Latest posts for the topic "Late Booking...is it worth it?"

Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:04:39 GMT

Alright guys, first time posting so hope this is in the right place!

Went skiing last year for the first time (with a group of capable skiers) and got on brilliant, loved it! This year, we're only able to go from 30th Dec to 6th January because we're all at the same Uni and we start back on the 7th January.

We don't really care where we go, so would it be worth waiting until the 28th/29th December and looking for a good deal to go a couple of days later, or does it make very little difference? Do any of you have any experience in this and is there any problems/difficulties that can come up with this?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Mark

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:22:34 GMT

New year will be extremely busy, if you leave it until last minute you run the risk of not getting your choice of airport/resort/accom, leaving it that late I'm assuming means you want a package deal? If your tickets have to be couriered to you or picked up at the airport they incur an extra cost, if you leave it til last min you'll probably have to sort passes etc yourself last min (some t/o's might be able to sort them for you but no guarantee) which means extra time queueing in resort and no discount availability.
If your taking gear with you you might find no ski carriage so you'll have to rent or possibly pay a premium to get it on the plane. If your renting gear and anyone has any awkward requests like size 14 ski boots (a friend had this happen) you might find none available as they had all been reserved, then you have to buy- could be costly.
Pretty much any time out of school holidays I'd be happy to hold out for a bargain, but honestly at new year unless your prepared to go ANYWHERE and stay in a toilet if necessary I wouldn't leave it til last min. -)

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:23:22 GMT

P.s Welcome, excuse my forgetting my manners!

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:31:41 GMT

Thanks for the quick reply!

Yep, we'll be looking for a package deal, basically flights, accommodation, transfers, ski equip and lift passes! None of us will be bringing any of our own gear!

We won't be overly fussy tbh..last year we ended up in Pas de la Casa in Andorra and the snow wasn't the best, so anything with snow and plenty of slopes will do great! I know that New Year's going to be really busy, but if it is a case of just turning up to the travel agents and saying we 're happy to go anywhere with snow, it's unlikely that we'll find nothing?

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:49:25 GMT

Late booking is great if you can go at the drop of a hat. If you have set dates then booking early is the best option.
I booked for New Year last march and my holiday is now GBP1000 more expensive than paid back then.
Some people grab some brilliant deals by going late but you have to be prepared to wait it out and accept that you might not get anything at all, especially peak weeks. Last year i waited and waited for a decent feb deal and got nothing. In the end i lost my nerve and booked 3 weeks out for the going rate. Nothing cheaper came up after so i was relieved i did as there was bugger all left come the week i wanted to go.

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:59:02 GMT

Why don't you go the week before Christmas to somewhere snow sure like Tignes or Val Thorens, because it will be very cheap and quiet? That's what my daughter's doing with her Uni ski club. And they use 'off the piste' who specialize in uni trips.

https://www.offthepiste.com/

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:33:37 GMT

Which airport would you be flying from and how many in your party? If its a London one and a small group, maybe.
If its a regional one and a big group I would book asap.
Late deals work normally by being as flexible as possible,big group fixed dates don't normally work.
Welcome!:-)

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:51:38 GMT

It's most likely only going to be a group of four of us, flying out of Belfast preferably but Dublin is an option too! I've been looking at Val Thorens this evening and there is quite a few reviews saying it is quite expensive?

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:57:50 GMT

Check out UKPA for a good deal, accom not exactly 5* but better than your average UK hostel, food included so might make your budget go further than you think.

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 22:08:41 GMT

4 of us booked for jan 2 weeks before we went and got a top hotel in adh half price. But you run the risk of not getting somewhere you want and also with more than 2-3 people of not getting rooms as heavily discounted deals are usually last rooms in hotels or on flights.

Personally I've waited and had good deals, but also booked early and like snapzz ended up paying a lot less.

Heads you win......

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 22:45:51 GMT

mdonaghy644 wrote:It's most likely only going to be a group of four of us, flying out of Belfast preferably but Dublin is an option too! I've been looking at Val Thorens this evening and there is quite a few reviews saying it is quite expensive?

I think you can get reasonably priced self-catered accommodation in Val Thorens. The problem is the price of the food in the mountain restaurants throughout the Three Valleys. However, if you carry a rucksack with food and drink bought in the supermarket and have a picnic lunch it's not too expensive.

