Middle aged boarding noob.
Have got vaguely competant on indoor snow, have never been near a ski resort, haven't been on holiday on my own in 20yrs, and all my snowy friends are loaded and wouldn't put their boots on for anything less than a black run.
So I'm looking for a cheap and cheerful week on my own.
Don't care about hotel/chalet/self catering, apres ski, school holidays or which country, and (in theory) could usually book and travel within 24hrs.
Do care that there's an instructor/guide/someone to tell me I'm walking in the wrong direction for the ski lift and whether it's worth packing sandwiches.
All in packages sound the easiest option for a noob (and god knows there's no shortage of ads for those!), but that notwithstanding, whats the cheapest way to get on a real mountain?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Do a bash
The pre birthday one in Alleghe is particularly good value as the ski pass is included.
Plus lots of friendly Snowhead’s to have fun with !
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?
@Draig,
Welcome to
I'm a skier not a boarder.
Holidays for one are rarely a cheap way of doing things.
You can try scouring the websites for last minute deals if you can travel at short notice, or you could try a Snowheads bash which work out at a pretty good value.
Good luck either way.
You could do worse than the action outdoors instruction weeks.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Draig, welcome to snowHeads. Yes, a snowHeads Bash would be perfect. PreBB is good value, it’s soon, more than enough slopes for you to learn on, plenty of moral support from snowHeads, good food.
You could do worse than the action outdoors instruction weeks.
This...its excellent value.
We can certainly tell you the cheapest way to get on the mountain, but it would probably bevbad advice
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Where do you want to fly from?
£670 will get you a HB package to Arinsal, flying from Gatwick to Arinsal, Andorra, on the 19th Jan. Ski passes, kit hire and lessons if needed are extra. There's much cheaper if you want to go to Bulgaria, but Arinsal seems to market itself as a resort for beginners/early intermediates.
You could do worse than the action outdoors instruction weeks.
This, aka UCPA.
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.
Look at Bulgaria and Romania.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Kenzie wrote:
Look at Bulgaria and Romania.
Bankso package (lift pass, hire equipment, plus group lessons are around €580. The lessons are 15-25 people, so probably not much good. Add in flights, transfers accomodation, food etc. and I'm not sure it's much cheaper than a week than ucpa - which I'd imagine would be a much more enjoyable experience than Bulgaria.
If course if your goal really is cheap as possible there are lots of dirtbag options like driving up to Scotland and sleeping in your car. Presumably you really mean you want a nice experience at a reasonable cost. In which case it may be better to ask what the best option for £x is.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Or you could go on the Pre Birthday Bash.
“4* Hotel, Half Board + 6 day lift pass in High Season for about £600”
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.
Staying away from the "traditional" ski countries will keep the prices down, but I've also found chalet operators that offer deals in certain low season weeks where there are no surcharges for single rooms.
While a tour operator is an easy one stop shop, a bit of DIY can be a cost effective option, especially last minute.
If going DIY, flights are probably the item with least variance. Get them sorted on dates that suit and then try on here, or somewhere like the solutions room at chaletsdirect.com to search out those accomodation bargains. Chalets will usually be half board and you'll not need much of a packed lunch as they feed you very well.
If you need to organise your own transfer, you'll often find a deal at "1st-lifts.com Tarentaise Transfers Notice Board" on facebook for transfers to and from Geneva and Chambery.
Maybe that's all too stressful for a noob, but I've definitely had bargains that way in big name resorts.
Best of luck with your search and happy boarding!
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
As a noob you want good instruction. One of the Andorra resorts would be good.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@Draig, late booking, package arrangement (just turn up and get on with it) Cervinia Italy, take the group Italian ski school board lessons available in village, have a great week.
Fly to Turin, short transfer, good village, excellent learner provision, good attitude to teaching in ESI, lok at any of providers for late deals. Igluu, Crystal etc.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Thanks everyone. Lots of really useful info and plenty for me to look at.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Not related to best way of doing it but when you get there, don't beat yourself up when you hit a flat spot or an incline that you didn't read and end up having to boot it or unstrap completely.
That was the biggest change I found from riding in a dome. Far less the downhill bits than the random undulations that brought me to a stop annoyingly.
Steep and wide is a better run in my experience than narrow and flat as you can flatten it by riding across the slope. On a narrow flat cat-track you're limited to pointing your board straight down and trying to stay on some kind of edge so you don't stack it.
I pray for your bank balance from here.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Draig,
Welcome to snowHeads! As you'll see, there are many helpful folk here. Not everyone on SH is a skier, but those of us who board get used to folk ignoring/not seeing that detail in our posts!
