Latest posts for the topic "Ski weekends"

Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:49:44 GMT

Looking into the possibility of a weekend away, taking advantage of the current Ryanair offer of GBP10 each way no taxes, and it looks like the following airports are do-able from Stansted:

Basel
Grenoble-Lyon
Friedrichshafen
Milan
Salzburg

From experience, where would be best to aim for, where there are good and regular public transport links direct to ski areas with shortish travel times from the airports?

Looking at some time early of late feb, not during school holidays.

Thanks

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:37:11 GMT

Hi Tony

For a short break, the trick is to maximise the amount of ski time you can manage - you should be aiming to ski on arrival and/or departure day but definitely on one or the other. Evening flights can work well. e.g. leave work late Friday afternoon, get to resort late evening, ready to ski first thing Saturday morning. On Sunday or Monday, ski all or most of the day and then head straight to the airport - in your ski gear if you have to :shock: - for a late evening return flight. Early morning flights can also be useful and, with luck, get you to resort in time for a few hours skiing on arrival day - however, with the time change and risk of delays, etc, this can often go wrong.

So if I were you, I would look for very early or late flight times or better still early out and late back. Then check the "skiing near airports" page here and check out transport links to your preferred resort. I suspect Salzburg is about as close as you can get to the slopes - the Ski Amade area is very close by - might not suit you for a week but probably fine for a short break. Obviously, hiring a car gives you much more flexibility about where to go and should reduce overall travelling time.

Does this mean yet another trip this year? Lucky b*****d :twisted:

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:33:16 GMT

Thanks. Yes, the plan is to fly out either late on a Thursday evening and back on a Sunday night, or out on a Friday early morning, and get at leadt 2 full days skiing out of it, possibly 3, but limiting the amount of time I need off work as thats the key issue in terms of annual leave.

Hiring a car is a possibility, but it may only be me and Mrs H or me and a mate, so keeping costs to a minimum is also essential, hence the question re public transport, as I know trains and buses in Europe are supposed to be cheap. A car for a weekend is likely to be GBP100 or more.

And yes, short transfers are better to maximise skiing time. I have not donr a short break before, apart from a few days in BKK a few years back, but that was just an excuse to drink heavily and was before I fully appreciated my skiing.

Any suggestions for resorts with easy transfers from the airports mentioned would be gratefully received.

Wanderer - life is for living. There is too much bad stuff going on in the world and at home to to stop me taking time out to do the things I enjoy in life, in particular skiing. I am already missing it badly after a fantastic week in St Anton, and its another 2 months until I next go, so I was looking for something workable in between to break the monotony.

Thanks for your advice though.

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:46:23 GMT

If it twer me then it would be Salzburg and then Obertauern or Saalbach.

Not been to Obertauern but nearly have a couple of times as a short break.

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:50:20 GMT

skinitaly.com wrote:Hi Tony

Seeing you have not been to Sauze for some time especially hwen the snow was so good how about flying into turin, catch the train to oulx and you are here again

hope to see you soon

Its a possibility, but the flights in to Turin dont quite work as well as the other airports I mentioned.

Do you know where I can find info on the trains?

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:58:05 GMT

Alright, no need to shout )

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:14:16 GMT

Salzburg and then train on to Zell am See.

I've just arranged a 4 day short break doing just that.

Dave

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:22:08 GMT

Inverness--> Glenshee 2hours

Inverness--> Cairngorms 40mins

Inverness--> The Lecht 1 hour

Inverness--> Glencoe 2 hours

Inverness--> Nevis Range 1 hour 30 mins

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:44:45 GMT

RossF wrote:Inverness--> Glenshee 2hours

Inverness--> Cairngorms 40mins

Inverness--> The Lecht 1 hour

Inverness--> Glencoe 2 hours

Inverness--> Nevis Range 1 hour 30 mins

And I hear they are all open now to!

:)

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:59:18 GMT

RossF wrote:Inverness--> Glenshee 2hours

Inverness--> Cairngorms 40mins

Inverness--> The Lecht 1 hour

Inverness--> Glencoe 2 hours

Inverness--> Nevis Range 1 hour 30 mins

Whats the driving time from either Edinburgh or Glasgow?

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:31:05 GMT

I think there is a bus service from Grenoble airport to Alpe d'hues, but we usually just hire a car if only going for the weekend. For cheap acomodation once there check out the Piere & Vacance website.

Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:36:06 GMT

We have booked for Salsburg, car hire is 37e a day I am stuggling to find a resort with a reasonable price lift pass, any ideas?

Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:15:55 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Looking into the possibility of a weekend away, taking advantage of the current Ryanair offer of GBP10 each way no taxes, and it looks like the following airports are do-able from Stansted:

Basel
Grenoble-Lyon
Friedrichshafen
Milan
Salzburg

From experience, where would be best to aim for, where there are good and regular public transport links direct to ski areas with shortish travel times from the airports?

Looking at some time early of late feb, not during school holidays.

Thanks

Basel.

Train: Straight onto ICE into Interlaken (circa. 1h50) 30 minute train ride to centre of Grindelwald.

Car: Hire at airport, 166 km - about 1 hour 52 mins.