Example price for you:

Self-catered apartment with 2 rooms for 4 people in the Temple du Soleil with Off the Piste, including lift pass for the week from the 15th December = GBP290 p.p.

Return transfers from Chambery airport to VT with same company = GBP55

Return flights with Flybe from Belfast City to Chambery = GBP101.

Total = GBP446 p.p. (plus food and drink for the week).

I'm not saying this is the cheapest price you could find, but it should give you an idea. And I haven't included a price for ski/board hire or insurance.

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 22:57:59 GMT

AllyG wrote:

mdonaghy644 wrote:It's most likely only going to be a group of four of us, flying out of Belfast preferably but Dublin is an option too! I've been looking at Val Thorens this evening and there is quite a few reviews saying it is quite expensive?

I think you can get reasonably priced self-catered accommodation in Val Thorens. The problem is the price of the food in the mountain restaurants throughout the Three Valleys. However, if you carry a rucksack with food and drink bought in the supermarket and have a picnic lunch it's not too expensive.

Example price for you:

Self-catered apartment with 2 rooms for 4 people in the Temple du Soleil with Off the Piste, including lift pass for the week from the 15th December = GBP290 p.p.

Return transfers from Chambery airport to VT with same company = GBP55

Return flights with Flybe from Belfast City to Chambery = GBP101.

Total = GBP446 p.p. (plus food and drink for the week).

I'm not saying this is the cheapest price you could find, but it should give you an idea. And I haven't included a price for ski/board hire or insurance.

That's a great help - thanks. Breaking it down like that makes it a lot easier to digest. I know that last year I paid GBP560 for flights, accomm, transfers, lift pass, equipment and a week's lessons, so I think that sounds about right! I would be happy to be paying around GBP450/GBP500 for everything!

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:15:21 GMT

Snapzzz and Jon sum it up well. You fall into a critical group, that includes me. I fly from Edinburgh. We share the dilema of limited flights.

I have recently done a really low cost diy New Year deal to the Skiwelt, and a slightly more expensive visit to the Wildschonau. (Still cheaper tha using a TO.) You do have to do the research, though.

When thinking about holiday pressure, do not think about UK circumstances. The demand travels from Europe to the Urals. There is immense demand at New Year.

A friend recently tried to book into my regular place in the Wildschonau for New Year. It was full, but I was able to steer him into a good place. It can get very difficult.

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:44:33 GMT

When to book a ski week has always been the big question!!!

If you know where you want to go, from where, and when, then book early and pay the price.

If you want to end up somewhere where the tour operators cant sell, because no-one wants to go, then book late!!

The last few years, in my view, have seen a huge reduction in ski holiday availability, with holiday companies reducing their exposure due to lack of demand caused by the 'recession'. They have retreated to their core market, the people unaffected, and know that they can pretty much keep the prices fairly high in that sector.

This has seen real 'late deals' dry up in the last couple of years.

However, in my experience, there is a window around the end of October when companies get twitchy prior to the arrival of the snow, and if you are prepared to take a chance, then that is the time, again, in my view, to book.

Thankfully, I wont have this problem this year, having just sorted out an apartment for the season in my favourite place!!(Sorry)
:D :D :D

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:45:53 GMT

mdonaghy644 wrote:

AllyG wrote:

mdonaghy644 wrote:It's most likely only going to be a group of four of us, flying out of Belfast preferably but Dublin is an option too! I've been looking at Val Thorens this evening and there is quite a few reviews saying it is quite expensive?

I think you can get reasonably priced self-catered accommodation in Val Thorens. The problem is the price of the food in the mountain restaurants throughout the Three Valleys. However, if you carry a rucksack with food and drink bought in the supermarket and have a picnic lunch it's not too expensive.

Example price for you:

Self-catered apartment with 2 rooms for 4 people in the Temple du Soleil with Off the Piste, including lift pass for the week from the 15th December = GBP290 p.p.

Return transfers from Chambery airport to VT with same company = GBP55

Return flights with Flybe from Belfast City to Chambery = GBP101.

Total = GBP446 p.p. (plus food and drink for the week).

I'm not saying this is the cheapest price you could find, but it should give you an idea. And I haven't included a price for ski/board hire or insurance.

That's a great help - thanks. Breaking it down like that makes it a lot easier to digest. I know that last year I paid GBP560 for flights, accomm, transfers, lift pass, equipment and a week's lessons, so I think that sounds about right! I would be happy to be paying around GBP450/GBP500 for everything!

