Latest posts for the topic "Drink prices in resorts 2013"

Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:49:23 GMT

Leading on from a conversation on another thread, I thought it would be interesting to post what we are paying this year in various resorts for drinks in resort and up the mountain. I know WTSS run their own RPI to give an idea of which are the better value resorts, but it would be an interesting exercise to see highest, lowest and/or average prices we are paying resort to resort this season.

Ill kick off with champoluc/monterosa;

Large beer 5 euros
1/4 litre house wine 2,50 euros
Regular coffee 1,50 euros
Latte 2,50 euros
Coca cola 2 euros

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:59:48 GMT

OK. Here goes.

Scheffau/Skiwelt:

Large beer; 4Euro or 5Euro on the mountain. 3.4Euro in the village pub.

Wine; don't know. Don't touch the stuff on skiing holidays.

Coffee; Euro2

Coca cola; snot of Satan :twisted: . Don't get me started!!! :lol:

Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:52:15 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Leading on from a conversation on another thread, I thought it would be interesting to post what we are paying this year in various resorts for drinks in resort and up the mountain. I know WTSS run their own RPI to give an idea of which are the better value resorts, but it would be an interesting exercise to see highest, lowest and/or average prices we are paying resort to resort this season.

Ill kick off with champoluc/monterosa;

Large beer 5 euros
1/4 litre house wine 2,50 euros
Regular coffee 1,50 euros
Latte 2,50 euros
Coca cola 2 euros

Merdassier/ La Clusaz ........ Beer (small) Euro3.5, Espresso Euro1.2 to Euro2.10, Coke Euro3.5, Chocolate Euro3.5 to Euro4.5, 1/2 Litre of house wine Euro7, Latte Euro 3.5.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:52:59 GMT

Val D'Isere (Jan 2013)

Large Beer in the village 6 Euros, several happy hours on with 2 for 1 if you time it right
Bottle of soft drink, anywhere from 3 to 5 Euros
Glass of Wine around 3 Euros (I think, from memory!!)
Gluhwein, 3.50 Euros upwards

Didn't buy any coffees so can't comment I'm afrais, and we take our own choc multipacks from home for snacks

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:07:45 GMT

Arabba/Dolomites

Hot chocolate Euro 2.5-3, coffee not sure

No idea of alcohol prices on slopes as leave drinking 'till I'm home in one piece.

Small beer (village)Euro 2-3, Large beer Euro 4
Half litre of house wine (village) Euro4.50, Prosecco (glass) Euro2

Lunch
Pizza or pasta dish Euro6-10

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:23:31 GMT

jocrad74 wrote:we take our own choc multipacks from home for snacks

Yes yes yes, everytime

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:17:54 GMT

Dont know, dont care. I dont go on holiday to save money to be honest

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:19:00 GMT

Iceman wrote:Dont know, dont care. I dont go on holiday to save money to be honest

Don't ****ing post then :twisted:

And no one said anything about SAVING money :roll:

And if someone posted that kind of response on a thread you started you'd be going nuts.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:31:23 GMT

Going nuts like you are?

I don't look at prices because I don't give a toss

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:42:23 GMT

The coffee pricing isn't factoring in the quality. The "coffee" served outside Italy is generally schiessen in a cup.

Pretty sure a good cappuccino was 1.50eu on the slopes at Champoluc. A demi of house plonk was about 4 or 5 eu from memory.

In ADH i refused to pay the 3 to 4 eu they were asking or a coffee. Ditto Le Grand Bonand.

In Davos I was gouged 5chf for the worst espresso I have ever had. Talk about feeling violated. We foolishly sat down without noting prices first. God only knows how much a beer up there was. Spag Bol was 20chf

Prices in Italy must have gone up because I thought I was getting a cappuccino for 1eu in 2009?

This thread is a good idea and will note prices and update from Corvara next week

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:53:31 GMT

in les arcs it cost me 15 euros for 2 soft drinks (4euros each) and a vodka and coke. have 3/4 of those a night and it ends up an expensive hol.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:00:50 GMT

oldboarder wrote:in les arcs it cost me 15 euros for 2 soft drinks (4euros each) and a vodka and coke. have 3/4 of those a night and it ends up an expensive hol.

Vodka and coke? Serves you right.

