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Reputable companies for school trip 2009??? SkiBound? Skiplan? Sports-academy?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Also survived trip to Austria with 49 kids despite incompetent ski company based in Shropshire (which were ironically 'inactiv')! Planning trip 'term time' 2009 need advice on decent company that delivers what they say! Is it all negative about SkiBound? Any comments on Ski Plan, Sports-academy??? Help!
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
JKC, Interski www.interski.co.uk have been specialising in school trips to the Aosta Valley for years. I have used them a couple of times for family (non school) trips and been very impressed with theor staff and service.
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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?
JKC, Welcome to snowHeads snowHead
Our kids school uses Interski as well, not heard any complaints Very Happy
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JKC, Oh yeah, didn't spot your post count Embarassed Welcome to snowHead 's Laughing
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
PGL and Equity Schools are companies I've worked with/for in the past who've done a good job. Colleagues have worked with Ski Gower (I think they only go to Saas Fee) quite happily - although no experience myself.
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Have checked out loads of companies over last few years, only added to confusion! Going on recommendations from other local schools to try narrow it down! Is Equity linked to SkiPlan? Heard there was a merger. SkiBound offering great term time discounts to France - but only reading negative comments on here.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
PS Thanks for welcome and advice
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
JKC, Equity/SkiPlan are one company. SkiBound/Skiclass are also linked and are owned by TUI - look out for links to/mergers with Crystal Schools (whom I don't rate, personally).

I work for SkiPlan in 2Alpes, am seeing lots of regular returning groups, if that's any use to you. Have worked for SkiBound in the past, but I've seen them cut a lot of costs recently (mainly by reducing staffing/service) and I'd be wary of the TUI connection as well.
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JKC, welcome to snowHeads

PGL
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Cheers lizzard, just to confirm - you'd recommend avoiding skibound? That's a shame; they are significantly cheaper!
Would rather pay a bit extra and get a good trip though - fallen into the trap of cheaper company and basically had to be the rep myself after spending months organising the trip first!
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Thanks all. Need as many experiences as possible.
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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.
JKC, what sort of stuff are you looking for? Where/when are you thinking about going? What wasn't delivered?
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 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
JKC - all my friends who have worked for Interski have been very impressed with them.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
JKC, I thought SkiBound in Tignes offered a pretty good service and outstanding value.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
It's good to hear positive comments as well.
Looking to go term time - preferably wk before feb half term
Good high resort with plenty of variety; Alp d'huez or Passo Tonale.
The company just needs to do what they say they'll do - clean hotels, good english speaking instructors - if problems arise; a rep which can sort them.
The last company (activ4) just got everything wrong;
- arrived at airport - coach not big enough, 3hr transfer on floor!
- we had pre-booked evening entertainment (bowling, ice-skating, shopping etc) - bowling was double booked, ice rink shut a month before we got there, shops shut at 3 etc
while out of their control (if i'm being kind) they should have checked these things and not told us they were booked.
- the rep was useless - didnt do anything but disappear!
- the receptionist at the hotel sat with me most days booking trips/buses etc (hotel Neuwirt in Axamer Lizum Austria - although basic, she was fab)
- the company then never replied to my "snag" list.

I dont want the same mess again, i want to enjoy the trip, i dont want anyone to go through what i did!

....... maybe you can see why i'm apprehensive and want a company who does the basics and delivers a hassle free trip and a rep who sorts issues out for us! I'm realistic, i know issues will always arise, but expect help from the 'experts' in dealing with them

If anyone has good or bad experiences of school travel companies i'd like to hear
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
JKC, have sent you a PM
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I have worked as an instructor for interski and can confirm that the vast majority of their clients end up thoroughly enjoying their trips!
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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?
i've worked with interski and they're good despite tiny italian resort and small ski area. if you want bigger resorts and quality, a small company called basecampgroup makes good custom offers it seems( i heard good things from fellow teachers who used them).
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frog13, Welcome to snowHead
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Just been to Saalbach to visit a PGL trip from my school. All seemed very good.

snowHead
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Pinnacle.

