 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello There,
Wondered if anyone has stayed at the chalets in Peisey with Esprit Ski?
We have a choice of Hermine, Ecureuil or Ourson. Going with my wife and our 8 month old son.
Can anyone please recommend which one we should go for, or are they all pretty similar?
Thanks!
Theo
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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theo, Welcome to Snowheads 
We booked to go to Peisey with Esprit a couple of seasons ago but unfortunately had to cancel. However I did get some good advice from thefatcontroller about this who had been there previously, he advised to go for Hermine. This is because it's the 'top' chalet of the group, all the others are lower down the hill and so you have an uphill walk from the chalet every morning. Also the childcare rooms are in Hermine and so you only need to take your little one downstairs instead of having to wrap them all up in layers of kit and walk them up the hill. I have since heard the same thing about this situation from Esprit staff in another resort. Also if you look on their late offers pages you will see that Hermine is rarely available whereas the others often are. Must be a good reason why it sells better than the others.
HTH a bit.
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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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Thanks very much for the info and the welcome Sarah! That's very helpful.
Theo
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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| Quote: |
but no matter how bad the food and the accommodation is you cannot fault the childcare (which is the reason for the return visits)
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Must be great childcare indeed if you have had so many "shocking" experiences with them but continue to return!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I just booked Hermine on your advice! Thanks to all and I'll let you know what its like when we get back!
Theo
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We're booked in the lowest chalet for the first week in Feb. Not using the childcare much and our eldest needs all the uphill we can give her too tire her out!
After Courchevel 1350 last year, with many treks carrying youngest and two sets of skis, I'm optimistic that even this will be pretty manageable! It was a fair bit cheaper as well, which was not to be sniffed at.
FWIW #1, the food we've had twice previously with Esprit was much better than what we had over Christmas with Ski Famille. You can pick a "snowsure" resort, but you can't pick a "foodsure" chalet. 
FWIW #2, the Esprit accommodation was generally better than Ski Famille's as well. At least the I could stand up in the Esprit rooms!
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Hermine also endorsed. It is, I think, the owners chalet (who also owns Cafe Nero) - it is very swanky.
We like Esprit- food much better in Chalet Hotels than chalets.
Childcare has always been very good indeed which is why we go. (But see grip regards no breast feeding babies at dinner).
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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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| ed123 wrote: |
Childcare has always been very good indeed which is why we go. (But see grip regards no breast feeding babies at dinner). |
What?? They said you couldn't feed your baby? 
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The Flying Snowplough, we stayed in the bottom chalet a few years ago. The benefit is the uninterrupted views over the valley towards LP, especially from the jacuzzi.
Very nice modern chalets, food variable, becoming poor...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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michael stocking, my expectations re food are set very low to start with. Anything I don't have to cook myself is automatically viewed favourably!
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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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| ed123 wrote: |
| Childcare has always been very good indeed which is why we go. (But see grip regards no breast feeding babies at dinner). |
Is that because they ask that no one under the age of 13 comes to the adult dinner?
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Hi theo, I stayed in the 'Renard' chalet which is one of the 5 or 6 ( almost exactly the same ) chalets that Esprit have in Peisey a couple of years ago with my 4 year old. I do recall that the chalet was not at road level, and that there were steps involved. But I don't recall that they were much of an issue at all, in fact, they're quite a handy warm up for your your day's skiing  As michael stocking, points out, one of the benefits of the 'lower' chalets is the amazing views back down the Tarentaise Valley. Another benefit is that you don't have the remainder of the Esprit enclave traipsing past your window / balcony. I am sorry that pc, seems to have had a negative experience, but I would disagree and suggest that the standard of these Chalets in terms of accommodation is very good. In addition, I have always had perfectly acceptable food on my Esprit holidays. Hope that helps put your mind at ease ?
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You know it makes sense.
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Timberwolf, these chalets are very good but they are way better than Esprit accommodation in (eg) Tignes, so pc, has a point.
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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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sarah, couldn't take baby into dining room- which was ridiculous- the results of 'extensive market research' according to hotel manager.
That excepted- which I grant you was a bigie- all other aspects of childcare excellent (mind you could easily argue that the 'no kids at dinner not even breast feeding infants' rule is not childcare per se rather a nonsense poorly thought out policy- which we will be writing / talking to them about shortly).
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Poster: A snowHead
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theo, No!
I agree with no screaming hoards but not with no infants.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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sarah, in fairness to Esprit all the childcare provided by the childcare staff was really very good indeed. The diner issue was handled by the hotel manager (not the childcare staff).
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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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ed123, sorry to hear that. I knew about their no kids at adult dinner rule as we have been with them in the summer and its the same. I am surprised though that a breast feeding babe in arms causes them a problem and especially in a chalet hotel where it's busier and less 'intimate' than a chalet anyway. I agree about the childcare couldn't fault it in the summer.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
couldn't take baby into dining room
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What are you supposed to do with it then? Leave it in the hotel safe?!!!!
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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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michael stocking, I'll bear that in mind. Thanks for clarifying. There was no specific reference in pc's post.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks to you all for your feedback.
We're off on Sunday (Gatwick & Ice pemitting) so will let you know!
Does anyone know if there are any clothes washing facilities in the chalet or is it handwashing in the sink time?
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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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That's worth knowing, thanks bertie bassett
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Timberwold - charm offensive it'll be or if not then fabulous knowledge bertie bassett - thank you!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I thought Esprit's Chalet lavachet in Tignes was rather nice. Bedrooms a bit basic but lounge and dining room nice, lots of comfy sofas.