Can't remember exactly where but we were gouged 6 euros for an Orangina in ADH.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:04:06 GMT

Juddernaut wrote:The coffee pricing isn't factoring in the quality. The "coffee" served outside Italy is generally schiessen in a cup.

Usually a pretty good rule of thumb. Only had the one coffee on the mountain. That was in Westendorf and it was surprisingly good. The coffee in our hotel in Scheffau was also excellent. I forget how much it cost as it was all part of the 116Euro bar bill, the vast majority of which was Zipfer pils :D .

My kids can't half knock it back! -)

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:54:29 GMT

Coffee in the dolce place up the mountain in Tignes was Euro 4.50 thats a cafe au lait.

Beer near our chalet was Euro30 for 2 jugs holds 6 pints so 5Euro pint ( maybe more if you buy single pints )

Hot chocolate Euro4

Didn't have any beer up the mountain as I'm a good boy -)

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 00:29:07 GMT

While the cost of drink only accounts for a tiny proportion of my typical ski trip, I really hate getting ripped off :twisted: .

Last year, I was hit for Euro5 for hot chocolates in La Plagne, Euro5 for soft drinks, Euro6.50 for large beers :twisted:

My other pet hate is mountain restaurants that do not make tap water available (or hide it if they do) :twisted: . Paying Euro3 for a bottle of water when the tap water is perfectly acceptable drives me nuts :twisted:.

France is, in my experience the worst culprit for overpriced drinks. When you combine that with the smallest hotel bedrooms in Europe, it adds up to a fair bit of irritation :shock: . If it wasn't for the great skiing, I'd never think of visiting the place:wink:.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 08:41:41 GMT

Wanderer wrote:While the cost of drink only accounts for a tiny proportion of my typical ski trip, I really hate getting ripped off :twisted: .

Last year, I was hit for Euro5 for hot chocolates in La Plagne, Euro5 for soft drinks, Euro6.50 for large beers :twisted:

My other pet hate is mountain restaurants that do not make tap water available (or hide it if they do) :twisted: . Paying Euro3 for a bottle of water when the tap water is perfectly acceptable drives me nuts :twisted:.

France is, in my experience the worst culprit for overpriced drinks. When you combine that with the smallest hotel bedrooms in Europe, it adds up to a fair bit of irritation :shock: . If it wasn't for the great skiing, I'd never think of visiting the place:wink:.

Wanderer you possible do not go to the right resorts, keep out of the so called big ones and prices can be not cheap but resonable :thumbup:

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 12:36:15 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:
Wanderer you possible do not go to the right resorts, keep out of the so called big ones and prices can be not cheap but resonable :thumbup:

Meh - I am not so sure. We were slugged 4.00EU for foul coffee at our little local resort (Lelex - in the Jura near Geneva). France generally expensive when compared to Italy\Austria. You then have Switzerland which is crazy expensive.

However I think Australia has possibly the most expensive lift tickets and food\drinks going around, especially when you consider how ordinary the skiing is.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 14:59:28 GMT

Interesting how many people, Wickers aside, agree on France being expensive. My experience tell me nothing different.
Also people do seem to be conscious of what they are paying. 5 eu for a hot drink is in my opinion nothing short of robbery, especially if the quality of the drink is crap. It's all part of the holiday enjoyment and budget planning at the end of the day.
I thought it was a good idea to gather people's findings on what they're either happy to pay or forced to pay got drinks as its a big feature of a days skiing as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes however you just rock up somewhere and pay whatever they're charging, but at least you get 5 other days to avoid anywhere that's over priced.
France and Switzerland battling it out for the highest priced drinks this far.

(Only 1 person saying they don't care what drinks cost, which usually goes hand in hand with money being no object at all or generally obnoxious provocative behaviour.)

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 15:09:31 GMT

I agree that when you're on holiday, you like to relax a bit and I try not to get hung up on what stuff costs but on the same hand, I prefer to have a budget in mind for the week that I'd like to keep to if at all possible. It's finding that balance between throwing money around and finding a bargain or two. Hnce happy hours at 2 for 1 always welcome!!

Yes, France is expensive generally speaking, but I don't go to a French ski resort expecting to pay 2 Euros a beer...if you do, you've not done your research properly!! Prices are what they are, and if they're an issue, you have to keep within your means, whether that be a cheaper resort or beers on the balcony.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 15:19:41 GMT

Both the former and latter Tony. Depends on the day.

