Skiing trip cost

[Razor-BladE]

Ah. Uni prices are normally always ridiculously cheap prices. At my sisters uni they are doing a ski trip for about £400.
Will be so good if they have those kinda prices when i go uni

 

[Naf]

http://www.varsitytrip.com/09launch/Blog/Blog.html

Went last year and had a brilliant week.

Ohhhhh if only I had saved up money from my placement year, we're going to Val Thorens the week after with uni for £350 - I'd of happily driven to Tignes for that week and then met uni the next week, but I'm only just going to be able to afford the week in Val T


OP: When are you going? I don't remember my school/6th form costing much more than £500 - but we stayed in crap hotels mainly, although we didn't care as it's the skiing you go for. That included lessons and hire. That was the back end of the season too, only half the runs were usually open as the snow was melting - but it was good enough for our needs at the time.

We were also given catalogues for companies who rent out clothing, can't remember any names of them though - but it may be worthwhile asking your college about renting clothing rather than spending more money on buying your own kit as you may not enjoy it and never get the use of it again.



If you do buy your own kit, TK Maxx is the place to go. No need for thermals tbh, I've never needed them in the 7 or 8 times I've been. Just a long sleeve Tshirt (maybe a short sleeve Tshirt under/over the LS one if it gets a bit chilly) under my jacket, but I always have the vents on my jacket open.

The two areas to spend more on are socks and gloves imo, I've got some K2 socks from TK Maxx that were a few seasons out of date (not bothered about anything being out of date, but socks?? C'mon!) for pennies and they're fantastic. I've just got a new pair of gloves after shredding mine from trying to learn 360s last year and walking back up 100ft dragging my skis behind me, think I paid £50 or so for my last pair and the new pair. Never had cold hands, apart from when I dropped them in powder and it went inside my left glove

I'd go goggles over glasses too, as long as you have a decent pair (mine were £115 or something daft, and are fantastic) plus you may want a bandana type neck-warmer if you're sensitive to the cold air like I am (did half a day in Val T the other year as I forgot my bandana, couldn't hack it any longer!)

 

[Amp34]

One tip about socks - make sure you get a good pair, I used to use cheap tube socks but last year I got some half decent Snow + Rock ones. The difference is like night and day. When your feet are squashed up in a boot all day the slightest wrinkle in the sock will really be noticable by the end of the day.

Another thing worth spending money on is gloves - make sure they are goretex, if not they will be soaked by lunchtime on the first day, especially if you're a beginner.

As for Jacket and goggles last year I got some Bonfire brand Sallopettes and Jacket and they are great and really good value. I also have a Fleece that I can zip in which is great.

Eugh, tube socks, never, ever, ever!

But yeah a decent pair of properly fitting socks is always good. I swear by wigwam Ultramax socks for both my walking and skiing socks. Also remember you don't need thick ones, thin pairs are the best (normal sock thickness), the insulation comes from the foam in the boot. If your feet are cold either the boots are too tight (poor circulation) or your core is too cold (stick another layer under your jacket.

Goretex isn't a necessity unless it's very wet snow (unusual in resorts), however some kind of decent soft/mediumshell is enough, goretex/event/decent company own brand waterproof gloves are useful however.

http://www.varsitytrip.com/09launch/Blog/Blog.html

Went last year and had a brilliant week.

Ahh, I thought it would be a uni trip.

 

[Razor-BladE]

OP: When are you going?

February half term. Skiing on the 14-19th so snow should be really good.. hopefully not icy.

rather than spending more money on buying your own kit as you may not enjoy it and never get the use of it again.

Been before and absolutely love it. I will definitely be going again in the future.

The two areas to spend more on are socks and gloves imo

Will def get good socks and gloves then.

plus you may want a bandana type neck-warmer if you're sensitive to the cold air like I am (did half a day in Val T the other year as I forgot my bandana, couldn't hack it any longer!)

I had some neck ring thing last time but it didn't work to well tbh. May look for something else.

Will check out tk max though.
Thanks

 

[D.P.]

I'm paying £309 + about £50 for ski hire for a week in Tignes. Includes travel, accomodation, lift pass and insurance.

Bargain.

When I was at Edinburgh Uni we paid around 300 to get to Tignes each Xmas. The bus was long and slow and the accommodation cramped and basic. But, for 300 quid it is a bargain. Lessons and hire are extra but reduced.


You can look at doing it yourself. See how much an easyjet flight is to Geneva. At about £30-40 for train transfers (return). Lots of skiing in nearby France and Switzerland.You can stay in youth hostels for about £30-40 a day including breakfast and dinner. Lift passes are 25-40 per day. Eating Fondue in Switzerland will set you back 15 quid.

 

[p4radox]

When I was at Edinburgh Uni we paid around 300 to get to Tignes each Xmas. The bus was long and slow and the accommodation cramped and basic. But, for 300 quid it is a bargain. Lessons and hire are extra but reduced.


You can look at doing it yourself. See how much an easyjet flight is to Geneva. At about £30-40 for train transfers (return). Lots of skiing in nearby France and Switzerland.You can stay in youth hostels for about £30-40 a day including breakfast and dinner. Lift passes are 25-40 per day. Eating Fondue in Switzerland will set you back 15 quid.

I can easily endure a long bus journey and crap accomodation. I'm primarily there for the skiing (and to a lesser extent, the nightlife). When all your mates are there too, I'm convinced it's one of the best 1 week holidays money can buy.

 

[D.P.]

I can easily endure a long bus journey and crap accomodation. I'm primarily there for the skiing (and to a lesser extent, the nightlife). When all your mates are there too, I'm convinced it's one of the best 1 week holidays money can buy.

I loved every minute of it (well, apart from a few hours of bus and hangovers!).

Tignes has excellent skiing and good night life. Racing down a piste early morning is an excellent hangover cure.

I miss tose times,...

 

[p4radox]

I loved every minute of it (well, apart from a few hours of bus and hangovers!).

Tignes has excellent skiing and good night life. Racing down a piste early morning is an excellent hangover cure.

I miss tose times,...

The same trip was in Val Thorens last year and the snow was fantastic. I just hope the weather is as good in Tignes in December, apaprently it's not as high up.

 

[Volcs]

Best ever deal I got was tagging on to the Swansea Uni trip in 2007 to Laax:

Flights, transfer, lift pass, 6 nights for £275 - was an unbelievable deal. Spent about another £200 on food and drink for the week so I was pretty chuffed.

For comparison I spent about £1500 in Val D'Isere last year all in - damn you 1:1.06 currency!

 

[Windle]

Anyone seen any good deals available for non-students. Me and my old man are thinking about heading out this winter. We're both pretty good, Intermediate - Advanced.

I've done a bit in the Three Valleys and Scotland when we have any!

 

[No1newts]

Been told thats excellent value by the girlfriend that goes regularly.

She paid £860 for Bulgaria, half board for 6 nights with 6 days tuition, lift pass and ski equipment hire.

 

[platinum87]

I'm just wondering whether I can get a better price if i just went with friends (w/ cheapest location) or whether this is good value. I always thought it would be cheaper with school/college because they can get group discounts but i wasn't sure.

At college they're doing a skiing trip for £750 give or take which includes coach transport there and back to Ziller Valley, Austria (nice place for skiing?), 6 nights accommodation full board, ski and boot hire, lift passes for 6 days including 4 hours of ski lessons each day (i've skied before so if i went myself i wouldn't need lessons), evening activities (ice skating, bowling, etc), and full insurance.

What do you think?

ski/boots/ski pass are very expensive

£750 for everything sounds very nice