 Poster: A snowHead
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We've got a group of 9 (possibly 10 if we can twist his arm!), we've got the week 18/19th - 25/26th Jan nailed on (after much faffing!), we're thinking ideally a catered chalet although a half board hotel isnt out of the question.
I was hoping to leave it as late as possible as we're not overly bothered where we go, the best snow we can get is probably the main factor (All reasonable skiiers/boarders)
How late would you leave it to book?
My inital plan was early December but then a lot can change in a month and a bit
Book early - flights slightly cheaper, its sorted but could be stuck in a resort with an excess of grass/mud/rocks
Book late - accomodation for 9 likely to be limited, flights likely to have gone up...
Any thoughts?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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For a group of 9, I'd not leave it much later than now. Things will be filling up pretty quickly, especially if your preference is to all stay together. Just pick somewhere high with a good snow record, like 3V or Paradiski.
Personally, in your position I'd be very tempted to book the Chalet Leman in La Tania with Snow Retreat:
https://www.snowretreat.co.uk/news/prices-and-availability/
It was absolutely excellent when we stayed there a couple of years ago in January.
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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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@Jefbenitez, if you’re happy waiting to see if areas like Portes de Soleil, Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc ski areas get decent snow, you might get away with leaving it until a couple of weeks before departure. Lower altitude Austrian resorts likely to have decent availability too. Similarly southern alp areas like Serre Chevalier, Milky Way, Alpe D’Huez/L2A.
This assumes you’re not too fussed about quality of accommodation, proximity to lifts, closeness to village centres, stunning views from balconies, etc.
If you’re fussed about those things and would prefer places like 3V, Paradiski, Espace Killy, Arlberg Valley, Verbier, (more snow sure bigger areas), I’d be looking now and trying to haggle a discount for a largeish group.
You could, of course, book convenient flights now but leave your choice of accommodation until much later. That then restricts where you go but a major gateway airport, eg Geneva, still leaves you plenty choice.
If a decent price, I think @sugamomma666’s suggestion has a lot going for it. I’m a fan of La Tania. Top class ski area without feeling too ripped off, as long as you don’t buy anything whatsoever when passing through Courchevel 1850.
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Aren’t those dates low season? Not peak. You might have leeway there.
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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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@Jefbenitez,
Personally I'd book now to ensure all on same flight & transfer, and in same accommodation.
Later you leave it the less choice there will be, especially if it is a poor snow start to the season - all the resorts with decent snow will be totally (or close to it) booked up.
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@Jefbenitez, tricky one. Before we had kids and therefore going low season as you are. But with a slightly smaller group of like minded people we would often leave it until a week to 10 days beforehand. However, there are less catered chalet holidays these days and your group may not be of that brinkmanship mindset.
I've always thought the idea of waiting on snow conditions was a bit of a dud idea. Because the weather can turn in a matter of days. So a week to 10 days out things can not that great but you get a massive dump a couple of days before or even while you are there and suddenly things are transformed.
Personally for a larger group I would book as early as possible unless as I say the group is happy to leave it until a week before in hope of scoring a bargain.
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For a group of 9, I'd not leave it much later than now.
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This, if you want a catered chalet and minimum faff.
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Chalet Leman above is a good suggestion. We've stayed with Snow Retreat twice, and both were good. I like la Tania as a 3V base too.
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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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Recently we have twice had to shift hotel to another country, because there was almost zero off piste skiable - which cost us. Our reaction, over both a Jan and a February holiday the last 2 years, we have booked fights and a van and then waited till a week before to book for a group of 5. By then we had a reasonable idea of snow prospects. Having transport we were prepared to stay somewhere more inconvenient/ outside the resort and self-cater combined with eating out, if required. So far it has worked out but it makes me very nervous (it was a group decision). In all 4 holidays were going to Switzerland or Austria, but might have considered other places.
On top of this in Val d'Isere area, the week before Christmas, we have had the best snow of our season the last 4 years.
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As mid Jan is low season, it is feasible to wait to the last minute, and be able to find something suitable.
However, for me, the deciding factor is whether all 9/10 people are comfortable leaving it to the last minute, and it's unlikely that all 9/10 will be comfortable with this.
Almost all my recent ski trips have been booked last minute (i.e. within a few hours of leaving the UK), but the vast majority of these have been for 2 to 4 people who all comfortable with last minute bookings.
A while back, I regularly booked a trip for exclusive use of a catered chalet for the week mid Jan for around 10 people. for these trips, I'd typically book a couple of months in advance, knowing that some people want a bit more certainty. Around the same time, I'd book trips for 4 to 6 people at the last minute, as I knew they'd all be OK with a last minute decision. Then again, we once had a group of 8, and I though we'd agreed to wait till the last minute to book, and then someone panicked and booked (without checking first with anyone else) about 6 weeks out.
If you do want to leave it late to book, and you're happy the rest of the party are with that approach, then I'd start a shortlist of options a few weeks prior to travel, and check, say, every week if they are all still available (and if not, look for alternatives)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Paradiski currently have a "half price" sale on lift passes including January if that sways anything
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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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@nosnowinsomerset, the half price weeks are w/c 18/04 & 25/04. Mid Jan is discounted 348 > 278.50.
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