origen wrote: |
| Yes, I dislike ABB though I have used it. Just listening to an item on BBC 4 Today about Barcelona, where the new socialist mayor has said he will not renew tourist licences because city homes are not available for long term rent for locals. Some of my neighbours tried to get ABB banned on our private estate but their effort was defeated by majority vote and in fact very few of the renters have been any problem. But this is not a "tourist city". Where thousands of places are rented on ABB I do see the problem. It's got a bit out of hand and the pricing policy annoys me. What's the point in a separate "cleaning fee" when there's no option but to pay it. It's just part of the rent, like it is in a hotel. Maybe it's a tax dodge! |
Two reasons to have the cleaning price separately. One is that it brings the headline price down. But the more legitimate reason is that many properties are rented for different periods but are priced per night, but you only have to pay the cleaning bill for 1 night.
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| Quote: |
But the more legitimate reason is that many properties are rented for different periods but are priced per night, but you only have to pay the cleaning bill for 1 night
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yes, that makes sense! The other doesn't.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Origen wrote: |
| Quote: |
But the more legitimate reason is that many properties are rented for different periods but are priced per night, but you only have to pay the cleaning bill for 1 night
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yes, that makes sense! The other doesn't. |
Well I think it makes sense as it is a common tactic employed by loads of different companies selling things with semi compulsory extras but it's a pain for the consumer I agree.
I'm trying to sort out a cycling holiday in Portugal at the moment and working out what is and isn't included and comparing prices is very difficult . I'm about to get on the phone to inquire as I can't work it out from the websites.
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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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@sbooker, as others mentioned tourist information or Immobilier of the location is my preferred.
I would have thought September would be when owners mostly have their availability sorted. I don't see any reason to book before then anyhow - unless Feb HT or New Year week maybe.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I was shocked how few decent size spaces were available for Christmas week in Les Saisies.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Origen, what, you mean as of now?
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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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Yes, as of last week. Two places I'd used before, and like, were already rented. Christmas last season was, although the snow wasn't great, much busier than I remembered it being, particularly the second half of the week.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Yes, as of last week. Two places I'd used before, and like, were already rented. Christmas last season was, although the snow wasn't great, much busier than I remembered it being, particularly the second half of the 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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Absolutely LOADS of things available for the first week in January - and far cheaper, of course.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Origen, I've never booked Christmas week before September and often a bit later.
Depends of course what the requirements are. For us it's usually for 4 and we don't need much space (~26 - 28 sq m) so plenty of options.
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| Quote: |
I was shocked how few decent size spaces were available for Christmas week in Les Saisies.
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Indeed, what is a decent size space - is it the 6 or 7 m2 per person as for @Layne, or is a bit less suitable? Or more? Or is it how many people it can take; there are few 12 person chalets around.
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4 bedroom places, I was looking for. 5 better. 10 people. There are a fair number, but they'd all been snapped up before I looked. There were some still available but huge prices. Real luxury jobs. Very nice for 5 couples, all paying their way.
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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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| Origen wrote: |
| Yes, I dislike ABB though I have used it. Just listening to an item on BBC 4 Today about Barcelona, where the new socialist mayor has said he will not renew tourist licences because city homes are not available for long term rent for locals. Some of my neighbours tried to get ABB banned on our private estate but their effort was defeated by majority vote and in fact very few of the renters have been any problem. But this is not a "tourist city". Where thousands of places are rented on ABB I do see the problem. It's got a bit out of hand and the pricing policy annoys me. What's the point in a separate "cleaning fee" when there's no option but to pay it. It's just part of the rent, like it is in a hotel. Maybe it's a tax dodge! |
Not a tax dodge, but sometimes including it in the fee means you pay commission to ABB for it, charge it separately and you don't . I prefer to include it, but usually charge it separately for short breaks. Cleaning costs me the same fixed amount but 1/7 of it included in the rent for a night does not cover it.
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| Layne wrote: |
@sbooker, as others mentioned tourist information or Immobilier of the location is my preferred.
I would have thought September would be when owners mostly have their availability sorted. I don't see any reason to book before then anyhow - unless Feb HT or New Year week maybe. |
Fair point. When flying long haul it’s often best (cheapest) to buy flights very early. To buy the flights dates are needed so I like to have some possible itineraries mapped out. Part of planning possible itineraries is checking accommodation and availability etc.
But yeah. I’ll take a punt that we’ll get somewhere for the week I’m thinking and if we can’t we’ll go somewhere else I guess.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And somewhat related. Outside of New Year, Christmas, Easter and half term school holidays is there any discernible difference in crowding in France generally? Will it make any difference as to which week in March I choose? April was quiet and great conditions last year but I’d like to maximise my chances of skiing powder and off piste that’s not incredibly sun affected.
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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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Early to mid January is usually fairly quiet, then, of course it gets very busy over the month of half term then gradualy falls off towards the end of the season. Easter itself makes a tiny bump if it is early but as it is at the very end of April this year I doubt if it will be noticed.
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@johnE, So the second week of March would usually be somewhat busier than the last week of March?
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You know it makes sense.
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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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@sbooker, yes it will be busier. As @Layne, says from the 8th onwards it gets steadily quieter. As there is only one area on half term on the first week of march it will be a bit quieter than the last week of February. New year and the last two weeks of February are anticipated to be the busiest weeks of the season.
I do not know why but our letting agency anticipates a big drop in demand from march 15th. January 4th and 11th look like low demand as well.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Layne, thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@johnE, thanks. I might shoot for the week starting March 15.
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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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Yes, first week after school hols is quite busy for obvious reasons. Mid March quieter and usually good for snow.
I found a good place for Christmas week. Owner tells me it's free but gites de France say not so I can't book. Owner says he'll unblock it this morning. 5 bedrooms. 4 showers. Demand for big places is very strong.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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It's the same in the UK - big places suitable for family parties get booked up very early for Christmas and tend to be expensive! Supply and demand. Because I won't be skiing I do want somewhere pleasant to sit and read my book and admire the view and a nice kitchen for me to do my chalet maid duties when they're out skiing. The only part of this holiday which will be cheap is the journey down - five of us in my son in law's 9 seater van, with loads of gear and provisions. We did the same last Christmas and I just sat in the back and listened to an audio book. Easiest journey to the Alps I ever did! Youngest grandchild will be 4. She'll have lessons, and that will be the last of my brood. 16 years ago the oldest, then 5, had her first lessons. So Les Saisies will have seen all my 8 grandchildren launched by grandma on the joys of winter holidays.
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FAQ