Not the point I was making, but that is irrelevant

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 15:21:21 GMT

jocrad74 wrote:I agree that when you're on holiday, you like to relax a bit and I try not to get hung up on what stuff costs but on the same hand, I prefer to have a budget in mind for the week that I'd like to keep to if at all possible. It's finding that balance between throwing money around and finding a bargain or two. Hnce happy hours at 2 for 1 always welcome!!

Yes, France is expensive generally speaking, but I don't go to a French ski resort expecting to pay 2 Euros a beer...if you do, you've not done your research properly!! Prices are what they are, and if they're an issue, you have to keep within your means, whether that be a cheaper resort or beers on the balcony.

Spot on, and pleasantly put without the need to be rude or aggressive,

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 15:37:07 GMT

I am not leaving whilst you are making false accusations. Just because you don't agree with my point, no need too say that. Is there? Really?

France it's not expensive. Euro4 for a pint is reasonable.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 15:44:21 GMT

Iceman wrote:I am not leaving whilst you are making false accusations. Just because you don't agree with my point, no need too say that. Is there? Really?

France it's not expensive. Euro4 for a pint is reasonable.

"I don't look at prices because I don't give a toss" was what you said, without any mention of a pint for 4eu, which incidentally is a decent price tbh. Although it seems most people's findings are au contrarie to your sudden injection of anything of value -)
France is, as others have testified, expensive for drinks. Generally.

But this thread wasn't about black marking a country or an area, it was information gathering for the current season out of interest.

Thanks for finally making a point though.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 18:33:18 GMT

Wanderer wrote:
Last year, I was hit for Euro5 for hot chocolates in La Plagne, Euro5 for soft drinks, Euro6.50 for large beers :twisted:

We are going to La Plagne next weekend (hurrah!), so this is useful information. Thank you!

And thanks TH for the thread which has acheived what I think you set out for it to do.

Although we budget, we still pay whatever the prices are, and then moan about it after.

I've read Trip Advisor reviews on our hotel which suggest it's the cheapest bar in the village, so there's a small saving for the evening.

If I find any new info on La Plagne prices I will post it here when I get back.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 20:27:15 GMT

Sauz-up mountain
Latte Euro2
Lunch- slab pizza, chips, small beer, water Euro11
Town large beer Euro2.50

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 20:56:03 GMT

On our recent holiday to Tignes I found the prices varied very much from restaurant to restaurant, but were generally higher in the mountain restaurants as compared to down in the villages.

Up the mountain in the Tete de Solaise restaurant above Val d'Isere:
One large hot chocolate = 6.00 euros
One small coffee = 2.80 euros

Down in Tignes Lavachet in Le Brassero restaurant:
25cl Perrier = 3.00 euros
One hot chocolate = 3.00 euros

Up on the Grande Motte Tignes, from the outside bar of the Panoramic restaurant:
Small coffee = 2.50 euros
Tea = 3.50 euros
Hot chocolate = 4.00 euros

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 05:56:10 GMT

Us too...we stayed in the Skiworld Lodge in VDI, beer in the bar was 5 euros, wine 3.5 euros, Bombay Sapphire & Tonic 4 euros...but didn't bother posting these as only in our Lodge!!

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 05:56:10 GMT

elovabloke wrote:Sauz-up mountain
Latte Euro2
Lunch- slab pizza, chips, small beer, water Euro11
Town large beer Euro2.50

Crikey, prices are lower than when I was last there 4 years ago!
A large beer was generally 4 euros

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 10:15:28 GMT

Looks like Italy for me :thumbup:

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 10:52:09 GMT

Skiing across border most days, I can report that Italian mountain restaurants are about 1/3 cheaper than the French ones in Montgenevre. They also have more atmosphere.

Beers in resort Euro2.50 for a demi
Wine is cheap. Small glass Euro2.50
Hot chocolates vary but Euro2.50 - Euro3.
Coke same as hot chocolate I think.

Here follows a rant:

Got royally peed-off at Ciao Pais in Sauze d'Oulx 2 days ago. When I went to pay the bill, the lady told me that they had to charge for tap water because they had to filter and purify it themselves and weren't, by law, allowed provide tap water in Italy. Pull the other one! That trick was being used La Datcha in Val D'Isere 20 years ago when I worked there. Not only that but she didn't offer me the standard ski guide discount. It's a shame because it's lovely restaurant, probably the best on Sauze / Sestriere slopes, but they won't be seeing my groups there. I managed to get the water knocked off the bill, but when I got home I realised there was a cover charge of Euro2 per person on the bill !!