:shock: how did you conclude GBP450/GBP500 for everything?

AllyG's example came to GBP446 without food or drink and without equipment. Add GBP20/day s/c food, GBP100 hire and you're easily at GBP686. AND AllyG's example was the 15th December not NEW YEAR, the flights/accommodation price might typically double for then.

In fairness I've never tried last minute booking, so would be interested to hear how you get on.

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:50:36 GMT

mdonaghy644 wrote:

AllyG wrote:Total = GBP446 p.p. (plus food and drink for the week).

I'm not saying this is the cheapest price you could find, but it should give you an idea. And I haven't included a price for ski/board hire or insurance.

That's a great help - thanks. Breaking it down like that makes it a lot easier to digest. I know that last year I paid GBP560 for flights, accomm, transfers, lift pass, equipment and a week's lessons, so I think that sounds about right! I would be happy to be paying around GBP450/GBP500 for everything!

I'm afraid it would be more than that, after you've added in ski hire and lessons.

Bronze ski hire through Off the Piste = GBP69
ESF lessons 2 1/2 hours 6 afternoons = 119 euros (about GBP95).

New total = GBP610

And the 3 valleys link may not be open that early, but even if it isn't there is plenty to ski in Val Thorens itself.

It sounds like you had a real bargain last year. Where did you go?

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:15:06 GMT

Very risky late booking for new year, a week either side of the Christmas break fine, but on a peak week choice is going to be restricted and the savings not as big.

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:41:18 GMT

AllyG wrote:

mdonaghy644 wrote:

AllyG wrote:Total = GBP446 p.p. (plus food and drink for the week).

I'm not saying this is the cheapest price you could find, but it should give you an idea. And I haven't included a price for ski/board hire or insurance.

That's a great help - thanks. Breaking it down like that makes it a lot easier to digest. I know that last year I paid GBP560 for flights, accomm, transfers, lift pass, equipment and a week's lessons, so I think that sounds about right! I would be happy to be paying around GBP450/GBP500 for everything!

I'm afraid it would be more than that, after you've added in ski hire and lessons.

Bronze ski hire through Off the Piste = GBP69
ESF lessons 2 1/2 hours 6 afternoons = 119 euros (about GBP95).

New total = GBP610

And the 3 valleys link may not be open that early, but even if it isn't there is plenty to ski in Val Thorens itself.

It sounds like you had a real bargain last year. Where did you go?

Sorry, by everything I was only talking about the cost before we left, not including food/drink for the week, or lessons which I think the four of us could get on fine without now.

Last year we went to Pas de la Casa on the 8th January, and I paid GBP559 for flights, shared self catered accommodation for 4, equipment hire and lift pass and beginner lessons for the week. I would say while we were there I spent another 300euro or so!

Talking to the other three involved last night I think we're almost certain about going on the 15th December for a week before Christmas!

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:57:12 GMT

If you decide to go to Val Thorens, just avoid the mountain restaurants unless you want to blow a big hole in your pocket :shock:

Last time I was there I noticed a hot dog stall type place where a lot of people seemed to be buying chips etc. fairly cheaply for their supper.

And apparently a few weeks before I was there (the same pre-Christmas week that you're going) UCL and Oxford uni ski clubs were in Val Thorens. And my daughter's uni ski club will be there that week this year.

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:08:26 GMT

As Lillywhite mentioned earlier look at the holidays provided by the UCPA (Union des Centres Sportifs de Plein Air) a non-profit French organization that makes outdoor sports holidays available for people of ages 7-39.

http://www.ucpa.co.uk/
http://www.chamonet.com/accommodation/hotels/ucpa-chamonix.html

Prices include: accommodation, breakfast, lunch & dinner, lift pass, ski / board hire and instruction, but not flights and transfers. Before booking check out the price of the transfer, as (depending on resort) they can be expensive.

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:18:59 GMT

Is there anything being run by your Uni at all? My daughter is going with hers 15th to 22nd to Tignes, really good price.

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:27:17 GMT

michelle63 wrote:Is there anything being run by your Uni at all? My daughter is going with hers 15th to 22nd to Tignes, really good price.

Our university doesn't have a Ski Club, which is a disappointment. We're only a small university of 1200 students - a teaching college.

