J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by sbutton

Brucie wrote:Google is your friend, if you have access.

Thanks for your helpful advice Brucie. I did already try The Google though, and came up with ... well too much really. I tried "last minute ski holidays 2019" and none of the links I clicked gave anything useful. So, I was hoping for some more specific suggestions.

I guess if someone stops you in the street and asks for directions, you would helpfully suggest "Have you tried looking at a map?"

Here's some advice, from YOUR sig. "Better to remain reticent and have people think one is an idiot, than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt"

When? Don't care. My kids are homeschooled. So, probably NOT half term or Christmas (as it's so ridiculously £xp£nsiv£) Package or DIY? Again, don't care. If a decent package deal is available then I'd take it, but don't these tend to be hotels? Also, happy to put something together myself as that's what we've always done apart from a couple of times.

But where do you find these deals? Do you have to scan all the individual tour operators? (Like Crystal, etc.) or is there a central point (like lastminute.com) where you can search for them? I had a quick look this morning, for a theoretical trip going out this weekend and I got lost very quickly. Everything seemed to be geared for 4 or 5 people+

Hi,

I'm doing a bit of research with a ski holiday (well, snowboard) in mind for NEXT YEAR. But I'm trying to look now to see what kind of thing is available last minute, or if we'd be better booking in advance.

Only 2 of us going out, and we don't really care where we go. Have been to France / Spain in the past. Needs to be self catering due to diet. I don't drink alcohol (weird, eh?) so not bothered about apres. In fact would prefer somewhere that I can sleep without noisy (British) drunk people shouting all night. I'd rather get to bed early and be out on the slopes after breakfast.

So, are there decent last minute deals to be found anywhere? Or would we be better off booking something well in advance?

Haven't considered joining a party, but that's an option as well. But I guess these would normally be catered, and might not be able to cope with our Gluten Free / Dairy Free diet.

Somewhere with a Jacuzzi would be nice too, but that would just be a bonus.

Andid wrote: You need to read the small print.
Andy

Thanks good advice. I'll make sure I check that they don't farm out claims, and about what they class as "off-piste"

dobby wrote:Good luck with trying to find "new for old"

Yeah, I thought that might be the case. Although I'm surprised people would risk getting a fraud conviction for the sake of £400 (once excess taken out) and the hassle.

But really I was just looking for some general advice on which companies people have had a good experience with. (if such a beast exists)

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Spain in February (flying to France) and looking to purchase a single trip policy to cover the 8 days we'll be away. Obviously need winter sports cover. Would be nice to think that if my £500 snowboard was stolen, I could replace it, but most of the policies seem to offer 20% or even "nothing" for equipment over 4 years old. I've only used it a few times for 1 week / year, so it's got a fair amount of life left!

Of course the main thing is medical cover.

Moneysupermarket (EHICPlus) £25, but I'd get "nothing" for my board. Aviva £148.93, and I'd get 20%.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Steve Button

Hi,

I have a long weekend booked at the start of January, and I'll bein Les Houches for the Friday afternoon. After that in Chamonix for the Saturday, then flying back Sunday evening. Not sure what time I'll get there with transfers, but I was thinking I'd be able to get a couple of hours boarding (or even skiing) in before the lifts shut. I don't want to buy my lift pass in advance as it might be a waste, if flight is delayed or whatever.

If I just get a Les Houches pass, how much piste am I going to be able to use (just for the Friday afternoon).

Also, I'd need to hire equipment just for the afternoon. Just a board, or boots and Skis. Is that likely to be a problem at that time of year?

I know people aren't going to be able to give definitive answers to all these questions, but I'm just looking for general suggestions from people that have already been there.

It's actually La Bresse Hohneck where we're staying, which is right on the slopes (and very small) it was only built 2 years ago, and google street view shows it as a building site!

The webcam http://www.webcam-ski.com/interfaces/labresse/interface.php?pk_interface=457&m=images&r=historique&annee=2013&mois=1&jour=7 makes it look pretty patchy in places at the base of the slopes, but we're not going for a few weeks yet so hopefully they will get a bit more snow. The slopes look OK, but I don't think there will be much off piste this week.

Everyone I've spoken to have not even heard of the Vosges Mountains. Perhaps that's a good thing, as it always seems to be a British accent of the drunk idiot who wakes me up singing in the street at 3AM. No offence to any British non-idiots reading, but sometimes it's nice to get away from Brits. ;-)