How do people go skiing?

[Skinnysaluki]

My teens have asked if I can take them skiing next winter- I don’t know where to start! very much not from a skiing family or background!
We would need lessons/beginner slopes/ ski hire, a place to stay that is cosy and with guaranteed snow maybe ice skating options as well.
also! I’m skint so it would need to be as cheap as possible. And they are ages 20 and 16 so it will probably be a 3 adult cost and maybe that will just be too much.
how/ where do we even begin?

Book a beginners package with a tour operator like Inghams, Neilson or Tui. They would organise flights, accommodation, ski packages, lessons and lift pass.

Crystal are good for packages. The problem is that if you have teens and are tied to school holidays, it will not be cheap!

Skiing is not cheap! Heidi does good packages. Borovets would suit a beginner. You can go cheap on the accommodation

If you’re skint and can’t ski it is not for you. It will cost at least £6k

Book a package with one of the operators named above. Crystal or Heidi are probably the cheapest. Make sure to get the ski rental and mountain pass included. They will get you there and have resort guides to help. Try to choose as high a resort as you can to be more snow sure. The lower resorts are cheaper, but might be mud.

if you are skint skiing is not a good thing to take up! Maybe have a lesson in a snow dome in the uk.

I always wait for good snow and sunshine before booking. Fly to the nearest city. Hire a car with winter tyres/snow chains. Stay outside the resort preferably near a spa. I get bored after a couple of hours and only like it if there is sunshine and fluffy snow. Usually get discounted afternoon ski pass.

I recommend doing a course at a ski center in the UK. Also snowboarding is better.

We learnt as a family in Bulgaria. It’s cheaper and ski school lasts until 3pm unlike Europe which is only in the mornings. We booked a package through crystal ski.

id highly recommend that you do go and give it a try on a ski dome (has to be snow, not dry).

Thank you so much for the useful pointers!

It isn’t cheap.

try a snow dome in this country first. Less money if you all hate it.

We went to Bulgaria - Pamporovo. We booked flights and then a hotel and ski lessons separately. Was pretty reasonable and food was good value. Even so it did all add up so not the cheapest holiday.

The cheaper destinations like Bulgaria and Andorra or low lying Alpine resorts tend to have shorter and less predictable snow seasons. Agree with pp that even those are not necessarily cheap, There are companies who fill underoccupied ski hotels/chalets such as those used by school groups or late availability on behalf of tour operators like https://www.igluski.com/.

No it won’t 🙄

I haven’t booked yet but when I was asking around (here and beyond) I basically came to the conclusion a package holiday was easiest for first timers, think it was Tui I looked at, included everything from flights and food to ski passes and gear hire. If money isn’t your biggest concern that’s where I’d start, I was looking at Norway for the time of year we wanted.

I learnt to ski as a young adult and although I did do some lessons on a dry slope in the uk first I personally wouldn’t waste the money doing this, just book your ski holiday and throw yourselves into lessons on your holiday. Being on the mountain, the views the atmosphere are really what make skiing an amazing experience, it almost doesn’t matter how well you take to it on your first ski holiday, the experience alone will be worth it.
I think it’s wonderful your children have asked to go and it could be something you enjoy as a family for years to come.

Id book through Crystal we’ve used them and they’re fab.

Sorry just seen the skint bit! I don’t think I’d do it if money is tight.

The Alps in half term won't be far off this. Much cheaper if you can go out of school holidays or are willing to consider Bulgaria etc. If you've never done it before, I'd probably just look at package deals for simplicity.

Thank you! I love that they asked and I really want to make it happen for them. I went on a school trip once when I was younger and have never been able to go since but remember it being really joyful. I can take on as much extra work as possible and save up over the year.
I am most worried about not getting snow - we would have to go somewhere 100% guaranteed to have snow.

If one is already 20, I'd wait till the second is out of school so you can go outside school holiday periods - which should be maybe a year or so? Your money will go so much further.

Also at 16 and 20 they can be saving to contribute - even a little.

I have a year and can manage it bit by bit if I take on extra work. I usually budget for a holiday in summer, this would be instead of

Alas! I am a teacher!

It’s an expensive holiday, however you do it.

We’re going to Austria as it’s our favourite, but France can be done cheaper, we’ve found. If you’re beginners, I’d definitely recommend some lessons before you go on a real snow slope.

We are staying in a catered chalet, I think it’s about 7k, but that doesn’t include passes. We have all our own gear.

Ah! Sorry if I missed that! In terms of ski-ing that is indeed a bummer!

Yep! At least I can take on exam marking to meet some of the cost!

When I was pricing up for 4 of us it was about £4000 (outside of traditional school holidays though). Have a look at Tui/Crystal that should give an idea of the package route.