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Cheap Ski Holidays
& Cheap Skiing - Are you Pulling My
Leg? |
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Cheap ski holidays - you're pulling my leg aren't you?
Just kidding, because researching for this article, I've found a
company that offers just what you may be looking for. I wouldn't go on
such a holiday myself any longer, but forty years ago I would have
jumped at it!
I once worked for a package tour operator who provided cheap ski
holidays. Solder Ski (not their real name, really did provide something
cheaper than anyone else when they started.
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Their cheap holidays are not so cheap now, but still offer some good
ski deals and cheap skiing. I know because I worked for them. Well I
didn't exactly work for them; they paid me to have a good time in the
mountains at the punters' expense.
The expense was pared down to the bone - catered chalets with the
lowest rents where the punters often had to lug heavy suitcases through
waist deep snow (I kid you not), food that was only just edible cooked
by girls who never mastered how to boil an egg at 2000 metres, and
transfers to and from Geneva in old public auction government utility
vehicles. The ski guides, me and my mate Peter, often took punters down
black runs if we didn't like them.
You may think I'm digressing, but it's important to emphasise the
meaning of 'cheap skiing'. You get what you pay for - in this case no frills
whatsoever, something like Ryanair with more bare faced cheek added.
You must expect this, and if by chance you come across a cheap ski
holiday way beyond its value, then you're very lucky.
Compared to summer holidays -
cheap ski holidays are going to be a lot more expensive. For a kick off
ski clothes live in a different world to flip flops, a bikini and a
beach mat. The only bits of kit that double up are the sun glasses and
sun cream, and if you are a fashionista with skin like a baby's bottom,
then you will be buying stronger versions of these too. You'll be lucky
to get away with paying less than £150.
Discounting the ski clothes that can be spread across a few years, you
now have to fix up the travel, accommodation and food, ski equipment
hire, lift pass, ski lessons and insurance. What do you reckon that's
going to cost? Chose a typical ski resort in France like Meribel. The
cheapest I can find is the first week in January for £318, which
includes flight and accommodation only. Everything else will cost at
least £400 so we are looking at £718, more than three times the cost of
going to Corfu.
So what's the answer? I only discovered this when my
son, Paddy, did it last year. There is a company called Actions
Outdoor, who can do the business. A first week in January ski holiday
will cost you £465. It includes everything I've mentioned above, but
remember what I said about 'cheap'. You get what you pay for. Paddy
came back from his holiday in les Arcs on top of the world. All in he
had spent £600, which included having a great time in the bars!
Simon Dewhurst - September 2010
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