Choosing the Right Resort
Going with a Tour Operator
If you are an absolute beginner and either going on your own, or with friends that have never skied before, then it is advisable to travel with an established company who can organise the holiday efficiently for you.
They will have a rep. to meet you at the airport, organise the transfer to your hotel and probably have a rep. in your resort to sort out problems (this is not always the case as some of the smaller resorts share a rep). When you arrive at your hotel there should be somebody there who, after you have settled into your room, organises lift passes, boot and ski fitting, and then next morning shows you where the ski school meets. Of course you pay extra for all these services, but as a complete novice you would be floundering trying to organise these for yourself. The rep. should also only be a telephone call away if you are having problems with anything else during the week.
So, if you are going with a Ski Company, and paying extra for their services, how do you keep it cheap?
Well, you have two choices -
a) you could go with a smaller independent ski company who keep things cheaper by not having the overheads of the big companies, or
(b) you could go to a less sophisticated resort which will obviously be cheaper.
Choosing (a) often works well if you go with a company that specialises in only one or two resorts and so keeps the overheads down due to this. It can however be a mistake if you go with a company who have failed to expand because they are not very good at their job. So, only choose companies that have a good reputation. You can sometimes find this out by conducting a general check on them through the internet or by finding a website, like this one, that hosts a forum of readers comments on such things.
If you have visited a resort or used a Ski Company that you would like to recommend (or otherwise) please let us know by sending an email through the ‘Contact Us’ tab on the menu bar.
If you decide to go with a bigger tour operator because you consider them less of a risk then option (b) could be the one for you. A smaller, less sophisticated resort, will undoubtedly be cheaper but what will you miss out on by not going to a bigger more well known resort?
Well, a bigger resort will have more pistes and more lifts available - but as a beginner are you going to use them all?
A bigger resort will no doubt also have more shops, bars and discotheques for your evening entertainment but these will generally be pricier than in a small resort, and if you are economising, will you be needing these?
A bigger resort will probably also have more ski equipment and hire shops - this can be an advantage as more competion keeps the prices down - but if you have sorted out your ski pack and clothing before leaving Britain, you shouldn’t need them. Nice to have them there for an emergency, like falling and breaking your sunglasses in a tumble and needing a replacement, but one specialist shop in the village should be sufficient and shouldn’t break the bank in such circumstances.
A bigger resort will probably also have more other amenities such as banks, restaurants, swimming pools, hairdressers, etc. These add more glamour to the resort but will increase the price you pay for being there. Most of these things you can do without for just seven days.
When I first learned to ski , I had a great time in a little Italian village in the Dolomites called Bosco San Giorgio. The skiing was limited but it had enough green and blue pistes to keep me happy for the week and the snow was perfect. As I remember it, the village had little more than two hotels (we stayed in the cheaper one), a sports shop, a coffee bar, a discotheque and one other bar besides those in the hotels.
Ideal for a beginner trying to keep it cheap.
I went with a large party, and everybody enjoyed a superb week.
Since then I have been to other cheaper resorts that I would recommend, but that also are a bit less sophisticated:- Sella Nevea, Fai, Andalo, Colle Di Tenda (all Italy), Villard de Lans & Les Orres (both France) Itter & Neiderau (both Austria) and Cerler (Spain).
But personally I don't think, at the moment, you can beat Bulgaria. I have skied there twice and other members also recommend it (see Resorts on top menu bar). It is not only cheap but the ski instruction is of good quality. Also, all major companies offer bargain deals, so you can go cheaply with a Company that has a good reputation.
What Do You Look For In A Cheap Novices Resort?
When looking through the brochures or searching the internet for suitable budget resorts always look for ones that have:-
* A good nursery area (preferably with free lift[s])
(see footnote)
* Plenty of green and blue pistes
(possibly some reds [not essential]
for a challenge at the end of the week),
* An English speaking Ski School
(unless you are bi-lingual)
* Plenty of chairlifts or telecabines
(tows are alright but you might welcome
sitting down after lots of strenuous learning)
* Some blue & green pistes
at the top of the mountain,
(in case the snow has melted on the lower slopes)
and finally some snow cannons (to make artificial snow) for the same reason.
There are Free Beginners Ski Lifts in:- Courcheval, Val D’Isere, Flaine, Les Arcs, and Courmayeur (3 or more),
And at least 1, in Risoul, La Plagne, and Les Deux Alpes.
Late Deals
Another way of keeping your holiday cheap is to wait until the last minute before booking.
Check out the section on 'Best Deals' to see the latest that we have located.
Going Independent
As mentioned above, if you are a complete novice it is advisable to travel with an established company who can organise the holiday efficiently for you. UNLESS you are joining a group of friends/associates that have skied before.
However if all of the rest of your party are experienced skiers they may choose a resort that is more exciting for themselves and overlook your needs. So, bearing in mind the suggestions in 'What to Look for' above, involve yourself, if possible, in the planning stages.
Most European resorts cater for mainly beginners and intermediates but there are a small number that are expert orientated.
St. Anton in Austria, for example is a great resort for advanced skiers (Thomson rate it as five star) it is also five star rated for intermediates, but only rates a single star for novices. There is plenty of entertainment in this resort - so you may spend most of your time apres-skiing rather than enjoying the white stuff.
If you have visited a resort that you would like to recommend (or otherwise) please let us know about it. Click on 'Contact Us' on the menu bar above, and send us your comments.