Latest posts for the topic "Crystal Ski"

Crystal Ski

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 20:06:08 GMT

Have heard through grapevine that Crystal have pulled the plug on all their Lapland hols. They were one of the biggest tour operators to go to Lapland it seems strange. I know several families who had booked for 2010 to be told to-day they are all cancelled. Any-one else heard this and are their any other resorts affected?

Crystal Ski

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 20:10:17 GMT

RoseR wrote:Have heard through grapevine that Crystal have pulled the plug on all their Lapland hols. They were one of the biggest tour operators to go to Lapland it seems strange. I know several families who had booked for 2010 to be told to-day they are all cancelled. Any-one else heard this and are their any other resorts affected?

I would imagine they would be looking at pulling the least profitable/popular lines and I'd think this would be up there. Increase the profit margins and all that. Shame for everyone that is going although if they are pulling the locations for profit margins it is the right choice IMO.

Re:Crystal Ski

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 20:14:23 GMT

Pull out of Canada as well, less people there the better :D :lol:

Crystal Ski

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 09:08:05 GMT

RoseR wrote:Have heard through grapevine that Crystal have pulled the plug on all their Lapland hols. They were one of the biggest tour operators to go to Lapland it seems strange. I know several families who had booked for 2010 to be told to-day they are all cancelled. Any-one else heard this and are their any other resorts affected?

Interesting. I have been informed they are also pulling out of a number of other properties but I dont know about resorts as a whole. I do know that pricing of accommodation for next season has rocketed thanks to the exchange rate, and the tour ops have made decisions to pull out of certain places that are either less profitable or that dont sell out as regularly. I was also tipped off by an agent not to use Crystal for catered chalets as their menus and cooking leave a lot ot be desired in comparison to other tour ops, so he said!
I havent heard about other tour ops pulling out of anywhere. Inghams prices are up quite a lot though. Maybe Crystal are feeling the pinch more than the others. I've never been on a Crystal ski holiday, but have used Nielson and Inghams before.
The Crystal preview brochure for next season has Finland, but there is no Lapland holidays in it. They have, interestingly, added Formigal in Spain though.

Re:Crystal Ski

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 11:45:28 GMT

Went to book yesterday for Feb/March 2010, on the crystal website and thought there was something a bit weird going on.
It was showing as no availability, now I know why. :cry:

So will have to have a change of plan and go to the Alps I think!

[url]
http://www.skiamour.com/index.htm
[/url]
Been directed here from a college at work, what's the low down on Bisanne, Les Saisies?

Going with 2 young children, they will be just turned 6 and 4 - they can both Ski fine and will be having lessons periodically throughout the year.

Will this place be OK?
I'm not too worried about night life or quality dinning, but some local amenities would be handy.
Thanks for any info

Re:Crystal Ski

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 13:04:54 GMT

Littleoaks wrote:Went to book yesterday for Feb/March 2010, on the crystal website and thought there was something a bit weird going on.
It was showing as no availability, now I know why. :cry:

So will have to have a change of plan and go to the Alps I think!

[url]
http://www.skiamour.com/index.htm
[/url]
Been directed here from a college at work, what's the low down on Bisanne, Les Saisies?

Going with 2 young children, they will be just turned 6 and 4 - they can both Ski fine and will be having lessons periodically throughout the year.

Will this place be OK?
I'm not too worried about night life or quality dinning, but some local amenities would be handy.
Thanks for any info

Looks interesting, its not a place I am familiar with but it has reasonably extensive slopes. Heres what WTSS has to say about it:

"Traditional style cross country venue, surrounded by varied four-mountain Alpine slopes. Now part of the Espace Diamant. Easy runs but some lift queues at peak times.
1650m, slopes 1035-2070m. 84 lifts, 175km of pistes."

I imagine it will be pretty quiet, but the apartment for 6 people at GBP450 a week does look good value, especially if you drive down.

