If you have ever been given the task of booking a group ski vacation you will know all too well how frustrating and time consuming it can be. Whether it’s a group of your friends, family or a work incentive trip check out our top tips for booking group ski holidays.
The helpful advice and top tips below will make the process more bearable this winter. And perhaps help you to find a ski holiday that is perfect for your group.
Group skiing and snowboarding holidays are often arranged with friends, family or incentive corporate travel through work. Whatever the reason or group dynamic the following tips will help.
How many people are going? The number is probably much higher when you are discussing it in the pub over a pint than the actual number that end up handing over the cash when it comes to booking group ski holidays. Make sure you get everyone’s contacts, then give a deadline for everyone to hand over the deposit for the holiday.
Deposits are generally only £130-£150 per person. Once you have a firm number you can start picking the right holiday. There is a huge difference in what’s available and for what price, depending on the group size. Its no good finding the perfect chalet holiday for 20 people, if only fifteen end up going. Those fifteen will end up paying for the empty spaces.
Once you know how many people are going you need to know where is best to go. Find out what level of skier everyone is. There’s no point going to a resort packed with black runs and moguls, if some of the group are beginners.
Some resorts are great for skiers but terrible for boarders. If you have a mixed group, pick a resort with a large and varied ski area, like the Three Valleys, Saalbach-Hinterglemm or the Matterhorn Paradise (Zermatt and Cervinia).
Do you need a resort that’s lively? Make sure you can easily get to and from the resort centre bars, or you will have to all go out and come back at the same time in expensive taxis. You may just want to chill with your own friends and family in the chalet each night, in which case you don’t need to be close to the bars.
Once you have narrowed down your resort choice, you want to think about your accommodation. Very popular now with groups are catered chalets, where you can book a private space just for your group and have your little home away from home.
Most chalets come with cosy fireplaces in the living room, with sofas to relax in the evening over a glass of wine. Chalets cater for a range of group sizes from six up to fifty and more. Chalets are also great for families with kids as they are safe and secure.
The catered option is also convenient, as your chalet hosts will cook breakfast and dinner and ply you with complimentary wine. This does save money, as ski resort restaurant and bar prices can be high.
Ski apartments are the cheapest accommodation options, but make sure you fill all the beds, as you pay per apartment, so if you can get a group in a large three or four bedroom apartment, prices can be very reasonable. Of course you will have to cook and clean, so make sure everyone is willing to chip and do their bit.
If people in your group are flying from different UK airports that’s fine with most ski operators, although there may be supplements for some of the regional airports. It may be cheaper to stay with friends or family close to one airport and all travel together.
Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester are the main ski departure airports. You can then book a minibus to the airport to save on taxi fares, or drive and split the petrol and parking costs.
If booking your flights independently, use Skyscanner to find other close airport options. You can then coordinate flight times so everyone should arrive around the same time. It often helps to fly somewhere popular such as Geneva, Innsbruck or Turin as all have a lot of flights from different airports.
If you are booking group ski holidays you may want to get super organised and set up a google spreadsheet with all the information the tour operators will need. Share it with your friends and get everyone to complete their full names and date of births whether they ski or snowboard and will they need ski hire, or lessons. Plus any dietary requirements?
Its no good finding out someone has a specific allergy when you arrive at a chalet. You should get discounts when booking group ski holidays, depending on when you travel. Generally peak season dates over Christmas, New Year and half term are the only dates you might not.
One of the best tips when booking group ski holidays, is you can take advantage of deals. You should also ask about any group deals, such as two-for-one lift passes, or offers on ski hire.
It’s much better value and infinitely less hassle to organise everything in advance. Imagine arranging twenty peoples’ ski hire, lift passes and lessons on a Saturday afternoon when you arrive in resort. You along with thousands of other holidaymakers can join the queues!
As the organiser try to distance yourself from responsibility. Let the group know you will not be on hand to help with every little thing. You are all there on holiday together and they should ask an actual rep rather than bugging you about every little thing. Also remind them that as the organiser they should buy your beers all week!
We hope you found these top tips for booking group ski holidays useful. Please let us know your advice in the comments below. And check out these awesome snowboarding holidays worldwide if you are looking for inspiration!
One response to “Advice & Tips for Booking Group Ski Holidays & Snowboard Trips”
Ski and Friends is a great company to use for planning group trips…