Hotel Lauberhorn - Single 50 EUR p/n B&B (double room 90 EUR p/n B&B)

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:33:59 GMT

Tony H

1 hour 40 Glasgow---> Glencoe
2 hour 10 Glasgow---> Nevis
2 hour 30 Glasgow--->Glenshee
3 hours Glasgow---> The Lecht/Cairngorms

(From Helensburgh take a half hour off these and you have the times from my front door!! :D-)

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:47:07 GMT

What I have done this year instead of the norm Thursday to Sunday trip we have able to booked Sunday to Thursday so the plan is that the slopes will be quieter. Our plan is cheap flights which depart no later than 09.00 am a car at the airport then a travel time of no longer than two hours, From Turin you have La Thuile, Bergamo
Passo Tonale or Verona for the Dolomites, the choice is endless.

By The way one more day to go :thumbup:

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:54:06 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Thanks. Yes, the plan is to fly out either late on a Thursday evening and back on a Sunday night, or out on a Friday early morning, and get at leadt 2 full days skiing out of it, possibly 3, but limiting the amount of time I need off work as thats the key issue in terms of annual leave.

Hiring a car is a possibility, but it may only be me and Mrs H or me and a mate, so keeping costs to a minimum is also essential, hence the question re public transport, as I know trains and buses in Europe are supposed to be cheap. A car for a weekend is likely to be GBP100 or more.

And yes, short transfers are better to maximise skiing time. I have not donr a short break before, apart from a few days in BKK a few years back, but that was just an excuse to drink heavily and was before I fully appreciated my skiing.

Any suggestions for resorts with easy transfers from the airports mentioned would be gratefully received.

Wanderer - life is for living. There is too much bad stuff going on in the world and at home to to stop me taking time out to do the things I enjoy in life, in particular skiing. I am already missing it badly after a fantastic week in St Anton, and its another 2 months until I next go, so I was looking for something workable in between to break the monotony.

Thanks for your advice though.

Im thiking of becoming your friend are you paying?

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:03:33 GMT

rustyinn wrote:

RossF wrote:Inverness--> Glenshee 2hours

Inverness--> Cairngorms 40mins

Inverness--> The Lecht 1 hour

Inverness--> Glencoe 2 hours

Inverness--> Nevis Range 1 hour 30 mins

And I hear they are all open now to!

:)

Not for long it will be gone in five minutes :lol:

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:10:46 GMT

Try telling that to the snow forecast for the next week.

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:45:12 GMT

Tony,
Grenoble is only just over an hour drive from Alpe D'Huez. I have managed cheap weekends there a few times. I phoned the Alpe d'Huez tourist office (0033476114444) and managed to get a basic 2 bed appartment in the town 100 yards from the ski lift for 65 euros a night between 3 blokes. The have a good selection to suit your budget.
There is a bus from the airport but we hired a car (carhire3000.com) for 30 euros a day.
All in we got 3 days accomodation plus flights and car hire for less than 200 euros each. Bargin :D
Mountain is good too, would not be as challenging as St Anton but there is some great views from the top of the glaicers and the tunnel is a great run (my profile picture was taken halfway down the tunnel).
I know your not fond of French skiing but for a cheap snow fix it does the job :)

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:46:29 GMT

RossF wrote:Try telling that to the snow forecast for the next week.

Don't need to I'll be skiing powder :thumbup:

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:49:50 GMT

As was I yesterday 8) :D :D :D

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:53:38 GMT

tony as i sayed yesterday to alia i'd go for the salzburger sportwelt, probably staying in either flachau, wagrain or zauchensee!
http://www.skiamade.com/en/winter/skiresorts/salzburger-sportwelt/

within an hour of salzburg also accesable by train to radstadt i believe!

Or alternatively you've said you'd like to go to schladming how about there?
Or the gastein valley is another possibility!

I think ski amade area would be good in general!

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:57:14 GMT

RossF wrote:As was I yesterday 8) :D :D :D

Definitely poor mans powder, with gale force nine for good measure :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:59:23 GMT

As well as enjoying powder an hour from my front door I get to enjoy it in the alps. Healthy combination :D

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:17:18 GMT

RossF wrote:As well as enjoying powder an hour from my front door I get to enjoy it in the alps. Healthy combination :D

Have a great time Ross,speak to you soon 8)

Re:Ski weekends

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:29:28 GMT

Does everyone book flights, transfer and accomm individually for weekends or are there last min deals? i take it you cant take up a 7 night deal and then fly back half way through the week?

Re:Ski weekends

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:35:15 GMT

Ryanair Stanstead to Salzburg, Sat 28th Feb, 6.45 departure, arrival 9.40

Return on Tuesday, 3 March, departure 21.25, back in Stanstead at 22.15.

This should allow at least a half day skiing on Saturday + full days Sun, Mon and Tues before a late flight back.

Cost at the moment - GBP53 including taxes but not baggage :lol:

Re:Ski weekends

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:14:18 GMT

I am liking the look of BA Gatwick to Turin for GBP82 return, including 23kg of luggage and free ski carriage.
Just need to find accommodation somewhere accessible by public transport now.

Re:Ski weekends

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:20:37 GMT

I'm pretty sure you can get to most of the Milky Way and probably a good few French resorts from there easily, though less sure on the public transport aspect.
I know there is a train from Turin airport to Oulx and then maybe either a taxi or possibly bus? to go the rest of the way (depending on where you want to be)??
Someone in my group booked an apartment with a company called ABC in Sauze and they arranged transfers direct from Turin airport for ~30E return per person for a group of 4 (I think!) - maybe worth a look if they will do something for less than 7 days?

Not sure if this is any help?

Good luck :D

Lynn

Re:Ski weekends

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:17:29 GMT

I hope it's Salzburg but heard it might be Sochi?!