 Poster: A snowHead
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Any suggestions for a good company to travel with at Easter next year.
Have tried SkiPlan this year and even though we are yet to go on the trip I would never use them again.
I have children ranging from 3-13yrs old and also take parents as well so need a company that is sympathetic to that type of group. No coaches though, flying only.
Any ideas?
thanks
Thommo
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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jctveat, I can recommend a company called Snow Slippers but they only really offer one area in Austria's sportswelt amadé region. They are excellent and have a huge number of returning groups, both school and adult ones.
This is their web-site: http://www.snowslippers.co.uk/
They are not a big company but they have all the right protections in place and are highly thought of by the local suppliers because they pay promptly and do not try to spare down the costs to the minimum while hiking prices to the customers. I know of them through a couple of the suppliers and also have met the directors. They both come from the education field and are aware of the challenges facing school ski trip leaders these days.
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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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Rocketski? Not done for a school trip but was impressed when planning a private trip for a small group (didn't go in the end so no idea view on final deliverable, but reviews were good).
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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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Hi Thommo
I'm also a teacher and have used SkiPlan a few times. Generally very happy although their brochure was less than accurate for a trip a couple of years ago for a pre-Christmas trip to Serre Che so we used a different TO last year. Back with them again for next season. So dish the dirt, vaguely and anonymously if necessary-why aren't you happy given you haven't actually gone with them yet? I've always found their staff/reps on the ground to be very good indeed-it was their Head Office decision makers who we had an issue with when they thought 6 runs open was sufficient for the entire week and the brochure said the piste past their hotel would be open for the entire season-when in fact it opened the week after ours! We were 13-18 though and definitely no parents!!
Cheers
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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 have always used Club Europe for my ski tours to Austria as they are a small company so they gave me lots of personalized service and have been around a long time. Loads of choice in Austria and really helpful staff. Their website is www.club-europe.co.uk
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I have used Skiplan for many years and have found them excellent for our Ski Trips, going with them at Easter 2011 and 2012
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a.j., Rocketski = Skiplan
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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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Any organisation that can satisfy jennycook is worthy of your serious consideration 
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I put together a school trip this year for a group from my friends school... all went very well and I am hoping to 'go pro' later this season... (when I have time to build a site and market it etc.. etc..)... anyhoo I still have a rought price calulator floating about - so if it works or if you are interested maybe PM me and I can let you know what we all got up to in more detail!
http://www.austrian-adventures.com/schoolgroupcalculator.htm .. all prices in €
One big thing that I will be pushing is that we will only work with one group per week to ensure spot-on service for the holiday. There are also no 'reps' only 'us' so you always have direct contact with the people who have sold you the trip and taken the cash off of you!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I've used Rayburn Tours before for ski, they also do the standard educational tours but this just means they're really hot on the safety aspect, which is particuarly useful when doing a school trip! They were pretty flexible so would imagine they could do flights or coach.
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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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Whatever you do avoid Skiing Europe.
Search the forums on "ruins" and the posts will help you on how to select the right Tour Operator and what to look out for.
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I take a party of 3-13 year olds & their parents (pretty fussy, it's a prep school) away each year, and only fly.
Have used Hourmont Total Ski (never again, they let us down badly), the ski company, Greenwich (generally good - they do almost all the admin.) and Equity (so far, so good - came highly recommended by a head I know). Halsbury are also well thought of by people I know.
I'd read the skiing europe/Chris Reynard thread before booking anything..
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You know it makes sense.
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I've been organising school ski trips for years now and have always used Halsbury Travel. The trips have always been brilliant, with all the students thoroughly enjoying it. Halsbury are really friendly and helpful. The also do the standard educational tours, once again meaning that they're really hot on the safety aspect. As daveyladboy said, Halsbury are well thought of by many people I know.
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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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Hi jctveat,
I have sent you a PM
We are (by far) the largest UK operator going to the Adamelo Dolomites in Italy.
We only use flights, never coaches.
Contact details are on the PM, or via the Contact US page from the link below.
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Poster: A snowHead
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jctveat, i second the question from snowhound
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So dish the dirt, vaguely and anonymously if necessary-why aren't you happy given you haven't actually gone with them yet?
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what have skiplan done wrong? 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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jctveat, you should ensure that whichever operator you choose that they are fully accredited to take school parties - the School Travel Forum website - www.schooltravelforum.com - has details on there. Also, if you are travelling by air, then ensure the operator has ABTA and ATOL bonding - the postings on here re Skiing Europe serve as a warning if you go with an unbonded operator.
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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 wonder what motivates jctveat
Only one post on snowheads and it was to dis SkiPlan, but no reasons given.
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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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snowhound, i think you will find JCTVEAT posted this on several forums, see below for chalets direct;
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We are looking for a self catering, self drive, accomodation only holiday during half term. Party is 8 adults and 4 kids (5,5,3,2). We loved La Rosiere last year and would like something very similar in terms of resort, ski school, child care. Budget is £300 per person
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So JCTVEAT is actually talking about a small group of 12 in maybe 4 rooms max. To be fair to Skiplan (and we don't know what they did to offend the OP) I don't think this sort of small group with young kids is thier forte.
There are loads of TO's who would do an excellent package for this sort of group. No doubt snowheads would have ideas on a realistic budget as well as TO's.
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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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FAQ
but we may fly next time; good value and I can;t fault them. Good inresort set up and outrageously well oragnised prior to leaving (templates for letters/risk assessments provided). Although we had some of these I suspect they would have been useful for new party leaders (and not old hags like me!).