Re:Crystal Ski

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 13:57:57 GMT

Yeah, it looks like it is value for money for sure.
thanks for the info, just checked with BMI Baby and flights look reasonable too.
Car hire from Geneva and a fair price for the lift passes also.

Looks like I'm on to a winner. thanks again.
:D

Re:Crystal Ski

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 18:37:59 GMT

Littleoaks wrote:Went to book yesterday for Feb/March 2010, on the crystal website and thought there was something a bit weird going on.
It was showing as no availability, now I know why. :cry:

So will have to have a change of plan and go to the Alps I think!

[url]
http://www.skiamour.com/index.htm
[/url]
Been directed here from a college at work, what's the low down on Bisanne, Les Saisies?

Going with 2 young children, they will be just turned 6 and 4 - they can both Ski fine and will be having lessons periodically throughout the year.

Will this place be OK?
I'm not too worried about night life or quality dinning, but some local amenities would be handy.
Thanks for any info

Hi Littleoaks were you looking at booking to Lapland with Crystal? I priced up the same holiday last year comparing Crystal with Inghams including all the excursions and Inghams were GBP500 cheaper than Crystal. Crystal seem to charge double for all their extra activities.

Re:Crystal Ski

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 19:54:06 GMT

Could it be because Crystal have been bought by Thomson? Perhaps they are consolidating.

Re:Crystal Ski

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 20:06:47 GMT

JennyR wrote:Could it be because Crystal have been bought by Thomson? Perhaps they are consolidating.

Thompson are part of TUI which includes Crystal,Thompson and Simply travel I believe

Crystal Ski

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:31:04 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

RoseR wrote:Have heard through grapevine that Crystal have pulled the plug on all their Lapland hols. They were one of the biggest tour operators to go to Lapland it seems strange. I know several families who had booked for 2010 to be told to-day they are all cancelled. Any-one else heard this and are their any other resorts affected?

Interesting. I have been informed they are also pulling out of a number of other properties but I dont know about resorts as a whole. I do know that pricing of accommodation for next season has rocketed thanks to the exchange rate, and the tour ops have made decisions to pull out of certain places that are either less profitable or that dont sell out as regularly. I was also tipped off by an agent not to use Crystal for catered chalets as their menus and cooking leave a lot ot be desired in comparison to other tour ops, so he said!
I havent heard about other tour ops pulling out of anywhere. Inghams prices are up quite a lot though. Maybe Crystal are feeling the pinch more than the others. I've never been on a Crystal ski holiday, but have used Nielson and Inghams before.
The Crystal preview brochure for next season has Finland, but there is no Lapland holidays in it. They have, interestingly, added Formigal in Spain though.

Will let you know how they are as were using Crystal for Selva in March!

Re:Crystal Ski

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:15:37 GMT

JennyR wrote:Could it be because Crystal have been bought by Thomson? Perhaps they are consolidating.

Who cares, I'll still be D.I.Ying :wink:

Re:Crystal Ski

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:54:31 GMT

JennyR wrote:Could it be because Crystal have been bought by Thomson? Perhaps they are consolidating.

Crystal and Thompson have been part of the same group for a while now.

Re:Crystal Ski

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:39:13 GMT

interetingly popped in to Thomson yesterday to price up a holiday to Niederau. Wanted to fly into Salzburg due to the possbile delays associated with flying into Innsburck only to find out that TUI (Thomson/Crystal/First Choice) are streamlining their flights / transfers and now only offer Niederau in to Innsbruck. Seems that despite huge price hikes the tour operators are still feeling the pinch!

Re:Crystal Ski

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:53:20 GMT

freezywater wrote:interetingly popped in to Thomson yesterday to price up a holiday to Niederau. Wanted to fly into Salzburg due to the possbile delays associated with flying into Innsburck only to find out that TUI (Thomson/Crystal/First Choice) are streamlining their flights / transfers and now only offer Niederau in to Innsbruck. Seems that despite huge price hikes the tour operators are still feeling the pinch!

