Latest posts for the topic "First ski holiday advice!"

First ski holiday advice!

Sat, 7 Sep 2013 14:01:11 GMT

Hi All.

My and my 3 girlfriends will be booking our first ski holiday in January. The plan is to fly to Geneva and stay in the Avoriaz area. As complete novices we have no idea how much ski/lift passes will cost also the cost of ski hire, therefor how much money we need to take. Can you pay for hire in advance, if so any recommendations? also and advice on transfers from that airport.
We are only staying for 4 days :(
Thank you!

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Sat, 7 Sep 2013 14:30:52 GMT

Hi there.....
Am I correct in assuming that you are planning to organise the holiday yourselves? If with a tour operator then ask them for advice - most will help with ski hire and many will tell you about appropriate lift passes.

The rest of this assumes you are booking everything independently.
You say four days - is this four days in the resort of a four day holiday?
http://www.avoriaz.com/ski-holidays/ will have lots of info for you about pricing (and is in English).
There is a beginners pass available. As debutantes you will not need a full area pass.
Ski Hire can be booked in advance on the web. Skiset (follow the link on J2Ski - substantial discount) is a good place to start. I strongly suggest you find a shop close to your accommodation. Can be a real struggle carrying stuff around until you have got the hang of it.

Definitely organise ski school before you go. The usual format for group lessons is six days starting either Sunday or Monday. Doubt you would be able to "join in" on any other days - the group will have progressed. But there are a number of ski schools in Avoriaz (see their website linked above) - I would e mail these well in advance and discuss your needs and the cost. Four of you could well book a private group for your stay - january is low season, no harm in asking for a good deal, ski instructors will be low on work this month.

Do all your planning meticulously - you won't want to waste half a day getting sorted!

And it could well pay dividends to go and do a starter/taster session in a snowdome or on a dry ski slope in the UK - if nothing else you can familiarise yourselves with the bizarre world that is ski boot and standing on skis!

Good luck, enjoy, come back with more questions .....

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Sat, 7 Sep 2013 19:18:59 GMT

Probably stay the Morzine and Les Gets side as the skiing for beginners that side is much better and plenty of ski schools to choose from at the bottom of the Pleny Lift, but ensure you book that before you go.

Wouldn't go up to Avoriaz unless the snow is really bad then the altitude up Avoriaz will help that.

There will be plenty of skiing Morzine & Les Gets for first timers and easy getting up and down from Morzine, assuming the Pleny lift is fixed after the fire at the top station at the end of last season.

There is a Ski Set for your ski hire about 250 metres from the bottom of the pleny lifts and they let you keep your ski's and boots there at no charge so not too much hassle where your accomodation is and they gave our group 25% off just walking in just because we asked for a discount.

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Sun, 8 Sep 2013 16:06:03 GMT

Hi

Thank you both.

I am booking this all separate yes, a bit different from booking a week in the sun! I think the original plan was to go to morzine but the accommodation came up as Avoriaz even though we asked for Morzine so not sure how far these two places are apart? We have also booked a learn to ski in a day course in Snowdome Stafford even though I doubt I will be able to ski after a day!?
Very exciting times.:)

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Sun, 8 Sep 2013 17:27:51 GMT

There will be advantages to staying in both Morzine and Avoriaz.
They are linked by cable car anyway.
Morzine - quite a substantial town, so plenty to keep you occupied of the slopes, but more walking. Not sure where the beginners ski in Morzine itself - anyone know?
Avoriaz - has the reputation as the ugliest ski resort in France - that is saying something! It is much higher and the nursery (beginner) slopes are right there amongst the accommodation.
January weather can be anything - but shorter days and cold weather most likely. Morzine can be an advantage here - but the resort is low and rain is a real possibility (skiing in rain = no fun at all). But Avoriaz could be very cold and learning to ski in a blizzard = no fun.
No one can predict what you will get weather wise so it is a gamble.
Presumably you chose this area due to being close to Geneva for travel?
If it were me I would go with where the most suitable accommodation is.
A day at the Snowdome is a great idea - hope you are all going - and, nope, you won't be able to "ski" after. But you will know how to put on boots and skis and walk around and slide a bit and have a basic understanding of a little turning and stopping (stopping = hardest part). You will save a couple of days in resort getting the basics sorted.
Most people seem to find the first three days skiing the hardest of any. I did - back in a different epoch, but the memory of standing terrified at the top of a gentle slope with my knees trembling and my bowels...........
:)

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Sun, 8 Sep 2013 18:00:32 GMT

Hi
This area was suggested by sister who does a lot of snowboarding, she had a rich partner that owned a large place complete with hot tub in Verbier, now they are no longer together I can only assume she is downgrading to the Morzine area (judging by the prices on Verbier. I expected cold but she never mentioned blizzards and rain, fingers crossed we down get much of that in the little time we are there :(.In my ignorance I just assumed jan=cold=snow=ski? We will be staying in Residence Electra, or something along them lines, I have read this is a ugly resort but it looks like everything is in close proximity to the place we are staying. I have emailed the closest hire place to the resort and I have been quoted about GBP50 for 3 days hire of ski, boots and hat for beginners, don't seem too bad. I hope it wont be horrid gear. I know when you go horse riding if you don't have your own ha you get to hire a bucket type hat containing the sweat of many heads that screams I am a novice! is this the case for skiing. I don't want to look un couth. Should I buy my own hat?

