Magnatude
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I've only done the independent holiday version in Europe, but it wasn't particularly complicated, and it did end up being fairly cost effective.
We spent 2 weeks in Val d'Isere in France, in Jan 2019. Flew into Geneva, and took a train to Bourg St Maurice, which I think was direct, or maybe only one change, then took a pre-arranged, pre-paid taxi up to the resort.
Accommodation was a 2 bedrm apartment (either through Air B&B or VRBO) which was very reasonably priced, the very helpful French owner lived next door, and was probably only a 15 minute walk (or a free bus ride) to the village centre and lifts. It meant we could do our own cooking (small supermarket in the village centre) or sample various restaurants, and was a safe, comfortable and warm place for our then-teenager, who has a chronic illness and couldn't do much skiing, to hang out for the day.
Two four-day backcountry clinics with a British-owned ski school (guiding and lessons) was a real highlight, and we rented skis at the resort, which allowed us to swap them out for different conditions. I found a lift pass deal that was essentially discounted day passes that were electronically added to our account each time we passed through the first gate in the morning, with every 5th (or something like that) day free.
Sure, it took a bit of organising compared to the everything-included Club Med type of holiday, I was anxious about the real possibility of rail strikes, and I speak/write extremely rudimentary French, but it all went smoothly. We opted for the train over renting a car because the road up to Val d'Isere can get quite congested with ski traffic which can make it a very long, slow trip.
Having done a season as a chalet maid in my youth, I was determined not to have that kind of holiday myself. All-inclusive chalet holidays essentially minimise interaction outside their bubble, which doesn't
offer as much of a foreign experience, if that's what you're wanting.
We spent 2 weeks in Val d'Isere in France, in Jan 2019. Flew into Geneva, and took a train to Bourg St Maurice, which I think was direct, or maybe only one change, then took a pre-arranged, pre-paid taxi up to the resort.
Accommodation was a 2 bedrm apartment (either through Air B&B or VRBO) which was very reasonably priced, the very helpful French owner lived next door, and was probably only a 15 minute walk (or a free bus ride) to the village centre and lifts. It meant we could do our own cooking (small supermarket in the village centre) or sample various restaurants, and was a safe, comfortable and warm place for our then-teenager, who has a chronic illness and couldn't do much skiing, to hang out for the day.
Two four-day backcountry clinics with a British-owned ski school (guiding and lessons) was a real highlight, and we rented skis at the resort, which allowed us to swap them out for different conditions. I found a lift pass deal that was essentially discounted day passes that were electronically added to our account each time we passed through the first gate in the morning, with every 5th (or something like that) day free.
Sure, it took a bit of organising compared to the everything-included Club Med type of holiday, I was anxious about the real possibility of rail strikes, and I speak/write extremely rudimentary French, but it all went smoothly. We opted for the train over renting a car because the road up to Val d'Isere can get quite congested with ski traffic which can make it a very long, slow trip.
Having done a season as a chalet maid in my youth, I was determined not to have that kind of holiday myself. All-inclusive chalet holidays essentially minimise interaction outside their bubble, which doesn't
offer as much of a foreign experience, if that's what you're wanting.