Help!!! Trying to Organise a Surprise Ski Holiday and havnt a clue about skiing!!!

Hi everyone,

My partner is turning 30 late this year and I'm planning on surprising him with a ski holiday for early next year. I have never been skiing before, my partner has been skiing once before in Arinsal and loved it but I cant really ask him too much about it or he might get suspicious, so I really don't know what I should be looking for, I've got a few questions if you wouldn't mind advising me.

1. Is February the best time to go (I read it somewhere online that its one of the best times for guaranteed snow)

2. As I mentioned my partner has been to Arinsal before, now I've managed to narrow it down to either Arinsal or Pas De La Casa, (he mentioned before if he was to go skiing again he would like to go back to Andorra) but I don't know which is best....I believe Arinsal is better for complete beginners but are there more challenging slopes seems my partner has been skiing before (I don't want him to be bored)

3. Im aware that Pas has the better night life but has Arinsal a good night life also? (as you can probably tell I'm leaning a little more towards Arinsal)

4. Are you better to get equipment hire as part of a package or arrange it when your out there?

5. I would like to get nice accommodation given its a present for him can you recommend any nice 4 or 5* hotels in either resort, I don't mind paying extra but I don't want to be bankrupted either :)

6. For any Irish people reading this, which have you found to be the best companies to book with?

7. Last but not least would it be of much benefit to get indoor ski lessons in Ireland before going so I wont have to spend as much time learning the basics while out there and hit the slopes sooner or are these a waste of time

I'm sorry for the amount of questions and I greatly appreciate any advice you can give me

Welcome Ciara,

Wish someone would get me a surprise ski holiday!
Wonderful.

On you questions - some I can answer some not.
1 - February great time to ski, but avoid the main half term holiday period as so, so busy. So early feb probably best.
2&3 - Never been to Andorra, someone will be along who knows the area to talk about it soon I am sure.
4 - As relative novices it can be easier to have a package. If the tour company has a rep in resort they will be able to help you, similarly with ski school and lift passes. As novices the less you have to worry about the better.
5 & 6 - wonder if the tour operator is the first thing to find?
7 - Yes, yes, yes!! Lessons in a snowdome or dry slope will really help. You will have an idea how to put the boots and skis on and get the basics in place. Just one will help with your confidence on the first day. Several would probably let you jump to a second week skiers class.

Finally - hope you have a great time and catch the skiing bug.
:-)

If you are keen to go to Andorra consider Soldeu (just up the road from Pas De La Casa and part of the Gran Valera pass and has quite a number of hotels of a good standard.)
I've been there with Direct Ski who I believe fly from Ireland.

The skiing is good for beginners and intermediates: the ski schools have a good reputation.

I would suggest that anyone planning to go skiing for the first time has a few lessons at home. Ski holidays are expensive and you don't want to spend that time learning how to put your boots on and learning the basics. If you've done those before you go you will have the confidence to practice on your own when ski school is over.

Wemt to Arinsal for my first time- very good for beginners. I went early Feb- amazing snow! Would definitely book a learn to ski package as it works out cheaper. As for lessons before- go for it, It will make the first day a lot easier and give you confidence.

What a nice surprise for you OH- hope you have a great time.

I may be stating the obvious here, but having surprised our daughter with a ski trip for her 30th birthday, we firstly had to make sure that she could book that week off work!! Luckily our son-in-law helped us organise everything, including slyly getting hold of her passport so we could have the details for the Advanced Passenger Information and making sure their yearly travel insurance hadn't expired.

Good luck with your plans - brilliant idea!

Nice idea :D . Probably easiest to go with a tour operator. Crystal offer a good selection of trips out of Ireland to all the major resorts, including Andorra. Never been here so can't comment on which resort.

You can do lessons on the dry slope at Kilternan http://www.skiclub.ie/. Its really worthwhile and will make your progression in resort much quicker.

Good luck with your preparations and have a nice time. :wink:

I have stayed at the Hotel Piolets Park in Soldeu and it would fit the bill. It is perfectly placed in the middle of town and a matter of metres from the Gondola.

Yes agree with any suggestions of Soldeu it's the perfect mix of Arinsal and Pas. I've travelled there with Direct Ski and Crystal (stayed in Sport Hotel....food mmmmmmm!) This year I'm (we're!) travelling with Topflight to Himalaia Hotel in Soldeu, all out of sunny Dublin. History... 4 years Austria, 5 years Andorra, 1 year Bulgaria...... and the best ? .... Soldeu ticks all the boxes for me. :D