 Poster: A snowHead
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Was looking at booking up and will probably just do another First Choice package unless you guys can inform me of a better way?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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DIY 
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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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DIY too...... I hate being told by tour operators that on my departure day I have to get a 6am coach for a 12 30 pm flight, I'd sooner have my destiny in my own hands!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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DIY, or admintours 
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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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I've used Crystal, FC, Thomson, etc without any trouble.
I do think that, for most, DIY is a pointless option and is generally talked about with a degree of smugness. Unless you have specific requirements for departure dates, smaller resorts, etc, there's just no point.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Last four trips booked through Crystal either via website or over the phone. No problems whatsoever. DIY is a good idea for some but pointless for someone like me. At lot of it depends on your circumstances and requirements.
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Mangokids for when its me and the rugrats, single parent specialists. Or as jonm, says admintours for just me!
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| hyweljenkins wrote: |
| Unless you have specific requirements for departure dates, smaller resorts, etc, there's just no point. |
I saved £300+ on flights/accom/transfers compared to the same holiday with Crystal (£800 for 2 adults/1child vs £1100+), and that with a private taxi. I'd argue that's a pretty good point
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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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Lots of smaller UK based companies out there that offer good value for money. You just need to do a little more research but I think you can beat the prices offered by some of the above listed operators for comparable or better experiences.
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To me the big benefit of TUI (Crystal/Thomson/First Choice) is regional airport departures. It saves a lot of time and money being able to fly from an airport less than an hour away. Many of the smaller TOs only offer Gatwick and maybe Manchester. So depending on where you live, that could be an important factor.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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I've done both DIY & TO. With normally just the two of us going what normally clinches the deal is the transfer. Some resorts have their own transfer arrangements which you can book through their website - great. Otherwise it's not worth hiring a car just for the transfer & taxi could be very expensive. I've never had any problems whatsoever with transfers when going with a TO - no waiting hours for other flights to arrive or getting to the airport on the way home 6 hours before the flight. But then we would be on the Gatwick flight so would probably tend to be the main flight.
Usually go with Inghams but I've also used Ski Independence for Canada, Crystal, Mark Warner and Ski Total. Never had any problems 
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| Quote: |
Departure/return date (Friday to 2nd Sunday instead of Saturday: = 8 day instead of 6 day skiing) is big enough benefit
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Whenever I DIY I always try to work my departure / return in order to maximise my skiing time. This years trip to soll was timed so we arrived friday evening and left Saturday night giving us 8 days skiing instead of the TO 6 day offering. I only get 1 or 2 trips a year so every day counts. Same goes for any weekend trips I plan. I will arrive at night and leave at night so I can have 3 or 4 days skiing for 1 or 2 days off work, no tour op would give me that
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You know it makes sense.
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DIY or "sH snowtours".
Not booked a package as such since an Inghams ski trip a good decade or so back.
edit: tried expedia once, but (a) they screwed up, and (b) in the end the flight was cheaper direct from the airline than it was via expedia
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Tue 23-02-10 21:12; edited 1 time in total
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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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For summer trips we stopped using TOs when daughter became too old to happily share with younger brother. TOs recommended 1 bedroomed s/catered cupboards with father/son in the bedroom and mother/daughter sharing a sofabed. We discovered DIY got us far more space at lower cost due to the underoccupancy ripoff. I imagine it's the same with ski TOs and families.
My ski trips have been with Thomson, SkiWorld, another small one whose name I forget and DIY. Although far more work, DIY has been cheaper. I do however take Queen B's point about having to travel to distant airports - it is a right pain to drive past several perfectly good airports en route to a departure point!
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Poster: A snowHead
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I haven't used a TO for years, last few times I did, I went with Inghams.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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DIY usually. I have used Crystal, Inghams and Nielson at other times though when it's been advantageous.
| Quote: |
| I do think that, for most, DIY is a pointless option and is generally talked about with a degree of smugness. |
I paid £425 each for half term in Laax last week, Crystal wanted £900. Smug yes, pointless I don't think so.
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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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| Quote: |
I do think that, for most, DIY is a pointless option and is generally talked about with a degree of smugness. Unless you have specific requirements for departure dates, smaller resorts, etc, there's just no point.
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Here are a few smug points (based on Austria):
(1) You can go for a duration other than whole weeks.
(2) Hoteliers are nicer to their private guests - you get better rooms, better tables, they keep in touch, you get made offers. Seriously you get better treatment because they are not giving margin away to TO. And... you don't pay til the day you leave (other than maybe a small deposit)
(3) You can fly at civilised times on proper airlines that use proper airports (sorry did snobby there and not smuggy)
(4) You don't have to mix with riff raff (there I go again)
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I'm a fan of Ski Safari. I always found it difficult to believe that a company could beat any price I could find myself, but they often can. They seem to get bulk discounts on scheduled flights, and you can often reserve flights months ahead, securing your price, but without committment.
As they are independent, you can pretty much choose your flights to suit. They also have lots of free night offers on accommodation. However, they only do USA, Canada, Switzerland, Japan and Chile.
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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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| abc wrote: |
Pretty simple, really.
