J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by AllyG

Another thing to remember about those self-catering places is that you have to clean the apartment up really thoroughly before you leave, or they whack you with a big fine. And the Pierre et Vacances ones I've been to have an arangement whereby you tell them what time you're leaving and make an appointment to have the apartment inspected before you go. And they give you a big list of what to clean, which includes things like washing the kitchen and bathroom floors.

The alternative is to pay extra when you arrive for them to clean it, which I have found to be cheaper than the fine!

Thanks Dids :D
I had a look at those dates (in case any of them would come in handy for our group holiday) and they seem to be pretty odd - like Monday to Monday, or a Thursday, or whatever.

millstreet wrote:

I am constrained by the fact that I have to fly from Cork airport in Ireland, which has a direct flight to Munich.

A friend of mine recommended Bad HofGastein, my wife and I are good intermediates skiers, what are your thoughts on Bad Hof :?: :?:

Isn't there anyone who can help with this question?

You might be right FQ - this Mum's going to visit Iceland, because my older daughter's moved there, but I don't know when.

Well, you beat my price by £20! :lol:

Geneva is a more reliable airport than Chambery, but Chambery is closer to Val Thorens and hence the transfer is quicker (about an hour faster I think).

If you decide to go to Val Thorens, just avoid the mountain restaurants unless you want to blow a big hole in your pocket :shock:

Last time I was there I noticed a hot dog stall type place where a lot of people seemed to be buying chips etc. fairly cheaply for their supper.

And apparently a few weeks before I was there (the same pre-Christmas week that you're going) UCL and Oxford uni ski clubs were in Val Thorens. And my daughter's uni ski club will be there that week this year.

mdonaghy644 wrote:

AllyG wrote:Total = £446 p.p. (plus food and drink for the week).

I'm not saying this is the cheapest price you could find, but it should give you an idea. And I haven't included a price for ski/board hire or insurance.

That's a great help - thanks. Breaking it down like that makes it a lot easier to digest. I know that last year I paid £560 for flights, accomm, transfers, lift pass, equipment and a week's lessons, so I think that sounds about right! I would be happy to be paying around £450/£500 for everything!

I'm afraid it would be more than that, after you've added in ski hire and lessons.

Bronze ski hire through Off the Piste = £69
ESF lessons 2 1/2 hours 6 afternoons = 119 euros (about £95).

New total = £610

And the 3 valleys link may not be open that early, but even if it isn't there is plenty to ski in Val Thorens itself.

It sounds like you had a real bargain last year. Where did you go?

mdonaghy644 wrote:It's most likely only going to be a group of four of us, flying out of Belfast preferably but Dublin is an option too! I've been looking at Val Thorens this evening and there is quite a few reviews saying it is quite expensive?

I think you can get reasonably priced self-catered accommodation in Val Thorens. The problem is the price of the food in the mountain restaurants throughout the Three Valleys. However, if you carry a rucksack with food and drink bought in the supermarket and have a picnic lunch it's not too expensive.

Example price for you:

Self-catered apartment with 2 rooms for 4 people in the Temple du Soleil with Off the Piste, including lift pass for the week from the 15th December = £290 p.p.

Return transfers from Chambery airport to VT with same company = £55

Return flights with Flybe from Belfast City to Chambery = £101.

Total = £446 p.p. (plus food and drink for the week).

I'm not saying this is the cheapest price you could find, but it should give you an idea. And I haven't included a price for ski/board hire or insurance.