I know it is never a cheap holiday but does anyone else arrange their own trips and has any good tips?
We are looking at February half term and want to avoid Eastern Europe.
If it snows then The Glen is quite steep.
Boyce Hill golf course looks promising.
Happy to consider driving, flying or train.
I understand eating out can be very expensive in France but happy to go self catering...
The best money I've ever spent on skiing was buying a copy of where to ski and snowboard. It tells you the main basics of each resort, which for families is really important.
I will be off to Morzine in March. Flying from Southend to Geneva and its only one hour transfer after that. So flying is the best option but obviously it may be very expensive during half term. As other have said consider the Easter holiday as half term gets crowded on the slopes.
I have also made the drive out to the alps but you can be unlucky with the weather......A friend of mine with a young family had to spend 2 hours digging his car out after an overnight dump (snow) on the last night. Then 2 hours to get down and out of the resort. The 9/10 hour drive to Calais become 16 hours with a missed ferry etc. The big plus point of driving is you can leave skis in the car and drive to the lifts as its normally free parking. This of course means you can stay out of town in cheaper but sometimes nicer accommodation. I have also flown and then hired a car as it was cheaper than paying for transfers and we had use of it for a long weekend.
As Pubey says I would go for the catered chalet. Don't be put off by the fact you might be sharing with other families, that's part of the fun and can make the holiday. People who ski are 9 time out of 10 good company.....No sunburnt Northeners with a Leeds sun hat to annoy you in the alps.
Pick a resort that has easy access to the slopes and plenty of beginners, green, easy blue, runs available. For example Alp d' Huez would be suitable but Chamonix not so. Look for accommodation that is well positioned, you don't want have to walk to far with kids with soar feet and carrying their skis. Buses are free but those Europeans take no prisoners....No women and children first, so again be careful staying out of town if you don't have a car.
Definitely try out the dry slop or the snow dome a coupe of times before you go. Just having the basics of putting on skis and using the drag lift etc will make your holiday that much better.
Don't hire skis on the web in advance. You can always get abetter deal in the resort and in some cases they will come to you in the comfort of your chalet to fit you out.
What sort of price is the transfer? Do you book in advance or get a cab?
What sort of price is the transfer? Do you book in advance or get a cab?
We can all ski to some degree so are not complete novices. La Plagne self catering by ski train is the current favoured location.