Those who DIY spend a good bit of time and found good prices on their own will never go back to any TO.
Those who spend a good bit of time and found good botique TO that meet their individual requirements will never to back to big TO nor start DIY.
Those who always gone with TO because they never found good DIY options will give up trying and stay with TO.
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That is extremely over-simplistic, and somewhat insulting to the last category.
Sometimes, one option is better, sometimes another is better.
To suggest that anybody who has managed to do DIY will never go back to TO is just ridiculous. That is just the way you react, not the way everybody does.
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So, depending on personal preference and requirements, each TO have faithful followings.
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That is the important thing.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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DiY gives you more choice and flexability but I guess its best to look around and see what deals are on offer!!!
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Surely it depends on WHEN you're going e.g. in school hols DIY is much cheaper IME but I've only driven DIY so no transfer cost. Other times you can get some good deals e.g. from Crystal that are hard to beat if you can put up with "Tracey the rep" meeting you at the airport (apologies to SHs called Tracey - you know I don't mean you). Regards.
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I can't understand why everyone gets so hung up on transfers when DIYing. Yes public transport is shite in the UK, but in Europe (Austria, Germany and Switzerland anyway) it's great - usually faster and much cheaper than hiring a car.
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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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| clarky999 wrote: |
| I can't understand why everyone gets so hung up on transfers when DIYing. Yes public transport is shite in the UK, but in Europe (Austria, Germany and Switzerland anyway) it's great - usually faster and much cheaper than hiring a car. |
But the cost of transfers usually outweighs whatever savings you would have made no the flights & accommodation, at least when travelling solo as I do.
I have several times tried to see if I could match the deal I was getting from the TO, and wouuld have been about the same, if not for the transfer costs.
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clarky999, public transport alternative to my TO transfer for my forthcoming trip would involve a bus, two trains, another bus and a bit of a walk, not to mention carrying all my gear between each stage. TO door-to-door bus in half the time is going to win every time, not to mention the cost factor as described by alex_heney.
I think the TO v DIY threads have been done to death and I'm happy with the summary that DIY is cheaper and works well for some, but for a solo traveller who can only take one calendar week off work, it really doesn't add up.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I did diy but now i always use a t/o via a late booking. There is no way I can negotiate enough discount on room rates to get anywhere near t/o rates at a decent hotel and add that to the times I have had flights cancelled and divereted etc missing hire cars I, personally, find t/o s a miles better option. If I had a set date, destination and larger group travelling though in a peak week I may be tempted to check out diy again.
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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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| Quote: |
public transport alternative to my TO transfer for my forthcoming trip would involve a bus, two trains, another bus and a bit of a walk, not to mention carrying all my gear between each stage. TO door-to-door bus in half the time is going to win every time, not to mention the cost factor as described by alex_heney.
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Of course it depends where you go, but most of the Tirolean resorts and Salzburger resorts can be reached with either one train or a train and bus combo. And it's not that hard to drag a suitcase and ski bag of a bus or train.
I'm not saying it's always the best option, but loads of people seem to not even consider, just 'cos they're used to crap public transport here.
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| alex_heney wrote: |
| clarky999 wrote: |
| I can't understand why everyone gets so hung up on transfers when DIYing. Yes public transport is shite in the UK, but in Europe (Austria, Germany and Switzerland anyway) it's great - usually faster and much cheaper than hiring a car. |
But the cost of transfers usually outweighs whatever savings you would have made no the flights & accommodation, at least when travelling solo as I do.
I have several times tried to see if I could match the deal I was getting from the TO, and wouuld have been about the same, if not for the transfer costs. |
Funny, I found traveling solo is when DIY via public transport wins.
As a solo traveler, hiring a car is never going to make sense. Having to bear the entire hiring cost simply blows the total cost out the window.
| queen bodecia wrote: |
| clarky999, public transport alternative to my TO transfer for my forthcoming trip would involve a bus, two trains, another bus and a bit of a walk, not to mention carrying all my gear between each stage. TO door-to-door bus in half the time is going to win every time, not to mention the cost factor as described by alex_heney. |
So far, all the lodging places I've booked send a car to pick me up at the train station. So walking while dragging my gear was never an issue.
And I've been lucky in that my destination was never more than a train ride away. No bus involved, not even once.
I used to send my skis with the railway. But ever since I got a hard case with wheels, I've been content to drag it along with me instead.
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You know it makes sense.
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| hyweljenkins wrote: |
I've used Crystal, FC, Thomson, etc without any trouble.
I do think that, for most, DIY is a pointless option and is generally talked about with a degree of smugness. Unless you have specific requirements for departure dates, smaller resorts, etc, there's just no point. |
That is a bit smug 
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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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DIY'd for years, but switched to packages a couple of years ago to save on hassle and time.
Have used iglu x2 and neilson x2
Neilson > Iglu.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Du Glacier Hotel in Saas Fee with Crystal - £1,100pp inc. flights and transfers. Book direct - £2,300 before flights and transfers. Based on two people.
Residence du Floret in Flaine with Crystal - £370pp. Book direct £350 inc. flights & transfers. Based on 7 people.
