Latest posts for the topic "Mixed ability skiing trip to Europe"

Mixed ability skiing trip to Europe

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 03:52:59 GMT

A small group of us are heading over to Europe (from New Zealand) at the start of next year (February) and are looking for a place to go skiing for a week that will cater for people in the group that are new to skiing, so offers beginners lessons as well as having black runs that will challenge the more experienced members of our group so that they wont get bored.

We are quite happy to be anywhere in Europe.

All of us are students so budgets aren't that flexible but would be looking for a place where accommodation is around Euro20-25 per person per night (no idea if that's possible), and has easy access to the ski slopes as we will be reliant on public transport.

Does such a place exist? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Re:Mixed ability skiing trip to Europe

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 15:17:01 GMT

February is the start of the high season when prices shoot up quite a lot.
Late January or March will be a lot less and considerably quieter.
On your cost - is E20/25 for accommodation only? If so I assume you are thinking self-catering?
For a budget holiday, certainly in France (the country I know best), the cost of food bought in the mountain supermarket and certainly in any restaurants will be expensive (from a low cost perspective) and self-catering is often NOT the budget option.
As a group of students wanting a good deal on a budget look at some cheap and cheerful hotels.
I had a two minute search on UCPA (French Youth Hostels) and for less than E600 you get accomodation, most food, ski hire and lift pass and lessons! You won't beat this organising a self catering trip on your own.
Have a search around the internet for budget/student/low cost trips.
The other thing to consider is transport - where are you coming into in Europe? The UK? Getting to the snow will be need to be factored in as well.
Good luck.
If you add more details about your group and hopes etc you may get more suggestions.

Re:Mixed ability skiing trip to Europe

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 17:25:32 GMT

I found this old article in the Guardian about youth hostels in ski resorts. Although it was written 7 years ago it might give you some ideas as a starting point. At the end of the article is a link to ski club GB which might have more current information.

As OldAndy says, February is high season and very busy because every European country has school holidays in February.

Re:Mixed ability skiing trip to Europe

Sun, 18 Sep 2016 11:23:32 GMT

UCPA in Chamonix + quite a few hostels there will get you close to your budget.

Re:Mixed ability skiing trip to Europe

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 13:15:14 GMT

UCPA sounds like a good plan but as someone said above it is high season in France (unless at the start of Feb). Don't know if Chamonix is a great resort for mixed abilities - generally not seen as a good beginners resort and more seen as an off-piste paradise (**** but please note I have never been *****)

Re:Mixed ability skiing trip to Europe

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 15:24:11 GMT

Les Houches and Balme are excellent ski areas to learn, full of gentle open blue run. what Chamonix lacks is green runs / paths. If you can get a few lessons in the UK before hand then is really an excellent resort for all abilities.