 Poster: A snowHead
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We had a very good holiday with Snow Bizz in Puy St Vincent. I'd recommend looking up their website.
They have their own very good ski school and my children really enjoyed the lessons aged 6 and 3 (just). They have self catered or half board options and are flexible on travel so you can go by plane, self drive or train (need to book latter yourself). They also have a very good creche which we used on a couple of afternoons.
Puy St Vincent is quite a small resort but it was fine for a week and worth going to for the Snow Bizz experience.
The snow bizz apartments and creche are at the foot of the slope so you do not need to trudge round the resort in ski boots to get to places.
Snow Bizz used to be a lot cheaper than Esprit. I noticed the Snow Bizz prices have been creeping up so I'd look at both companies. Mark Warner are supposed to be good too but we haven't used 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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Must say we went to samoens last year and really enjoyed it. But it was not quite what i had hoped for / expected. Our little one was fine and enjoyed the good kindergarden. The slopes were great and plenty of them, Snow was lacking so may but they did a great job of maintaining it, The ski bus stop was directly outside our appartmenta nd the drivers were very good with everyone. WE went with friends and there children 3 and 6 and while they were ok they did struggle a bit in esf. all the other kids were french and they did not really take to it till the last couple days. I will stereotype a bit but i just dont find france as friendly and easy going as austria. Back to alpbach, true the beginner slope is not great for snow but last year was ok and the surrounding fields were all green and the mountain was struggling. There is also the school up the mountain with creche a nd play area which the kids seem to love. For me austria everytime. but thats just my personal choice. ps zell am see was great a few years ago, not sure about the kids facilities but have read they are ok, and its a large ish town with los of varied activuties
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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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CONDOR, For what its worth (And I support Jivebaby's thoughts here) our kids started skiing and we moved from high altitude snow sure ski in / outs to valley resorts where the tone of the trip could be more holiday with some skiing. So we went to La Clusaz, Morzine, Megeve, Champoussin, Vaujany, Montchavin, Valmorel. Of the list those that stood out were
Megeve - poor snow year for daddy, the others had fun, easy slopes and lots of other things to do, nice restaurants
Valmorel - Saperlipopette club and huge protected beginners area
Morzine in the Ardent area - Snow play with skiing as an opt in for the kids. A bit quiet in the evenings.
La Clusaz we found rather unfriendly to the kids and there was a lot of toing and froing across unconnected areas
If you start with the mid set that this is your 4 year olds holiday and what you get is a bonus you will all end up happy hopefully.
And I forgot to add in my OP that when the little un can ride a bike she'll be comfortable on skis in all probability.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Thu 18-08-11 15:33; edited 1 time in total
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mattiwilkin, I think lessons in a predominantly francophone group are hard for little ones - my daughter coped with entirely German lessons at 4 (in a tiny Austrian resort called St Oswald, which was great for a family of beginners despite the soup on the nursery slope in the village  ) but she would have had more fun in an English speaking group.
Puy St Vincent with Snow Bizz sounds a very good choice - I wish I'd known about it when my kids were little (maybe it didn't exist then).
Les Gets is good, too, with an excellent ski school (BASS, small English speaking groups) provided your accommodation is an easy walk to the main lift.
Many resorts struggled with snow last year - it was the worst for a long time in lots of areas.
"Ski in/out" accommodation doesn't have to be at the top of a bleak Alp. Les Saisies does have plenty of accommodation on the slopes in the village, which is at 1650m and a good compromise between "traditional valley" and "purpose built top of the mountain" but I wouldn't recommend it to a family looking for group lessons as the huge majority of the clients are Francophone. Private lessons are cheap, and excellent, but a small English speaking group is probably the ideal. People will hasten to say that all instructors in country X or Y speak English, and so they might, but they're not going to have time to speak much to a solitary British kid in a group, are they? And for a first time holiday with a small child, I think a TO package has advantages over DIY, which is the only option to Les Saisies. I don't much care for resorts where loads of British TOs go, and where you are surrounded by English speakers the whole time, but they do have the advantage that you can get English speaking group lessons.
