| Everyone is looking to get the bast value from just | | | | sure that you have the best holiday possible. |
| about everything now and I have found that one | | | | As far as which areas to ski in, the best value for |
| way of keeping the cost of a ski holiday down is to | | | | money can be found by avoiding the really well |
| book an independent Chalet Holiday. France and | | | | known resorts where just the name adds a premium. |
| Switzerland offer a large number of Chalets, but they | | | | They can also be very busy with lift queues that cut |
| tend to be quite expensive. Chalets in Italy are fairly | | | | down on your skiing time. |
| rare but Austrian Chalets Holidays are often better | | | | Have a look at the less well know Austrian areas |
| value and usually offer character and charm. | | | | such as Styria which has an excellent snow record. |
| Going independently means that you often can book | | | | The Ski Amade is the largest area there and also in |
| direct with the chalet owner which has a number of | | | | Austria, with an amazing 860 km of piste on one lift |
| advantages, one being that you can ask any relevant | | | | pass which covers 26 resorts! This is not such a well |
| questions you may have about the location and | | | | know resort area to the British but very popular with |
| accommodation. It also often means that your | | | | Austrian and German skiers. |
| accommodation is cheaper because the owner is not | | | | The World Cup resort of Schladming is part of this |
| paying commission to a booking agent. | | | | area along with Ramsau am Dachstein which is higher |
| You will probably have to book your own flights | | | | than most resorts and has the Dachstein Glacier |
| which gives the advantage of being able to choose | | | | where you can ski all year and also has the Burton |
| to fly from either your nearest airport or find the | | | | Superpark which is a mecca for snowboarders. |
| cheapest flight for your chosen dates. You also have | | | | Chalet owners are often a mine of information when |
| the option of driving over, which for a family can be | | | | it comes to finding the best value ski hire and best |
| a great saving on flight costs and even an added | | | | areas to ski, where to park or catch the ski bus. |
| adventure! | | | | If you choose to fly you then have the option of |
| Chalet Board generally means Half Board plus extra, | | | | hiring a car or organising transfers either through your |
| such as afternoon tea and possibly also if you are | | | | chalet or with a local company. The best option will |
| lucky free drinks during your evening meals. Often | | | | depend on the location of your accommodation. A |
| there is one night a week an evening meal is not | | | | car gives the most flexibility and allows you to make |
| served which means that you have the opportunity | | | | the most of an area, especially if your lift pass |
| to try a local restaurant. This means that you have | | | | covers more than one ski area. Ski buses in Austria |
| less extra costs and you can relax a bit more. | | | | are very efficient and usually free with a lift pass. |
| Most Skiing holidays are for 7 nights and just | | | | If you are learning to ski, Austria offers full day ski |
| Saturday to Saturday. If you book direct this could | | | | school lessons which will speed up your progress and |
| be more flexible, providing another advantage. | | | | the instructors usually speak excellent English. |
| A chalet holiday is often an option favored by groups | | | | Children can join the ski school from the age of 4 |
| but this does not have to be the case. It is a | | | | with some ski schools also providing lunchtime |
| misconception that it is necessary to book an entire | | | | supervision. Creche or nanny facilities are often |
| chalet as this is rarely the case. | | | | available for younger children. |
| On a chalet holiday you can expect the chalet owner | | | | In my experience once you book an independent |
| or host to really take a genuine interest in making | | | | Chalet Holiday you are likely to do so again and again. |