Poster: A snowHead
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I've started the search for the 2017 holiday which will be in early Feb. We have two children, aged 7 and 5, both happy to ski all morning, long lunch then some easy blues or hit the park it the afternoon before getting tired and grumpy. I don't think the likes of Esprit is for us as we wouldn't use the day time childcare, instead we'd rather find a hotel that has a pool that gives us something to do mid late afternoon. We had a great week in Passo Tonale, staying at the Paradiso, we're looking for something similar, ie child friendly resort, hotel close to slopes and ski school and swimming pool of course. Italy and Austria are top of the list, I'd greatly appreciate resort and hotel suggestions.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Not sure why you wouldn't use Esprit as the childcare is generally optional with only a few elements core to the offering. When I read the title my first thoughts were Esprit's Deux Domaines hotel in Belle Plage. Ski in- ski out, swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, etc.
In terms of childcare the only really inclusive elements are kids high tea and "baby" listening services. Everything else is pretty much extra. At BP they will keep them occupied after morning lessons until supervised lunch at noon. That is only about 20 mins by the time they get back. You can pay for lunch (12pm to 1pm) and "power hour" (1pm to 2pm ) and they will then have them ready to go again at 2pm. If you don't want that then you can meet then straight after lessons and take them away. By doing this you are not losing something you have paid for.
If you don't want to use the listening service in the evenings then there is Cocoa Club from 19:30 to 22:00. It costs around £70 for a week but they often throw this in as part of an early booking incentive or if you pay for some other element.
I'm in Val d'isere with Esprit at the moment. No pool here but my son (8 ) usually wants to ski until the very end of the day. We did BP last year and while we really liked it the extra cost over the Ducs de Savoie wasn't worth it as we only used the pool once.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@ac505, take a look at the offers in the Kinderhotel group and see if anything tickles your fancy. Dealing direct with the hotels particularly in Austria will get you considerably more flexibility than dealing with a UK-based Tour operator. The same would also go for any of the resorts in the Südtirol region of Italy. I've found Italy to be way more child-friendly than Switzerland or France for example.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Gaza,
You're in Val D'Isere? Does your lad go to school?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Budget is kinda key here.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hotel Crystal (4*) or its sister hotel, The Sportiv (3*) in Obergurgl. The hotels are attached and share many of the same facilities. Access to the gondola is from within the hotel, as is the ski hire shop. There are two pools - one inside, one outside.
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We stayed in the apartments in Peisey with the kids. Lifts right outside (Grizzly), lovely pool and short trot into town although Mont Blanc was right next door if you wanted drink/meal without going into town.
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Avoriaz in France ticks your boxes. Traffic free resort with excellent runs for early intermediates. Most accommodation is ski in ski out.
Great water park with all sorts of activities.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Thanks for the replies so far. I'll check them out tonight.
I know this goes against the snowheads grain, I'm not too keen on Esprit with the interaction I have had with them - quote was completely different to what had been discussed, basics incorrect, wrong airport, wrong age of children, information that we had already established was not necessary was detailed, info I had asked for not covered. So not the best start.....
Budget around the £3,000 mark for flights, transfers, accommodation, half board seems to be the norm.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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We found the Grand and Petit Planica chalets that Ski Olympic have in La Rosiere to be great for our grandkids (7 and 5 at the time). Right on the nursery slope served by and easy drag, just below the ESF and other schools meeting points. Swimming pool, hot tub and sauna in the block. From the top of the nursery drag it was possible to get to the main lifts in La Ros. We were a large party of adults who dipped in and out of the skiing to help look after the kids, and it worked really well.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Is the waterpark in Avoriaz still cold? 3 years ago it was so cold we had to warm the kids in the showers before leaving.
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Sport hotel royer in schaldming
Amazing pool and facilities in a great fun resort , highly recommended
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You know it makes sense.
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@HeidiAmsterdam, we don't have the same issue as they do in England. The Headteacher is supportive as she knows Oscar is racing throughout the year and I've convinced her that these weeks are part of his training.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Hotel Greif in Corvara, Dolomites had a decent sized pool,opening around 4pm (plus sauna,steam room, beauty spa etc for the adults), theatre, kids playroom, Birba Club for 4 to 12 year olds.
Children's menu available. Also great buffet with plenty of choice so probably enough to placate children. Hotel mainly used by Italians so not sure how "international" the staff are.
Possible negatives, hotel not really walkable to the pistes but does have its own minibuses providing very regular drop off/ collection, only a 3/4 minute drive.. Also wasn't aware that an early dinner for children was available, restaurant opened 7.15 ish. Don't have young kids myself so wasn't looking at it from that perspective but the Italian children looked to be enjoying themselves.
Local slopes in the main are child friendly.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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We had some great holidays at Hotel Viking in Morzine with Crystal IIRC.
Kids enjoyed the slopes after dinner for sledging under the spotlights! (So did the dads).
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