 Poster: A snowHead
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Is it better (read cheaper!) to hire the equipment/buy lift passes in the resort separately to any package you might buy? And if so, is it better to book the equipment in advance? Was a bit worried they might run out, and we were going to do a last minute booking at the end of January ...
Many thanks.
Hannah
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hannah, at the end of Jan you should be fine in almost any resort, it's usually cheaper in the resort unless the exchange rate changes dramatically the only time that it might get busy would be the last two weeks in February
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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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Hannah, a lot depends on where and who with. Operators will get a discount on bulk purchase on lift passes, and usually have some relationship with the ski hire companies...but sometimes these benefits don't get passed on to the customer!!
If you are expecting to be shipped into resort on a busy transfer bus, then often sorting out your own stuff is easier....ie you're not waiting in a queue with 120 other people to get gear fitted. I have no experience of booking equipment in advance, but if you know what you want, then I guess it can't hurt?
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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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I've booked in advance (directly with the shop) several times in Canada and USA, because there's usually a modest discount for doing so. I don't think it makes much difference; you still have to go through the whole business of choosing, setting (obviuously) and filling in forms, and I didn't have the impression that they'd put kit aside for us (even when we'd specified size and type of ski). Never any problem in getting what we wanted 'though.
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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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Consider buying the lift pass online in advance. You may be able to upload a digital photo, saving on the cost/hassle of getting a passport photo.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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neilswingler, I second that saves almost invariably large queues.
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I've never had to queue for a lift pass, well not more than a minute anyway.
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Some T.O.s dish them out on the transfer coach or process them in bulk and deliver to your hotel/chalet. The hotel in Belle Plagne sold lift passes at reception. Sheer Luxury
OTOH the nearest ski hire place was mobbed with the queue out the door. Advance booking wouldn't have made any difference. Can't win 'em all. There's no definitive answer to Hannah's question but availability should be fine unless you want something a bit special. {If the snow is bad, the rental places are not going to let their brand new high end kit out to be wrecked.}
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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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Pete Horn, that's the point! But if you've ever gone with a tour op, you might have waited hours for it to be delivered 
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Hannah, No-one will run out of equipment, and getting your own in resort will probably result in better quality for the same price. The TOs insist on large discounts from the shops, so the shops are sending the equipment out for less. If you were a shop would you take as much care etc. in those circs? I can't see any evidence that TOs pass these discounts on to their customers - that's partly how they make up for selling holidays so cheaply.
Liftpasses are ideally bought online, and many resorts now do this. You may even get a small discount for buying online. If you're booking within a couple of weeks of departure though, it's better to collect it in resort in case there are any postal problems.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Just don't go at peak times for the Lift pass.
I always trawl around shops to get the skis I want so TO's aren't any good here for me. And I don't generally go packaged anyway.
But crashing the TO's welcome parties is a good idea sometimes, it sets the holiday up and you get to see who is about...!!
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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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Hannah, you book, ask for recommendations on what shop to use. Almost certainly someone will have an inside track. Quality, as you'd imagine, varies immensely.
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