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 11:10:36 GMT

Volf wrote:

Here follows a rant:

Got royally peed-off at Ciao Pais in Sauze d'Oulx 2 days ago. When I went to pay the bill, the lady told me that they had to charge for tap water because they had to filter and purify it themselves and weren't, by law, allowed provide tap water in Italy. Pull the other one! That trick was being used La Datcha in Val D'Isere 20 years ago when I worked there. Not only that but she didn't offer me the standard ski guide discount. It's a shame because it's lovely restaurant, probably the best on Sauze / Sestriere slopes, but they won't be seeing my groups there. I managed to get the water knocked off the bill, but when I got home I realised there was a cover charge of Euro2 per person on the bill !!

That sounds ominous. What, with the recently introduced tourist tax and all. Is this all to do with the parlous state of the Italian economy and 'Johnny Tourist' being asked to foot a bit more of the bill?

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 12:36:50 GMT

This is the Italians way of getting some extra spondies.
Volfs right, that's one of the best eateries but that kind of penny pinching is irritating.
Expect more of it in Italy as maybe they themselves realise they're cheaper than most of the alps, and their country is in the deep stuff already, and I'm not talking fresh powder either.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 13:28:00 GMT

They don't want to pee me off too much, just look what is happening to the Irish lot since my one man boycott :evil:

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 16:37:28 GMT

This is what we received when we ordered a "glass" of white wine at Hanggis Restaurant in Davos.

Cheapest wine on the list at around 8CHF and they couldn't be arsed to even half fill it. We estimated it to be about 100ml. We call it being "Switzerlanded".

The week before in Champoluc we were getting a 500ml carafe for less and quality was just as good.

In Australia the glasses have a line on the glass at 326ml and woe betide any place that short serves you.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 18:58:34 GMT

I find it ironic that water is 3 euros and a demi is 2.50 euros on the slopes in PDS. Evian is just down the road and mountain spring water comes out of the tap!

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 22:11:28 GMT

Isn't it a legality to offer customers tap water if they ask for it?

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 22:25:16 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Isn't it a legality to offer customers tap water if they ask for it?

Tony,
I was in a mountain restaurant in Meribel last year where they wouldn't give us tap water, and they had a cutting out of a newspaper pasted up saying the law had changed and they didn't have to provide free water (it was written in French but I think that was the gist of it).

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 22:26:27 GMT

Ah, thanks for clearing that up ally.
All the places we went to in adh last year had jugs of free water for you to help yourself to.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sun, 3 Feb 2013 15:45:33 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Ah, thanks for clearing that up ally.
All the places we went to in adh last year had jugs of free water for you to help yourself to.

Dont give a toss really. I'm on my holidays

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sun, 3 Feb 2013 21:04:34 GMT

Iceman wrote:

Tony_H wrote:Ah, thanks for clearing that up ally.
All the places we went to in adh last year had jugs of free water for you to help yourself to.

Dont give a toss really. I'm on my holidays

:roll:

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 10:35:57 GMT

Not only do you get ripped off in France for drinks, they also seem to have dual pricing with "locals" paying less than Joe Public. La Plagne seemed to have some sort of voucher scheme for locals so they can rip off the visitors without upsetting the regulars.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 12:46:59 GMT

That's been standard practice for donkey's years Andy. It's all part of a free market economy.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 13:41:54 GMT

Like restaurants in Venice. Certainly illegal under EU law. In several years of skiing with locals in Austria, I have never seen anything like that: we all pay the same in the bars and huts. They do have official but rarely advertised discounts on ski passes for local residents. To stay legal they will give the ski pass discount to any foreigner who can show an official residency ID.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 14:36:47 GMT

andymol2 wrote:Not only do you get ripped off in France for drinks, they also seem to have dual pricing with "locals" paying less than Joe Public. La Plagne seemed to have some sort of voucher scheme for locals so they can rip off the visitors without upsetting the regulars.

Skied France alot never experienced duel pricing but I am not surprised that it goes on , that is if the staff are smart enough to run the scam.
I don't know about you but would be out that place straight away !!!!

