where to go

Hi everyone its my first time of posting and i would love some advice from anyone. after long deliberation we have finalyy decided to book a skiing holiday.
the problem is i have no idea..where to go, stay, how to organise ski packs passes etc. do i book here or wait till i get to accomodation. someone suggested austria to me is that a good place for a complete beginner any other suggestions please.
what do you think of rumania, one problem is i have booked my A/L the week that is 1/2 term am i liable to pay exorbitant prices for that week. any advice would be gratefully appreciated i really want to go but not make a mess of it. many thanks. :(

Go through someone reputable ie Crystal, allow them to pay for it ALL, and pay top dollar, then you can't go wrong, anywhere with snow should do but I'd go Austria and perhaps BadHofGastein.

I agree with Austria. I respectfully suggest Niederau, it is a village with character. The beginner slopes are next to the village centre. The ski school has been rated highly, first or second in Europe depending on survey you read. English is widely spoken. Not a big night life, but a little of everything.

When it comes to cost, yes you do pay a bit more at peak times, in St Anton it is a lot more, in smaller villages the difference is less.

If price is a big issue there are ways to alleviate, outer edges of village, b&b, guesthouses.

I have to agree with the sweaty :lol: DEFINATLY book an all in package with someone like Thomson or Crystal (other tour operators are available) for your first time, my only word of caution is that you may have left it a tad late to book for half term, if there is any possible way of moving your A/L I would suggest you do it asap. You'll get a much better deal in terms of price obviously but also you should have more choice. Let us know where you decide to go in the nd but you can't beat Austrian ski schools as a beginner (IMHO) :thumbup:

I learned to ski in Val Thorens, France. High altitude so no concerns about snow, as you dont want to learn when its slushy, brown snow, or icy.
However, I have been to Austria every season since, and would recommend Mayrhofen to anyone of any ability.

The most important thing when you go for the first time is to make it stress and worry free, ie go all in with a tour operator, and prebook the works: ski hire, lessons, lift passes etc, as all that is fine when you know what you are doing, but first time round it can be a little daunting.

I went with Inghams first time, and have always found them fine, although the hotel we stayed in in VT was badly managed, and Inghams had no clout with them!!!

I have used Panaroma/Airtours, and they were good, and am going through Neilson next week, but I suggest booking the "learn to ski" deal with an operator, and do it on the phone to make sure they cover everything off with you.

Welcome to the white world!!!!

Hi everyone thanks for taking time to reply. after lots of researching and looking at tripadvisor holidays uncovered etc have now booked very first ski holiday.

we went to several trav. agents (unsure about making arrangement myself) and we have booked one week all inclusive Sport Hotel in Romania. We were given prices ranging from £1500-1800 for exactly the same package but then asked for the week after comm 16th Feb and it came out £1000 for everything. have been told not to expect luxurious but hotels clean, warm and with plentiful food.

most reviewers said beginners skiing was really good. downside three and half hr transfer. we are now really excited and cant wait, we have talked about a skiing holiday for years but always ended up going to the beach. My cheeky dad said 'you've left it a bit late'....we are both 57yrs but pretty fit. Husband has already been out to buy ski jacket and gloves. and if we dont take to it we figured it hasn't cost arm and a leg. so thats us sorted (hopefully) if anyone has any advice for absolute beginners it will be very welcome. happy skiing to everyone. :)

No advice needed-you'll love it. Goggles AND sunglasses are essential!

It's never too late... you will wonder why it took you so long and be desperate to make up for lost time over the coming years :D

Use your first trip to learn as much as you can... not just the actual skiing, but all the other bits you have been unsure about organising passes, travel etc. You will then be more confident in arranging everything seperately and saving yourself a lot of money in the future.