 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
I am looking to go my first ski trip this year and want suggestions for resorts that are cheaper to eat and drink. My first choice would be Tignes but I have heard it is very expensive.
Any information would be appreciated.
R.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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roscoeh, If U look for a resort there you can eat and drink cheap,,, forget Tignes,,, but anyway, are U going for skiing or to eat and drink,, for skiing Tignes is one of the best,,,,
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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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roscoeh, the cost of eating and drinking isn't only a matter of what resort you choose, but how you organise yourself. If you eat out a lot, and drink in bars, then Tignes (and all the other big French resorts, and many other top resorts in other countries) will cost you a lot of money. But if you cater for yourselves and buy supplies of beer, wine and other essentials in a supermarket - won't be a problem.
Another way of saving a lot is to go for a catered chalet where you can take your own "duty frees" (not that they are, of course) and maybe buy beers and mixers at not much more than supermarket prices from the staff.
There's really not a lot of point in going to Tignes for your first ski holiday, actually. There are loads of places more suitable for beginners, where you won't pay a fortune for a lift pass you can't make full use of, and where all costs will be lower.
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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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Saalbach - great skiing for beginners, great ski schools, food and beer is cheap in bars/restaurants (even cheaper in the super markets obv), great atmosphere and proper Austrian apres. Job done.
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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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Sorry I am not a beninner I have Skiied in Scotland for a good few years, just never been abroad. I have heard good things about Austria though. I do not plan on doing much Apres anyway it is all about the Skiing. I looked into catered or half board but the food is always rated quite average (on crystal anyway) so don't know. With a catered chalet do they give you a packed lunch or do you have to come back at lunch time?
Austria is definitely an option.
The problem I have is I am either going away with my wife early in the season (Jan) or a group of 6 in March. I was going to do Tignes as it is probably going to be our first and last for a wee while. It would be fun to go with our fiends later, however they like to keep the costs down (why not). I was looking for a compromise, somewhere we will not spend a forune but the skiing is really good.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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roscoeh, catered chalets don't usually include lunch.
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roscoeh, if you decide to go in March, and to France, don't go until the French school holidays are over (12th).
Is your wife also a skier?
If you want to keep costs down, but also want top quality food, then it's best to cook it yourself! However, independent chalets (ie those run by individuals, not big companies like Crystal) can sometimes offer excellent facilities very reasonably, especially if you go in low season (the only time it makes sense, if you don't have to stick to school hols).
It seems a pity to miss out on Alpine atmosphere if it's your only Alpine holiday for a while. Tignes doesn't have a lot, really, and being so high can be very bleak and cold and windy (that won't bother you, but it won't be much of a change from Scotland either  ). There are plenty of more attractive places which still offer good skiing and can be a lot less busy.
Most chalets don't give you a packed lunch, but you don't go back for lunch - you have lunch out. That can be expensive, especially somewhere like Tignes. I ski a lot in a little known French ski area (the Espace Diamant) and I was stunned by the high prices and poor value in the Espace Killy compared to what I'm used to - they even charge you extra to pee in many places. In many places you can rent apartments right on the slopes, so you could go back and fix your own lunch for a couple of euro. That's what we generally do. If we're skiing too far away we often just have a plate of chips and a beer. Packed full of vitamins.
Austrian beer is certainly cheaper than French beer, and lunch snacks can be much better value, depending on where you go, but if you don't plan to drink a lot and have huge lunches in restaurants the difference might be eaten up by some of the very high ski hire costs in Austria. The differences between resorts in Austria, or between resorts in France, is bigger than the overall difference between countries. Some people always go to Austria because of the unique "apres ski scene" in some of the resorts there. Others avoid it for the same reason.
Italy can be great, too - the Dolomites have the most stunning mountain scenery I've seen, that's for sure.
Final thought - if it's just you and your wife in January, book at the last moment, follow the snow, and get a good deal.
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Typically the cost difference of food from a Casino (Petit ou Grand) between Valley and resort are +25% for you having the benefit of them carrying it up the mountain.
So, if you're travelling out under your own steam and worried about food costs then I would suggest you choose a resort where you can divert to a Casino/Carrefour in the Valley on the way into resort and stock up on provisions for the week to save you having to drive down there during the week.
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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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What sort of skiing are you after?
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Hi,
Catered chalets usually make a cake in the afternoon and leave this out for you to help yourself to when you come back from skiing, along with tea and coffee and often bread and jam etc.
A lot of guests have a big cooked breakfast and then either nothing at lunchtime or just a few chips, and then fill up on cake etc when you get back in at 4.30 or 5. Helps save the money, and means that you don't have to eat overpriced spag bol on the mountain!!
If you can't manage without lunch, check with your chalet hosts if they can make you a picnic. Don't know what other chalets charge but we do sandwich, drink, fruit, crisps and home baked thing for €7 - think pretty much everyone else is roughly the same too.
Happy planning,
Heather
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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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thanks for all the advice am just going to leave it late and follow the snow.
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