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 14:40:39 GMT

In my experience in France vouchers are used by employers to allow their staff to have lunch somewhere close to wherever they are working.

For example imagine how long it would take for a liftie on a remote chair to get back down to the resort to a canteen for their lunch?
Makes far more sense to have an arrangement where they eat close to "work" - pay by vouchers and the restaurant then bills the employer.

This used to happen in Les Arcs; staff could choose from a number of restaurant deals to go to for lunch and pay by voucher.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 14:50:48 GMT

OldAndy wrote:In my experience in France vouchers are used by employers to allow their staff to have lunch somewhere close to wherever they are working.

For example imagine how long it would take for a liftie on a remote chair to get back down to the resort to a canteen for their lunch?
Makes far more sense to have an arrangement where they eat close to "work" - pay by vouchers and the restaurant then bills the employer.

This used to happen in Les Arcs; staff could choose from a number of restaurant deals to go to for lunch and pay by voucher.

Sounds a sensible idea :thumbup:

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 18:54:15 GMT

The same as last year and 9 years ago over here. Actually cheaper in Verbier than in Geneva.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:06:50 GMT

andymol2 wrote:Not only do you get ripped off in France for drinks, they also seem to have dual pricing with "locals" paying less than Joe Public. La Plagne seemed to have some sort of voucher scheme for locals so they can rip off the visitors without upsetting the regulars.

A lot of places have seasonaire prices VS tourist prices. It's always been like that. Most ski guides and instructors get free meals in mountain restaurants in exchange for bringing them clients. They can't afford the mountain restaurant prices, especially as they have to do it every day.

Seasonaires are low paid and can't afford the 'rip off' prices so beer and coffee are often 'normal' prices.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 02:41:42 GMT

It doesn't help when San Miguel in a bottle is 98c for a litre here & ski resort prices exceed this many times more.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 08:32:43 GMT

brooksy wrote:
It doesn't help when San Miguel in a bottle is 98c for a litre here & ski resort prices exceed this many times more.

MMMMMmmmm 8)

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:40:04 GMT

Ok, this seems to be dying out now, so good exercise and I think the conclusions are as follows:

Very expensive - Switzerland, and the mega French resorts in particular Les Arcs, La Plagne, Tignes and Val d'Isere. Interestingly no reports from 3 valleys.

Reasonably priced for a ski trip - parts of France such as Serre Che, ADH and Montgenevre, along with La Clusaz

Good value - Italy generally, parts of Austria (with the exception of Lech/St Anton)

Looks very much like the mega resorts are over charging people, and people seem to be annoyed about not always being able to get jugs of free tap water.

And there appears to be some kind of system in France where locals get cheaper prices.

Hmmmm

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:51:19 GMT

There is now such thing as "overcharge" in the market economy. If people pay then it's a fair price. Mega resorts = more people and this is taken into account in pricing. Discount systems for "locals" exist in Switzerland too. These discounts are also a form of reward for loyalty. I am renting a house and a contract is on my name so I get discounts too because over the course of the season I will on average leave more money for the local businesses than an average tourist who comes once in his lifetime for a week and then off to the next resort.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:08:08 GMT

If people pay its because they don't have a choice. Or they like to have a moan about it later.
I walked into a bar once and ordered a drink, the bar man asked me for the money and it was ridiculously expensive, so I said I wasn't paying that, left the drink and walked out.
We can all do that if we really wanted to

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:47:33 GMT

Tony_H wrote:If people pay its because they don't have a choice. Or they like to have a moan about it later.
I walked into a bar once and ordered a drink, the bar man asked me for the money and it was ridiculously expensive, so I said I wasn't paying that, left the drink and walked out.
We can all do that if we really wanted to

Exactly. There is always this choice. Better than paying and moaning after. No-one ever said skiing and everything related would be cheap especially since it's a big tourists attraction. Golf, tennis, skiing have been known for their exclusivity. I remember paying 6 dollars for glass of coke on a beach in Bermuda, and this was back in 1995! This is the way resorts work.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:00:34 GMT

Unless you've recently won Euromillions don't go to Megeve. 12 euros a pint in the village!!

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:01:39 GMT

john wyatt wrote:Unless you've recently won Euromillions don't go to Megeve. 12 euros a pint in the village!!

