Anyone who has ever headed to the mountains in winter knows that ski holidays don't come cheap, especially when the basic holiday cost – as well as all those necessary extras such as equipment rental and lift pass – are taken into consideration. However, it is perfectly possible to keep costs down by booking independently and sorting out your own travel, accommodation, ski hire, lessons and lift pass. Here's our guide to how to organise the complete ski holiday, including what not to forget, and how to get the best out of it.
The best time of year to go
Avoid the crowds and book for January or March. Prices are almost double at peak times like New Year and February half term, but January has the best deals. March is cheaper than February and conditions are still at their best. Avoid expensive Easter – next year it's April 12 – but the following weeks in the higher resorts are a good choice with lots of sunshine. Cheapest of all are the pre-Christmas weeks, as long as you're prepared to take a chance on the snow. It's also possible to find some good deals over Christmas. PV-Holidays offer one extra night free over the yuletide break.
The easiest way to travel
Thanks to rising fuel costs, driving is no longer the cheap alternative, but it does give you flexibility, especially if you're travelling as a family. Flying with a small child and all the paraphernalia, skis and boots, can be a logistical nightmare, but if you load the car up and set off in the evening, take the tunnel and drive overnight, your child will probably be asleep within 10 minutes of leaving home and wake as you approach the resort.
How to get the cheapest cheap flights and transfers
If have your own ski equipment, avoid the low cost airlines because absolutely everything comes as a costly extra. Check out Snowjet which offers cheap flights from Gatwick and regional airports to Chambéry, and carries skis free of charge. BA offers the best deals at the moment, so check out their website.
Transfers are easy to organize too. HolidayTaxis.com allows you to pre-book a taxi transfer online before you travel, which can help to ease the pressure, especially you are if arriving late at night or in a big party. If you prefer to drive yourself, then you can book a four-person rental car for under £250 per week, which works out cheaper than either a taxi or bus transfer to your destination. Most resorts offer free open-air parking, but remember to pack a shovel as you may need to dig out your car at the end of the week.
Keeping the kids happy
Plenty of personal skiing experience helps to make the best family holiday, but most important is an endless supply of parental patience. France has some of the most sophisticated childcare in the Alps, and the ski school classes are well organised. If you want to be sure of an English-speaking instructor, visit snowgurus.com and book before you go – they are available in a dozen French resorts. Staying somewhere with a swimming pool, games room and plenty of non-ski activities will be a bonus. PV-Holidays MGM residencies have such facilities and they will also be able to book the best ski school classes and children's clubs in your resort.
The essential clothing
If you haven't skied before, borrow what you can from friends, and hire skis, boards, and boots in the resort where you can change them if they prove uncomfortable or unsatisfactory. If you are buying clothing, the first items to go for are warm gloves, goggles, a hat, thermals, ski jacket and trousers. For warmth, wear several thinner layers rather than one thick one.
Where to stay
France is the country with the most convenient skiing, and you may even be able to ski straight to and from your apartment door. If so, you can save money by coming home for a snack at lunchtime rather than paying for a restaurant lunch. Wherever you go, finding suitable accommodation is just as important as choosing the right resort. Proximity to the nursery slopes, the lifts and ski school is a great energy saver. PV-Holidays is the market leader for ski accommodation in France – and over 70% of their apartments and hotels offer doorstep skiing.
Eat in or out?
France is the land of gourmet food, so eating out can be a feast. Self-catering is considerably cheaper but you'll need to shop and cook after skiing. Snowman's Larder is an online shopping service for Val d'Isère and Tignes which works out cheaper than buying in the local supermarket – and you won't have the inconvenience of rush-hour queues and skidding along icy streets carrying heavy shopping. Save money, if you're driving out, by stocking up at a hypermarket en route.
Some operators also give you the opportunity to have someone cook for you in your apartment, such as PV-Holidays' chef at home service. They can also help by organising food delivery directly to your apartment – great for fresh bread and pastries in the morning. This service is available in MGM residences and some of their Pierre & Vacances residences, so be sure to check them out.
How to cut the cost of lift passes and equipment hire
Many resorts offer loyalty discounts, which means that if you can produce last year's lift pass when buying a new one, you'll receive a decent discount of up to 5%. If travelling with children, choose a resort with a higher upper age limit for child discounts, or special youth-rate lift passes. Visit PV-Holidays.com to find out about preferential rates on lift passes and ski hire. You can book both before you go – giving more time to ski when you get to the resort – and many PV-Holidays' residences have Skiset ski hire shops on site.
Keeping safe
Minimise the risk of injury by getting fit before you go, either by joining a gym or doing your own pre-ski exercises at home with the help of the fitness pages at www.welove2ski.com. Alternatively, go on some brisk hilly walks or take a course of lessons on a dry ski slope. Protect your head: helmets are a vital safety measure for children – and increasingly popular among adults. Above all, use a factor 20 or above suncream for a tan without burning.
If you are travelling in the EC, obtain a European Health Insurance Card by completing your details online. This entitles you to free or reduced cost medical care within EU member countries.
Protecting your holiday
Make sure you pay by credit card. If you do you will be reimbursed (over £100) if the product you buy is faulty, unsatisfactory or if the company selling it goes bust. If flying, for the same reason, make sure the airline has ATOL protection. Don't forget wintersports insurance for baggage loss and medical care – check out MoneySupermarket.com to find the best deal. And if you're worried about lack of snow, PV-Holidays offers a free snow guarantee with bookings at Pierre & Vacances and Maeva ski apartments! But let's hope you won't need it.
