Winter sports thread 24/25
- Thread starter VRDoctor
- Start date
We've just booked snowboarding in Geilo, Norway for over xmas.
Havsdalsgrenda Self catering apartments with pool onsite - really looking forward to it after doing Lindvallen, Sweden in 2022 and Ruka, Finland in 2019. Love the nordic countries for winter sports - I've been to Norway snowboarding before but this is the first time we're going as a family (me, wife, 17yr old son, 16 yr old son and 14 yr old dughter). Possibly our last holiday all together for a while as eldest is joining the Marines in June.
Havsdalsgrenda Self catering apartments with pool onsite - really looking forward to it after doing Lindvallen, Sweden in 2022 and Ruka, Finland in 2019. Love the nordic countries for winter sports - I've been to Norway snowboarding before but this is the first time we're going as a family (me, wife, 17yr old son, 16 yr old son and 14 yr old dughter). Possibly our last holiday all together for a while as eldest is joining the Marines in June.
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Soldato
Any suggestions on websites to book through?
Was initially looking at Crystal Ski but Sunweb seems better priced with the lift passes included.
Also is it normally cheaper to pre book ski hire or just pop into a hire shop once out there?
Currently looking at Obergurgl, Austria for a week starting 21-Dec though welcome any suggestions (I'm intermediate though the gf is just starting to move from plough to parallel).
Was initially looking at Crystal Ski but Sunweb seems better priced with the lift passes included.
Also is it normally cheaper to pre book ski hire or just pop into a hire shop once out there?
Currently looking at Obergurgl, Austria for a week starting 21-Dec though welcome any suggestions (I'm intermediate though the gf is just starting to move from plough to parallel).
I've gone with Crystal Ski for Norway (and did with Ruka as well). I went with Ski Safari for Lindvallen.
I don't book ski rental / passes with Crystal Ski as they are a rip off for that - I just book direct with the resort.
Just check Obergurgl resort for snow surety during christmas - it's not uncommon for southern European resorts to be barren of snow at xmas which is why we go to the Nordic countries (and tbh I don't vibe with SE resorts anyway).
I don't book ski rental / passes with Crystal Ski as they are a rip off for that - I just book direct with the resort.
Just check Obergurgl resort for snow surety during christmas - it's not uncommon for southern European resorts to be barren of snow at xmas which is why we go to the Nordic countries (and tbh I don't vibe with SE resorts anyway).
Soldato
What sort of price are you paying per person for a week? Im open to go further north tbh and have a budget of around £1500-£2000 per person for that week starting 21-Dec. Have dropped Ski Safari a message with my budget to see what options they have.
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With extra leg room seats and snowboard carriage it was 2800 for the five of us - so 560pp - that's grand less than we did Ruka for in 2019.
Big discounts at Crystal Ski atm - https://www.crystalski.co.uk/ski-holidays/bookaccommodation?productCode=971020&tab=overview&noOfAdults=2&noOfChildren=3&childrenAge=17,16,14&duration=7&flexibleDays=1&airports[]=MAN&flexibility=true&noOfSeniors=0&when=22-12-2024&pkg=4427859035/3/356/7&tra_o=5486656160/6005780&tra_i=5486656238/6005781&units[]=NOR:COUNTRY&packageId=971020NOFG001517348256000001734825600000TOM278817354304000001735430400000TOM27893BA014427859035/3/356/7&index=3&multiSelect=true&brandType=C&bb=SC&room=&isVilla=false&searchType=SKI&durationCode=7115&rmpc=1|2|0|3|0|17,16,14&rmtp=3BA01&rmbb=SC&fc=n&greatDealDiscount=0&bb=SC&price=pp
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Soldato
Thanks, will take a look further north as pricing seems decent. Guessing they still have restaurants and bars on the slopes like further south?
Yes - all the places I've been (Ruka, Finland - Lindvallen, Sweden) have excellent restaurants and it looks like Geilo has a good selection too. We always book a restaurant for Christmas day.