Thats disgusting

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:41:44 GMT

That must be the most expensive ever :shock:

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:45:11 GMT

We got a round of 8 vodka/red bulls to perk us up late evening in a village bar - nearly passed out when the barmaid handed me the tab for 116 euros :shock:

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 19:45:39 GMT

john wyatt wrote:We got a round of 8 vodka/red bulls to perk us up late evening in a village bar - nearly passed out when the barmaid handed me the tab for 116 euros :shock:

You didn't seriously pay that did you?
I'd have walked out after the 12 euro pint

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:20:36 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

john wyatt wrote:We got a round of 8 vodka/red bulls to perk us up late evening in a village bar - nearly passed out when the barmaid handed me the tab for 116 euros :shock:

You didn't seriously pay that did you?
I'd have walked out after the 12 euro pint

We'd quaffed most of it by the time we had got the tab. We should have have done a bit more 'resort research' really. The principal reason for choosing Megeve was it was an hour from Geneva (it was a long weekend). The Hermes shop in the village square should have set a rabbit off! Skiing was good mind.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:50:12 GMT

That is totally disgraceful ....... I remember someone on here stating that Megeve was not expensive :shock:

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 21:51:40 GMT

Can I jump in on Courchevel? The restaurant/bar on the verdons run, called the chalet des pierres. Beer was 14 euros a pint before tax. We'd ordered so had to drink it. We had a look a look at the a la carte menu just to be nosey......3 luxury sausages and potatoes aereated into pillows with a jus (known to us as bangers and mash with gravy).....131 euros each. I kid you not. Who on Earth buys this stuff? Ah, here come the Russians.......

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 22:01:04 GMT

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 09:24:56 GMT

stevie999 wrote:Can I jump in on Courchevel? The restaurant/bar on the verdons run, called the chalet des pierres. Beer was 14 euros a pint before tax. We'd ordered so had to drink it. We had a look a look at the a la carte menu just to be nosey......3 luxury sausages and potatoes aereated into pillows with a jus (known to us as bangers and mash with gravy).....131 euros each. I kid you not. Who on Earth buys this stuff? Ah, here come the Russians.......

Call the police

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 08:05:42 GMT

OK, just back from Corvara on what was our best ski week ever. Prices vary a bit but 2EU for a really good cappuccino and 3EU for superb hot chocolates seemed to going rate. Lots of on-piste huts had Lasagne\Spag Bol for 7EU and they weren't skimping on the size either. I bought a massive snitzel foccacia at Porta Vescova 2478 for 6EU which was very very reasonable.
About 4EU seemed to be the rate for a 400ml Forst lager with Bombardinos about the same. A shot of a very smooth grappa at the hut at the bottom of the Boe chair was 2EU.
One thing I noticed about the Dolomites since I was last there 5 years ago was how much prices have gone up and how many Eastern European mafia-types are there now. The prices for ski clothing and gear in Ortisei were astronomical but the girl working there said the Russians don't blink an eyelid.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 12:17:12 GMT

There's a theme developing here, and I'm not talking about Italy being cheap in comparison to other places.

These pesky Russians and their pots of money are running it for everyone. It's happening around the med resorts as well. They roll in to town and flash the cash and hey presto the prices rocket for everything.

I think there should be a 2 tiered pricing structure in ski resorts: uk and eu citizens pay standard prices, Russians pay 10 times as much. Like has been said, they don't blink an eyelid, whereas we will simply all get pushed out eventually.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 12:37:20 GMT

The yanks did that to the Caribbean so you could be right. :(

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 16:31:24 GMT

Sochi could be the answer. They seem to be trying to make it exclusive like Courchevel 1850 or St Moritz....if they get persuaded to stay in their own country others places might lower the prices if no one is buying......

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:25:07 GMT

stevie999 wrote:Sochi could be the answer. They seem to be trying to make it exclusive like Courchevel 1850 or St Moritz....if they get persuaded to stay in their own country others places might lower the prices if no one is buying......

They're welcome to it. Somewhere I have absolutely no intention of ever going.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:35:52 GMT

I'm not so sure Tony. I think it's looking pretty good, and nothing ventured.....

They've spent 33 billion on it so far, London spent 9.5 so facilities should be pretty good.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:59:13 GMT

Tony_H wrote:There's a theme developing here, and I'm not talking about Italy being cheap in comparison to other places.

These pesky Russians and their pots of money are running it for everyone. It's happening around the med resorts as well. They roll in to town and flash the cash and hey presto the prices rocket for everything.