The ski companies don't offer anything for 15/16th december so at the minute we're looking at booking everything separately.

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:38:25 GMT

just had a quick look on ucpa , loads of availability left, Flaine all in except flight/transfer 399 euros is the cheapest on there but V/T, serre che and a fer others also available. If I were you I'd check flight availability from your nearest airport and then see which resorts are compatible, check train transfers as well as coach or taxi. :)

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:49:03 GMT

lilywhite wrote:just had a quick look on ucpa , loads of availability left, Flaine all in except flight/transfer 399 euros is the cheapest on there but V/T, serre che and a fer others also available. If I were you I'd check flight availability from your nearest airport and then see which resorts are compatible, check train transfers as well as coach or taxi. :)

Thanks! Really appreciate the help as I'm more or less a newbie to this whole thing!

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:03:56 GMT

I've previously left it all to T/O's for the sheer ease of booking, since getting more involved with forums like this one has given me the confidence to just get on with it myself. There is loads of info and help out there when someone points you in the right direction.
The vast majority of people on here are helpful specially if they know your a newbie.
Unless you mention Niederau or helmets....... -) :shock: :twisted:

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:13:11 GMT

Someone just has a bobble in their bonnet about Niederau!

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:00:37 GMT

mdonaghy644 wrote:

The ski companies don't offer anything for 15/16th december so at the minute we're looking at booking everything separately.

If you can get to Geneva by air, there are plenty of opportunities for going unpackaged, in early season.

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:14:08 GMT

Go to www.interactiveresorts.co.uk I have had a quick look and and there are fully catered chalets available in Meribel starting at GBP459 inc flights and transfers for departures 15/16th December

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:39:55 GMT

bandit wrote:

mdonaghy644 wrote:

The ski companies don't offer anything for 15/16th december so at the minute we're looking at booking everything separately.

If you can get to Geneva by air, there are plenty of opportunities for going unpackaged, in early season.

I've just come up with this, using offthepiste.com and easyjet..what do you think?

Offthepiste.com
Val Thorens, France
Accommodation/Lift Pass/Equipment = GBP309
Transfers to/from airport = GBP89
Total = GBP398.00

Easyjet.com
Return Flights - Geneva
15th Dec - 06:00 Belfast International - 09:10 Geneva = GBP24.99
22nd Dec - 09:50 Geneva - 11:15 Belfast International = GBP40.99
20kg Luggage = GBP23.00
Total = GBP97.98

OVERALL SKI TOTAL: GBP495.98

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:52:14 GMT

Well, you beat my price by GBP20! :lol:

Geneva is a more reliable airport than Chambery, but Chambery is closer to Val Thorens and hence the transfer is quicker (about an hour faster I think).

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:03:23 GMT

AllyG wrote:Well, you beat my price by GBP20! :lol:

Geneva is a more reliable airport than Chambery, but Chambery is closer to Val Thorens and hence the transfer is quicker (about an hour faster I think).

GBP20 is the difference between eating or starving for a week for us students! :wink:

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:23:00 GMT

Good for you, is that self catering? I'm assuming it is for that price. Your not taking skis so should be able to cram some packets in to make the supermarket shop cheaper too. Things like oxo cubes, tabasco, chilli powder and garlic salt and a dry mix for sausage casserole etc can save you a fortune in dressing up cheaper cuts of meat or tinned produce and keep the costs down for your food, leaving a bigger budget for beer -)
I can usually keep the clothes/toiletry packing down to about 11kg normally leaving 9kg for food.I'm not suggesting you take a leg of lamb tho, they might raise their eyes in customs when your case gets x-rayed!

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 22:31:31 GMT

Val Thorens last april 2011 was a very good experience.
If you get a good package deal go for it.
Food is over priced in restuarants, so if you get a self catering arrangement/opportunity grab it.
Regards Millstreet :)

Re:Late Booking...is it worth it?

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:17:27 GMT

Another thing to remember about those self-catering places is that you have to clean the apartment up really thoroughly before you leave, or they whack you with a big fine. And the Pierre et Vacances ones I've been to have an arangement whereby you tell them what time you're leaving and make an appointment to have the apartment inspected before you go. And they give you a big list of what to clean, which includes things like washing the kitchen and bathroom floors.

The alternative is to pay extra when you arrive for them to clean it, which I have found to be cheaper than the fine!