Don't use them and force them to bring down prices :evil:

Re:Crystal Ski

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:50:14 GMT

whilst i agree Ian, unfortunately they do a rather good job. for example i've priced up holidays to austria on a diy basis and TO and can't see enough of a difference to make it worthwhile. maybe it's me and i'm not looking in the right place but i'd prefer to pay that little bit more in return for not having the stress of having to book all the individual parts

Re:Crystal Ski

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:45:31 GMT

freezywater wrote:interetingly popped in to Thomson yesterday to price up a holiday to Niederau!

:shock:

Re:Crystal Ski

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:32:13 GMT

freezywater wrote:whilst i agree Ian, unfortunately they do a rather good job. for example i've priced up holidays to Austria on a diy basis and TO and can't see enough of a difference to make it worthwhile. maybe it's me and i'm not looking in the right place but i'd prefer to pay that little bit more in return for not having the stress of having to book all the individual parts

It really depends what you want, I like to select the people I go on holiday with, with the TO's unfortunately you can't do that, also in hotels they screw the hotels to a low per person price and what suffers is food quality, I have stayed in a couple of chalets in the summer and hated it I do have a very low fresh hold for dealing with pompous fools and I have met a few on these chalet stop overs.

I only speak for myself and my family if I stay in a hotel I expect a certain standard of food which I have always found on a direct book hotel, and this has not always been the case on a TO book hotel, I will not settle for an averagely prepared meal, I have never stated anywhere on my postings that it is cheaper to DIY your holiday because it isn't. I do it because I prefer to.. 8)

Re:Crystal Ski

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:33:34 GMT

It definitely is cheaper to book yourself if you want that rare commodity in the tour operators brochure, a single room!
the only thing that makes life difficult is the cost of transfers

Re:Crystal Ski

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:22:04 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

freezywater wrote:whilst i agree Ian, unfortunately they do a rather good job. for example i've priced up holidays to Austria on a diy basis and TO and can't see enough of a difference to make it worthwhile. maybe it's me and i'm not looking in the right place but i'd prefer to pay that little bit more in return for not having the stress of having to book all the individual parts

It really depends what you want, I like to select the people I go on holiday with, with the TO's unfortunately you can't do that, also in hotels they screw the hotels to a low per person price and what suffers is food quality, I have stayed in a couple of chalets in the summer and hated it I do have a very low fresh hold for dealing with pompous fools and I have met a few on these chalet stop overs.

I only speak for myself and my family if I stay in a hotel I expect a certain standard of food which I have always found on a direct book hotel, and this has not always been the case on a TO book hotel, I will not settle for an averagely prepared meal, I have never stated anywhere on my postings that it is cheaper to DIY your holiday because it isn't. I do it because I prefer to.. 8)

Do you line your family and friends up and select them from some sort of identity parade? "Son you took the piss out of me last week ya not coming on holiday, wifey you didnt try hard enough in bed last night ya not coming on holiday"

Re:Crystal Ski

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:21:20 GMT

mfc wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

freezywater wrote:whilst i agree Ian, unfortunately they do a rather good job. for example i've priced up holidays to Austria on a diy basis and TO and can't see enough of a difference to make it worthwhile. maybe it's me and i'm not looking in the right place but i'd prefer to pay that little bit more in return for not having the stress of having to book all the individual parts

It really depends what you want, I like to select the people I go on holiday with, with the TO's unfortunately you can't do that, also in hotels they screw the hotels to a low per person price and what suffers is food quality, I have stayed in a couple of chalets in the summer and hated it I do have a very low fresh hold for dealing with pompous fools and I have met a few on these chalet stop overs.

