Need advice on booking ski trip for March for dd...

[tootiredtothink]

Dd (10.11) was due to go skiing with school in March.

Due to some bullying issues (the 2 girls which she has had the problems with are the only other girls going ), I want to pull her out of the school trip.

Obviously this isn't fair to her as she's the one ending up being penalised, however, I also know she won't be able to cope for a week away from home in that atmosphere.

So my plan is to get details of a weeks break during the same time period for dd and dh to go skiing together. Hopefully school won't have an issue with me taking her out of school on our own trip but I'll pass that bridge when I come to it.

But having just had a quick google everywhere seems so expensive. Need as cheap as possible to show dh that we can afford for him to go too (he's already booked to go for his annual ski in Feb).

My question to you lovely people - yes, I finally get to the point!!! - is how to find a ski holiday for 2 people in Europe relatively cheaply. Departing approx 5th March.

And if you can get through the extremely poorly written essay, they'll hopefully be going from Birmingham airport or any Midlands airport.

Poor DD

Have you looked at places like www.igluski.com?

Do your DH/DD want a catered chalet or self-catering?
There are usually a lot of deals about for adult/1 child when the rest of a chalet gets filled up. But check the ages of the other kids in a chalet with the tour operator, as it would be awful for her to be with a bunch of tiddlies!

If they want to go self-catering (harder on your DH, probably) there are loads of apartments for rent about.

An apartment in Courchevel 1650, sleeping 2 people is available for 463 euros - www.cimalpes.com/en/Results-rentals-courchevel-meribel-chalet-apartment-studio/101013-location-studi o-courchevel-1650

The apartment building has ski-in/out from the 7th floor. We've stayed in this block a number of times and it is handy for both the slopes and the local shops/restaurants.

We drive down, but you could look for suitably priced flights to Chambery, Lyon or Geneva, or get the train to Moutiers (and then the bus up).

just noticed that apartment is in a different block to the one we stayed in - but nearby and also with direct access to the slopes - so still a good location.

i'd try iglu, and look for somewhere not france - eg bulgaria, andorra, slovenia (bled looks ace but i have never been) and maybe italy (lots of fun, esp somewhere like sauze d'oux where they can go to a disco (with you of course). if your other half skis, won't he have any suggestions? my DP would jump at any excuse to go skiing several times in a winter!

Just back from school run - thanks for all the links, I'll have a look now.

Catered will be so much easier for them but I know dh has done both so won't be too hard if it's self catering. Although I'd like to take her myself if only for the huge ribs and baked potatoes he raves about at lunch time - I have no interest at all in skiing other than that sadly .

Dh does ski, but atm his work is very quiet so we're having to be careful money wise. On top of that he doesn't think dd should be the one to miss out. And whilst I agree in principle it'll be so hard on her being too far away to come back to us if things are bad that week.

My cunning plan is to have a list of lovely, yet cheap, places to show him so he can't say no .

Although I'm sure you're right greygirl, the temptation to go again this year may just push the scales in my direction .

Can't she go with him in Feb?

Now that would make it too easy .

He goes with a group of men - around 10 in total so it's not really suitable to pop a child in there too.

They're all bringing their dcs next year (although I'll believe that when I see it), so hopefully she'll get plenty of opportunities to use the ski gear we've bought.

when I was expecting ds2 dha and ds1 went here. Nice company - we're going back at Easter. They had a supposedly "single" room (which was just small, and had a second bed which was a bunk) and MountainSun only charged for ds1's food. Just checked and they're still doing a similar deal "?Children / teens taking early evening meal (simpler 2 course menu) £145 p/p per week".

Adult price for that week is £419 (catered), plus £20 pp each way for transfers and organise your own (Sunday) flights to Venice (Easyjet, Ryanair or BMI) - for 7th March. A quick check on the Ryanair website is giving £254 inc charges (ex Stansted) for out 7th March/back 14th.

So potentially just under £800 catered for the two of them?

Thanks for your help - I've printed off your sites with the costs to show dh.

I'm planning a few drinks tonight in the hope it'll loosen his wallet! He's taken dd to dry ski slope this morning so hopefully be a little keener to go himself.

7 march, half board, 4*, Andorra, 299 each:

www.holidaydiscountcentre.co.uk/skioffer-1/

www.holidaydiscountcentre.co.uk/skioffer-1/

Which airport is best for you? If you are happy to diy then have a look at www.skyscanner.net as a starting point for cheapest flights from your local airport. After that I'd select a resort and go to the resort website to see what you can book direct.