Latest posts for the topic "ski in early Jan 2013"

ski in early Jan 2013

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:03:07 GMT

Any advice out there?

We are a party of 14, looking for a catered chalet to ourselves. Our skiing is not very advanced (all been once before) so looking for plenty of greens and blues, easy access to and from slopes, good food etc. I know some places claim good greens and blues, but access to them or back to the village can be difficult. Age range from 12 - 50yrs. Looking for good accommodation,not spartan, but we don't have an unlimited budget. For reference last ski trip we were at Le Dauphin in Alpe D'Huez, which was great, but we'd like to try something new.

Thanks for your always helpful answers!

Re:ski in early Jan 2013

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:20:08 GMT

This January we were 20 people in Courchevel 1650, France. In 2 chalets, 10 people each. We booked somewhere end of last July, and the price was like 1600 euro per chalet, and the conditions were simply great.
The ski runs are great, well connected to other areas, we also got discount passes for group booking. I recommend you to search there, definitely liked it.
Another guy from the group booked the chalet so I don't have the agency handy, but if you want - I'll ask him about it, just send me a PM to confirm.

Now is the right time to get really good pricing so don't wait :)

Re:ski in early Jan 2013

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:23:23 GMT

BTW our chalets were self-catered, but suppose there are plenty of catered ones too.

Re:ski in early Jan 2013

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:53:00 GMT

I would think that the first thing is a list of priorities.
For me these would be .......

How early in January? Resorts can still be waiting for the first big dump, you don't want to be left with a long journey up to some snow.

Then - country? Any preferences?
Then start looking at resorts. As a group with modest ability you don't need to go to one of the top resorts with miles and miles of pistes. Somewhere smaller and cozier will mean it is easier for you all to be keeping together and meeting for drinks and lunch.

Then accomodation. Close to the snow by the sounds of it, or at least very convenient - short bus journey with frequent buses for example. Close to the snow can be different to close to the nearest lift, especially early in the season.

Free lifts for first weekers can be an advantage.

In France how about looking at Valmorel? Maybe one of the Beaufortain resorts?

The advantage of a smaller resort is that you tend to get more for your money in terms of accomodation.

Keep the info coming and you'll get lotsa of suggestions.

Re:ski in early Jan 2013

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:46:55 GMT

Les Brevieres, Chalet Bonjour....

Re:ski in early Jan 2013

Sat, 19 May 2012 18:11:34 GMT

What a good idea Iceman

Re:ski in early Jan 2013

Sat, 19 May 2012 19:42:41 GMT

I think Camelthief is looking to rent a chalet all to themselves, and whilst the Bonjour-Bonjour chalet in Tignes is very nice, we will be in it on the 13th January, and the previous 2 weeks have already been booked.

How about Cervinia? It's a ski resort we're considering for 2014, and it seems to be pretty good for beginners and intermediates (whilst Zermatt, to which it is linked, is very good for advanced and expert skiers).

Re:ski in early Jan 2013

Sun, 20 May 2012 13:53:03 GMT

Thanks for advice so far, I'll look at the suggestions. We're going for a week from 5th January.Is it advisable to go high then for a better chance of good snow? Struggled to find good catered chalets that can take 14 in Courchevel. Have been recommended Meribel, any views on that? Been focussing on France as chalet options seem to be better and more, but open to suggestions.

Re:ski in early Jan 2013

Sun, 20 May 2012 14:41:32 GMT

Hi cameltheif

Early jan skiing especially the first week after new year can be a great time to ski as the runs are quieter and generally the snow has fallen so high resorts are not as important giving your group more options.

If I was you I would post your first post on the solution room in chalets direct. Www.chaletsdirect.com the solution room takes out the endless hours of you searching as your requirements are posted to 100's of chalet owners / companies and they can advise on the resort, what they can offer and if you put in your post that you require them to post the price they wil again saving you doing loads of hors emailing and trawling he net. Also try an online ski agent they will also do the running around for you and there is no charge to you except the. Oat of the holiday.

Re:ski in early Jan 2013

Sun, 20 May 2012 15:58:44 GMT

Montgenevre is a great option for what you are looking for and Serre Chevalier not bad either - you will want some of the chalets though that are ski in/ski out.
If you can fly from Gatwick, Montgenevre ec=ven better as some excellent flight prices to Turin with Easyjet as they have just started up the route again for next winter

Re:ski in early Jan 2013

Sun, 20 May 2012 17:50:12 GMT

Serre Chevalier.
Book it.