I think there should be a 2 tiered pricing structure in ski resorts: uk and eu citizens pay standard prices, Russians pay 10 times as much. Like has been said, they don't blink an eyelid, whereas we will simply all get pushed out eventually.

Tony, but that's the standard prices. And while there are more Russians now then even 6 years ago prices haven't increased that dramatically. I actually find Verbier less expensive than Geneva. And prices have actually gone up here, but not in the mountains.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:10:22 GMT

stevie999 wrote:Can I jump in on Courchevel? The restaurant/bar on the verdons run, called the chalet des pierres. Beer was 14 euros a pint before tax. We'd ordered so had to drink it. We had a look a look at the a la carte menu just to be nosey......3 luxury sausages and potatoes aereated into pillows with a jus (known to us as bangers and mash with gravy).....131 euros each. I kid you not. Who on Earth buys this stuff? Ah, here come the Russians.......

Of course, but this is not the only place you can eat and there will always be other places, cheaper too. They will have their own customers. I just don't see anything criminal in some places catering for rich. No-one objects 5 star hotels even that it can be more expensive to stay a night there than to stay for a week elsewhere and have cash left to spare. It's the same with restaurants.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:02:57 GMT

So, having just spent most of last week in La Plagne restaurants and bars, I can confirm that prices varied as follows:

Large beer - between 6 - 8 euros
Hot chocolate - around 3.5 - 4 euros (depending on if you had cream)
Cappucino - 3.5 - 4 euros
Half bottle of wine - 12 euros
Vin chaud - 4 euros

Most of these prices are village prices, the most expensive place I came across in La Plagne was the Arpette restaurant in Bellecote @ 11 euros for a hot chocolate and a cappucino
:shock:

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:40:50 GMT

Case well and truly rested.
France is a rip off.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:23:42 GMT

Thanks for stating the obvious Verbier. I wasn't sure.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:29:46 GMT

verbier_ski_bum wrote:

stevie999 wrote:Can I jump in on Courchevel? The restaurant/bar on the verdons run, called the chalet des pierres. Beer was 14 euros a pint before tax. We'd ordered so had to drink it. We had a look a look at the a la carte menu just to be nosey......3 luxury sausages and potatoes aereated into pillows with a jus (known to us as bangers and mash with gravy).....131 euros each. I kid you not. Who on Earth buys this stuff? Ah, here come the Russians.......

Of course, but this is not the only place you can eat and there will always be other places, cheaper too. They will have their own customers. I just don't see anything criminal in some places catering for rich. No-one objects 5 star hotels even that it can be more expensive to stay a night there than to stay for a week elsewhere and have cash left to spare. It's the same with restaurants.

Agreed. But it only doesn't bother you if you have endless amounts of cash to burn.
I've never stopped in a 5 star hotel, mainly because I can't afford it but if I could I'm not sure I'd want to stop somewhere full of such pretentiousness.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:59:44 GMT

It's a shame (but not a surprise) that so many of the best ski resorts in the world are so expensive for food and drink on the slopes. There are so many places I'd love to ski but have to rule out simply on cost.

I once tried the packed lunch option (they were included in the cost of the package) but hated it. Even in the sun you cool down really quickly when sat on the snow and dedicated tables are very rare. I like to warm up over lunch. Never again, even if it could save a fortune.

It's often tricky to tell how expensive a restaurant is before you sit down and I feel uncomfortable getting settled, taking one look at the menu (maybe already having ordered drinks) only to leave. I can cope with a little over the odds but not extortionate prices ('Russian' prices are a different league entirely...). So far have never had a horrendous bill, other than in Geneva airport, over Euro20 for a couple of sandwiches and an orange juice, ouch! :shock:

Like many, I have a holiday budget for the year that I really need to stick to (if you can afford to say sod the cost then great, no worries) and would rather have two reasonably priced ski trips than one expensive one. We already 'sacrifice' a summer break for skiing as can't realistically do both, much as OH would like to (personally I'd rather spend my summer horse riding at home, summer breaks aren't really my thing, but that's irrelevant).