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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 have taken ours skiing since they were 6 months, both on our own and as part of a large group. The oldest is now 11, but we continue to ski with smaller kids as part of the larger group. We have gone both independently and used various of the childcare operators. Some thoughts:
I echo the earlier points about not expecting too much of a 4 year old. There were exceptions, but of the 20 odd children I have seen taking their first steps at that sort of age, most make little progress at 4 and you should see it more as snow-based play and not put any pressure on. The best you should realistically expect is that she enjoys it and wants to come back. There seems to be a large step betwen 4 and 5 - most of the 5 year olds seem to make good progress and get out onto the mountain for real skiing. Especially do not be over-ambitious if you take her out. I have seen children reduced to tears on an unfamiliar slope - leave that to the professionals, and let her show her skills to you only on the slopes she is familiar with, and don't over-tire her.
If you are happy not to ski much yourselves, and to look after her outside of ski-school, then you don't need the childcare operators. Look for a resort where access to the ski school meeting point is easy, not too much schlepping about carrying skis etc (use the ski deposits - worth every penny if you have children). Look also for a resort with other activities - pool, skating etc. We enjoyed Wagrain on an independent trip - great indoor/outdoor waterpark - although there was maybe a bit too much walking and the nursery slopes were quite tricky (althoug all the kids progressed well - instruction was the best we have had anywhere). You won't need a huge ski area in this case. Look at some of the smaller Austrian (or Italian) resorts in preference to France, in my view, if you go down this route.
If you want to ski yourselves, then use one of the childcare operators. Of the big ones, we have generally had good experience with Esprit - best for childcare and organisation in our experience, although with the exception of the flagship properties the accommodation and food is good but not great. We have been to Val d'Isere (good), La Rosiere (good for children, but otherwise would not rush back), Obergurgl (good), La Plagne (excellent - fantastic chalet hotel, but quite pricey - worth it though!), Morzine (good for kids, but hit by vomiting bug - not really Esprit's fault, but put a bit of a damper on the holiday - hotel a bit basic, too).
Mark Warner was better for the adults, but some shortcomings in the childcare meant we did not return (may have been a one-off)
We were really impressed by Ski-2 who specialise in Champoluc, Italy. Good childcare, excellent British owned (run by Ski-2) ski school, and really nice place - Hotel Castor was excellent.
When they were very little we took a whole chalet with friends and booked a local nanny service for childcare - but you are beyond that age-wise and with one child that is unlikely to be cost-effective (or much fun for her).
The biggest advantage of using a childcare operator (apart from being able to ski yourselves more) is that there will be other kids the same age to make friends with and play with (and learn to ski with). This meant that our boys often wanted to stay in the kids club and go bum-boarding or whatever with their friends. We'd always take them out some days, but the balance works well.
You have the advantage of not needing to go in the school holidays, which will both reduce cost and increase choice for you. I would still recommend going later in the season - maybe end March - as it is warmer and longer days. A cold child is a miserable child. Despite comments, end March is generally fine for snow pretty much anywhere, unless we have a bad year.
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Another vote for Flaine/Grand Massif... the bowl at the bottom of the main lift, is ideal for the little 'uns to gain a bit of confidence to start off, and is very close to a couple of decent hotels (ski in/out) and opposite some shops, cafes etc. I know the architectural style isn't for everyone, but the Bauhaus style was ground-breaking in it's day nonetheless... It's also great value and 'snow-sure' compared to many big name resorts.
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pam w, No problem. Suggested Pila as I know it would be good for the 4yr old and we have been for 3 years in a row.
Suggested Pilaski as Carole was brilliant in organisation, looking after us and local knowledge. Not to mention cheap compared to most of the rest of Europe. 1Euro for an on mountain coffee as an example.
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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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Lots of the good tips re skiing with small kids has already been said.
Agree about not expecting too much although our kids were up to skiing quite a lot quite early - from 5 onwards they could do a good couple of hours both morning and afternoon.
Some ideas - as there are only 3 of you, if you don't have to stick to peak weeks then you may well get a good deal with someone like Esprit - I know lots of people swear by them but they aren't cheap - the only year we went with them we booked the week before and sat with smug smiles at teatime when everyone else said how much they'd paid - so if you have the nerve you may get a very good deal if you leave it till very last minute.
Look at Crystal -we've found their childcare ok but again not cheap.
Some resorts to consider - Morzine/Les Gets have a reasonable amount going on if you aren't going to be on the slopes all day, have some nice easy terrain and are pretty to look at.
Serre Chevalier - again plenty going on and we can vouch for Gavin who is now New Gen ski school
Risoul - nice resort for families - easy slopes, accomodation never too far away, but not too much to do as very small village
Montgenevre - again friendly resort, nice easy slopes - but again fairly quiet.
