Are Crystal Ski holidays really that bad?

[rookiemere]

Looking for Easter 2016, Crystal already have their ski holidays out. Due to previous thread I'm thinking we should go for Italy, some of the prices look pretty good because of free child places and early booking discounts. Also they have very high trip advisor scores.

Last time we went skiing to France, we DIYed it. It was a lot of faff and because it was half term the cost of the appartment was ludicrously high and the drive to get to our resort ridiculously stressful as we couldn't figure out how to get the snow chains on. Also at the resort the car was just a liability as we didn't use it for the entire week, but had to make sure it wasn't too snow covered as we were leaving early the last day.

I'm not sure we saved anything by doing it ourselves and of course we didn't have any recourse if we were late for flights or car broke down, so because there are quite a few elements to organising a ski holiday, I'm very tempted just to book through Crystal.

Has anyone anything other than horror stories to share about Crystal as a company? (Or go on then share your horrors if you must!)

We have used Crystal loads of times and they have been really good, always someone to contact in resorts, chalet hosts have been great, food to a high standard, last year we got a great deal with a free child place at feb half term. We are doing it DIY this year as the feb half term prices are crazy, but at easter I would defo go on a package as it is so easy when you are taking kids and there will be other families in the chalet to socialise with

That's good news vicnew.
We are used to organising our own holidays and we'd never do a package holiday for summer, but there's something about all the extra elements of arranging a ski trip that makes using an operator seem like an attractive option.

We have used them many times over the years and they have been perfectly fine.

We went with them the week after Christmas & they were fine.

We went Easter 2013 to La Plagne, and they exceeded my expectations. Not a fault anywhere, everything was fine and a decent price too. The childcare was really good as well. The only "bad" thing was the transfer bus was half an hour late picking us up but we weren't even close to being late to the airport so it didn't really matter.

We've booked again with them for New Year this year.

They're obviously one of if not the most popular skiing package holiday provider and one of the cheapest too so it stands to reason that you're going to read more bad things about them than smaller companies with fewer customers, or ones where you pay so much they don't have to try and cut any corners.

I've skied twice with Crystal. First time was perfect, no issues at all and we would have booked to go back to the same place again had it not been shutting.

2nd (and last) time they totally fucked up our childcare booking and their answer was just to refund us the cost of the childcare and provide us with numbers for nannies. It totally ruined our first day there. They also fucked up our hotel bill on the last day and had no record of the "hotel credit" we were supposed to have to pay for lunches and drinks. Trying to get them to sort any of it out was a nightmare.

In short, they're fine if nothing goes wrong. If it does go wrong don't expect them to sort it out for you.

In short, they're fine if nothing goes wrong. If it does go wrong don't expect them to sort it out for you

Sadly Trixy, I think that applies to very many tour operators. Over the years we have had plenty of wrangles over services booked falling short or even non existant. Off hand I can't remember any issues with Crystal ski trips, but several with First Choice. On the other hand First C were brilliant when DH broke his collar bone (first morning, chorus fron DSs 'didn't you see the go slow sign, Dad?" ).

As Crispy says, they are one of the cheaper operators; this is obvious when they are advertising accommodation in the same hotels as others but considerably less expensively.

I think you just have to go for it and hope for the best.

Thanks everyone.

We aren't looking for anything special - DS won't need any childcare, I'll be lucky if I can get "Mr I can see so why do I need lessons, Mum" into lessons, never mind any additional child care . We just need flights, transfers and a hotel and the main element of that is the transfers to avoid having to drive.

Looking at Italy, might leave it for a while as prices for this year don't seem too much higher than they do for 2016.

Hope you got your famous ski holiday sorted tricky !

Yes , thanks Rookie, it all turned out OK, as mentioned on another thread:

Add message | Report | Message poster Trickydecision Mon 19-Jan-15 14:46:11
Thanks, Clam. Yes the room situation sorted itself out once dear GF1 decided she could not come because of the new job and the holiday being so close on the heels of the visit to her home country with DS1. We fitted nicely into three double rooms. GF2 enjoyed her lessons and got on well, and DS2 took her out a couple of times in the afternoon when he returned from further afield. Our friend, the one who insists on having a single room, was annoyed that he had to pay the equivalent of two people for his double room, i.e. no reduction to reflect the fact that only one air fare was involved. Otherwise pretty trouble free all round after all the advance angst.

That is good news tricky - I do hope I'll still be skiing when I'm 70. It was DH's first ski holiday last year and he quite enjoyed it, but not enough to pay school holiday prices every year, so I'm off with some friends for a long weekend this year and planning for 2016 already.

In short, they're fine if nothing goes wrong. If it does go wrong don't expect them to sort it out for you
yes, completely agree with this - we have been with many operators, and Crystal are no worse than any other operator if anything happens that is not on their script - (Neilsen was the worst - useless)
I think you just have to manage your expectations - they all have slim margins, and if you go for the cheapest make sure you have your own contingency plan and expect to have to do some legwork, then you will be pleasantly surprised when it all works smoothly

We have skied the last 2 years with snowbizz. They are a small family run company, very reasonable and owner's are on site so if there are any problems they a're there to help. Might be worth a look into.

I will have a look at snowbizz thanks

Ah I checked them out - we need flights from Edinburgh which snowbizz sadly doesn't do.
It looks like Crystal it is - if I can convince my DH that we really need to book 2016's holiday already !

Rookie, we have had some really good deals from Fritz Wilson. He seems to specialise in Crystal. The problem is he mainly offers last minute holidays. Could you consider keeping an eye on what he has for this Easter and if it is really good, going then rather than next year, but if not keeping options open for 2016? He is very helpful to talk to.

Ooh thanks tricky - a secret website !

Checked the dates and they don't seem to have anything for the Feb 15 half term week, nor the Easter school holidays, but I am torn between booking early (benefits for the resort I'm looking at are only 2 for 1 ski hire) and winging it nearer the time, how exciting.

We go Chrystal every year and have never had any problems.

have been skiiing twice with Crystal (before having DC) and found them absolutely fine. The rep helped sorted out passes and lessons. Transfers were included. Accommodation was fine. Nothing fancy but didn't matter to us as out all day. The only negative thing I would have to say is that the resorts with childcare seem to have a long transfer time.

Went to Austria with them a couple of years ago. Looked at going to same place this year. They were going to charge £600+ AI for our three year old. Looked at booking with the hotel directly. 3yr old is free. Quite scandalous!