Topdeck Travel Blog

by Kara Segedin

Boarders, snow bunnies and ski-bums listen up!

The European boarding and skiing season is ready to kick off and if you are itching to get out among the white stuff then pack your bags for Les Deux Alpes, France.

Whether you’re a relative newbie, pro or a complete beginner a Topdeck snow vacation will help you make the most of your time on the slopes.

But it’s more than just the skiing and snowboarding, it’s the whole experience. There’s the fresh mountain air, stunning scenery and the chilly nights spent soaking your muscles in a steaming hot pool after a hard day up the mountain.

And not to mention the Après Ski!

Topdeck’s Festival Manager Heather has been busy putting the final touches on the 2011/2012 ski season packages.

“Ski resorts are expensive, but with our Topdeck ski trips you know exactly how much you are going to spend,” she says.

It’s all included

All your ski or snowboarding gear, lift passes, lessons, meals and accommodation are all included in the trip price. You also get access to other ski resorts in the area, ice skating and heated swimming pools.

“Once there the only thing you will have to pay for is your drinks!”

The Mountain

Les Deux Alpes is a bustling resort in Rhône-Alpes region of France with some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Europe and guaranteed natural snow.

It has about 220km of pistes (runs) and 2300m of vertical drop. There are tracks to suit all abilities from experts to those still learning the ropes.

If you’re a snowboarder who wants to try out some tricks there is also an extensive snowpark with a halfpipe, multiple kickers, two boardercross courses and many grinding rails.

Les Deux Alpes is Europe’s largest skiable glacier and France's second oldest ski resort. The name "two Alps" refers to the two villages (Vénosc and Mont-de-Lans) that sit either end of the resort plateau.

Snowfalls over the past two weeks have been better than expected with most European resorts experiencing significant snowfalls.

Last week, Les Deux Alpes got 30cm of new snow and further snowfalls are expected.

Where You’ll Be Staying

A wooden and stone chalet, UCPA Les Deux Alpes Hostel is 100m from the ski area and 2 minutes’ walk from the town centre.

All rooms have rooms have shower and sink ensuite with toilets a few steps away in the corridor. The Hostel features a heated pool and a terrace overlooking the Ecrins National Park

With over thirty bars and pubs the nightlife in the resort is buzzing.

How We Do It

If you are making your own way a shuttle will collect you from either Grenoble Airport in France or Geneva Airport in Switzerland.

When you arrive at Les Deux Alpes you’ll be greeted by a Topdeck Ski Rep.

The rep is kind of like a trip leader on the Alpes. They’re there to help you out with all your questions and organise pub crawls and events for the group.

You’ll be asked if you’re a skier or a boarder and you’ll be kitted out in all your gear for the week.

Don’t worry if this is your first time skiing as everyone is entitled to 12 hours worth of ski or snowboard lessons so you’ll be speeding down those trails in no time.

What you get:

• Guaranteed natural snow.
• Multi-share accommodation in UCPA Hostel.
• Lift pass with access to 3 resorts (covers 6 ½ days at Les Deux Alpes, 2 days at L’Alpe d’Huez and 1 day Serre Chevalier).
• Equipment hire.
• Up to 12 hours of lessons.
• All meals at Les Deux Alpes resort.
• Leisure pass with access to heated swimming pool and ice rink.
• European trained Topdeck Crew and Ski Rep.
• Awesome Topdeck après-ski.

What to bring:

• Snow clothes
• Travel insurance

Topdeck is looking for a band or singer to entertain our passengers during Topdeck's Christmas and New Years Ski Package at Les Deux Alpes in the French Alps. We're looking for a singer or (maximum) 4 piece band who can get our 18 to 30-something passengers rocking the night away to all the usual pub favourites in our French ski resort! 8) Here's what your ride includes: Accommodation from in a 4-share ensuite hostel room right in the heart of Les Deux Alpes from 20 December 2009 to 2 January 2010 Return overnight coach travel from London (departing 19 December 2009, returning 3 January 2010) Return ferry crossings from Dover to Calais All meals at Les Deux Alpes (breakfast, lunch & dinner) included Free lift pass with access to 3 resorts Free ski hire (snowboard available BUT must be pre-arranged) 12 hours of free lessons Guaranteed natural snow Free leisure pass (access to swimming pool and ice rink) Here's what you need to bring: Band equipment Sound equipment Excellent party tunes Ski clothing A great attitude! Topdeck is known throughout the world for its great value trips with loads of extras and inclusions while also giving you plenty of free time to go and explore on your own. And our skiing trips are no exception! If you want to experience guaranteed snow, more meals, longer ski pass periods, and get your band's name known to adventurous 18 to 30-somethings, then Topdeck Ski is for you! :arrow: Check out our fabulous ski packages! How to enter the competition:

1. Make a video clip of your band’s musical skills (make it memorable!)
2. Upload it to YouTube with the following title: "[SINGER / BAND NAME] has the Topdeck T Factor"
3. Email the link to: marketing@topdecktravel.co.uk

The winners will be announced on 1 December 2009, and must be available from 19 December 2009 to 3 January 2010 (inclusive).

It really bugs us when we see 'cheap' Ski packages advertised without the extras :x and we're sure you probably feel the same. When you think about it - a Ski holiday is all about the extras... What good is a skiing trip without a pair of Skis? Ski Hire sounds like a pretty basic necessity for a Skiing holiday, right? You might think so, but some 'cheap' packages won't even give you that. :? Topdeck on the other hand, believe that a Ski package should be all inclusive! No fuss, no wasted time, and no false prices.

Each year, thousands of people waste their winter by sitting around with nothing to do. Precious time that could have been spent having fun is lost forever! For this winter, Topdeck has one message for you... DON'T WASTE WINTER. During the Festive Season, browse the Christmas markets in Brugge, celebrate Christmas in Scotland or Paris, explore the Baltics or welcome in the New Year in Berlin, Krakow, Prague, Edinburgh or Amsterdam. If you have a little more holiday time, you can also discover Europe in its winter glory on our extended tours with all the advantages (lower prices, no crowds, cheaper shopping) that winter travel offers. Winter wouldn't be the same without skiing or snowboarding, and our awesome value All Inclusive Ski package to Les Deux Alpes in France will take care of that. With your ski pass, ski rentals, all meals, accommodation, leisure pass and ski lessons included, it is a trip not to miss. So, get off your butt and check out dontwastewinter.com :)