Ski/Snowboard Holiday

Here's a copy of an email I just sent round to my girlfriend's mates. I'm looking to organize a ski/snowboard holiday for a few beginners. Anyone who wants to come along is more than welcome.

Ok guys and girls,

Here's some information and a few basic figures to get the ball rolling and get people interested.

Looking just at DirectSki.com (a great snow holiday company, have used them many times before). Andorra will be the cheapest place to go, mid february we should be good for a load of snow as well and it's also a great place for beginners with lots of easy runs and plenty of places to go for the more adventurous. Chamonix and Meribel in France are great places to go as well, Chamonix is more for the advanced but beginners will enjoy themselves there too. With Mt. Blanc towering over the town of Chamonix, it truly is a beautiful place. I haven't been to Meribel or Livigno yet but they are top class resorts as well with plenty of opportunity for beginners and better levels as well. Andorra is the cheapest with regards drinking, socialising and going out for food. Meribel and Livigno would be the most expensive of the bunch.

My preference would be Andorra for most people to start, it's easy going relaxed and it won't break the bank. The prices I've quoted below are a guideline for the moment and are based on 10 people going travelling. If we have more the price goes down, if we have less the price goes up, so keep this in mind and help get the ball rolling on this. I can also work a deal with DirectSki as well as I've worked with them before.

I can also look into getting a chalet all to ourselves for the ultimate in Ski Holiday fun, a wooden house all to ourselves with our own chef, jacuzzi, sauna and other awesome perks. Let me know if you're interested.

If you could email either Ciara or myself and let us know what you honestly think about price, place and what you want out of this holiday and I'll do my best to sort it out and get you involved as best I can.

1)
Location: Frontera Blanca, Pas de la Casa, Andorra (Self-catering)
Date: 19/2/2011
Based on 10 people
Flights, Accom and transfers: €519
All Inclusive (beginners only): Learn to ski pack (Beginner Lift Pass Equipment and School): €265
All Inclusive (intermediate): Ski Pack Intermediate (Area Lift Pass Standard Equipment and School): €280 (OPTIONAL)
Total: €784 (€799 intermediate)
Website: http://tinyurl.com/AndorraFB


2)
Location: Residence Les Balcons d'Anaite, Chamnix, France (Self-catering)
Date: 19/2/2011
Based on 10 people
Flights, Accom and transfers: €569
Ski Stuff: Standard Ski and Boots (6 days): €80
Lift Pass: Chamonix Local Pass (Chamonix Valley Argentier and Les Praz only) (6 days): €205
Lift Pass: Mont-Blanc Unlimited (Area) (6 days): €250 (OPTIONAL)
School: Ski School (Half Day) (6 days): €190 (OPTIONAL)
School: Ski School (Half Day) (4 days): €145
Total: €999 (€1044 with unlimited access to Mont-Blanc area)
Website: http://tinyurl.com/ChamonixRLBA1


3)
Location: Le Grand Chalet, Meribel, France (Self-catering)
Date: 19/2/2011
Based on 10 people
Flights, Accom and transfers: €569
Lift Pass: 3 Vallees Area Pass (6 days): €235 (OPTIONAL)
Lift Pass: Meribel Local Pass (6 days): €191
Ski Stuff: Standard Ski and Boots (6 days): €80
School: Ski School Mornings (5 days): €156
Total: €1096 (€1140 with unlimited access to Mont-Blanc area)
Website: http://tinyurl.com/MeribelLGC


4)
Location: Casa Pozzi, Livigno, Italy(Self-catering)
Date: 19/2/2011
Based on 10 people
Flights, Accom and transfers: €679
Lift Pass: Livigno Area Ski Pass (6 days): €190
School: Ski School Beginners only 3 Hours per day (6 days): €112
Ski Stuff: Ski and Boot Hire Standard (6 days): €86
Total: €1067
Website: http://tinyurl.com/LivignoCP



Here's a little about me, I've been on 12 Ski holidays since 2001, I've snowboarded in many resorts, including St. Anton (Austria), Chamonix (France), Morzine (France), Les Deux Alpes (France), Alps D'Huez (France), Pas de la Casa, (Andorra), Soldeu El Tartar (Andorra) and Pal Arinsal (Andorra). I know majority of the resorts inside and out, both on-piste and off-piste. Have helped create, market and run the Snowboarding Club in DCU for many years organising more than 70 people each year on one huge holiday to various resorts. So hopefully I'll be able to make sure you have the best time either as your first time or return to the slopes.

If requested, I can get results from Panorama, HighLife, RudeChalets, CrystalSki, TopFlight to compare. I can also look into going to Austria, Switzerland (very expensive!!) and Bulgaria (expensive flights over, but food and drink is cheaper!)

Hope that helps, let me know what you think.


Mike P. O'Keeffe BEng