 Poster: A snowHead
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So many interesting replies and I'm still researching through all of them. Two specific places I'd like advice on from any who have stayed there is Alpert d'huez and les sybelles/la toussiere? I'm starting to tighten our spec now and more inclined to focus on reasonable accommodation very close to ski school pickup points and good slopes for the beginners. Thanks again in advance of replies. (really liked look of obergurgl but all the packages seem very expensive) 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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alpert d'huez - wasn't he a trumpeter?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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perhaps it's herb alpert's pad there. I've stayed in Alpe D'Huez a couple of times in the Les Bergers area. Loads of self catering accommodation, all very close to the slopes, some ski in/out. Ski schools at that end of town too. Loads of gentle slopes all around the town.
I've also been to Les Sybelles a couple of times too, but in St Sorlin D'Arves. Really nice area, very french and cheaper than the major french areas. One thing I would be a little wary of is availability of good english speaking tuition, there are not that many english visitors.
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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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pam w, took so long to type my reply you beat me to the pun
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
One thing I would be a little wary of is availability of good english speaking tuition, there are not that many english visitors.
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A good point. The same is true of our area (Les Saisies). the instructors (mostly) speak English and private lessons are no problem. But in a group, if there is just one English speaker and all the rest are francophone, then with the best will in the world most of the instruction's going to have to be in French. You could strike lucky and find someone in the group very keen to practice their English on the chairlifts - but you might find ALL the chatter in French, which is a bit miserable if you are left out of it. The size of groups can be a problem too, in all resorts. I've said it already but will say it again - try to go to one of the specialist schools with a maximum group size of about 6. It will cost more, but is the best investment in getting the family hooked. Some people get on absolutely fine in big groups, and in non English-speaking groups (my daughter's first week of ski school, at 4, was in a big and entirely German speaking group - she coped, but she'd have had more fun if she could have chittered to the other kids). And big groups can be a lot of fun if people hit it off. But small groups are a more certain way of actually learning something! Some of the independent ski schools have smaller groups than the ESF (the ESI maximum is 10 in our resort, whereas ESF can be 12 or even a little more at times, though you can strike lucky outside peak times and get much smaller groups).
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Right snowheads I reckon I have narrowed it down to a week in January for Alpe d'Huez about a minute walk to the ski school and Marmottes lift. A couple of good early booking deals around so happy with that.
However, what's the weather and snow generally like mid January? Snow history seems pretty good and up top plenty of great skiing for me and chums.
Lastly, flights out are Saturday from Bristol or Exeter which is good for me but do the ski schools run 6 day courses from the Sunday. Cannot find any info on ESF as to what day ski lessons are available from. I hope they do run Sundays or we will end up paying for 6 but only getting 5 and or my newbies could be a bit stuck with just tuition from yours truly on the sunday. Whilst I can ski I'm no shakes as an instructor for complete novices!
Can anyone recommend any other ski school other than ESF in Alpe d'Huez or should I start a new topic in a different forum category?
As ever all advice very welcome and have appreciated everything you've offered so far!!
Cheers Jason
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Obergurgl in Austria might fit the bill- hotels v close to the slopes, good beginner territory, and good après ski in the afternoon at the Niederhuette and village
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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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Hi Jason,
I'm not based in Alpe d'Huez so I'll leave the weather question for snowheads who are.
For the ski school you will have no problem at all with a Sunday start. Most of the big tour operators arrange their flights to go sat-sat so the vast majority of ski school lessons start on the Sunday and run for 6 days (ie Sun-Fri) although with some ski schools you can book 5 day packages which leave your last day free for skiing as a family (ie Sun - Thur).
Have a great time!
Heather
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jirac18, I don't think this has mentioned already. If you do go outside main school holidays, the kids lessons can sometimes have a wide range of ski abilities within them. They don't have the numbers to have the ideal experience split. The group can then be 'held back' by the lowest experienced child there. We encountered this in Les Arc, our kids are of a reasonable (better than us) standard, and they were bored to death. In later trips we arranged a couple of private lessons rather than risk the same happening again. They really benefited and enjoyed their lesson.
Interestingly enough, it didn't appear that language was much of a barrier though.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Well after many hours research I have booked for us to go to La Plagne staying in terra nova hotel. Everyones really excited and only 244 days to go til take off!!! Get in!
Really big thanks to everyone who took time out to assist me in my search. Well done snowheads 
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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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I had my second and third ski holiday in Alpe D'Huez - had a great time. My uncle taught his 4 kids to ski there too and they all loved it.
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You know it makes sense.
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jirac18, hope you have a great time. Snow is the luck of the draw but you'd be very unlucky not to have plenty to ski on in La Plagne in mid January. there are lots of SHs who know that area well who will be able to advise on ski schools. Hope you have a terrific holiday. 
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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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Oh La Plagne. Hmmm not exactly pretty
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Poster: A snowHead
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not exactly pretty
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Well, unlike some of the people who ask about ski resorts the OP wisely didn't say he wanted everything!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Nadenoodlee wrote: |
| Oh La Plagne. Hmmm not exactly pretty |
Yes I accept there are plenty more resorts with alpine charm but that isn't high on the agenda this time out. It's all about getting the kids and wife skiing for the first time with as little hassle and stress as possible. Once they can ski then the picturesque world will open it's doors. There is plenty of skiing for the intermediates and let's face it once your up a lift out of resort and on the snow it's all beautiful!!
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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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| pam w wrote: |
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not exactly pretty
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Well, unlike some of the people who ask about ski resorts the OP wisely didn't say he wanted everything! |
I'm glad pam w and friends read the brief!!!! Thanks for help and kind words
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Have a great time -the kids will love it
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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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Great choice, you'll love it
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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jirac18, having worked a season there a few years ago it's not the place I would have recommended but I do hope it works out for you.
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FAQ
) pizzaria in plagne centre (about 5 mins walk from the hotel). The best pizza in La Plagne and massive reductions at lunchtime because it's just off the slopes.