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Mon, 9 Sep 2013 09:19:52 GMT

Hi Mahound,

Personally I would buy my own hat if I was you. Theyre not that heavy and can fit in hand luggage if your weight in the hold is an issue. You can buy a suitable helmet for around GBP23. Thats got to be worth it unless you fancy the idea of others sweat on your face and hair!

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Mon, 9 Sep 2013 23:33:44 GMT

If only going for 4 days then try and book very early flights out and late returns as you might be able to try out your newly acquired skills the afternoon before your first lesson and get a half day skiing before returning home, also you can order your lift pass in advance from http://www.avoriaz.com/ and if you order early around mid-September I think you get a 10% discount, you will also find lots of other useful information on the website - if you order your passes don't forget to take them with you ;-)
In an earlier post you mention that you doubt you will be able to ski in a day. Well don't expect too much, as long as you can get about - including falling over and getting up again (and this is all part of the fun) - then it's all about practice. If you can get to the Snowdome for a couple of sessions soon after your day lesson then you will find it to be very beneficial as on the first day there is quite a lot to take on board and you might as well be as prepared as possible for the wonderful skiing out there. Don't forget the camcorder as there will be some really good videos from a first ski holiday. As for Avoriaz, it has very good beginner slopes (very wide and shallow which are just perfect for learning and right next to the village but if you can get over to the Morzine side then it's well worth the effort, as to ski through the trees is lovely. Having said that, it is such a massive ski area that you will still need to go back to see the rest. I would agree with other comments about buying a cheapish helmet as it feels much better knowing where it's been, you can usually pick them up at Lidl or Aldi just before Xmas or try one of the discount sports shops such as Decathlon.
Hope you have a great time and it is the first of many.

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 17:38:46 GMT

As an alternative to buying a helmet, you could just get a Buff (a thin cloth tube thingy which you wear over your head). These are very lightweight and easy to shove in a pocket but will keep the ears warm, the hair out of your eyes and the other peoples sweat off your head if you hire a helmet. It can also be worn at home after, just in case you decide skiing is not for you (unlike a ski helmet).

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 18:41:14 GMT

Thanks for all the kind and helpful replies! ive never been on a forum before where people want to hep as apposed to put you down! We will be booking the flights at the end of ths month and I will be buying my own hat also, spots pursuit has some cool looking ones on sale now, im not sure if that's a cheap site or not.
I heard about getting a beginners pass but my sister says not to bother as I will get bored and end up having to buy another one out there? is this so? I will be getting a few lessons before I go and im a bit of a adrenaline junkie but all the same I would prefer to come back in one piece and don't want to waste money on something I wont use?

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 19:16:17 GMT

Organise lessons before buying the pass and then get the one suggested.

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 19:18:03 GMT

felthorpe wrote: It can also be worn at home after, (unlike a ski helmet).

But I know several people who walk around at home in full ski kit - got photographic evidence too!
:mrgreen:

Re:First ski holiday advice!

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 21:03:37 GMT

People often worry a lot about the logistics of a group holiday, naturally. But once you're there, have hired your skis and are off and away, it's worth setting out some ground rules for how the group prepares and also interacts. This is especially the case if you've got a mix of experience in the group. A few tips:

Assume that you will get separated and lost. Have each others mobile numbers on your 'phones. Take money and plastic with you every day. Don't assume that 'someone else' will be around to help. Agree what to do in the event of people being separated. Always carry a piste map.
Generally, this is just a convenience thing so that if the group splits for some reason everyone is still able to enjoy themselves without writing-off most of the day trying to link up again.

Be realistic if you have some more experienced skiers in the group. They'll want to zoom off and have some fun. So agree, say, that the morning is everyone together, then in the afternoon you split the group. Or whatever works.

Make sure you know where to go if someone is slightly/moderately injured. If it's France, the procedure for getting medical attention can be confusing. Understand that most insurance cover is post the event - you will have to pay for stuff and then claim it back (hence the carrying payment suggestion).

NEVER force someone to do something they don't want to. Experienced skiers are particularly prone to this and it can really spoil it for newbies in a group. If someone says "No, I'd rather go back / on the green /etc." do not argue with them, or try and persuade them otherwise. It's a holiday, after all.

Keep your passports safe somewhere, and keep a photocopy separately, along with home contact details and insurance contact details. Have the UK Border Agency helpline number handy in case you lose your passport (not the Passport Office).

This doesn't have to be heavy - it can all be organised beforehand and if you're unlucky it can help a lot. Of course, if you're on a package trip, the Tour Rep will help you, but it will do no harm to be prepared - they might not always be able to help immediately.

Finally, some resorts have useful apps with a 'Find Your Friends' function. You turn on your GPS and register yourselves and can see where people are. It might be worth checking and downloading this before you go, while you have home broadband access.