I would happily second the advice to look at coming on one of the Bashes. The End of Season Bash is very good value, and there will definitely be some other boarders there. Not me, this time - the dates didn't line up for school holidays so I'm taking my family to Val Thorens for the week before. But if the dates had worked, then I'd have booked onto this trip without hesitation.
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?
Depending on age, UCPA/Action Outdoors is hard to beat on value (generally most courses are for people up to age 44). Literally everything is included apart from getting there. Easy to meet other people as a solo traveller as well.
Just in case anyone else finds the information useful, for those over 44 (like myself), even if your fitter and "younger" than many people half your numerical age (and could probably both party harder and still reliably be on the slopes at sunrise every day), UCPA actively prhibit those over 44 from booking nearly all their packages as they are a NFP aimed at encouraging young people into sports.
At the time of wrtiting, they only offer one snowboarding package if you're over 44 (compared to 8 for skiing), that only offers 2hrs tuition a day and you have to be able "descend green and most blue pistes with confidence and control."
Seeing as I've only ever boarded on indoor snow and have no idea what a blue run looks like, it seems I'm considered too old to be a snowboarder.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Draig, nobody on a snowHeads Bash is considered too old to snowboard. Or to telemark, monoboard, slide on a tea tray, big tyre, be pulled behind a horse on a rope or whatever takes their fancy.
@peakyB
Are they considered too old for an early night? (Just because I can out-party you, doesn't mean I want to?)
(Re your earlier post) PreBBWUW12 is one of the rare times I'm already unavailable. So maybe another Bash another time.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Oakhall with the Christians. They'll look after you, don't go to the singsong bit. Instructor will be English if go to schladming. They do coach trips, need plenty of leave for that mind.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@llywelyn1984, the chances of me going to a Christian singsong are somewhere between fat and slim. #nooffenceintended
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.
@Draig, I've been on many UCPA trips over 44. don't wory about it if you really want to go just fudge your age a bit. Chamonix and around are the high mountain courses so its 55 age limit and even there I was chatting to a 60y.o. I definitely think a bash would be good for you and since you've made the step to post here, take another and join the snowhead fun.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@Gainz, duely noted. [(Heads to Amazon to order some Grecian 2000.]
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Quote:
UCPA actively prhibit those over 44 from booking
They do, but if you speak to the nice people at Action Outdoors they may be able to request a space for you - older skiiers and boarders are accepted at the discretion of each UCPA centre
The age limit is partly to do with subsidies and partly to make sure the old people are not complaining about all the youngsters. You will sleep in dorm rooms and certainly for me, I don't go to bed at the same time as when I was younger. Thankfully I booked a twin room with a mate when I went, so we were able to be in the dining hall the second it opened and got our heads down for a night's kip before the last of the youngsters had finished eating...
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.
@nbt, if nothing else, you've cleared up some of my confusion about Action Outdoors and UCPA being seperate entities. Thanks.
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
@Draig, Action outdoors are the UK company who deal with UCPA bookings. Sometimes posters on here (me included) forget that not everyone knows things like this.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Draig wrote:
At the time of wrtiting, they only offer one snowboarding package if you're over 44 (compared to 8 for skiing), that only offers 2hrs tuition a day and you have to be able "descend green and most blue pistes with confidence and control."
Seeing as I've only ever boarded on indoor snow and have no idea what a blue run looks like, it seems I'm considered too old to be a snowboarder.
If you're competent enough to go top to bottom without falling constantly in a dome then you'll fine on most b blues in my experience.
There'll be the odd bit where you think it's steep but it won't last very long and you'll get down it. Most of the length of a blue will be absolutely fine though.
After a week on snow you'll prefer most reds to greens. Greens, from the ones I've been on, are too flat to be enjoyable as a new snowboarder. Scrub your speed at the wrong point and you end up booting it until it gets going again.
Whenever you do book somewhere, I'd recommend finding recordings of some of the runs on YouTube. That'll calm any nerves.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@Draig, late to the thread… but I’d ask your mates about their budget first and foremost. It’s rare to have mates that all live on a different income bracket, you just might find you can afford it.
Secondly, I know a lot of very good skiers/snowboarders, none of them only ride blacks.
Thirdly, it’s only proper numpties that would go on a ski holiday with a pal then actively avoid them on the slopes for the week.
