This is my first visit back to the J2ski world since last Xmas. I was bed ridden for four of six days skiing in Italy and couldn't bear to be reminded of it......until now.
I've always done packages but am now thinking of the DIY option to save a few quid having recently been made redundant. The brochures seem expensive this year but we (myself and OH) still need/ want ski school and ski hire which I've always assumed is cheaper as part of a package, especially with transfers etc included. The other issue is that we need to go during Xmas school hols, grrrr.
Any advice would be really useful as I want to get something booked soon to cheer me up!
Cheers ski people!
Is DIY cheaper than packages?
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Started by ClipperJon in Ski Chatter 20-Jul-2011 - 19 Replies
ClipperJon posted Jul-2011
Julia Moss
reply to 'Is DIY cheaper than packages?' posted Jul-2011
Do you have a particular destination in mind? Once you know where you intend going, you can start to compare costs. It would also be worth checking to see if there are any early booking offers for package hols.
ClipperJon
reply to 'Is DIY cheaper than packages?' posted Jul-2011
Thinking of Italy again. Definitely unfinished business there! Also seems a bit cheaper than elsewhere but I'd rather not go down the Bulgaria route.
I'm just doing some searching now but there's so much to consider. I can see myself screwing something up and being stuck at the airport or something!!
I'm just doing some searching now but there's so much to consider. I can see myself screwing something up and being stuck at the airport or something!!
Julia Moss
reply to 'Is DIY cheaper than packages?' posted Jul-2011
If you're worried about dealing with the unexpected then my advice would be to stick with a package deal through a reputable company.
ClipperJon
reply to 'Is DIY cheaper than packages?' posted Jul-2011
Cheers Julia. I think I must be missing something though. For all the hassle of DIY why do people bother? I thought I'd save a bundle but I just did some quick calculations and it's much the same price either way (DIY £15 cheaper!) Still using Nielsen's lift pass, ski hire and ski school prices though because I can't find next seasons prices listed yet.
Maybe I'll get into cross country and save on the lift pass. Just need to lose a couple of stone!
Maybe I'll get into cross country and save on the lift pass. Just need to lose a couple of stone!
Julia Moss
reply to 'Is DIY cheaper than packages?' posted Jul-2011
I tried cross-country this year for the first time - no wonder they're all so thin and muscular, it's hard work. Enjoyable though...
I suppose people go independently for flexibility and choice. They can book with independent chalets and hotels, go when they want and for however long they want etc etc
There are also offers direct from the resort tourist offices which are worth looking at, especially for families. Look at the resort website for details where ski pass prices for next season are already available on some I've looked at over the past week or so.
I suppose people go independently for flexibility and choice. They can book with independent chalets and hotels, go when they want and for however long they want etc etc
There are also offers direct from the resort tourist offices which are worth looking at, especially for families. Look at the resort website for details where ski pass prices for next season are already available on some I've looked at over the past week or so.
Andymol2
reply to 'Is DIY cheaper than packages?' posted Jul-2011
You can save money on DIY but the savings are not always huge. If you drive down with 4 in a car and plan to self cater it may be cheaper.
The savings of cheap flights can be swallowed by transfers & car hire & ski carriage.
If aren't self catering deals on catered chalets or half board hotels are going to make it hard to beat a package.
The cheapest option is often a last minute package deal but that assumes there is excess capacity but the tour operators have lately reduced capacity so the bargains of 3 or 4 years ago are harder to find. If you are flexible about when you go there's less risk you won't find anything.
The savings of cheap flights can be swallowed by transfers & car hire & ski carriage.
If aren't self catering deals on catered chalets or half board hotels are going to make it hard to beat a package.
The cheapest option is often a last minute package deal but that assumes there is excess capacity but the tour operators have lately reduced capacity so the bargains of 3 or 4 years ago are harder to find. If you are flexible about when you go there's less risk you won't find anything.
Andy M
Ian Wickham
reply to 'Is DIY cheaper than packages?' posted Jul-2011
Agree with most of the comments, DIY is not always cheaper but you do have a touch of freedom, if your car sharing and splitting the travel costs then it should work out cheaper.
Topic last updated on 03-August-2011 at 16:14