J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by LOTA

Tony_H wrote:

LOTA wrote:

Tony_H wrote: Trying crystal again this season but half board so we won't have to suffer their dreadful food.

I'm a bit confused, Tony, as I always understood half board to mean breakfast and dinner! -)

Simples. Chalets are staffed by tour op who do the cooking, whereas hotels belong to the owners and tour op just put you up in it so they don't cook for you.


Massive difference

I know that Tone having been a veteran of more chalet and hotel hols since I can remember; if you'd said hotel it would have made more sense!!

Last time I went with Crystal it was to a hotel but only B&B, most flexible and enjoyable way to get around the resort and enjoy various restuarants and bars! :)

NellyPS wrote:Lovely in Tignes/ValD today. Canons are going too :)

Saints alive!

I hope the cannons are going too! :)

Tony_H wrote: Trying crystal again this season but half board so we won't have to suffer their dreadful food.

I'm a bit confused, Tony, as I always understood half board to mean breakfast and dinner! -)

I prefer DIY these days, and since first skiing in 1973, I've seen tour ops come and go (anyone else remember Swans or Ski Plan?).

However, I was impressed with Mark Warner and Inghams, Crystal and Neilson are adequate, less impressed with Skiworld (dreadful experience in a clubhotel in Courchevel a few years ago). Ages since I've been with Thomsons.

If going tout op this season, I think I'd opt for one of the smaller, specialist operators where you pay the premium for a more personal service.

Get going quickly and don't wait for the Liverpool flight!

Well done to Chemmy Alcott, eighth place in her comeback Super G at Copper Mountain.

An excellent result in a World Cup-strength field at any time, but after her long, serious injury lay-off, this was remarkable.

The most frustrating delay can be waiting at the airport for other flights, delayed baggage, passengers etc. Whenever this happens, I think never again, I'm going independent again next time.

For me the perfect travel combination is fly to Zurich and take the train to a resort. Last time I did this, I left home at 2am and was skiing by noon.

I once did one of those Crystal deals where you knew the airport you were flying to (Chambery, as it happens) but not the resort or accommodation.

Ended up in Valmorel - would never have chosen it from the brochures etc, but had a great time in a wonderful hotel!

I'm a big fan of the mystery tour as a result!