Think I'll be sticking with Italy for the foreseeable future, I keep the hosting option and the food's better anyway! :lol:

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:16:00 GMT

Lynn, I think we may be distantly related ;-)

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:06:24 GMT

On our recent trip to the Alps we experienced some of the most expensive drinks anywhere at La Plagne where a cup of tea or a hot chocolate was around Euro3.70 :thumbdown:
The cheapest on-mountain coffee ever was Euro1 in La Norma at the Eterlou Pasta Bar where you could get a box of good pasta, a soft drink and a dessert for Euro7.50. :)

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:11:20 GMT

A box of pasta????

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:13:51 GMT

it's interesting that people comment how much coffee or beer is UP A MOUNTAIN, but would gladly go to certain high street coffee shops that are even more exorbitantly priced...

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:28:01 GMT

Tony_H wrote:A box of pasta????

Yes, popular throughout France is the takeaway pasta in a large carton with a fold down top to keep it warm. You choose what type of pasta and which sauce - great for vegetarians. Quite large portions and it keeps hot too.
Also seen this trip was the backpack picnic - the Eterlou pasta bar in La Norma and the Kosa Kruta sandwich bar in Valloire are now offering to pack a backpack with meals, a thermos flask, something to sit on and a bag to put your litter in. Just return the backpack later that day. :-)

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:48:00 GMT

Mountain Addiction wrote:it's interesting that people comment how much coffee or beer is UP A MOUNTAIN, but would gladly go to certain high street coffee shops that are even more exorbitantly priced...

I'd rather pay 3,50 euro for a coffee sitting up a mountain than sitting in the Average UK high street chain paying 3,00 euro (or GBP2.60).

I suspect the mountain restaurants pay more rent and tax and have a short season to earn any money, so perhaps the Mountains are not so bad after all.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:10:54 GMT

smartski wrote:

Mountain Addiction wrote:it's interesting that people comment how much coffee or beer is UP A MOUNTAIN, but would gladly go to certain high street coffee shops that are even more exorbitantly priced...

I'd rather pay 3,50 euro for a coffee sitting up a mountain than sitting in the Average UK high street chain paying 3,00 euro (or GBP2.60).

I suspect the mountain restaurants pay more rent and tax and have a short season to earn any money, so perhaps the Mountains are not so bad after all.

Totally agree on this one

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:05:04 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

smartski wrote:

Mountain Addiction wrote:it's interesting that people comment how much coffee or beer is UP A MOUNTAIN, but would gladly go to certain high street coffee shops that are even more exorbitantly priced...

I'd rather pay 3,50 euro for a coffee sitting up a mountain than sitting in the Average UK high street chain paying 3,00 euro (or GBP2.60).

I suspect the mountain restaurants pay more rent and tax and have a short season to earn any money, so perhaps the Mountains are not so bad after all.

Totally agree on this one

exactly my point :D

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:12:19 GMT

Yes I know

If Starbucks were on the slopes they'd charge 15 euros a latte

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 07:55:30 GMT

smartski wrote:

Mountain Addiction wrote:it's interesting that people comment how much coffee or beer is UP A MOUNTAIN, but would gladly go to certain high street coffee shops that are even more exorbitantly priced...

I'd rather pay 3,50 euro for a coffee sitting up a mountain than sitting in the Average UK high street chain paying 3,00 euro (or GBP2.60).

I suspect the mountain restaurants pay more rent and tax and have a short season to earn any money, so perhaps the Mountains are not so bad after all.

Logistics is also more complex and costs more.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 07:11:45 GMT

I think I have a new record for a cappuccino. Le Cristal at Verbier tried to charge me 8CHF (6.60EUR\5.60UKP) for a cappuccino! True story. I asked them if it came with a hamburger but they were not amused.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 09:48:14 GMT

Competition is limited in many resorts - there are only a limited number of restaurants in particular areas of the mountains and many are working at capacity or near capacity so there is no business case for them to drop their prices so free market rules don't apply. It's only when large numbers of skiers simply stop eating and drinking on the mountain that prices might fall or opt not to go to that resort at all that the owners have to look at whether they offer value for money.

The Swiss have been clobbered by their currency climbing relative to the Euro and we Brits have been hit by our governments policy of trying to devalue the Pound.

Re:Drink prices in resorts 2013

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 10:20:10 GMT

A friend of mine was charge Euro9 at Courcheval for a capuccino.... I never saw anything above half that in Austria, though they do try it on a bit. I find the smaller huts more reasonable. But in some resorts they are all the same outfit, so no competition.