On the topic of Chalet food, had surprisingly good food from chef in Crystal's Chalet Abendruh in Kaprun last week. Chalet sleeps 27, there were 4 permanent staff inc a chef, seemed a lot for that size of chalet.
Re Esprit, great pity that they have dropped the Kaprun Chalets from the summer programme, I thoroughly enjoyed my week this July, although the subsequent week in the Grand Hotel in Zell worked out cheaper and was fantastic.
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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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Ghost Dog, I was in Chalet Mara with Esprit in August......one our best family holidays yet 
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You know it makes sense.
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Ghost Dog, what was kaprun base snow like - it looked a little thin on webcam a couple of weeks back but it appreas to have been dumping ?
And we've been Esprit fans whilst the littluns have been small, but Crystal are also popular in Kaprun - what are their pros and cons - where is teh Crystal chalet ? Now our daughter is 6 ia m starting to think whether we ought to be looking at otehr companies - Esprit do the little kids really well in my mind.
Timberwolf, ++ What do you do on the summer hols there - we have been thinking about it, again with a 6 to 7 year old (it woudl be this summer) and we're not sure that there is enough she is old enough to do yet - ie she's not up to mountain biking and rafting ?
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Timberwolf - I wonder if we met, we were at Chalet Sonnenalp in Kaprun the first two weeks of Aug with our 6 and 3 yo.
sev112 - I echo everything Timberwolf already said including that we made copious use of the Kids Clubs which freed us up for day trips on our own to Salzburg, down a Salt Mine and miles of torturous mountain walking. In the Kids Club the children went for picnics and walks with Llama's and treasure hunts. There was plenty to fill up two weeks there including everything Timberwolf mentioned as well as Summer Tobogganing, a visit to Werfen Castle and we still missed the Alpine Zoo and a few other things.
Esprit have removed Kaprun from their Summer offerings this year however but I wouldn't hesistate to try one of their other locations if thats the kind of holiday you're looking for.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Kiwi, we arrived on 15th, so probably missed you....and to be fair we only went over to the Sonnenalp once... Good point about Kaprun not being in the Summer brochure this year - fairly strange as it's still on their winter program...
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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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The holiday to Peisey was a hit. Esprit Childcare for our 8 month old was superb.
Food was very good in the chalet and the variety of skiing in Peisey Vallandry, Les Arcs and La Plagne was huge.
Recommended!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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We love the skiing in Peisey-Vallandry although it was too crowded last year during the French and English combined half-term. We used Club Med which has good child care and is located right by the Lifts/Vanoise Express. The food there is extremely good in terms of quality and variety. With Club Med everything apart from ski-hire is included in the overall price. Roughly eyeballing it it looks similar to Esprit once you have added on lift passes and lessons to the Esprit price so it must be worth consideration.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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hey, have you already been and gone??
i'm living here in peisey for the season, have done for 2 seasons now... so i'm full of useful advice, so fire away and i'll be glad to answer....
peace
j
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| ed123 wrote: |
sarah, couldn't take baby into dining room- which was ridiculous- the results of 'extensive market research' according to hotel manager.
That excepted- which I grant you was a bigie- all other aspects of childcare excellent (mind you could easily argue that the 'no kids at dinner not even breast feeding infants' rule is not childcare per se rather a nonsense poorly thought out policy- which we will be writing / talking to them about shortly). |
Soooooo glad you posted this I assumed it was a grumpy manager but called to check as this thread is quite old (having been about to book and used Esprit last year) and she said policy accross the board - our baby tends to sleep on me / in sling in the evening better than in bed (and unfamiliar room in particular) and even that not allowed - what a load of rubbish from a supposedly family friendly company! I get that parents want a break from kids and relaxing dinner but a contented sleeping or even awake baby is not a big deal imo and certainly not like a 2/3 year old being there - they've lost our booking this year at least!
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I believe in England not allowing you to breast feed your baby in such circumstances could well be illegal under the Equality Act 2010 whereby premises amongst other things, must ensure mothers are not discriminated against, harassed or victimised because they are breastfeeding a baby. There may be others on here that know more about the Act than I do?
I know we are talking about premises in France but Esprit is a British Company? For anyone that wanted to complain to the Company this could be pointed out!
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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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Having used Espirit every year since 2010, I completely get their Adult Dining Room policy. They're perfectly happy to let people eat in their rooms if they want or need to stay with their children, and they have free a baby monitoring service who will go into a room to check on the wee'uns or should Jnr wake up and want mum or dad, call down for you. But after 7pm the dining room is reserved as an adult space and I really don't see a problem with that.
IME, Its a policy common to pretty most all of the child-friendly chalets that we've stayed in or looked at.
@CaravanSkier, it's not the issue of not allowing breastfeeding during an adult mealtime, because children are not allowed in that space at that time. Breakfast time? Not a problem, Kids teatime? Fine go for it and more power to you. But the dining room is reserved for adults at that time, and adults only means no children of any age.
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@Richard_Sideways, I`m no legal expert but I can see how an argument could be made that it is discrimination. After all perhaps Mum wants to have dinner in the dining room and not be relegated to her room! I`m way beyond that period of my life now but if I were at that point I would not book with a Company with that policy in place! I get that other adults want to dine in peace and I would understand that a crying baby should be removed but that does not alter the basic fact that under English law in England an argument could probably be made that the policy is illegal.
Having said that it is of course a personal choice which company anyone uses for any holiday and no one is forced to use Esprit.
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FAQ
and we have been on many hols with them where the accommodation and food has been shocking for the price 
but.... but, if, you're really stuck and run out of clean stuff.......if you're super nice to the staff, and ask nicely, and offer to do it yourself etc, etc - basically go on a charm offensive 
) you'll normally be able to find a machine to bung a load in....
