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There are three club holidays each year. One at the middle or end of january, one at the start of march, and one at the middle or end of march. The early March holiday tends to be the most popular, and usually books out at the AGM in September.
See the links to the tour company web sites on the main holiday page. However here is a general guide to the sort of accommodation offered with ski holidays:
There are four main types of skiing accommodation, namely a chalet, a hotel, a B+B and a self catering apartment. Dependant on which country you visit, some are more popular than others. For example, in Austria, you will find many more B+B's (or Pensions, as they can be called in Austrian resorts) and hotels, where as in France, you will find many more chalets and self catering apartments. In the USA and Canada, there are also many 'condo's', which are apartments, often within a hotel complex.
The most popular choice of accommodation is the Catered Chalet, which could be freestanding or part of a larger building, that can accommodate anything from 5 to 40 people. The concept of a catered chalet is a home from home appeal. You have breakfast, afternoon-tea and dinner (usually dinner 6 nights a week so staff can have one night off) each day, and there is normally a lounge and dining area. You can fill up a chalet as a group, or go as a couple or a smaller group and meet new people in the chalet.
A hotel differs from a chalet as a chalet is usually more intimate, smaller and more personal, and a hotel will normally not provide afternoon tea, and dinner (if they offer it) may be buffet style. Another option is a Club Hotel; these are normally operated by large Tour Operators such as Crystal and First Choice, and combine the style and size of a hotel, with the benefits and meal structure of a chalet. These can be very good choices when skiing with your family, as they will almost always be child friend, and usually contain a creche in the building. Beware of self catering apartments, especially in France, as they can be extremely small, and if you don't fill them to max occupancy, they will add on a large under occupancy fee, which can make a great deal not so cheap...
(Source: SCGB)
Our holidays and weekends are one of the best ways to get to know other members.
We also organise new member nights throughout the year. These are open to all new members and the committee.
If you are booked on a holiday then there will be a pre-holiday get together in a pub a few weeks before departure.
People usually sort out room shares by themselves. However if you do book by yourself then we will ensure that you share a room with someone of the same sex.
The rooms in a chalet or hotel are rarely identical, and so there will usually be differences in size and facilities. Inevitably some rooms are better than others. The only fair way to allocate rooms is on a first-come first-served basis.
Of course. But we would recommend you take some lessons on a dry slope (or the Braehead Snowdome) before you go so you are not an absolute beginner.
Courchevel 1650 has some excellent beginner and intermediate runs, and we are organising lessons there.
No. We only accept payment by cheque. Cheque's should be made payable to "Edinburgh Ski Club".
No. Its too complicated to also book individuals travel insurance. Anyway, its much cheaper to book your own independent travel insurance. The best comparison site is www.moneysupermarket.com/TravelInsurance
When on holiday remember to carry your insurance details and an emergency contact number with you. Its also a good idea to program the local ski resort emergency number and tour reps number into your phone.
The E111 has been replaced by the European health Insurance Card (EHIC, available via the Post Office), which entitles (most) UK residents to medical treatment in countries in the European Economic Area (the 25 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland.
However, it is not a substitute for medical insurance. You'll be entitled to treatment within the state system as if you were a native, but this may not include all of the things that you would expect from the NHS in the UK. You may have to pay part or all of the costs for treatment (or pay up-front then claim your money back). Most importantly, the EHIC doesn't entitle you to free emergency repatriation, which can be very expensive. It is worth taking an EHIC as well as travel insurance, though, as some insurers will waive excesses if you use the EHIC for treatment.
Note that E111s are no longer valid, as they have been replaced by the EHIC.
(Source: Which?)
On 31 December 2005, your E111 will cease to be valid. From 1 January 2006, you will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive healthcare that becomes necessary during your visit to an EEA country or Switzerland.
To apply for your new EHIC please visit www.dh.gov.uk/travellers or call 0845 606 2030. For general EHIC enquiries please call 020 7210 4850.
The ski club does not arrange travel to or from Edinburgh airport. Its up to you to organise this yourself. Usually people get together to share taxi's.
Its better to use a soft shell holdall rather than a suitcase since its much easier to store in your room after you have unpacked.
Be wary about putting essential stuff into your ski bag since these are usually the first things left behind if the plane is overweight.
No. You need to do this yourself. Either hire club equipment before you go (don't forget to book ski carriage!), or see the tour operators rep on the transfer bus.
Usually we leave this up to you. Beginners and 1-2 weekers are recommended to sign up for 5 or 6 days of half-day lessons. Either book with the rep on the transfer bus, or pre-book one of the independent ski schools before you go (these are usually better).
Lessons are usually either 2 hours in the morning or 2 hours in the afternoon for 5 days. If given the choice then go for the morning lessons as it is then easier to meet others for lunch or apres ski. Absolute beginners lessons are usually all day.
For the Courchevel holiday in March 07 we may pre-book with one of the independent ski schools if there is enough interest.
This is organised by the rep on the transfer bus, and the lift passes are delivered to your accommodation the next morning. They usually take cash or credit card.
Its always a good idea to bring a photograph, but resorts are increasingly making use of automatic hands free lift passes that operate turnstiles as you approach (you keep the pass in your left hand side pocket). (Hands free passes operate in Courchevel)
This depends on the resort and on your skiing ability. For example, in La Plagne in 2006 most of us got the lift pass that allowed just one day in Les Arcs since there was plenty ok skiing in La Plagne, and it was a bit of a trek to get over there and back.
Courchevel: For 2007 a 6-day Three Valleys pass is €215, and a 6-day Courchevel Valley pass is €174. The Three Valleys pass is recommended for most skiers. For beginners up to slower early intermediates a Courchevel Valley pass is likely sufficient.
St Anton: 6-day Arlberg pass is €194. The Arlberg Ski Pass covers a huge area of ski-able terrain including St Anton, St Christoph, Lech, Zurs & Stuben lifts. It also covers the bus service, which operates between Rauz and Zurs. (Photos are not required for the lift passes in St Anton - the 'Arlberg Card' contains an electronic chip which can be read by simply walking through the gates (small deposit required).
People of all abilities go on the ski club holidays, so there will almost certainly be someone else at a same level as you. Talk to the others going on the holiday to find out who else is a similar level as you. It may help to refer to the Ski Club of Great Britain's ski grading system.
Avoid going out in very large groups. These take forever to go anywhere as someone is usually faffing at any given time! Stick to small groups of 6-8 people who are a similar ability as you. Try not to slow down a faster group. We all usually meet up for lunch and apres ski drinks anyway. This is either arranged in the morning, or via 2-way radios during the day.
This happens. The rest of your group will wait for a bit, but not forever. Use a 2-way radio or mobile phone to find your group again. The club has a supply of 2-way radios that can be hired.
No. We know the organised club holidays don't suit everyone. If you can only get time off during school holidays, or if you have a young family, then we will try and put you in touch with others in your situation with whom you might want to organise your own holiday.
We can put you in touch with our specialized skiing travel agent. We also have children's ski gear for hire.
Check the online forum for messages re. alternative holidays.
We did offer a trip to Whistler in Canada in Feb. 2002 but there was not enough interest. We may try again though ...
Its up to you! However it is not encouraged. If everyone does this then the flight will likely be overweight, and some ski bags will be taken off the flight. At some point the airlines will start weighing ski bags and enforcing the limits.