I only speak for myself and my family if I stay in a hotel I expect a certain standard of food which I have always found on a direct book hotel, and this has not always been the case on a TO book hotel, I will not settle for an averagely prepared meal, I have never stated anywhere on my postings that it is cheaper to DIY your holiday because it isn't. I do it because I prefer to.. 8)

Do you line your family and friends up and select them from some sort of identity parade? "Son you took the piss out of me last week ya not coming on holiday, wifey you didnt try hard enough in bed last night ya not coming on holiday"

If you didn't understand what I said I will repeat it, I'm fussy who I go on holiday with, I do not suffer fools gladly, I gladly go on holiday with family and friends, we are not all the same old friend if I don't want to spend time with someone I will not that is my choice.

Re:Crystal Ski

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:32:20 GMT

I did understand, it was a joke. Im 39 yrs and I like to think thats not old.

Re:Crystal Ski

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:59:18 GMT

mfc wrote:I did understand, it was a joke. Im 39 yrs and I like to think thats not old.

Listen my friend you are aging fast we all are, My job involves an awful lot of PR and customer service, so I see the good and a very lot of the bad in people, so when I go on holiday I really do not want mix with the great British public, it is just how I deal withy getting away from it all......I started driving to the slopes due to drunks on a plane and blokes being sick on a transfer bus all due to excess alcohol... my choice is that I do not want to experience that on my hard earned holidays my wife is also in customer service and she feels the same, so it works out ok.. :D

Re:Crystal Ski

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:30:25 GMT

Littleoaks wrote:Went to book yesterday for Feb/March 2010, on the crystal website and thought there was something a bit weird going on.
It was showing as no availability, now I know why. :cry:

So will have to have a change of plan and go to the Alps I think!

[url]
http://www.skiamour.com/index.htm
[/url]
Been directed here from a college at work, what's the low down on Bisanne, Les Saisies?

Going with 2 young children, they will be just turned 6 and 4 - they can both Ski fine and will be having lessons periodically throughout the year.

Will this place be OK?
I'm not too worried about night life or quality dinning, but some local amenities would be handy.
Thanks for any info

Hi,
We got back from this VERY apartment earlier today!!!

We will write a report for you and post some pix if you like.
When we've had a kip! (We drove back - it's a Sunday changeover)

Re:Crystal Ski

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:53:53 GMT

PrivateBryan wrote:

Littleoaks wrote:Went to book yesterday for Feb/March 2010, on the crystal website and thought there was something a bit weird going on.
It was showing as no availability, now I know why. :cry:

So will have to have a change of plan and go to the Alps I think!

[url]
http://www.skiamour.com/index.htm
[/url]
Been directed here from a college at work, what's the low down on Bisanne, Les Saisies?

Going with 2 young children, they will be just turned 6 and 4 - they can both Ski fine and will be having lessons periodically throughout the year.

Will this place be OK?
I'm not too worried about night life or quality dinning, but some local amenities would be handy.
Thanks for any info

Hi,
We got back from this VERY apartment earlier today!!!

We will write a report for you and post some pix if you like.
When we've had a kip! (We drove back - it's a Sunday changeover)

That would be really appreciated, we have decided to go next February and we are going to drive too. Would be good to know if you stopped off for an overnight stop anywhere and also how close things are to the apartment.

Thanks for the Info about Inghams - Rose. But this just seems more appealing now, a suppose things do when you get them booked. (Or I'll put a positive spin on whatever I'm doing :) )

Look forward to the write up. Thanks

Re:Crystal Ski

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:47:14 GMT

Littleoaks,
I'll put it on a new thread. This one does not really apply to Bisanne.

Will do it later. Things to do!

Re:Crystal Ski

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:59:39 GMT

daved wrote:It definitely is cheaper to book yourself if you want that rare commodity in the tour operators brochure, a single room!
the only thing that makes life difficult is the cost of transfers

That does not apply to me I drive 8)

Re:Crystal Ski

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:27:10 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

mfc wrote:I did understand, it was a joke. Im 39 yrs and I like to think thats not old.

