Snowboarding & Skiing Breaks

The best group holiday has got to be a holiday in the snow. If you've been lumbered with the legwork this year, this chapter will give you the leadership low-down for planning a perfect powder party.

Been nominated as 'group leader' this year? Yes, there may be a dozen tastes, budgets and needs to cater for but, with a little planning, playing host needn't be a hassle. Here's how to earn eternal gratitude from all.

I don't know how I manage it. But every year when the annual group ski trip comes around, I seem to get lumbered with organising it.

Maybe it's the control freak in me, but no longer look upon this as a chore. Being 'group leader' earns you the right to make crunch decisions on where you go, stay and party, it earns you cash savings and, most of all, it earns you big-time brownie points.

If you're booking with a tour operator, most will offer the group leader (yes, that's you) a free place and a free lift pass. If you're not automatically offered this, ask, saying you understand this to be standard practice for group bookings. It is and, if a company doesn't offer it, it's worth going elsewhere.

Of course, the done thing is to share this discount between your group, reducing the amount you each have to pay. If you don't come clean about the free place to your pals, you may get found out and have some seriously miffed companions on your hands. This happened to a friend of mine whose turn it was to organise the annual ski trip. Unfortunately for him, we were all wise to the free place system and he was forced, red-faced, to come clean. You have been warned.

If you want to make the most of going in a group, be sure to book early. If you get your act together at least six months before you travel, you're more likely to get your choice of resorts and accommodation. If you book even earlier, between 8 and 10 months before you travel, many tour operators, chalet owners and even lift pass suppliers will offer you early bird discounts too.

Shop around and compare prices. If you aren't immediately offered a group discount or early bird discount, ask anyway what reductions can be made for your group. You'll be surprised how often this will get you money off and if you don't ask, you don't get.

If you're willing to be a bit flexible on dates, you'll get the best rate. Instead of telling a tour operator specific dates you want to travel on, give them a more flexible time bracket and ask when the best deal would be. Many of the large tour operators will offer up to seven free places for really large groups (between 36 and 42 people) if you pick your time right.

Usually 'the right time' is low season when there are fewer people on the slopes, and the prospect of filling a large number of empty beds in one booking becomes very appealing to the holiday supplier.

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE YOUR 'TEAM LEADER' RESPONSIBILITIES

People, even if they are your best buddies, can be unreliable. They may change their minds or have events crop up that they simply can't miss. Whatever the reason, make sure it doesn't jeopardise your group plans by ensuring you can make a name change before the departure date without penalties. This applies even more so if you made your booking very early. Remember, as group leader, you are responsible. If the worst comes to the worst, you are the one liable to cover any outstanding payments.

If you booked with a tour operator and have insurance recommended by them, you may be able to claim for any losses incurred. The same is true if someone cancels for medical reasons.

Book as much as you can in advance - ski and snowboard hire, lift passes, excursions - especially if you choose to travel with a tour operator. The discounts you'll get by asking as a group will be much more than the discounts you'll get in resort as single travellers. If you booked with a tour operator, groups may also be entitled to a free ski escort, saving on the cost of a ski guide in resort.


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