 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello everyone, nice to meet you all.
I'm a new snowboarder, I've started snowboarding this year in Chile, where I did 2 days of skiing and 3 days of snowboarding.
I'm on the beginner level for sure, I can keep my balance on the snowboard, but still have lots to learn.
This late November / early December, I want to go to snowboard in Europe, on a short budget.
I don't want to spend more than 1000 euros over 9 days.
I am very confused about the prices in Snowtrex because they seem too good to be true, but then again, idk anything about skiing in Europe.
I'm specifically LOOKING HERE
The most important filter for me is the distance between the lodging to the lift.
I don't drive at all, and I don't want to explode my budget with transportation, so this is non optional.
I'm here to ask all of you with experience, is this website legit and are the prices right?
Or will I be surprised with a fee here, a fee there, etc etc?
Like, what should I expect other than: Pay solid price online -> travel to the country -> travel to the mountain lodge -> settle -> snowboard?
Also, this is my first time going to Europe and I will be going alone, so I would rather avoid places that don't like tourists/english speakers very much
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Kasper, Late November / early December isn't really the main ski season in Europe.
The website you link to is entirely legit, but the headline prices listed will expect that you are a group of four filling an apartment, the "complete price table" links will give you more detail.
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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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Chile is mostly "full board" and the process in portillo for example include lift tickets and transfers. Look closely at exactly what you're buying: it may be different.
I don't think there's anywhere they don't like English speakers or tourists.
Look at maps to work out if you can ride in/out, it's quite common if that's your thing.
The first thousand days per so are the toughest.
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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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| rjs wrote: |
@Kasper, Late November / early December isn't really the main ski season in Europe.
The website you link to is entirely legit, but the headline prices listed will expect that you are a group of four filling an apartment, the "complete price table" links will give you more detail. |
Is it snowy enough even if it's off main season? It's really hard to find this kind of information as an outsider lol.
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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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@Kasper, There will probably be snow at that time but the lifts may not be running yet in most resorts, higher resorts may be fully open or only at weekends. Companies like Snowtrex that organize some different parts of a holiday don't start that early so you may need to do it yourself.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Kasper, UCPA is your friend for this I think. There is one in Val Thorens - great for early season.
I think there first week is Dec 13th. If you can go that week that is just over a thousand euros including transfer, bed in shared room, meals, equipment, lift pass - but no tuition.
https://www.ucpa.co.uk/booking/activity/76374
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@Kasper, There will be very few resorts open at this time. Maybe either Ischgl or Val Thorens otherwise only really glaciers which generally offer limited skiing with often poor weather. Much better to wait a week or two when there will be a much bigger selection of places to go.
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@Kasper, I'd go with Layne's suggestion of UCPA in Val Thorens in the week beginning December 13th, but do sign up for lessons too - you'll have a much better time.
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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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| Layne wrote: |
@Kasper, UCPA is your friend for this I think. There is one in Val Thorens - great for early season.
I think there first week is Dec 13th. If you can go that week that is just over a thousand euros including transfer, bed in shared room, meals, equipment, lift pass - but no tuition.
https://www.ucpa.co.uk/booking/activity/76374 |
Yeah I can wait till December. UCPA doesn't seem to have a lot of private rooms tho, which I'd need due to remote work.
I had no idea the lifts would be closed so close to the season, that weighs on my decision for sure.
Should I want until late December / early January?
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Early January is the best time to ski in France. Affordable, snow is usually the best and not crowdy.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Snowtrex & Sunweb are both reputable & been around for a number of years.
Prices are legit. Accomodation + lift pass deals.
Your only chance late November would be high. Stubai or Tux & stay in Mayrhofen (easier from Innsbruck) or Kaprun (easier from salzburg) glaciers in Austria spring to mind.
As you dont drive, getting to the french alps is a lot more expensive than getting around in Austria. Munich offers easy (cheap flix bus or trains) access to Austria as well.
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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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not more than 1000 for 9 days including what?
