Anyone been skiing on the cheap?

Bernie46- how did you get on btw?

So, are you both skiers?

As said, tech team have altered the settings now, so both skiing threads can continue- It was not possible a few days ago.

Yes, I've got it now!

What are you testing Maw?

Testing again!

For another year, that is.

At least you won't be having to pack for nightclubbing as well! It's quite hard to travel light when you are going skiing. Which made me wonder if a coach tour might be a cheap way to do it.

Forgot to ask- how are you planning to get there? Drive, train to Bourg St maurice and bus, or plane to either Geneva or Lyon and transfer? Tignes is a long transfer from Geneva and can be quite expensive.

Tignes is normally good right to end April, and even in Summer on glacier. make sure you book flights early... it is quite a long transfer from Geneva, better from Lyon- but do book transfers early too- not easy to get to.

If you want to know anything about the ski company (based in Greenwich) you can't find on their website, do ask anytime- as said used them for years. Read the testimonials.

DS1 and family are just back from a small resort in Italy - they went by car, two drivers - which they found very reasonable. They had been there before on my DiL's school ski trip but she's moved to another school and this time they were under their own steam. DiL and kids are competent skiers and DS is a keen snowboarder. If you are interested I can pm you the details.

Cauterets in the Pyrenees is open until 27th April. Also one or two on the Spanish side.
I've heard that Pyrenees is cheaper than the French alps.
Flights to Toulouse or Biarritz.

Thanks for all of the advice everybody. I have booked a 1 bedroom apartment in Tignes with a separate bed in the living room (DGC is only 7) for £375 for the week - www.chalet-hire.com/chalet/residence-interresidences. It's self catered which has helped to keep the cost down.

Tignes has a glacier so we should get some skiing even if the season is cut short.

I'll have a look into skicompany.net Granjura as I would like to make this a yearly thing whilst my legs are still up to it!

Thanks, how do you do it after you have posted???

The good thing with the ski company is there is a short transfer from Geneva airport - which can be arranged with them, or by train to Aigle then bus up (with special price tickets for tourists to get to and back from resort - about 1 hour)- and they are right next to the beginner slope, with a pizzeria/café next to the lift at the bottom. Thew work closely with the ski school- and have all English speaking groups for both skiing and snowboarding, and do their own in house ski/snowboard and boots hire and resort passes. It is based in Switzerland, but right on the border with FRance, at the Eastern end of the huge Portes du Soleil ski area.

There's a little box under the 'add your message' box. 'Convert links automatically ', just click on it.

How does one 'blue' a link btw- thanks

Just checked- even Verbier, which is one of the tope ski resorts in Switzerland, will be closing the season on 21st of April- so Easter this year is practically impossible- too short notice, and far too late in season.

If you are not stuck with school hols, January or early March is best value, and best snow. Again, have a look at

www.skicompany.net

and talk to Gerry (owner) or Becky or Olli, his right hands.

Easter is on 20th of April this year- few resorts will still be opened and very expensive. A bit earlier next year- and end of March in 2016- that's what I'd be aiming for and look for the best bargain and book very early. We are planning a 70th BD party in the Alps for OH and family- for end of March, so it is lucky school hols will be early that year. Most smaller resorts struggle beyond end of March, especially beginner slopes at lower altitude.

The cheapest time is mid-january, when my son went. They drove to get there, so not for the faint-hearted, and stayed with Odalys in Le Corbier. I think it was between 5 and 600£ for everything apart from food, the aparthotel costs are very low, about £200 per person. I'm putting one link on here

www.booking.com/searchresults.en-gb.html?aid=311076;label=les-alpages-du-corbier-PYj%2AMkW_%2AiV7Giv1oAKeUgS7639620540;sid=83fa8beae789fb12ddc340d8199ba2fd;dcid=1;dest_id=-1476533;dest_type=city;highlighted_hotels=259449

but seriously you need to book now! They are already fully booked, some of them.

In the end it comes down to, are you prepared to be a bit more spartan than you normally would.

How old is she btw? and is she limited to school holidays? One of the best value UK company is

www.skicompany.net

a brilliant outfit, have a look at their website- I've used them for 20+ years for school and family + friends trips.

April is very late- which means going at very high altitude- so really not much choice and only big resorts with big prices, I am afraid.

If you go at half-term, much cheaper in Switzerland than France actually- as French kids have half-term at the same time.
Scotland is so unreliable and actually very expensive.

What about Scotland? Don't know about snow conditions in April, but might be worth checking. Less hassle getting there.