Should I wait for last minute offer or should I book something now???

Hello everyone :)

Me and my partner are wondering what to do?
With the current recession climate and TO cutting the number of the accommodation they provide is it a good idea to wait for that last minute bargains?

Last year we went to Val Thorens in March. We booked it a month in advance as special offer for £400 (accommodation + flight). It was catered chalet. It was ok but the room was tiny.

This year we decided we can spend a bit more, around £500 (accommodation + flight).

I am spending a lot of time searching TO websites looking for a good offer. So far, no luck. I am getting frustrated because I don't know what to do. Ideally we would like a catered chalet in Saalbach in Austria, close to the slopes and not to noisy at night. We also would be happy to go back to Val Thorens or to go to La Plagne.

Should we wait hoping the prices will come down and there will be spaces available?

I'm worried we may end up in some crappy place and tiny room(again) if we wait to long.

We are looking to go in January or March to avoid any school holidays.

Good time to go. I always go early Jan and early March, mainly because you avoid busy slopes and kids, and its well priced. I also like the comparison between the colder Jan weather and the lighter March afternoons.

Personally, I always book one trip (the main one) in advance at a good price and then find a second one late or on sale. However, this year I have got 2 trips confirmed booked in advance because I also wanted to make sure I got what I wanted with the talk of number of rooms and flights down up to 30%.

If you want a chalet holiday at a decent price, look no further than Skiworld or www.catered-ski-chalets.co.uk
I have paid around £500pp for a week in Jan for a 4 star catered chalet last season in St Anton and for Alpe d'Huez this coming Jan. Give them a look, should find something suitable I would imagine.

Neneziss,

I think the general rule is, if you are particular about what you want, and when and where, pay the premium and book early. If you are prepared to put up with travelling to various airports and roughing it in less than ideal accomodation, then hang off and save a few quid.

And to paraphrase Rowan Atkinson ....... Its my partner and I!!!!

I believe that this season, flights will be the critical item. There seems to be more flight sharing, and also program cut back among the major TOs. There is always the option of DIY. If you DIY, this is a good case for booking early.

Hotel accomodation is still there, so one way or another, there should be some good accomodation costs.

School holiday demand will remain strong. But January take-up will be a good indicator, and we should start seeing evidence of this soon.

I do not agree that late deals means rough accomodation. You will normally get to see the standard of your accomodation. We have had some good standard hotels at cut rates.

Dave,
I didnt mean rough accomodation, I too have been very lucky on occasion!! I just meant that its a risk. I'm not fussy where I lay my head as long as its clean, warm and I can ski!!!!
Some people's priorities lie in other directions.

Sorry Brucie, I half mis-read. I don't like small rooms, I need a balcony to sit and paint, and so a view is useful!

And it must be clean. I don't care if it is old n creaky. In fact, before TonyH, gets in there, that is probably appropriate!

Well, I think we found our gem :) But still need to book it.
DIY worked the treat :)
Saalbach here we come :)

I hope early March will still have a good snow

Edit: I apologise for my poor grammar Brucie, but English isn't my first language. Btw, how is your Polish? :wink:

I can do small but in my old age I do tend to go a bit bigger, I like a bit of space especially if you share with other people, I have done the studios in the past when there was just Mrs W and I and they are fine, as really you are only sleeping in them, but now with a "dustbin lid " in tow we tend to spend a tad more time in the accommodation, so I suppose the money I don't spend going out on the razzel gets reinvested in accomodation. 8)