Listen my friend you are aging fast we all are, My job involves an awful lot of PR and customer service, so I see the good and a very lot of the bad in people, so when I go on holiday I really do not want mix with the great British public, it is just how I deal withy getting away from it all......I started driving to the slopes due to drunks on a plane and blokes being sick on a transfer bus all due to excess alcohol... my choice is that I do not want to experience that on my hard earned holidays my wife is also in customer service and she feels the same, so it works out ok.. :D

Thats what I thought you were saying, If you didn't understand what I said I will repeat it, I was joking )

Re:Crystal Ski

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:03:25 GMT

mfc wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

mfc wrote:I did understand, it was a joke. Im 39 yrs and I like to think thats not old.

Listen my friend you are aging fast we all are, My job involves an awful lot of PR and customer service, so I see the good and a very lot of the bad in people, so when I go on holiday I really do not want mix with the great British public, it is just how I deal withy getting away from it all......I started driving to the slopes due to drunks on a plane and blokes being sick on a transfer bus all due to excess alcohol... my choice is that I do not want to experience that on my hard earned holidays my wife is also in customer service and she feels the same, so it works out ok.. :D

Thats what I thought you were saying, If you didn't understand what I said I will repeat it, I was joking )

Stop shouting :D

Re:Crystal Ski

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:57:30 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

freezywater wrote:interetingly popped in to Thomson yesterday to price up a holiday to Niederau!

:shock:

jeez! can't a bloke make a speleling mitskea or three???

Re:Crystal Ski

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:01:00 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

freezywater wrote:whilst i agree Ian, unfortunately they do a rather good job. for example i've priced up holidays to Austria on a diy basis and TO and can't see enough of a difference to make it worthwhile. maybe it's me and i'm not looking in the right place but i'd prefer to pay that little bit more in return for not having the stress of having to book all the individual parts

It really depends what you want, I like to select the people I go on holiday with, with the TO's unfortunately you can't do that, also in hotels they screw the hotels to a low per person price and what suffers is food quality, I have stayed in a couple of chalets in the summer and hated it I do have a very low fresh hold for dealing with pompous fools and I have met a few on these chalet stop overs.

I only speak for myself and my family if I stay in a hotel I expect a certain standard of food which I have always found on a direct book hotel, and this has not always been the case on a TO book hotel, I will not settle for an averagely prepared meal, I have never stated anywhere on my postings that it is cheaper to DIY your holiday because it isn't. I do it because I prefer to.. 8)

my apologies, I misunderstood your point. We always try to book 4 or 5 star, tends to weed out the type of person I think you're referring to, also it does tend to ensure the standard of food is good. I wouldn't choose a chalet for that very reason.

Re:Crystal Ski

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:28:17 GMT

freezywater wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

freezywater wrote:whilst i agree Ian, unfortunately they do a rather good job. for example i've priced up holidays to Austria on a diy basis and TO and can't see enough of a difference to make it worthwhile. maybe it's me and i'm not looking in the right place but i'd prefer to pay that little bit more in return for not having the stress of having to book all the individual parts

It really depends what you want, I like to select the people I go on holiday with, with the TO's unfortunately you can't do that, also in hotels they screw the hotels to a low per person price and what suffers is food quality, I have stayed in a couple of chalets in the summer and hated it I do have a very low fresh hold for dealing with pompous fools and I have met a few on these chalet stop overs.

I only speak for myself and my family if I stay in a hotel I expect a certain standard of food which I have always found on a direct book hotel, and this has not always been the case on a TO book hotel, I will not settle for an averagely prepared meal, I have never stated anywhere on my postings that it is cheaper to DIY your holiday because it isn't. I do it because I prefer to.. 8)

My apologies, I misunderstood your point. We always try to book 4 or 5 star, tends to weed out the type of person I think you're referring to, also it does tend to ensure the standard of food is good. I wouldn't choose a chalet for that very reason.

For the last six years now we have ski holidayed with my brother in law and his family it does sometime has it's stresses but the kids have a great time , we normally go for a chalet and it works fine, not a catered chalet by the way, log fire glass of plonk a great way to relax after chasing three kids around the mountain on skis, don't think I could run to a five star hotel, but I take your point :wink: