J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by KevinC

Tony_H wrote:Skiworld holidays that include flights are all from Gatwick. Thats probably because Gatwick is the largest charter airport in the UK, and where most tour ops flights operate from before they spread out to other airports. I'd prefer Stansted or east Mids personally, but if they only do gatwick, I can travel there. I often fly from Manchester as well as its the same distance as Gatwick from me.

As for driving, I'd love to be able to get in the car, but its far more expensive. take into account that those prices on Skiworlds site are for a weeks catered accommodation, flights and transfers. Why would anyone in their right mind suggest driving instead?????

But there's plenty of people who can't get to Gatwick who would love that kind of holiday - for a lot of people it's not worth the time and expense of getting to London. They've bought more accommodation than they've got interest from London. It's not like they run the flights either - they are just buying flights from airlines. So why not open it up to other areas - a little bit of planning in organising airport transfers would open up whole new markets. It's laziness really.

Plus those packages are only so cheap because there isn't the interest at full price. Taking a car can be done cheaply, gives you flexibility and allows you to take as much stuff as you like. And no worrying about snow scuppering your return trip to the airport.

Lynn - it's not just support they need it's to work for their money. Someone will be getting my money again this year but not someone with such little choice in point of departure.

Weird - the thing I clicked to quote was meant to be about Nationwide. Still though - wise words from Col. I doff my cap!

Should have quoted - I think the Nationwide flex account is possibly the only card account which doesn't charge a fee for ATM cash withdrawals when abroad. Plus being a building society you may get a slightly better rate than the banks.

Col wrote:Glyn,

I was there a couple of weeks ago with First Choice.They are still with the Blues, you'll be happy to know, Crystal and Thomson with the Reds.

This is correct - anybody who travels abroad should open a Nationwide flexaccount even if they only use it for their hols. No charges or fees and they don't weight the exchange rate - it's by far the best value for your spending money. Plus it costs no more to withdraw cash daily as opposed to taking the lot with you which means you don't have to worry about mis-placing that £500 you'd be carrying.

All skiworld flights seem to be from the south - why wouldn't you just drive to France? They deserve to go out of business IMHO!

Bikini?

I really don't understand all these views - without a run off the lifts are going to be stopping all the time that people are coming down them from the layout of the chairs I've seen. I'd be really irritated to be waiting in the queues that would soon build up!

Perhaps I'm just selfish though!

Last year there was a kiosk selling sandwiches - I'd say it's 50/50 whether that extends to alcoholic beverage. It really is a field and a portacabin job - but on the plus side the bags come through very quickly.

Wanderer wrote:I am somewhat surprised at the attitude of the lift operator. In my experience, they are generally very sympathetic to people with problems and I have often seen people being let go down on the chairs. It seems obvious that they should and would normally accommodate people who have a minor injury but do not need to be brought down on the sleds or where they have lost a ski.

This does seem logical but, to be fair to the operators, skiers can be a rather pushy and arrogant bunch :lol:

Let one or two down and you'll soon have a lot more demanding the same treatment leading to all sorts of tantrums. And, although not all, most chairs are going to make disembarking difficult. At £200 for the lift pass I want the queues moving as smoothly as possible.