 Poster: A snowHead
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Besides Ski Esprit, which companies specialise in family packages? And, how do you rate them?
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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 used Ski Hillwod on two occasions when the children were less than 3. They were absolutely fine and I had nothing against them. (They also give 5% discount to SCGB members, which gave me reason to join that time).
We have also used Esprit, and that was certainly a better experience for the children and we have really good memories from that year. However, it is really hard to compare, a year on and the children are older, so their experience is always different, similarly, the nanny that really makes it for them, may only do that one year, also, the experience can largely depend on the other children around when the children are slightly older, so opinions can be very subjective.
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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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Peter Leuzzi, I guess everyone has a different experience depending on the staff at the resort.
We live in Geneva (we being me and three-yr-old son) and we have used Club Med since he was six-months old. For me child care, and now skiing for you kids, has been the issue and they have been magnificient. However, if the kids find themselves in a class of French speakers....they might not like it. Fortunnatley, my son speaks French so it hasnt been an issue.
In general, the groups are mixed...many Dutch, Flemish and Brits.
I think SCGB gives 10% discount on Club Med so might be worth a try.
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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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Peter, we used Ski Beat last season and are going with them again in January. They were very good - particularly if your children are very young.
We're going away with Ski Esprit at Christmas - heard a lot of good things about them as well.
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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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We went to Tignes with Esprit last year. Couldn't fault them - childcare, tuition, food, comaraderie, value for money (compared with other packages) all first rate. The chalet hotel was rather scruffy and dated in parts with a geriatric heating system, though. And I hate charter airlines - why do they require a 2 hour check-in when low cost airlines are satisfied with 30 minutes? It's also worth noting that some late bookers on the holiday couldn't get childcare from Esprit and had to make less comprehensive arrangements themselves.
But don't think that packages are the only way to go if you've a family. Two years ago we DIY'd it to Breckenridge for rather less than the cost of our Tignes holiday and about half the best price our local travel agent could find. The resort's childcare was almost as comprehensive as Esprit's - it started before the lifts opened and closed when they shut - but we had to deliver the kids ourselves. Some of the staff even offered unofficial evening babysitting, but we didn't use that facility.
Which was best? Hard to say, really; both were great. Two kids preferred Tignes, one preferred Breck. So haven't decided what to do this year yet, other than to weep when I see my bank statement.
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