J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ian Wickham

Tony_H wrote:Wow, amazingly steep. Those were serious pole plants.

Salski wrote:Hi NellyPS, I always do a DIY holiday (myself, OH & 10 year old) - & take great pleasure in doing the hours of research necessary to get a good deal :D I like to go to places that aren't frequented by the big tour operators & I read reviews of different resorts on here, Ski Club of GB website, Snow-Forecast, Go-Ski.com, & TripAdvisor etc. I also trawl through public albums on places like Picasa & Flickr to get an idea of an area. We go late January, take 10yo out of school, find accommodation that has flexible arrival & departure dates (start off by doing a Google on apartments in ........)

This year we decided on St. Gervais-les-Bains & a couple of friends came with us:-

Return Easy Jet flights from East Midlands to Geneva £55.00 each (out on a Tues, back on a Thurs)
Return Minibus transfer to apartment £45 each
Accommodation (shared between 5)£82.80 each (including bedding, towels & end of stay clean)

The adult lift passes were 214 euros for 8 days & we had ski hire to pay too.

We took a picnic lunch every day & ate in most nights. The shopping bill for the food & drink we purchased out there came to £50 each.

Our friends always book through a tour operator & they were very dubious that it would all work out :roll: . They couldn't believe how smoothly everything went & how cheap it was compared to what they normally pay. We also had a 10 day holiday, rather than a 7 day one.

I've looked at supposed tour operator bargains numerous times, but when I put all our details in there are always so many supplements it is never a bargain. Also, I don't want to fly from a London airport, or even Manchester for that matter when I can fly locally with a choice of times to suit me.

Have also driven to the Alps which gives lots of flexibility too, but it can take as long to drive from home to Dover as it does from Calais to the Alps - which is a real pain in the backside - particularly on the return journey!

We did a similar trip to Samoens last year & both holidays were very successful. If you want to see some photos, have a look at:-

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jimandsal/StGervaisLesBainsWebAlbum#

Good luck - & feel free to ask any further questions.

skidaddle wrote:George Boyd is already better than Zico ever was, Whickers.

Iceman wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

Iceman wrote:Well, this is nothing really to do with skiing but I suppose could be applicable to skiing holidays:-

Cost of Honeymoon to Cuba for 2:£1700

2 x Upgrade too Premier Cabin £400

2 x Seat Reservation £50

2 x priority Booking £50

Total of add ons = £500

That is almost a third of the price of the main holiday again. They say there is no profit in holidays....no, it is in the bl00dy extras :evil:

(sorry, had to get that off my chest!!!!)

You didnt have to pay the extras, or go to Cuba, or get married, but you chose to. It better be a fantastic trip at that price!

I have never paid more than £80 for a return flight to Europe.

My best deal was to southern Italy for £113 return, by the way that price was for the three of us :shock:

I was only making a point on how to make money when people will pay for it.

How many people on this forum moan/comment on the price of beer, etc etc. Dont buy it. Simple.

I was only making a lighhearted point. Obviously you are all experts and can only be as lighthearted as a slap in the face with a hammer.

I am off to go and have aa serious conversation with someone. Next time anyone on here complains/comments on price I will use Ian's oh so lighthearted comment

skidaddle wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

All hail The White Pele.

Brucie wrote:I said things that RESTORE our faith - not make us DESPAIR in humanity!!!!!!