http://www.pinnacletravel.co.uk/channel/Ski

Worked for them in the past and would work for them again.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
JKC, Hi JKC dont know if your sorted yet, but I have just set up a new operation & all inclusive package to Austra with a company called IBT travel. I usssed to look after the sales and marketing at Interski for 10 years, so tha package is very similar to that. We had 3000 clients out this last season and the feedback was great! We also have a great team of staff in resiort to help back up the programme. Cost wise your looking at everything in for 6 days no extras £519 for termtime or 5days for only £479! bargain! would even give you free inspection visit! If your interested let me know and we can have a chat
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
JKC,
I used Interski last year and am using them again for a second trip to Pila. The staff were excellent and everything ran perfectly. Prices inlude taking the students off your hands beteen 10am and 3am. They have
4 hours of lessons and lunch. Many of the other operators only had 2 hours lessons as standard. GAve staff plenty of time to ski about each day.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
I have worked with Interski as an instructor a few times and the kids all seem to have a great time. The evening activities sound great although some kids that have the karaoke night don't like it...wonder why!

I usually go out at Easter and what I do know is that a lot of the schools keep going back year upon year which I guess counts for something.
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hello chris are you still organising school ski trips.. keano
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Chris JB wrote:
JKC, Hi JKC dont know if your sorted yet, but I have just set up a new operation & all inclusive package to Austra with a company called IBT travel. I usssed to look after the sales and marketing at Interski for 10 years, so tha package is very similar to that. We had 3000 clients out this last season and the feedback was great! We also have a great team of staff in resiort to help back up the programme. Cost wise your looking at everything in for 6 days no extras £519 for termtime or 5days for only £479! bargain! would even give you free inspection visit! If your interested let me know and we can have a chat

Hello chris are you still organising school ski trips keano
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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.
Chris JB, Hello chris are you still organising school ski trips keano
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 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
hi keano16, are you still organising school ski trips keano
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
FastEddie, yes need help.. most operators are charging too much - my numbers are dropping as prices rise..
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Hi there - I can recommend Acorn Ski -try them - they specialise in schools and families - I have been with them last three years. Cheers
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
We used http://www.321ski.co.uk for our ski trip - amd they were great. We had all of the necessary planning documents sent to us (brill as I'm a 3rd year teacher 'volunteered' by SMT) and it was really good value. We've used them now for the last 4 years and haven;t looked back - we used some of the bigger companies such as SkiPlan (nightmare & expensive!!), Equity (expensive and massive) and SkiBound (double-booked us and we no longer had doorstep skiing) and felt like we were just one of 1000's (which we probably were...!) previously but found 321ski much smaller and more personal. The director is an ex teacher so usefult to chat to about EVCs and LEA stuff. Hotel was literally on the slopes and our of the last 4 years we have always been within @30mtres of the ski lift. Looking now for Easter 2013 but can;t decide where to go - play it safe with Bad gastein (correct spelling..)?? Cool
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I have used Skiplan for the last 8 years and have recommended them to other schools within the authority, I think the number is up to 8 schools, all happy.
The only issue we had was in the last year, a resort with very little snow, after the first two days I requested a transfer to another resort, being a big company they were able to accommodate. Smaller companies don't have this facility when weather isn't too kind. At a previous school I was an EVC with all training but now just a party leader having moved schools.


keano16, would be interested to have further info based on those figures, could you PM me?



I've just looked at the IBT website, prices marginal, I'd rather have the back up
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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?
There are Pros/Cons of big vs small operators. Personally I would opt for smaller, specialist tour operators. But I have heard good things about some of the bigger outfits too.
By and large you get what you pay for. Skiing is expensive and it's more about finding a tour operator that you can trust rather than trying to save a few quid. There are so many variables; weather, travel, accommodation, food, ski instruction, ski hire, evening entertainment etc that there is always a risk that something will go wrong. It's how the company responds. If there is a problem that the Ski Rep can't/isn't dealing with then it's the Party Leader's job to call head office and kick off so it gets sorted. A school ski trip is big money and a Party Leader has a lot of bargaining power. If you do not get a satisfactory response from the Tour Operator then DO NOT accept compensation in the form of a discount for the next year. Shop around, there will be better tour operators out there who will deliver good value.
Try a quote from Inspired Travel (.net). It's a small operator run by ex-teachers so you are not going to "commute" an hour to the slopes or get bounced when the hotel is double booked.
Sorting the basic stuff helps avoid grumpy kids and disaffected parents. The tour operator should help you run a successful trip not make life more difficult...
good luck
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