My one tip would be stay close to the slopes - walking around anywhere with small children is a nightmare if it's too far to the slopes.
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Jake43, I'd hoped to spend a couple of days in Pila towards the end of last season, as we had to drive down to Genoa, but in the end the conditions were just too bad, all over, to warrant the cost - temperature in Aosta was 25 - 30 degrees on 1 April, as we sat in the car by a roundabout, with a broken clutch, waiting for the breakdown truck. Next season, maybe, as we'll definitely be driving south again.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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You may now have so much information, that more won't help at all! But for what it is worth, we go for the 'winter holiday' rather than 'skiing holiday' mentality. So rather than using child-care or kindergartens/ski schools, we have tended to hire a private instructor for a few hours spread across a week. This does mean we have skiied less, but the lessons helped our daughter (who started at 3, and is now 4) learn some basic things so quickly that we were able to then ski with her (albeit on gentle greens) for some of the rest of the time, which kept us more than happy. We also used one of thse hinge things on the front of her skis at the very start, that worked wonderfully to just get her going and feel like she was participating.
This year, we took her to Valloire, and although her second go, we found there were a lot of easy and longish routes to navigate around the place, meaning she could easily travel from hot chocoloate spot to hot chocolate spot and really see the mountains, which she loved. Has the advantage of being a nice place too, for the 'winter holiday' element - we stayed in Les Verneys, which has a lovely beginner slope, although the link into the main resort is a chairlift, rather than gondola, which might not suit everyone with a little one. Whatever you choose, good luck!
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May I cast another vote for Esprit, my son skied for the first time with them in Selva, aged 5, took to it like a duck to water. Childcare for him and his little sister was excellent, us adults got to ski all day, didn't have to resume childcare until 6pm and then the various kids played in each others rooms while we ate. Much as I love my children I was more than happy to let someone else care for them (and teach them to ski) while I skied like a demon (well, a big bear shaped demon that's not a great skier) 
Of course this has now led to the "Hurry up Dad, why are you so slow" holidays that we now have with them aged 9 and 11. The big advantage of making sure they learnt fairly quickly was that we only needed child care holidays for 4 years (2 years for son) then they were in ski school for half a day and chasing us round the mountain for the other half.
I think what I am saying is that I found focussing on it being a ski holiday, not any other type of holiday worked well for us, but of course it depends on the child (and the parents).
We also found the all day ski school in St Anton great for the kids, they will do lunch, buy kids hot chocolate on the mountain and generally (generalising here) provide way more TLC than ESF. As at least one ESF Office has a brochure which states bluntly "we are not a childcare facility, we don't do lunch" I think that's fair comment. Ski Total's chalets in St ANton are nice and reasonably priced.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Ghost Dog wrote: |
I think what I am saying is that I found focussing on it being a ski holiday, not any other type of holiday worked well for us, but of course it depends on the child (and the parents).
We also found the all day ski school in St Anton great for the kids, they will do lunch, buy kids hot chocolate on the mountain and generally (generalising here) provide way more TLC than ESF. As at least one ESF Office has a brochure which states bluntly "we are not a childcare facility, we don't do lunch" I think that's fair comment. Ski Total's chalets in St ANton are nice and reasonably priced. |
Agreed 100%; the St. Anton Ski school is ace. Did a fine job with my kids for the last couple of years.
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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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How about Les Deux Alpes, you could have ski lessons with The European ski and snowboard school, they have a fantastic kindergarden and great ENGLISH speaking instructors for your daughter and offer great lessons for adults to should you be interested! Snow Angel Nannies are also available for pick up drop off and can take care of your daughter whilst your on the slopes, being on hand during ski school and take her back to the chalet/apart for lunch and some afternoon activities such as treasure hunts/snowman building/sledging and many more!
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Poster: A snowHead
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I have no vested interest in any resort (unfortunately), but have done lots of family skiing our son is 8 and daughter 4,( and definately qualify on the more than 2 weeks carting smalls about!) and the key things for me have been ski in/out as I hate walking and dragging small children long distances.
I personally prefer to go self catered as I enjoy cooking, know what my children will eat and am not stuck to a rigid timeslot.
As a family we have done 2 snowbizz holidays in puy v good self catered, everything close together small resort, lot of childcare options, but no swimming pool.