November / early December i cannot think something except the Glacier in Austria and Tignes in Frankreich.
However assuming you want to ski 8 days (?) i do not see how you can keep the costs below 1000 according to the pass prices
I think there is no place in Alps where they dont like tourists/english speakers very much
Maybe a super luxus Hotel in St. Moritz where you are not allowed to go for dinner with casual outfit, otherwise you would not have a problem.
as regards as distance between the lodging to the lift. do not trust what they said.
Try from google maps to find where is exactly a hotel, or residence .
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@Kasper, for late November/early December, good snow, low cost, and English friendly, your best bet is to join the Snowheads Pre-Season Bash: https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=52715 PSB2025 Sat 29th Nov - 6th Dec 2025 Tignes le Lac. Twin room (shared), dinner, lift pass, airport transfer included for around 800€.
There will be a handful of snowboarders, possibly two handfuls - among 150-200 Snowheads.
I hope to be there myself (a snowboarder).
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You know it makes sense.
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| Kasper wrote: |
| UCPA doesn't seem to have a lot of private rooms tho, which I'd need due to remote work. |
In that case yes UCPA won't work - although worth contacting them to see if they have any facilities for this.
As above Sunweb and Snowtrex are legit. You can also book through tourist information websites or local agencies.
If you are working I am guessing you may need good wifi.
| Kasper wrote: |
| Should I want until late December / early January? |
Pre-Christmas is quiet and cheap but obviously conditions can be sketchy and not everything may be fully open on and off slopes.
Christmas week is quite busy.
New Year week is veeery busy.
Post-new year is cheaper and less busy but can be bleak weather wise.
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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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@Kasper, in Europe most accommodation is relatively close to the lifts / slopes. For cheaper deals you might need a (usually free) resort bus morning and evening, and you would need to check if these have started running in November / early December.
It isn't like the US where many drive drive to the resort from a nearby town.
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Poster: A snowHead
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All the European ski resorts are in it as a major tourist industry of which the British must be a major customer, so they all like us. Most of Europe speaks English as a second language especially in the tourist areas. Don't worry about anybody not liking English speakers. If you speak with an American accent just explain you are from Chile not the USA. Donald Trump has done so much damage to how Europe views the USA! But even then everybody will be polite to you.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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It has already been said here that late Nov, early Dec is not the best time to come skiing or snowboarding. The ski season in Europe doesn't really get going until mid Dec. You are coming from a long way, so to avoid disappointment, the best snow weather will be Jan and Dec. Check out the weather forecasts for the resorts you want.
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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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Please also be aware that remote working on vacation is not legal, unless you or your employer have allowance for this. Of course many people ignore it, since it is difficult but not impossible to trace.
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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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Kasper has not said which country he is interested in. I have done most of my skiing in France and I love it there. What country would others recommend to Kasper?
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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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| Mankei wrote: |
| Please also be aware that remote working on vacation is not legal, unless you or your employer have allowance for this. Of course many people ignore it, since it is difficult but not impossible to trace. |
How does that work? Surely that has to a working condition in the contract between employer and employee. Nothing to do with the Law.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| TCSC47 wrote: |
| Kasper has not said which country he is interested in. I have done most of my skiing in France and I love it there. What country would others recommend to Kasper? |
I too ski in France. I think France, with it's shoeboxes and purpose built resorts is geared up for someone on a "short budget". And there is high options for early season skiing. But yes, it's far from the only option.
I think budget wise Andorra or Bulgaria come into play. Austria too of course.
Depends what the OP wants/prioritises?
Wonder why they are coming to Europe anyway given they only just started out? If you are on a tight budget it's a long way to come...
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@TCSC47, you need a visa to work in Europe if you are not an EU citizen. Remote working counts
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Reality is nobody is going to know if your work is online/remote. The guy is only here for a week or so.
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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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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| ... you need a visa to work in Europe if you are not an EU citizen. Remote working counts |
I think you're mistaken, depending on exactly what you mean. Let's not derail the guy's thread - he wasn't asking for legal advice.