Can't really comment on bars as I don't drink but Scandic countries are notoriously expensive for alcohol (although a friend we were with stated it didn't seem much more expensive than then the Alps) but these countries have generally a quieter after ski scene - unless you go to Trysil, Norway in the college/uni Easter break! Trysil is next on our list - hopefully xmas 2026.
Can't really comment on bars as I don't drink but Scandic countries are notoriously expensive for alcohol (although a friend we were with stated it didn't seem much more expensive than then the Alps) but these countries have generally a quieter after ski scene - unless you go to Trysil, Norway in the college/uni Easter break! Trysil is next on our list - hopefully xmas 2026.
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Associate
Just booked a week in Val Thoren end of March, Hotel Tango, Half Board £1,400 pp excluding ski hire/lift pass. First time in 5 years, hopefully I dont break anything...
Soldato
Cheers mate, definitely helped me look further afield. Will report back once decided.
Soldato
Heading to Geilo in February half term! Haven’t been since my 13th birthday and will be celebrating my 40th there 
Can’t wait!! Staying half board at Vestlia resort so hopefully will be well looked after! Looking forward to the train from Bergen to Geilo!
I had always associated Norway with super expensive ski holidays when compared to the French Alps, but France has become really extortionate it seems. Have also experienced the ropier end of the accommodation in various French resorts and would rush to take the family to those. Norway is surprisingly good value which suits us!
Can’t wait!! Staying half board at Vestlia resort so hopefully will be well looked after! Looking forward to the train from Bergen to Geilo!
I had always associated Norway with super expensive ski holidays when compared to the French Alps, but France has become really extortionate it seems. Have also experienced the ropier end of the accommodation in various French resorts and would rush to take the family to those. Norway is surprisingly good value which suits us!
Heading to Geilo in February half term! Haven’t been since my 13th birthday and will be celebrating my 40th there
Can’t wait!! Staying half board at Vestlia resort so hopefully will be well looked after! Looking forward to the train from Bergen to Geilo!
I had always associated Norway with super expensive ski holidays when compared to the French Alps, but France has become really extortionate it seems. Have also experienced the ropier end of the accommodation in various French resorts and would rush to take the family to those. Norway is surprisingly good value which suits us!
We're booked into the Vestlia restaurant for xmas dinner
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Soldato
We're booked into the Vestlia restaurant for xmas dinner
Will look forward to your report! I’m extremely excited.
Can anyone suggest any resorts for Christmas skiing?
I’m a novice, although used to be a good intermediate when I was a teenager but haven’t skied in 15 years and when I did it was all in Scotland.
I’m thinking about 5 days/a week over Christmas but not sure where to start. I’ll be solo’ing so somewhere with some good nightlife and a bit of a party scene would be good. But I am 35…
I was eyeing up Val D’isere, as that seems to look good but not sure what the snow situation would be like then.
Budget, £1500 or so.
I’m a novice, although used to be a good intermediate when I was a teenager but haven’t skied in 15 years and when I did it was all in Scotland.
I’m thinking about 5 days/a week over Christmas but not sure where to start. I’ll be solo’ing so somewhere with some good nightlife and a bit of a party scene would be good. But I am 35…
I was eyeing up Val D’isere, as that seems to look good but not sure what the snow situation would be like then.
Budget, £1500 or so.
Don
Could be safer going up to Tignes, but I think they already have tons of snow, but still time for a thaw again before actual winter!
If you want a guaranteed 'snow on the ground at xmas' resort, it has to be Norway, Sweden or Finland but the nightlife might nor be what you are looking for - Are, Sweden would be the closest though.
Non Scandi resorts are a coin flip for snow at xmas.
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Oh yeah, they'll be enough to ski/board, just unlikely to be any snow in the actual town if they're wanting the picture postcard xmas photos. Less of an issue if they are a single out for a party I grant you
Ah, good point. I’m never too fussed if there isn’t snow in the actual town.Oh yeah, they'll be enough to ski/board, just unlikely to be any snow in the actual town if they're wanting the picture postcard xmas photos. Less of an issue if they are a single out for a party I grant you