A number of esprit holidays in france and Austria, good in terms of organisation, but quality of adult food is variable and I actually enjoy cooking, but can feel a bit regimented you have to do x, y z at a certain time.
Have also been to Sainte foy with premier neige on a self catered basis twice childcare avaialble and accomodation near the slopes. Small resort .
We also prefer to drive (can stop when you need to etc) over a flight.
Hope these suggestions help
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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 went with Esprit in December with a 4 and 1 yr old. That is first holiday we have had since having kids that felt like a real holiday. Ellie (4) had a fantastic time. There were three in their Spritelets lesson(which were in the afternoon) in the morning she was in Snowclub and was desperate to go down to snow club even before it started. We stayed in courchevel -Crystal 2000.
I have been eying up for this season their Chalet Hotel in Val D‘Isere on the 15th Apr as there cheapest option it would mean taking your child out of school (I assume she will be starting in Sep) but that week is adjacent to Easter hols so school is more likely to say yes
Edot to correct resort name
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Tue 23-08-11 8:41; edited 1 time in total
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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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Hello Condor
lots of responses and a few feathers flying.
Before you go ask yourselves a few important questions as a family ski holiday is a totally different top what you are used to.
CHILD
WIll s/he cope in ski school?? Is the child continent? This (can be) a deal breaker. Can they go to the loo unaided? Will they take instructions in a group of strange kids from a strange man with a funny accent? How is their general coordination? As mentioned in previous posts (by me on other threads) continence is a funny issue and a bit of a spectrum. Usually continent at nursery is different to continent in a freezing snow garden in Tignes le Lac in January wearing fartbags (for example and I write from experience). A 'ski nappy'- can be worn- like a space nappy (see any book on space for details) to encourage a possible pisser into preventative pants. Always take another set of ski clothes/socks- and dry the inner boots out before they get too pongy. Ski nappies may not make it past nannies.
ADULTS
1. Cost- skiing with kids is very expensive. Peak weeks, lots of extra costs, new clothes, ski school etc etc etc etc etc etc etc. Really it is eye watering. You have a four year old- get the most out of late season deals- ie last 2 weeks in April. This can be a bargain and a fraction of a peak week Feb half term (eg Mark warner Hotel Val D'Isere- a top bargain for these weeks).
2. Can you cope with doing lots less skiing than normal? You will be forking out shed loads of money to go skiing- so you probably really like skiing- but you will not be able to do as much skiing as normal. You will not be out every day at 8.30- you will be back in good time to pick the kids up from creche (in Chamonix this might mean a taxi from Argentiere to Cham - €lots rather than the bus- free). THis can be stressful for skiing dads especially if they really want to go out early to ski off piste- but have to help get three kids in ski gear and off to ski school. Some couples don't cope with this well- typically with the bloke clearing off leaving a seething wife- to be repaid with interest later.
3. Do you really like skiing? If you are a bit not sure then you might have some problems. Firstly with the cost, then with 'going on holiday and putting the kids in childcare'.
4. Can you leave your kids to it? In creche- when they cry a bit. But also in ski school. Some parents hang around the ski gardens very anxiously - generally the ski instructors (and kids- and parent) hate this.
5. Will your husband wearing ski boots and across icy paths carry 4 sets of skis several hundred meters ( after a night on beer) and still love you?
THE RESORT
Different opinions re high / low altitude places have been expressed! We have taken kids to Argentiere, Chamonix itself, Val D'Isere, Tignes, Peisey, Les Arcs, Le Rossiere over the last 9 years with kids now aged 2, 6 and 9 and have ha more than good holidays in each.
Chamonix- great range of places to stay, a proper town, other things to do in half days not skiing, good food, drink- fantastic skiing- the usual Chamonix drawbacks if you drop off and pick up from ski school or even a nanny. We have left kids in creche all day- this is stressful as getting back to Cham from Argentiere for a deadline is a pain and leads to marital strife. Or skiing half days back to back with the wife and the other dealing with kids/ski school drop off. Or back to back days skiing sharing a lift pass with one doing drop offs/ younger child and the other skiing / older child. Mind you you only have one so a pain. All depends- if you like Cham go there and make the most of it if not don't bother.
Argentiere- stayed in th eHotel Grands Montets in the ski lift car park- fantastic - no HB though- there is a PAnda club which will do ski school.
