If you want to join us let me (Alan) know and I'll try and coordinate folk to book with Crystal directly . The event throughteh  club is now closed to further bookings.

Such is the popularity of the AOAC Ski and Snowboard trip that in 2025 we’ll be running TWO trips to appeal to all tastes and budgets.

For those looking for a vast, varied, well-connected ski area in Europe’s highest resort, one of the most snow sure in the world; with a super-efficient lift system, extensive slopes for all abilities, and a reputation for great après ski, then the AOAC 2025 Val Thorens trip is for you!

Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe (2,300m), is part of the immense 600km Three Valleys ski area, which includes Méribel and Courchevel. The cost of the trip reflects the quality of the resort, which based on previous experience we expect to sell out quickly – we have just 22 places, so ensure you reserve your place now!

We’ll be staying in the Hotel Val Chaviere (rated 4.5 out of 5 on Trip Advisor); half board with buffet breakfast and a five-course evening meal:

• Twin share rooms with shower/private bath, WC
• Outdoor sun terrace, bar and games room
• Located in the centre of Val Thorens, right by the chairlift
• Ski in-out

This trip caters for all levels of skier or boarder: in the heart of Val Thorens are gentle green runs and nursery slopes, great for beginners, with good blues above the village for progression. There’s a huge range of slopes for intermediate skiers. Within the VT valley are 140km of local pistes including the tree-lined resorts of Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville, or you can venture further afield with some lovely long reds into Méribel, or the new blue into the ‘Fourth Valley’.

There are plenty of more challenging runs for advanced skiers and boarders. And for experts there’s the fabled Grand Couloir run above Courchevel – a whole other level! Off-piste is plentiful – according to the Ski Club of GB, ‘the north facing slopes hold snow fantastically well and powder days can be enjoyed well into spring’. There is a fast, modern, continually improving lift system, meaning we shouldn’t be limited to one area, even in bad weather.

And at the end of a day’s skiing, VT boasts some of the best après ski bars in France, including some great live music venues.

• Runs: Easy: 172, Intermediate: 125, Difficult: 33. Lifts: 33 in VT, 186 in the Three Valleys
• Altitude: 2,300m. Snow range 1,300 to 3,230m
• 600km of pistes in the Three Valleys; 140km in the local area
• Crystal resort rankings: Beginners 4/5, Intermediate 5/5, Advanced 5/5, Boarders 5/5

The AOAC ski trip is a great opportunity to ski/board with people of similar levels. We welcome new members to the club, and it is a great way to meet people and make new friends. This is a trip for all abilities but does not include any coaching so beginners are advised get lessons. Please let the organisers know your level so that we can provide an idea of who can ski together; we are also happy to answer questions if you are unsure if this is the right trip for you.

The cost

The basic cost will be £1,327 which includes the following:

• Flights from Bristol Airport to Chambery including hold baggage
• Transfers to the resort. Flying into Chambery, it’s a 2-hour, 45-minute coach transfer
• Half board accommodation at the Hotel Le Val Chaviere; breakfast and evening meal. Rooms are twin share with en-suite (shower and WC)

An initial deposit of £200 will be payable now to secure your place, with the balance payable directly by you to the agent by 29^th November.

Excluded in the basic cost you will need to budget for:

• Full Area Lift Pass (3 Valleys) costing an estimated £340 (there’s also option to get cheaper the local area pass)
• Ski/board carriage (free if you buy the lift pass up front) or Ski/board/boot hire (discount available with the lift pass) see detail in the "members only" section
• Drinks (no drinks included with the evening meal)
• Lunches, and option for one evening meal at a local restaurant
• Insurance (please note that the club insurance does not cover the ski trip)

Booking

We have reserved 22 places, and based on experience of previous years, this trip is likely to sell out fast, so please book early to avoid disappointment!

To secure your place you need to be a member of AOAC (new members welcome!) however that this is a private event only facilitated through the club. The club accepts no liability for issues that may arise on the ski trip. The provider is Crystal Ski who are part of Tui and are ATOL protected.

You need to ensure you are aware of the cancelation policy,  insurance requirement (shown in the “Members Only” area) and be aware the club provides no leaders for this event before booking.

Please let the organiser know:

• If you have any dietary requirements so we can check that the hotel can cater for you (don’t book on if you are not sure you can be catered for)
• If you know now who you want to share a room with, please give their name (make sure they agree first!); and/or are booking as a couple.

Nearer the time we will ask for additional information to share with the agent so that you can pay your  as well as your ski / board level so we can help match people up with similar ski levels.

If you have any questions please let the organisers know.