Latest posts for the topic "Is DIY cheaper than packages?"

Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:05:02 GMT

This is my first visit back to the J2ski world since last Xmas. I was bed ridden for four of six days skiing in Italy and couldn't bear to be reminded of it......until now.

I've always done packages but am now thinking of the DIY option to save a few quid having recently been made redundant. The brochures seem expensive this year but we (myself and OH) still need/ want ski school and ski hire which I've always assumed is cheaper as part of a package, especially with transfers etc included. The other issue is that we need to go during Xmas school hols, grrrr.

Any advice would be really useful as I want to get something booked soon to cheer me up!

Cheers ski people!

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:15:53 GMT

Do you have a particular destination in mind? Once you know where you intend going, you can start to compare costs. It would also be worth checking to see if there are any early booking offers for package hols.

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:23:31 GMT

Thinking of Italy again. Definitely unfinished business there! Also seems a bit cheaper than elsewhere but I'd rather not go down the Bulgaria route.

I'm just doing some searching now but there's so much to consider. I can see myself screwing something up and being stuck at the airport or something!!

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:34:41 GMT

If you're worried about dealing with the unexpected then my advice would be to stick with a package deal through a reputable company.

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:55:43 GMT

Cheers Julia. I think I must be missing something though. For all the hassle of DIY why do people bother? I thought I'd save a bundle but I just did some quick calculations and it's much the same price either way (DIY GBP15 cheaper!) Still using Nielsen's lift pass, ski hire and ski school prices though because I can't find next seasons prices listed yet.

Maybe I'll get into cross country and save on the lift pass. Just need to lose a couple of stone!

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:59:48 GMT

I tried cross-country this year for the first time - no wonder they're all so thin and muscular, it's hard work. Enjoyable though...
I suppose people go independently for flexibility and choice. They can book with independent chalets and hotels, go when they want and for however long they want etc etc
There are also offers direct from the resort tourist offices which are worth looking at, especially for families. Look at the resort website for details where ski pass prices for next season are already available on some I've looked at over the past week or so.

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:30:24 GMT

You can save money on DIY but the savings are not always huge. If you drive down with 4 in a car and plan to self cater it may be cheaper.

The savings of cheap flights can be swallowed by transfers & car hire & ski carriage.

If aren't self catering deals on catered chalets or half board hotels are going to make it hard to beat a package.

The cheapest option is often a last minute package deal but that assumes there is excess capacity but the tour operators have lately reduced capacity so the bargains of 3 or 4 years ago are harder to find. If you are flexible about when you go there's less risk you won't find anything.

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:13:35 GMT

Agree with most of the comments, DIY is not always cheaper but you do have a touch of freedom, if your car sharing and splitting the travel costs then it should work out cheaper.

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:22:32 GMT

Experience tells me there is NO saving to be made by going DIY, and you increase the chances of something going wrong.
I've taken the vast majority of ski holidays with packages, as you get the whole deal - flights, transfers, accommodation - all taken care of. However, you do get more choice of where to go and stay with DIY obviously.
If you're going to drive a large vehicle and share costs with another group, its probably worth thinking about DIY.

Brochure prices do seem high this season, about 20% up year on year if you ask me, but if you can wait you'll get a bargain. Problem is you say you have to go Xmas week.......is it worth asking if you can or are prepared to take your kids out of school, as you'll save a fortune going early January for instance?
Also, if you go Xmas week, that week sells fast so you need to book something sooner rather than later.

As for where to go, Italy is generally cheaper for food and drink than the rest of the Alps, Austria not too far behind. I avoid France where possible for various reasons including the price of food and drink, and you're right to avoid Bulgaria for a whole shedload of reasons IMO.

Consider when you can or will travel first, but if its you and your family I think you'd be far better off with a package.

Let us know what you decide!

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:18:06 GMT

If you're going DIY then think train from airport to ski resort to avoid transfer taxi fares which are always high. Self catering saves a bundle. Smaller resorts = cheaper lift passes. Don't be stingy on equipment, it really makes a difference to your comfort, safety and enjoyment.

Car journey from the UK is ~GBP500 return (depends how far east or south you go and from how far north you're driving).

Italians all go skiing from boxing day on through New Year, so prices will be higher after christmas day. Package companies' prices aren't affected by local holidays just UK ones.

Small independent companies can often offer very good deals and a great personal service, tailoring your holiday to your budget.

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:25:40 GMT

Volf wrote:
Car journey from the UK is ~GBP500 return (depends how far east or south you go and from how far north you're driving).

Hi Volf,

usually I would agree with this quote (including the crossing), but this year we are going to skip France almost completely on our drive to Austria. I am expecting this to drop the price by GBP100+ as we will not be paying any tolls on the French roads.

With hindsight, we could have saved this last year as well when we went to Switzerland, and equally when we have driven to Livigno in years gone past.

So with three in the car, we are looking at about GBP130 each in total to get there and back, without any restrictions on what gear we take with us :)

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:00:01 GMT

Just remember the snow tyres or chains !! 4x4 won't help you when braking, the tyres will.

