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 #1 Organising a Chalet for 10+ Cheapest way? Posted 16/07/2010 @ 11:30 |
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Hello GBers, i am wanting to attempt to get a group of 10+ mates together and wondered if anyone has experience of this, what did you do and what was the approx cost PP!
Any information/pointers would be greatly appreciated
the party will consist of a varying range of people, most beginners but some intermediates!
Thanks in advance |
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| #2 Re: Organising a Chalet for 10+ Cheapest way? Posted 16/07/2010 @ 12:42 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Ask for a sizeable non refundable deposit early on Say £200 and then see how many people you can get. You ultimately need commitment from people before organising anything like this.
Or, ask them to all book individually, once you've found a deal.
There is unfortunately no easy way of organising a group holiday. |
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| #3 Re: Organising a Chalet for 10+ Cheapest way? Posted 16/07/2010 @ 14:36 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Depends on what your mates are like. If like mine, they all say yeah, defo go for it, and then once I've spent ages trawling the net for good deals they then pull out citing various hair washing, lawn mowing and furniture moving excuses, then you might be dissappinted. The best excuse I've ever had is "sorry mate, I can't come because I've got 3rd degree burns on my arse".
Anyway, the difficult bit might be getting people to commit. That's really the first step because unless you know how many people are coming you don't know what size chalet to look for, but once you've done that then you can start looking properly.
As always, you've got the choice of DIY or package. Many tour operators will offer discounts and lift pass deals if you're booking a whole chalet, and the earlier you book the better. DIY can be cheaper but is obviously more hassle, but you can get really good deals in very high standard accommodation - they may not be as conveniently located as accommodation offered by the tour operators but often the hosts will offer free shuttles to and from the lifts and you can end up in some really quirky and charming properties that offer a bit of a different holiday experience. As for flights, the earlier you book the better.
There are a few websites where you can book directly with the owner such as ownersdirect.co.uk
I looked into booking a chalet near schladming last half term and it workd out at £500pp catered, inc flights and transfers. Not bad for a place 5 mins from schladming at half term. Really depends on the particular chalet deal you find and will take a bit of effort. |
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| Posts: 1723 |
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Advertising Partner |
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Kent |
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| #4 Re: Organising a Chalet for 10+ Cheapest way? Posted 16/07/2010 @ 18:22 |
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| In reply to post #2
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QUOTE (Bods - 16/07/2010 @ 12:42) Ask for a sizeable non refundable deposit early on Say £200 and then see how many people you can get. You ultimately need commitment from people before organising anything like this.
what he said! Definitely get a deposit off people first, since that way you can look around with a degree of certainty, otherwise you're searching for anything under the sun. You can also then negotiate better with people. |
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www.WhistlerCondo.co.uk - Luxury 2 bed/2 bath Whistler Village condo - discount for GB members |
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| #5 Re: Organising a Chalet for 10+ Cheapest way? Posted 16/07/2010 @ 19:09 |
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What normally happens when groups book with us is that there is a core group who will all stump up a deposit quickly and then book right away. Then we can add more to the group as time goes on. This takes some of the pressure off the group leader. As we mix groups in our chalets this means that you won't have to stump up for 11 when only 8 end up coming along.
We , like most companies,give discounts for big groups ie 1 free place for every 11 booked and as we are a small private company we can be flexible so that you don't have to book everyone at once to get the discount.
We can also supply you with booking paperwork and other info so you don't have to answer the same question to 10 different people.
There are many independant companies like us that have similar systems, it just depends where and when you want to go.
Big travel companies are good at doing complete packages but are not normally very flexible if someone wants to drop out or join later. Also you will be talking to someone on the phone or in a travel agent that may never have been to the resort you are going to. With small companies you will often meet the person in resort that you booked with - in our case we will, most likely, be drinking and riding with you 
Hope this is useful and didn't sound too much like an ad !
Hairy Phil |
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| #6 Re: Organising a Chalet for 10+ Cheapest way? Posted 18/07/2010 @ 17:48 |
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What a nightmare, I don't envy you mate :-) Tis always a thankless task indeed. All 10 of your mates in a single chalet does sound like a riotious good laugh though. |
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| Posts: 149 |
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Gloucestershire |
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| #7 Re: Organising a Chalet for 10+ Cheapest way? Posted 19/07/2010 @ 12:36 |
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| In reply to post #6
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In my experience, organising events, flights, transfers, accomodation etc. is easy.
Organising people is the tricky part.
I'd do some research first so you can let your mates know the details as soon as you ask them to commit. ie Dates, flights, accommodation, idea of cost. and then definately get a deposit.
If you're in a chalet the more the merrier I guess but think about things like going out to eat. Tables for more than 8 people are rare in restaurants and then you end up having to split up the group which could upset/annoy some people. But that's just the grumpy lot I know. I expect your mates are all fine.
K |
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| #8 Re: Organising a Chalet for 10+ Cheapest way? Posted 22/07/2010 @ 16:45 |
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A snowboard holiday with a group of mates can be one of the best times of your life, so go for it! Just beware of the pitfalls already mentioned. Drop-outs are a royal pain in the ass, so make sure everyone knows that if they drop out you'll castrate them in their sleep. A deposit is a good idea. (Even if the travel agent doesn't ask for one, tell your mates that they did.) That'll make sure everyone's serious. But you obviously have to come in on the agreed budget. DIY can be cheaper than a travel agent, but not usually by much, so it's only worth doing it that way if you can't get what you want through a travel agent. To make your life easier, I'd get the group to agree their list of requirements in order of importance, then you find the resort/package that best fits those requirements... and that you like the most. Steer away from giving the group any choices, because you'll just get contradictory answers. If some of the group are bringing their girlfriends make sure you go somewhere reasonably picturesque to keep the girls happy, or the couple might drop out. Get everyone's passport details now, make sure nobody's is about to expire, and that nobody needs a visa. Ask about any special needs (special meals, extra legroom, etc) and make sure you cater to those if you don't want to see tantrums later. Pre-selecting seats on the plane so that you're all together is important... I've seen some impressive eruptions at the airport when couples weren't seated together. Make sure you factor in lift passes, equipment hire, and lessons (where appropriate) - they can be expensive, so look for package deals and freebies. Don't be afraid to haggle with the travel agent - they will work harder if you push them. |
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| #9 Re: Organising a Chalet for 10+ Cheapest way? Posted 22/07/2010 @ 19:23 |
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| In reply to post #2
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And if people do drop out, you're already on a pretty good place to fill the spaces. Plenty of GBer's who keep an eye on who needs spaces filling. |
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