Val D'Isere- Mark WArner last 2 weeks in April- twice- very good value- eldest child learnt to ski here- private lessons aged 3 then aged 4 in a group. HAlf days doable- but be careful- if you whizz off to the top of the grand Motte with grown ups then suddenly realise you need to pick up from ski school in Val D'Isere in 20-30 mins you wil have to- ski fast- not get lost and be prepared to be in trouble. Lat eApril is a good time to learn as- not busy - enough snow in VAl- but might have to go up a bit- not freezing cold.
Tignes le Lac- January eldest aged 4- snow garden- there is no colder place than th esnow garden in Tignes le Lac in January!
Peisey- a lot various kids aged 4 - Espirt and independant Chalet- very easy for kids as Esprit chalets 50m from lift /s ki school drop off, very easy pistes. Some great instructors at ESF. Night life limited.
Le Rosiere- Esprit- graet ski in out chalets skiing good for kids but not to my likeing would not go there again myself. Others swear by it mind you they all have apartments there!
Les Arcs- Esprit- very good for kids. Good skiing for dads.
OPERATOR
We have tried various companies; Mark Warner, Crystal, Esprit, DIY hols totally organised by us and independant Chalets. If you can afford it try and get a deal with a specialist child operator- this really means Esprit or one of the other smaller child holiday only places. The one thing kids like on skiing holidays is- other kids- there will be loads on an Esprit holiday and the crack is excellent. Whilst we have been on several MArk Warner holidays with kids (7 weeks total) we haven't been in the last 5 years because the childcare isn't as good (have had over 20 weeks skiing holidays with kids so I think I can comment) and there is a tension at times between those with and without children with some guests being rather miffed at the screaming hoards. Crystal when we went wasn't great.
DATES
Have skied every month of the season with kids. If I had only one chance of a ski holiday then I'd go off peak as late in the season as I could dare as high as I could find. IE last 2 weeks April in Val D'Isere. Best value for money, good snow if high enough, not cold for kids.
I'd avoid January- too cold and February- cold and expensive.
WHEN TO BOOK?
We have done every option including booking the day before departure. As mentioned previously Esprit do some fantastic deals if you leave it late and if there are only 3 of you you should be fine (we have booked last minute as a family of 5 and been fine) . The childcare will be booked up if you try and get a late deal at a peak week. THis will probably not be the case in low season. But could be a risk.
OTHER TIPS
Ski clothes for kids- ebay or Ice Peak
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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pam w, this is the best option by far! Could you adopt us please?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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oh one last tip
LUNCH
Lunch is now crazy €9 for a bowl of soup, €0.50 for a small bit of bread. If I wanted to I could go into a mountain restaurant and get lunch- but I don't at this sort of silliness.
Packed lunch- €7 or so- for a roll, a packet of crisps a carton of juice and an unripe apple. Ditto.
Go to supermarket- one or two loaves of bread, one packet of ham (or cheese or hey why not a packet of cream cheese and a packet of smoked salmon yum yum yum) a large bag of crisps and 6 small cartons of juice-possibly a tomato- about €8 (feeds family of 5). No queue, no ranting.
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ed123, Freshly baked artisan bread (higher olive oli content), chicken, rocket, avocado and French Mayo, salt n' freshly ground pepper: Cut and then wrapped in foil along with a few slabs of granola bar or milionaires shortcake if you need the calories! 
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We tend to go ski in/out which means we can pop back for lunch and my soup is better than any soup to be found in a mountain restaurant!
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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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Re lunch, that's France you're talking about. We could buy a main meal for 6 euro in Maryhofen in January (and again in April).
Val d'Isere at NY was as you say. 16 euro for spag bol 
Re parents not being able to ski early finish late, with Esprit you can, if you wish. Crystal is complicated as you need to buy in extra "kiddie transfer" to and from ski school.
Personally, if you don't want to self cater, Esprit do a near perfect family ski holiday. They are expensive, unless youget a late deal, but they do ensure that the adults get to play. I'm selfish enough to want that on a holiday that's costing me an arm, a leg and a bit of other parts.
In some ways these are the best years, once the young uns are able to ski I was too mean to contuinue to Esrit. Then you are faced with returning to feed children at lunchtime and perhaps, shock, horror, skiing with them. Unless you are in St Anton/Selva or any other civilised resort where ski school is all day and includes lunch
You'd think my kids would have grown up feeling unloved and unwanted, but they seem happy enough as they take off down the blacks laughing at their dad's inability to keep up. Should've had a puppy instead 
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Thu 25-08-11 9:14; edited 1 time in total
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Condor you have had advice coming from all directions, so I will add to it too! We did our first trip with kids aged 3 and 5 and chose to go with local childcare who promised they spoke English, which they didn't. We really traumatised (!) Our kids and promised ourselves and them, that if we skied again they would have an instructor who spoke English and other children to play with. For my kids this has been the 2 non-negotiables ever since!