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:59:32 GMT

Snow tyres are a LEGAL requirement in most alpine countries, and tbh I found them much better from end of Nov through to end of March in the UK as well.
As for snow chains, I drove across the Col du Lauteret in April and we didn't have chains with us, never needed them. But probably a good idea to have a set in the boot just in case if you're going in the depth of winter.
Recommended to haver a dry run fitting them before you go!

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:08:15 GMT

:) No problems with tyres thank you..

Our annual ski vehicles are fitted with BF Goodrich All Terrain boots, which perform extremely well in the snow, but we take chains as well just in case.

In over 10 years of driving, we have never had to use chains, despite some very iffy weather conditions.

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:41:40 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Snow tyres are a LEGAL requirement in most alpine countries,

Er no they are not :lol:

If you look at the regulations I do believe that you'll see the need for chains or winter tyres, if road conditions meet certain criteria/the Police say so. Austria is a notable exception, though I imagine someone from the EU will take that up sooner or later.

Additionally, I'm not sure that snow tyres are made for road use, never seen a pair.

I don't own winter tyres, get by just fine with the M/S tyres which are standard for my car. Can't remember which year last used chains, more than 6 years ago.

Everyone driving in an alpine country should check the requirements for visitors well in advance of travel.

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:15:20 GMT

The issue of DIY v TO mainly depends upon your individual circumstances. If you are in a position to use GBP39 flights/free airmile flights, and can get a train close to the resort, and are savvy enough to get good accomodation costs, DIY will often beat TOs.
Last year, We did DIY in the Skiwelt at New Year, paying only 45 Euro for HB.
My lowest cost was free return airmile flights, 19 Eu/night accomodation, 30Eu train fare each way. I even hitched up from rail station to resort!

I normally buy a season pass. The effects of this vary, but last years pass covered half of Tirol, and worked out at GBP70 a week, c/w GBP170/GBP210 average.
I agree that chalets generally offer good value, but I would not choose to do that again. Good for some, not for me.

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 09:28:33 GMT

I have just booked our ski holiday and in my particular case DIY worked out much cheaper than a package.

Direct morning Eurostar Ski train Standard class out Saturday 31st Dec to Moutiers back on the night train Saturday 7th Jan Standard Premier class (much more comfy) total price GBP189 return.

Return transfers from Moutiers to Meribel on the bus (not booked yet but presumably the same as last year) 20 euros.

Pierre et Vacances self-catering apartment for 4 but only 3 of us, total price GBP764, price per person GBP255

Total price per person (excluding lift passes, insurance, ski hire and lessons) = GBP462

Exact same holiday with Thomson going on the train to the same apartment, except that you can't go out on the day train and back on the night train, total price per person = GBP806

So, going DIY in this instance has saved me GBP340 per person and a total of GBP1020 for the three of us :D :D

Flying should be cheaper but even with that, going with Thomson to the same apartment the same week gives a total price per person of GBP742. AND the flight is from Luton leaving at 0715 whereas the train leaves St Pancras at 10 a.m. a much more civilized hour! AND going on the train means we get an extra day of ski-ing. Plus, I don't have to worry about getting car sick on the long transfers from the airport.

Having said all that, I do agree that sometimes a package is cheaper than DIY. It depends on many factors, as others have already said. And, of course, it does take much longer to book a DIY holiday because you have to study timetables and maps and things and book each part separately. But I find I know a lot more about the resort before I get there if I've booked it DIY - like the quickest way to the lifts, and the closest ski hire shop etc. which I think results in a more enjoyable holiday for all of us.

Ally

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Tue, 2 Aug 2011 20:50:23 GMT

I have only ever been on one full package deal, worst trip I ever had but that was nothing to do with the rep or operator. Booking DIY has certain advantages, price is one but you kind of got to know where you are t regarding deals on transport within a particular country. It's not difficult but requires patience and lots of online research. Accommodation on a ski trip is paramount. With a bunch of lads for a weekend, then a barn will do, with the missus for Christmas? You might want a goat with that too. Well I don't know, it's never happened yet :(

Seriously though, when I go on a snow trip I spend weeks procrastinating about the accommodation, and about 1/5 of my time in it, 80% of that with my eyes closed. I've done all standards in Austria and it has not once been bad. I've done 4* in France and I felt like a hamster.

DIY can be cheaper, and more expensive, sometimes that's what you want. Personally I go that way and love it, it's a lot harder to justify shouting at yourself for a week than a poor young rep who just wants to ski :)

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Wed, 3 Aug 2011 15:06:32 GMT

Spot on Tino, all I ask for in accomodation is a comfortable bed, and plenty of hot water.

I'm on Holiday, so happy to eat out. Which means we get plenty of choice, and as you say, who wants to be indoors (bars excluded) if the slopes have snow and you're not sleeping :)

I never could understand people who go skiing and pack several books and stuff.

Re:Is DIY cheaper than packages?

Wed, 3 Aug 2011 16:14:23 GMT

Far Queue wrote:Spot on Tino, all I ask for in accomodation is a comfortable bed, and plenty of hot water.

I'm on Holiday, so happy to eat out. Which means we get plenty of choice, and as you say, who wants to be indoors (bars excluded) if the slopes have snow and you're not sleeping :)

I never could understand people who go skiing and pack several books and stuff.

I don't need too much understanding ..... I love a good read before lights out :wink: