Help needed - Rookie Alert!

Hello all

Want to go on a skiing holiday with about 10-15 mates (mixed group, inc some couples, all late 20's). Prob thinking Jan/Feb

Some of us havent ski'd before at all (but will do a few dry slope/snowdome lessons before), couple of the group pretty decent.

Can anyone suggest a good resort to go?

Key things we are looking for


- Snow (:laugh:)

- Cheap/Good value

- Good blend of beginner/advanced slopes

- Decent nightlife (apres-ski or whatever its called)

- decent transport links, Flights in (no 20 hour coach drives from UK)

- would like to get shared accomodation with the group. would consider catered or self catered.

Ive heard France/Switzerland are meant to be pricey and also v difficult so that prob rules those out.

Over to you guys....

Any help would be much appreciated

I would suggest you scrub out Cheap/Good value . Then we can help.
pretty much all skiing is pricey......
Without france and switzerland you are looking at austria or andorra. Andorra is the cheapest (or was) and pas is the liveliest.

Thanks for reply Snapzzz

to put it into context i appreciate its gonna cost a fair bit regardless, i just meant we would rather aim at the value end, as opposed to the really fancy resorts where the social elite go to be seen lol.

i think what we are really looking for is a good all rounder that would act as a good introduction to skiing while getting the best bang for our buck.

ive read about a few of the Austrian places that sound like brilliant party towns but wasnt sure if it would still be too tricky for some beginners.

Is andorra a genuine decent option then or is that seen as absolute budget? (and does same apply for bulgaria?)

Andorra, Austria or Italy all offer good value for money. You might try looking at looking at resorts like Sauze d'oulx or Sestriere where you get slopes suitable for all and an opportunity to ski in to France on the same liftpass. La Thuile also is worth considering for the same reason.
I've not been to Andorra and I've only been to minor areas in Austria which whilst fitting your budget won't give you the party you want off slope.

You might not need to restrict yourself too much, a large group gives you good buying power, when organising a trip to Sweden (not known for being cheap) I managed to get everything - flights,transfers,4 star apartment, liftpasses, equipment and ski school for under £700 a head during February. The website I used was www.skistar.com We flew into Trondheim in Norway. It would have been cheaper in March and cheaper still if we'd gone Thursday-thurs.

Top tip, clear your computers cookies before you search for flight prices if you want the most up to date cheaper fares.

Hi,
If I were booking something like this I'd put it in the hands of a tour operator as opposed to DIY.
You could try http://www.rocketski.com/ski-resorts who might be able to offer you something.
(I haven't looked at their prices so don't know if astronomical for next season, but none of them are particularly cheap)
I went with them when they were Equity Ski and they were ok. The one really rotten resort I went to they no longer use.

Loads of luck.
Dids

If I were a beginner I'd go to Andorra - good standard of instruction, may are Brits.
Pas de La Casa if you want it lively or Soldeu for quieter (and probably quieter skiing)

Courmayeur in Italy is another option.

If you can get 15 guys together you should be able to get a great deal, especially if you go in January. Skiworld would give you 2.75 free places and 2 for 1 lift passes. Have a look at their groups page http://www.skiworld.co.uk/group-ski-holidays

Sauze is great for groups of guys and reasonable prices.