 Poster: A snowHead
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Thinking about not booking our ski week in advance this year.
There will be about 10 of us and although we would like to stay together, if we end up in two hotels or chalets in the same resort that would be OK.
We are not too fussy on the resort, so this would give us the flexibility to book late for somewhere with good snow and hopefully get a real bargain. Planning to go early march.
Anyone got any comments on this idea or any examples of deals they have got by holding off booking until late in the day.
Thanks
Simon
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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No personal experience but i am often amazed at how cheap some of the last minute deals are on the weekly email that the SCGB sends around in the season.
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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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I've found Skiworld's site pretty good as you can see how many rooms are available when you go into the online booking-sometimes some of the chalet/club hotels have as many as 20-25 rooms available only just a few weeks before..
If going in March then i guess if you get a price of anything between 270-350 pounds each would be a good price but thats based on getting a fairly late deal with the likes of Skiworld,First Choice and Crystal nothing fancy but not bad either.
I've got better deals sometimes 6-8 weeks before than waiting till the very last minute-sometimes some of the tour ops offer 2 for 1 deals months in advance so they be worth looking out for too.
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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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If you book early now as a group you can tend to find prices of 180-240 pounds for a week and that's including ski pass. PM me to find out the site 
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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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Timmaah, Does that include meals,wine with the meal plus flights and transfers as that sounds VERY cheap anyway especially if it includes ski pass too.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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simski81, if you are thinking of france be aware that the first week in March is one of the busiest - the second week should be ideal.
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Atomic_Mick, no no, only accomodation and ski pass. Meal deal I think is like 50 pounds on top.
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simski81, I've done a few last-minute catered chalet deals; £169 Selva 3* 3rd week Mar 1999; £169 Montgenevre 2* 4th week Mar 2001; £269 Selva 3* 2nd week Mar 2002; £119 Belle-Plagne 4* 2nd week Jan 2003; £199 Val Thorens 4* 2nd week Jan 2005, all found on teletext, just to give you an idea.
You are going to struggle:
1st week in March isn't really off-season, you need to be looking early Jan (after New Year), mid-Mar onwards (but not Easter weeks) for the real bargains
It's gonna be difficult to get 10 places in one spot, I couldn't even get 4 in VT! All the above were for 2 and 3 sharing. You may have more luck with a Club Hotel that some tour ops run.
If there's a lack of snow anywhere, that will be cheap; anywhere with good snow will be priced accordingly.
Best bargains evaporate almost instantly, so you won't have time to consult everyone before booking.
I'm not saying it will be impossible, but you'll need to be flexible about resorts and dates (difficult with 10 people that need to book time off) and may have to pay a bit more than you hoped. It might be worth going DIY and renting a self catering chalet between 10 of you.
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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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In the past I've often had good last minute deals, but for most of those I've been on my own or just 2 or 3 others.
For 10 people you'll probably need to split into smaller groups, which means that more than one of you needs to be prepared to do some of the organising.
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Wait for a late deal is great if you are 2 or maybe 4 and you are not too fussed on resort (ie you have a few in mind) but 10 - you're brave and may miss out. Getting 10 into one unit is unlikely and what you save on the late deal may be eaten into by the lack of group discount. Prices will rise also before then so book now, get the resort you want, get the property you want, get the location you want and it's in the bag with people committed. Come March you may find people haven't allocated funds and it's like the hokey cokey - they're in one minute and out the next - with you rippping your hair out at your indecisive friends oh and then you suddenly have an empty bed to pay for as all the rooms are twins and you have 9 but then again you may get lucky - best of luck...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I agree with previous posts. I always try for late deals but the big discounts are available only early or late season. Even with only two of us early March has always been difficult and we have to hope for cancellations and then be prepared to pay the brochure price. It is very nerve wracking as the chosen date approaches and nothing is yet booked. I wouldn't attempt it for 10. Book early and go for the best incentives for early booking and group discounts.
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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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simski81, so I guess you gotta ask yourself punk, are ya feelin' lucky? (in Dirty Harry-Clint Eastwood stylee)
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FAQ
We did however pay less for two weeks than the other guests paid for their week 
It was the last room in the chalet both times.
