J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by OldAndy

OK - how far have you got with ideas yet?
Without some narrowing down to UK departure, preferred country etc. it may be difficult.
But - some things to bare in mind.
Minimise transfer times, less tiring and more time in resort.
Going to put the trip together yourselves or with a tour operator?
Many ski resort holidays are Saturday to Saturday only, but there are weekend breaks available (do a google search).
Choice of resort - high and snow sure. More time on the skis, less time getting to the skiing (ski in ski out easier than somewhere that needs buses etc. to get to the first lift).
You mention beginners - most ski schools run full week lessons, but you should be able to organise group lessons for three days. But, do this in advance. When you have got your resort e mail ski schools with what you want and see what they can offer.
And finally, henski, any clues as to what "cheap as possible" looks like?
Budget will make a huge difference ...

Good luck.

Tony_H wrote:But is it as good for little ones? 1 hour queues to get up the mountain....????

Now that I cannot answer.

I wonder if the incompatibles are picturesque village and car free??
Would something like Les Arcs 1950, which is atractive but not traditional or maybe Valmorel (which I think is pretty much car free) work?

Dave Mac wrote:Will be there Boo_yay! With a large group of noisies~ the Irish nurses are there, the fast ski lady (she skied down with me last year in 2 min 40 secs), Two outrageous ski buddies from our village, a lovely young lady from Vail, Colorado, hopefully, my ski buddy, Mel, if his treatment hods up, several J2skiers, some rugby player friends, don't get in their way.....

Thank god I'll be in France :mrgreen:

Are Saas Fee and Wengen car free? Zermatt is car free and could tick all the boxes .....

Flying from Stansted Sunday morning and I am keeping an eye on the forecast. I'm confident I can get to the airport, even with lots of snow on Saturday (nice big 4x4!!) and will just keep my fingers crossed that Stansted and then Chambery dont have anything more than minor delays.
Jon - if it was me and a really early flight I would be considering getting to Gatwick the night before and camping out if there is a big dump. Early morning travel is pretty much always the worst after snow. The gatwick forecast on Sat/Sun is for light snow according to the BBC, so fingers crossed.

Ian Wickham wrote:

OldAndy wrote:Keep the stuff you might need near the back of the boot, nothing worse than un packing luggage to find those gloves.
Also do practice with snow chains before you leave.
Actually, trying to work out how to put snow chains on at dusk, in the dirty snow, by the side of a road IS worse than hunting for gloves!

Yep the old boy is right, practice a few times at home with the snow chains, better still train the wife to put them they have smaller arms and get round the back of the wheel better, so teach the wife, stay in a warm car and don't forget to thank her when she gets back in the car, and don't mention all the dirt up her jacket as it tends to put them off the next time.
It would take me ages to put them on Mrs W is an expert :thumbup:

Ian has a really sensible idea - we should all learn!
teach the wife/OH/Girlfriend/child - anyone else possible really.
I have lost my helper now! 16yo boys hands are bigger than mine. I did well for a number of years by telling him I needed his help, but he has learnt that trick now :roll:

Keep the stuff you might need near the back of the boot, nothing worse than un packing luggage to find those gloves.
Also do practice with snow chains before you leave.
Actually, trying to work out how to put snow chains on at dusk, in the dirty snow, by the side of a road IS worse than hunting for gloves!

What no wine gums ?
You can't do a long car journey without wine gums!!!!!