Booking last minute - is it a good idea

Hi all,
I'm thinking of booking a snow holiday this year as a last minute thing (i.e a week before). Is this a good idea with snow holidays?. I'm going to concentrate on austria as it seems to have the largest amount of twin room type acc in comparison with other eurpoean countries as well as reasonable snow!
Just wondered what others experiances are. Is it best to book one now (as there are alredy good deals around) or wait for the week before? Or are there very rarely any last minute deals around?

Cheers all

A bit hit and miss in my experience...it depends on whether the operators have overbought space...Last season I could not find anything in January so missed out but the season before had no problems..booked a couple of weeks before..look at the Thompson website it will give you some idea as to how well things are going for them

In a normal year, booking last minute is the only way to do it in my view. Means you get to go where you know the snow conditions are good (assuming you've checked), and you will get a cheaper holiday. However, don't leave it til last minute if you're a party of 4/6/8 or more. Two is ideal. And you may have to compromise on some of your needs, for instance, ski to door/en-suite/catered etc.

I say 'in a normal' year. This season may be different. Due to worldwide economic conditions, and the cost of aircraft fuel, you may find that TO's and airlines will have fewer flghts available. This'll present no problem if you don't mind driving, but may limit your choice if you want to fly. I reckon this season there will be a stack of unused properties in the Alps, especially those that you book direct with owners.

Over the past 4 or so years, I have done nothing other than book late deals. I simply refuse to pay brochure prices.
The positives outweigh the neagtives for me, but thats because I ca go anytime and dont need to worry about school holidays or going at short notice. Some people cant do that with their jobs.
I have prebooked for my ski holidays this season already, which is hardly last minute, but one holiday had to be booked up as there was 8 of us going (and we got 2 for 1 lift passes included) and another was booked just because it was as good a deal as I expect to find on a late deal, so I think I have done ok this year.

However, when I have looked, I have never not been able to find something that would have been suitable at any time of the year. Leaving it late means you can make sure you to where there is good snow, or get a real bargain and save lots of money. Be prepared to be put in basic accommodation, as you tend to get what you pay for, and also to be reasonably flexible about where you go.

As for where to look, try Inghams/Neilson/Crystal etc websites as they have special deals. Also try bookableski.co.uk, directski.com, catered-ski-chalets.co.uk, skiworld.co.uk, rocketski.co.uk, skideals.co.uk, snowdeals.co.uk and teletext holidays. You will find something. Dont worry about the doom and gloom of the economic climate - there will be as many ski flights as last year, if not more. Dont forget you can also book easyjet and ryanair, although these dont work out the cheap bargains we used to find. BA do good priced flights too. XL Airways going wont affect the ski flights really, they were only chartered to fly when other airlines became fully booked, and Thomson/First Choice have now merged, so there are more planes available this season between the group for ski flights.

An example of a couple of the late deals I have had over the past couple of seasons (prices include flights, transfers and accommodation):

March 08 - catered chalet in Verbier £260 (2 weeks in advance)
January 08 - B&B in Mayrhofen £159 (8 weeks in advance)
March 07 - half board in Sauze d'Oulx £129 (4 days in advance)
February 07 - half board in Mayrhofen £229

Good luck!!

If you can, always go last minute. Spontanuity is a dying thing these days...

thanks guys, your help and advice is much appreciated. This will be the first time I'v booked a ski trip (last years was booked by someone else!) so I'm still finding my way!
We have a week booked off work in feb. If we can't find anything in the snow we''l just get a last minute cottage by the sea instead and spend the week kite surfing :mrgreen:!!

mystyc wrote:If we can't find anything in the snow we''l just get a last minute cottage by the sea instead and spend the week kite surfing :mrgreen:!!

Trust me, you will find some snow somewhere in Feb.

I'm looking at Hintertux as a base for a week before Christmas (13th - 20th).

4* Hotel (Bad Hotel Kirchler)
Large Rooms (31 sqm)
Thermal Spa and pool, Sauna, steam rooms etc.
Half Board (Buffer Breakfast and 4 Course Dinner)
Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub
6 day Skipass for the whole Zillertal range (640kms)

550 GBP (685 EUR)

Looks a little steep at first glance, but when you take into account the liftpass @ 190 EUR and savings on food 120 EUR it dont look half bad for 4* luxury.

And of course skiing/boarding is guaranteed!!