Silvretta Park, Klosters with Iglu - £773pp. Book direct - £730 inc flight but exc transfers. Based on four people.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 24-02-10 12:57; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| hyweljenkins wrote: |
| ...is generally talked about with a degree of smugness.. |
I would agree with him on this point. DIY would seem to be some sort of Holy Grail for some Ski tourists.
| hyweljenkins wrote: |
| ...Unless you have specific requirements for departure dates, smaller resorts, etc,... |
And most of the posts from OP's above would suggest that he is also right with this point.
My TO (Crystal) week (not part week or 8 days - one week) in Jan last month was GBP 359, booked 8 weeks prior. We weren’t too fussy where we wanted to go, some flexibly on airport, flexible on exact dates.
And when 40 pairs skis & boards (yes 40) went missing on the outbound fight it was the TO rep that arranged free ski hire, refunded the ski carriage, and arranged for the skis to be delivered to the hotel two days later.
If I was DIYing I would have to have dealt with it on my jack.
And before someone gets on their high horse about TO’s losing the skis/boards, it was the carrier who offloaded them, nothing to do with Crystal.
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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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| Quote: |
And before someone gets on their high horse about TO’s losing the skis/boards, it was the carrier who offloaded them, nothing to do with Crystal
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You have a contract with Crystal. The underlying reason of delayed baggage/skis may be the fault of one of their subcontracted suppliers, but you have paid Crystal for the shipping of the skis. Therefore it is up to Crystal to put right.
edit: assuming you booked directly with Crystal, and not via a conventional travel agency.
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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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| andy wrote: |
| You have a contract with Crystal. |
Correct, and if I was on a DIY trip (horses for courses) I would have had to deal with the problem myself, instead I just went Sking and left the rep to it (good job Ben).
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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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Surely it's horses for courses.
I cannot imagine that someone on a tight budget will get much better value than a late booked TO holiday particularly low season equally if you want ot maximise time it is pretty difficlut with a TO to get a Sat-Sun holiday thus getting an extra day often when the slopes are quieter.
Going school holiday times I find DIY far cheaper than the equivalent TO package though there is rarely a directly comparable package to what I wish to do.
The snow is the same whichever you use. Travelling I find the occasional hassles with car hire less irritating than the transfer coach delays and shuffles and ultra early rises though it is not really a major part of the holiday.
With one exception in North America I have found slf catering accommodation better when self booked by looking around than when I have taken ackages. Canot imagine there is a lot of difference in hotels, maybe they are a bit friendlier to the DIYer but I can't say I ever noticed a probelm on the very few hotel packages I have done.
Never found resort reps useful for anything. One time when the skis arrived late it was hardly a problem to contact the airline arrange rental and claim the money from the airline. Have had hassles inthe past trying to claim anything form TO's when the accommodation was totally different from that described in the brochure though I believe this is less of a problem nowadays.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| T Bar wrote: |
| Surely it's horses for courses. |
Totally agree, as I’ve said.
My only ‘issue’ I have with is the Snobbery value applied by some DIY people.
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| transfer coach delay |
Guess I’ve been lucky with my ten years of TO ski trips, I’ve never has an unacceptable transfer coach delay.
I’ve don’t have a problem (the holidays over, what do I care), never had to wait at the airport more than an hour before check-in opens.
And
| T Bar wrote: |
| accommodation was totally different from that described in the brochure |
going DIY does not prevent this from happing.
I was once told by another skier that he owned his own skis because it made him ‘part of the set at the airport’, not the reason I have my own skis – he was just a snob plain and simple.
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I've never done anything other than TO for ski holidays. The only "trouble" I've had in 20 years of doing that was on the transfer to Val d'Isere two years ago - it took five hours, simply because there was so much traffic. Going by any other option wouldn't have made a shred of difference.
I've also never had anything but good service from in-resort reps.
I take my own skis, but have started to wonder if I can be bothered with taking them just so I can avoid all that additional aggro at check-in.
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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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I use TO and do a couple of DIYers as well.
DIY gives more flexibility, If you can get Ryanair / squeezyjet flights right you end up with 7.5 days skiiing instead of 6. You also get a better choice ofresorts & accomodation, and early / Late season skiing which TOs don't seem to want to do.
TO should provide more 'noe stop shop, support, security, nothing to worry about other than snow. I use TO when taking the kids, as they can provide a 2nd line of support etc, although from next season I'll proberly DIY everything. As they have a pool of rooms allocated buy hotels etc
they often hacve availability upto 3-4 weeks prior to departure, unsold rooms are released back to hotels close to Dep date.
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Wherever I can, I like to go with Ski Olympic, following a very successful and pain free trip with a group last year.
I will never use Neilson again. Their service was cack, their rep didn't even turn up for the first 4 days of a 7 day trip, and their complaints department have done nothing more than respond with a copy and paste e-mail that says they are "investigating my complaints" - I know this because I got the exact same e-mail twice from them, they evidently must have so many complaints they can't even remember a very distinctive e-mail address sending them a fairly lengthy and detailed list of failings and overall crapness.
Otherwise, they all seem to be much of a muchness. Other than Ski Beat. I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole following a recent trip report (can open, worms everywhere)
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FAQ