I think it’s possible you might just fit in more than you think.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@paulhinch Thanks. Useful advice on piste grading. From the YT videos I've already seen, that makes sense and, with some of those routes being relatively narrow and not particularly steep, I'm starting to understand why skiers (alegedly) don't like snowboarders. That said, it's rare for me to fall in the local dome these days, unless I'm switch, so (easy) blue sounds a good place to start.
@dode Please excuse my hyperbole - it was intended to illustrate the point rather than be taken litterally.
Of my most snowy friends, they either
1) routinely pay around 3 times per head (family of 4) what I can find down the back of the sofa (just me)
2) have a clique of families that always go together during the the off-school / peak-price weeks
3) leave their kids in a class and head for powder
4) have explicitly said "You wouldn't want to come with us. The slow kid at the back is always playing catch up, never gets a rest, and you wouldn't enjoy it."
At the moment, I'm really am happy going on my own and just having Tolstoy for company in the evenings.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
As above -- join a SnowHeads vacation (called a "Bash").
Very popular.
And help make Admin a millionaire
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?
@Draig, The SnowHeads' bashes are popular, in part, because they are excellent value. And while the company might not be as illustrious as Tolstoy, it is friendly and supportive. There is a wide range of experience, skill and aspiration. The only essential is that you like sliding, ideally on snow. You would probably be able to book a couple of sessions with a local school to get some help and confidence.
Yes I’m told you can definitely have war and peace on a Bash.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Draig I kind of get your requirement - and here is some lateral thinking that folks on here helped me in the past when i had a successful cheap family trip. OK it was 15 years ago but it was half the price of any of the usual resorts and still is, by the look of things )e.g. 1 days full lift pass is 40 eur - half that of elsewhere), but I am delighted its still going strong and not a victim of climate change This place is totally no frills, functional, smaller than mainstream and much lower - 800m - 1300m IIRC but has everything you need - plenty of snow, enough ski runs to quietly practice, has some new lifts by the looks of things, nice cheap restaurants and indoor packed lunch places for the budget conscious French family. It is also unique as you ski amongst deciduous trees which are stunning when covered with frost and different from the pine christmas trees of alpine resorts.
Dont go to the alps, try here - the nearest "mini" resort to Calais, which is in the Vosge mountains, 400 miles from Calais, 200 miles from Paris so Parisiens, Belgians and Dutch a plenty but zero Brits - which can be a mercy So you can drive in one go and go via Belgium (toll free) and fuel in Luxembourg (low tax petrol). Having your car means cheap accomodation and ski hire down the mountain, 10 min drive in the morning to free car park and quiet in the evenings. Where is this marvellous place - Labresse Hohneck - http://youtube.com/v/OrUBIIhyb7c is one video I quickly found. No one will judge you, no-one will care.
Basically, back then - absolutely all-costs (inc, food, tolls, petrol, ski school etc.) for family of 5 for half term weeks skiing cost 2.5k at Labresse when in a "proper" resort, it would be at least double - we skied twice that year with the saving. Nowadays 7k and kids are grown up but I would like to go back there. Have a great trip wherever you go.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I did a cheapish (for a solo) trip last year to 3 Valleys:
Flights to Geneva: Free using Avios obtained from a Amex Credit Card.
Transfers: Altibus return coach = £110
Accomodation: I found a cheap and cheerful ski in ski out apartment in Les Menuires (look at Vrbo or Booking.com) = £475
Pass: if you dont need the whole 3 valleys then a 6 day local pass = £265
Skis/boots = I had previously bought kit on Ebay for the equiv cost of rental (£150) =£0
All in (excl food/lessons/kit) = £850
I actually had a mate come and stay for 2 days of skiing and he chipped in £150 which brought the cost down further...
After all it is free
After all it is free
@AliAfro, I may be missing something here, but if you add in the cost of flights and boots/boards, that doesn't sound significantly cheaper than some of the 1/2 board package deals.
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.
@draig if you can find a 1/2 board package deal for a solo traveller in the 3 valleys for a similar price then I'd be keen to see it.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
As a Noob, my knowledge of particular resorts is currently almost Zero. Is 3 Valleys towards the top end of the market?
All I'm able to jusdge by so far is what's listed as being included in a travel package and how fewer shekels will be in my wallet.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
(Just because I 
This place is totally no frills, functional, smaller than mainstream and much lower - 800m - 1300m IIRC but has everything you need - plenty of snow, enough ski runs to quietly practice, has some new lifts by the looks of things, nice cheap restaurants and indoor packed lunch places for the budget conscious French family. It is also unique as you ski amongst deciduous trees which are stunning when covered with frost and different from the pine christmas trees of alpine resorts.
