 Poster: A snowHead
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I know there's tons of stuff written about this already, but the prospect of planning a weekend skiing seems like hard work and I've been putting it off so far. The plan is somewhere in Europe probably around end of Jan, definitely not during the busy period in Feb, can anyone point me in the right direction to get started?
Have I left it too late already with cheap flights?
Is DIY the only option without paying out loads?
TIA
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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, no, yes, I mean no.
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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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Hmmmm, so many questions.....
To start, which airports in the UK do you have easy access to, and which airlines fly from there, and to where....
Then, which resorts are within easy access at the 'other end'? And do they meet your requirements, facilities wise....
Then we can get on to board and lodgings.....
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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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get your flights sorted first - everything flows from 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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OK - some details.... any airports around London are fine, so hopefully keeps the options open.
Cheers Arno - I'll look into flight tonight, had a brief look a while ago but found that many of the cheaper ones were at cr@p times, for example I would be good to have most of a day's skiing on the last day rather than a lunchtime departure.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Ok, I can tell you that EJ do Gatwick returns around about 2125 from GVA..that will help out your last days skiing..
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1. Decide on a destination, preferably within an hour or so drive of an airport. Geneva & Zurich are ones I've used before.
2. Check dates don't coincide with any major holiday periods in Europe, or at least as few as possible.
3. Book flights.
4. Go to chosen resort tourist office website, set up standard room request email and send to all Hotels/Residences etc. you remotely like the look of. (Repeat in differing resort if required)
5. Choose one from those who say yes.
6. Book car hire (or transfer if you must).
7. Start looking at resort webcams three months before trip date.
DO NOT
a) Nip round to next doors for a drink.
b) Mention it casually while half way through second bottle.
c) Allow anyone with a live credit card near a computer.
d) Allow the ladies to source accomodation whilst saying "Sod it, it is a holiday after all"
You have been warned.
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| Mosha Marc wrote: |
1
DO NOT
a) Nip round to next doors for a drink.
b) Mention it casually while half way through second bottle.
c) Allow anyone with a live credit card near a computer.
d) Allow the ladies to source accomodation whilst saying "Sod it, it is a holiday after all"
You have been warned. |
 Oh, how true! How many holidays have been booked in just this way? Most of the protagonists have NO idea where they are going or when! I'd have to say though, that IME, it's the men who are guilty of d)
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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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Mosha Marc,
It is a good choice and you will get BIG browney points...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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IMV, you've missed the cheap flights. Whilst it is sound advice to sort flights first, you appear to be saying that London airports are for you. So assuming that you are in the south east then: How many are going?. Consider driving - 4 per car alternate the driving, you could be in the Alps in 8-10hrs, cost would be less than a flight for 4 even including the channel tunnel fees. The alternative would be to leave it until the very lat minute when you might catch a flight sale (unlikely) but that is even more risky if there is a gang of you going.
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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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when/where Mosha Marc, avec or sans enfants?
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You know it makes sense.
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We have a new product for next season in our Les Coches chalets to meet demand of people wanting flexible, affordable short breaks. Basically we will be doing any day arrival 3 day catered ski breaks from £99 - £139. For details have a look at http://www.mountainsunltd.com/short_breaks/view/short-break . You can stay longer - 3, 6 or 9 days are available and arriving any day you like means you can take advantage of the cheapest flights on offer
PM me if you'd like further details.
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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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We do a similar thing but only a small apartment and no frills so have to arrange your own transfers.
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Poster: A snowHead
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kitenski, A sneaky weekend break to Megeve - adults only, six of us from our bigger trip.
The girls sorted the Hotel - please don't ask.  12th-15th March.
You're not about are 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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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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Frosty the Snowman, who's the flight with? I didn't know you could get direct flights to Salzburg from Manchester.
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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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Mosha Marc, Thomsonfly, They fly Fri, sat, sun, mon, Outbound 16.55 flight fridays, 06.05 saturdays. returns are 20.50 on Sunday and Monday. A mass of great resorts under an hour away. Last year we were in resort for 10.40 am
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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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Mosha Marc, I don't know who he used, but Thomsonfly and Thomas Cook both do them.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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alex_heney,
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Frosty the Snowman, I see, that's why I missed them. we have to go Thursdays and return Sundays 
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| Mosha Marc wrote: |
kitenski, A sneaky weekend break to Megeve - adults only, six of us from our bigger trip.
The girls sorted the Hotel - please don't ask. 12th-15th March.
You're not about are you? |
Nope, my kids free weekend is at the end of Jan.....ah well, next 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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Thanks for all the tips - I've been busy researching, looked at flights to: Zurich, Geneva, Chambery, Verona, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Grenoble. The only budget airlines I found going to these places from the south east are easyJet from luton, stanstead or gatwick and ryanair from stanstead.
Most of the flights are around £80 -£150 inc, Geneva and Salzburg look best so far based on price and flight times (aiming for early or late going out, and late on the return).
Have I missed any other airlines that are worth looking at? I'd guess BA etc would be too expensive.
Interesting idea about driving - would be pretty knacked by the time we get there though. But the idea of going by train is quite appealing - last time I looked on teh eurostar site it seemed quite expensive, like over £200, is there any way of getting it cheaper?
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| Quote: |
I'd guess BA etc would be too expensive
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Not necessarily the case. BA definitely fly to Geneva and Zurich (maybe some of the others if you check) and you might get something for around £100 (including all baggage, skis, etc, at least for the time being). Check out their prices. I'm going with BA to Zurich at half term week and only paid £115 each.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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zebedee, just a suggestion but take a look at Innsbruck on Expedia and select flight and hotel (it'll create you a package). Innsbruck is quirky maybe but a great week-end ski destination. Being a biggish city there's lots going on, loads of hotel space (especially at week-ends when the business people aren't around), it's only a short taxi from the airport and there's loads of resorts all around you and all fairly painless to get to. One lift goes directly from the north of the city. Just an idea.
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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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Bode Swiller, thanks for that I will look into it. Although from what I've seen so far there are many flights going to Innsbruck so the options are a bit more limited.
One more question and then I'll pull my finger out and book something 
Is is worth getting a really early flight, say 06:30 and trying to get to the slopes by lunchtime - or is it not worth the effort of being tired when you arrive and paying an extra day lift pass and ski hire?
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| zebedee wrote: |
| Have I missed any other airlines that are worth looking at? I'd guess BA etc would be too expensive. |
never overlook BA or Swiss - often not much difference in price, plus they fly from LHR and/or LCY so makes for much more convenient transfers at this end if you live/work in central London
use something like www.kayak.co.uk for comparing prices including the "budget" carriers
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You know it makes sense.
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4 Days in St Anton in March - best part of £1k!
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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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Nadenoodlee, 5 days in the Ski Amade, best part of £500 for the lot
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Poster: A snowHead
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zebedee, if Heathrow is convenient then also check out Swiss,com - you can usually get good time flights (i.e. going out very early, coming back late) to Zurich for about £100, but bear in mind this includes your checked in luggage and ski carriage, so compares very favourably with budget airlines.
Plenty to go at from Zurich
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| zebedee wrote: |
One more question and then I'll pull my finger out and book something
Is is worth getting a really early flight, say 06:30 and trying to get to the slopes by lunchtime - or is it not worth the effort of being tired when you arrive and paying an extra day lift pass and ski hire? |
Yes it is, we do it every time.
You'll find most places do a half day pass anyway.
You're only there for a weekend so make sure you're first on and last off.
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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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Thanks Mosha Marc, now all I need to do is get the rabble to commit before I find out the flights costs have doubled 
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FAQ
