| The answer to "Can I afford to ski or snowboard | | | | not be enough snow" I hear you exclaim.. let me tell |
| during a credit crunch?" is an emphatic "I don't know!" | | | | you.. those in the know go in April.. but what do they |
| But maybe with our six point guide you will be able | | | | know? Well early and late winter holidays work |
| to find a way to not miss out on your well earned | | | | amazingly well in resorts that don't need a huge base |
| winter break. | | | | to open the mountain. i.e. resorts that are based on |
| Six point guide | | | | shale or high pasture land and not rocks. For example: |
| 1. Choose the right resort - When booking a winter | | | | Avoriaz consistently opens early (sometimes in |
| holiday most research time (prior to making a | | | | November) and closes on the 1st May. What is the |
| booking) is spent on deciding the location and then | | | | potential saving? Taking rudechalets as an example |
| the accommodation. For example 'high altitude chalet | | | | their peak week price is £639 and their |
| accommodation in the French Alps'. Once this decision | | | | non-peak price is £299 a difference of over |
| has been made a suitable company is found; a | | | | 50%... add to that the difference in the price of an |
| discount is requested; the price is set and a deposit is | | | | Avoriaz lift pass - EUR200 Peak v EUR170 off peak..it |
| paid... and not a second thought is given to the | | | | should be smiles all the way back from the cash |
| average price of eating on the mountain everyday; | | | | point. |
| the price of a pint; the cost of a lift pass; the price | | | | 4. Read the small print - I hate reading the small print |
| of ski hire; entry to clubs in fact any in-resort cost... | | | | and that's why I am never surprised when I end up |
| which can often double (or more) the amount you | | | | paying more than was advertised. Flight surcharges.. |
| spend on a winter holiday. So what are the potential | | | | car hire damage waivers.. I find it extremely annoying |
| savings? Here is just one example... Lift Passes: | | | | but it's the way that it sadly is... so maybe we should |
| Portes du Soleil v Les Trois Vallees - both stake | | | | start reading the small print. What should we look out |
| claims on being the largest linked ski areas in Europe | | | | for?... currently I would say the big one is to check |
| and both have similar snow records. Portes du Soleil | | | | for surcharges... and if you are asked to pay in the |
| area pass = EUR200 or a Les Trois Vallees area pass | | | | local currency be extra careful as you will likely end |
| = EUR259 a difference of 22% and Avoriaz area | | | | up paying for any exchange rate fluctuations; check |
| pass = EUR144 or a Meribel Pass = EUR205 a | | | | if there are additional charges for transfers; check if |
| difference of 30%. | | | | there is a supplement for balconies, ensuite |
| 2. Party more - ski and snowboard more - How does | | | | accommodation and parking. |
| that work if I want to save money? Well here's an | | | | 5. Buy in-resort - buy at home? - So you have |
| idea... look for well equipped chalets with great | | | | decided to buy some new gear for the season... |
| in-chalet entertainment and a good policy on wine | | | | before you take any further steps.. check the price |
| consumption and a fairly priced honesty bar. It is still | | | | locally versus the resort.. it is often thought that |
| not that well known but independent companies | | | | equipment will be cheaper in resort but with currency |
| invariably provide better value than traditional | | | | fluctuations significant savings can be made by buying |
| package companies. For example some independent | | | | before you go. |
| chalet companies boast table footballs; media centers; | | | | And finally... |
| iPod docking; PS/2's and LCD's in all bedrooms; | | | | If it sounds too good to be true - it almost certainly |
| sledges; a large selection of board games and many | | | | is! so I would say be careful of "price slashes and |
| have hot tubs. So why not après ski back at | | | | great reductions" ..because invariably something has |
| the chalet with a cold beer and a round of 'babyfoot' | | | | to give and for a winter holiday this normally equates |
| instead of necking 2 pints at the bar. Potential saving | | | | to the level of service, the quality of the food and |
| based on 2 pints après ski each day for a | | | | the standard of accommodation.. and the last thing |
| week = EUR70.00 | | | | you want to do having saved money in all the areas |
| 3. Take advantage of non peak weeks - I am still at | | | | described above is to end up with a non reputable |
| a loss as to why the price of a holiday in April is | | | | company. A quick and easy check is to scan their |
| considerably less than February. Ok, there is obvious | | | | marketing material and website site for press |
| demand due to half term to take in to consideration | | | | coverage; guest feedback and any relationships with |
| but that aside why do so many people that aren't | | | | other respected companies. If they check out well |
| restricted by time not go skiing or snowboarding in | | | | for these... add them to your list of considerations. |
| April. ... "HUH are you mad.. it's too risky.. there may | | | | |