So we have done...
Esprit in Montchavin, chalet for 14. Great childcare, luckily nice other kids, awful chalet girl/boy. Not their fault, but they were so far out of their depth and the resort manager left, then a dose of novovirus in the chalet.
Next Esprit at Ducs de Savoire in Val d'isere. This solved the crap food as we had a chef, and proper facilities. Great holiday, much better than small chalet. But 400 m or more to lifts and I hate carrying skis.
Esprit to AlpesD'huez. Brilliant, could ski back to hotel, except when they dug a path across to the tourist office, but still 10 m walk!
Last time with kids 8 and 10 with Crystal to Tignes and Hotel Diva. Lovely hotel great food, great location
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Sorry posted before I finished!
Crystal was good but less keen on childcare, all too confusing, and with older kids we came and took them out some afternoons, going outside school holidays meant we have always booked the lunch option and come back at 2 if the.kids wanted. However half the time or more they preferred to stay in snow club and we left them all day.
Didnt go last year as I broke my ACL on the Tignes trip, but this year will be independent and ski together. I think they will miss bum boarding and playing with others, but we will love skiing as a family
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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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Just a quick note on Ducs de Savoie with Esprit in Val d'Isere. We have done this a couple of times and enjoyed (despite slightly tired rooms). It is a few hundred yards from the slopes, but this is easily resolved by renting from the Interski place at the Front de Neige - they provide a free ski deposit right there, so no need to carry skis (ski deposit is down the in the shop next door to the rental office).
Generally, if you go with Esprit, do not rent skis through them - you can cut the cost at least in half by renting in advance on the internet. The most consistently cheap one we have found is Skimium (which is a decathlon subsidiary - get a Decathlon loyalty card and increase the discount) - but shop around for the best deal. Even with the free kids ski deals, Esprit are more expensive...
Similarly do not get lift passes through Esprit - it always works out cheaper to do it yourself, either online or just rock up at the ticket office. No heavy exchange rate hits or credit card fees that they charge on the bus.
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I agree completely about ski hire (ESP as ne and hubby hate our own boots) we saved £150 on Esprit hire prices. The staff were happy to point out our (and others) ski hire shops in 1850 main while the bus went through as well. rg1, I did do lift passes through them as online prices I found worked out the same? Which website do you use?
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You know it makes sense.
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we and hubby hate our own boots
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how sad.
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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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| pam w wrote: |
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we and hubby hate our own boots
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how sad. |
D'oh - what a typo.... I actually hate the auto correct on the ipod. That should read HAVE our own boots - the significance being that although they offer free ski / boot hire for children you have to pay to hire both to get it. So as a deal is even worse if the adults don't need to hire boots.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Re carrying skis , most resorts (not just Val d' Isere)have a hire shop near the lifts (probably all resorts). I've never found a shop (in Austria) that wont store your shoes during the day and your skis and boots with them overnight (assuming you rent from them). St Anton has a big ski deposit place next to the Galzigbahn.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Cracking typo NickyJ, or is it a freudian slip and you fancy a new pair of boots this season? Hopefully you won't have another ski-pole debacle if you get to Val D‘Isere
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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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NickyJ, We have always found that the Esprit sterling prices for lift passes are a bit higher than going direct. But the difference is not great. However, the worst mistake is buying them from the rep on the bus. Whilst the Euro price is the same, they stitch you up on the exchange rate and then sting you for a credit card fee/handling charge. Cheaper just to go to the lift office, and not a great hardship.
Worth noting that Esprit does get a group discount which it does not pass on - this year, with our large group the rep agreed to share the discount with us - which gave us 10% off (although that was then eroded somewhat by the exchange rate....). If going to Val d'Isere more than once, the loyalty card is worth getting online.
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FAQ
I've slept of my last post and now realise I was just a little too harsh on Flaine: 
I like it and am happy to tell others, if it suits there OP. I don't try and make it fit all. Maybe in 4 years this is where you meet up as halfway to get them skiing early 