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@phil_w, I wasnt giving him legal advice, i was responding to someone else's comment.
Anyway, pre season bash. Job done
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I know you've said you've only done 3 days snowboarding, so it will depend on what sort of runs you've been going on and feel comfortable on and possibly off-piste..
Bulgaria will be cheap. France could be done cheaply but it is tougher and of course the lift pass will be quite a bit of the overall cost.
I usually put together a spreadsheet with the following...
accom 691
flights 350
lift pass 250
transfer 129
ski hire 140
These prices will vary of course and may or may not include food.
Then you can compare and contrast some offers. Some will include some of those costs and some will not...
Austria could be good as well, as well as Italy.
I think that La Rosiere could be a good option - or possibly stay in La Thuile and then potentially visit La Rosiere. Serre Chevalier is a great space as well. I would be avoiding the bigger areas - they will bump the expense up, but could be done as well. It may well be possible to stay in lower quality accommodation and of course sharing would halve a lot of that cost as well, but am guessing you are going on your own?
As others have said Dec 13th onwards is the date to aim for, but Christmas and New Year will bump the price up a lot as will the February UK school holidays and then Easter, but that is April or so
and would be a little late.
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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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| Mankei wrote: |
| Please also be aware that remote working on vacation is not legal, unless you or your employer have allowance for this. Of course many people ignore it, since it is difficult but not impossible to trace. |
Not an issue. I'm legally a Italian citizen and I port the Italian passport, so, if I'm not wrong, I'm allowed to work as long as I'm in an EU country, but thanks for the warning!
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| Layne wrote: |
| TCSC47 wrote: |
| Kasper has not said which country he is interested in. I have done most of my skiing in France and I love it there. What country would others recommend to Kasper? |
I too ski in France. I think France, with it's shoeboxes and purpose built resorts is geared up for someone on a "short budget". And there is high options for early season skiing. But yes, it's far from the only option.
I think budget wise Andorra or Bulgaria come into play. Austria too of course.
Depends what the OP wants/prioritises?
Wonder why they are coming to Europe anyway given they only just started out? If you are on a tight budget it's a long way to come... |
Great questions, let me clarify:
The flight prices are out of the budget limit, and so is food.
My short budget is just regarding: accommodations, lift pass, snowboard equipment rental and transportation.
The budget is ONLY regarding the snowboarding bit of the trip. I've been wanting to go to European cold countries for a long time, I'm just finally able to
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You know it makes sense.
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Accommodation is simple down to what you want to pay for. You've already said you need/want privacy so won't share - so that's the first thing. France is known for it's shoeboxes i.e., small apartment size. You can get studios down to 20m2. People (like myself) are fine with it because we just eat, chill and sleep there. We don't want/need too much space or luxury. Bigger and more luxurious apartments are available in France but less so elsewhere.
Lift pass is pretty much just related to the size of the ski domain. If you don't need it (because you are beginner, old, don't do that much skiing or are happy to do the same runs every day) then you can go to smaller places with cheaper passes.
If you are renting equipment you don't have to worry about transportation costs. Just shop around online for best deals.
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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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| Layne wrote: |
Accommodation is simple down to what you want to pay for. You've already said you need/want privacy so won't share - so that's the first thing. France is known for it's shoeboxes i.e., small apartment size. You can get studios down to 20m2. People (like myself) are fine with it because we just eat, chill and sleep there. We don't want/need too much space or luxury. Bigger and more luxurious apartments are available in France but less so elsewhere.
Lift pass is pretty much just related to the size of the ski domain. If you don't need it (because you are beginner, old, don't do that much skiing or are happy to do the same runs every day) then you can go to smaller places with cheaper passes.
If you are renting equipment you don't have to worry about transportation costs. Just shop around online for best deals. |
Yep, France sounds pretty good then. I already live 24/7 on a shoebox, would be glad to do it on my trip.
Also, small ski domain is completely fine. Thanks!
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