Hi,where would the be best place for a couple of novices to ski? We have looked at Bulgaria so far and have been quite happy with what we have found.Any other suggestions would be most welcome,cheers Mark

The one general tip I would give first time skiers is to book somewhere where there will be other things to do if it turns out you don't like sking! I absolutely hated it the first time I went - to Zell-am-See in Austria. At 18 years of age it was the first time I'd done something that I hadn't been able to master immediately! Instead of effortlessly gliding down the piste to the universal admiration of my dishy ski instructor as I'd imagined in my fantasy, I seemed to spend all my time falling over in the snow then laboriously edging my way sideways back up the nursery slope to fall down it all over again, much to the exasperation of my shrewish female instructor who had a screech on her that would start avalanches off if only there had been enough snow! What's more, I who normally tans easily managed to burn my nose so badly that no amount of concealer would disguise its belisha beacon properties. A red nose that glows in the dark topped by panda eyes from the goggles is not a captivating look and didn't fit my self-image at all :-)

After three days of hell I decamped to the fleshpots of Salzburg with another refusenik and actually began my lifelong love affair with all things Tyrolean bar sking. I did have another go later - to please a boyfriend - but thankfully a climbing accident which left me with a damaged knee provided the perfect excuse for never having to do it ever again. Ever afterwards we went to places where he could prat around on the snow all he wanted and I could go shopping or skating or walking through the woods etc or my much preferred option of just relaxing in a nice bar or cafe with a hot chocolate in the morning and the Gluhwein in the afternoon! Bliss!

SM

I think Bulgaria is a good option. Places like Austria, Switzerland and France have great skiing but are pretty expensive. I agree with the above post pick a resort where there is something else on offer. I worked as a ski instructor for a few years in the 1980's and found that most people who had watched skiing on TV thought it would be easy, it's not, it's hard work at first and lots of people give up because they ache, get cold and tired using muscles not normally used. If you persevere it can be a lot of fun. I can't give much advice about where to ski as I gave up about 10years ago and resorts change a lot, but if you choose Austria Zell-am-See is a pretty good place plus somewhere like Seefeld where you are near to Innsbruck and Garmisch wouldn't be a bad choice, though I suspect expensive.
Incidentally I live in Bavaria not far from the Alps and at the moment I am looking at about a foot of snow outside my window. The sun is shining and it's a picture postcard scene. My husband is out skiing right now.

Hello, this is my 1st posting on this forum, and need some advice. I want to book a ski holiday to Banff but the difference in cost- £205 each- for the same holiday but two different operators has me puzzled. Inghams website quoted me £802 p.p., however the travel agent has quoted me £597 p.p. for the exact same holiday with Thomson Ski, flights, hotel, dates and even throwing in an overnight stay at a gatwick hotel before the outbound flight! Is this too good to be true? Should I book and hope that the price will not significantly rise before departure? The price does not depend on taking the travel agents insurance or pre-booking lessons or passes- I have already informed them I have annual cover. I haven't booked with a High St. travel agent for years, are they fighting back the prices offered by the internet sites? It obviously pays to shop around, and if I can have the same holiday for less that's great, but I can't help wondering. Help!

Hi jaqui and welcome to HT!

Personally I would grab it with both hands. Once the holiday has been booked and confirmed, they cannot raise the price so it looks like you have bagged yourself a bargain there. Well done!

luci

Definatly go for the bargain before it disappears. Inghams is traditionally more expensive than Thomson, so if you can get the same for less.............then go for it. Have fun.

I agree with the above posts. The key to first-time ski-ing is picking somewhere that has a "life", other than ski-ing. The worst thing that can happen is for you to be in a resort full of dedicated skiers, when you discover that you don't actually like it. In which case, I would try to avoid many of the 'purpose-built resorts' found mainly in France, and opt for one that is based around a traditional village.

Alternatively, choose somewhere based on the cost including the extras (lift pass, ski/boot hire etc). This way, if you miss a day or two of ski-ing, then you won't feel too bad about it. Bulgaria I think is a good choice in this respect, or alternatively look at somewhere like Andorra (duty-free).

As a final thought, try to pick a resort on a south-facing mountain. Although these resorts tend to loose their snow quicker than north facing resorts, as a first-timer, they are by far, a more pleasant experience. This is for the obvious reason that the sun always shines on the southern facing slopes. As first time skiers tend to spend a fair amount of time fairly stationary, moving slowly, or in the snow itself, they get colder a lot quicker, so the warmth of the sun always helps. Furthermore, if you're tired, weak and your muscles ache all over, and you feel like you need a break, then there's nothing nicer than sunbathing in a deckchair with a cold beer at the top of a mountain somewhere!

Have a look at Alpe D'Huez, France. Although it is purpose built, it has plenty of shops, bars, restaurants etc, as well as ice-rink, bowling, pictures and other activities and it is south facing. Alternatively, Cervinia, Italy is a nice compact resort with a good atmosphere.

Alpe d'Huez info HERE

Pippy

Probably a bit late to reply now, but my kids found that the ability to skateboard was a huge help. If he can skateboard he should be fine, if not it wouid help if he learns to do that first.

Domobianca for skiing is a great place to start. Its in North Italy, and suits all levels and ages. It is not yet an overpopulated resort, and has no on site hotels, but hotels are around within 15-20 mins, and most cater for them with a shuttle or transfer service anyway in the morning and afternoon.

ski instructors excellent, snow fabulous and guaranteed, and lovely setting.

Did that include all lessons, hire and passes aswell??

Domobianca for skiing is a great place to start. Its in North Italy, and suits all levels and ages. It is not yet an overpopulated resort, and has no on site hotels, but hotels are around within 15-20 mins, and most cater for them with a shuttle or transfer service anyway in the morning and afternoon.

Excellent value.

ski instructors excellent, snow fabulous and guaranteed, and lovely setting.

You cant ski without the passes.. if thomson havent added a pass in the price, you cant ski!!, so they must have just quote your on flights, food and accomodation and transfers, and if thats the case, thats expensive.

I paid about £700 all in for flights, transfers, accommodation, half board ski lessons each day, ski passes, ski hire, and boot hire and resort transfers, so door to door slope transport (10 min transfer each morning). That also included each night entertainment and top notch food and wine.

The skiing lessons, piste passes and hire of skis and boots can run into over a few hundred per person per week alone, obviously depends where you go, but sometimes more, sometimes less.

Hi

need help in booking a ski holiday.
Never been on a holiday like this before (usual on the Turkey discussion forum!!).

We are a family of 4 a 14 year old boy who would like to snowboard a 11 year girl who would like to snowboard/ski my husband who I think would like the snowboarding and myself who if i had the choice would like to sit in a bar drinking mulled wine but know that's not possible, so I think I would have to choice skiing.

We would like to go during the Christmas hols (2007) or Feb half term week 2008 (that sounds along way of!!) Has to be in these holidays due to my job.

What I would like to know is area/country hotel that folks recommend.

Thanks so much for all the help.
Mandy

Hi Mandy

I have merged your post with similar topics so you may find some useful information in earlier posts.

luci