 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
We are now tied to school holidays, and looking at going skiing either for Xmas week (starting 21 or 22 Dec) or New Year's week (starting 28 or 29 Dec). We have not been to Austria in a while, so would appreciate some advice:
* budget is pretty tight this year (we've got some big Southern Hemisphere trips coming up next year - including New Zealand which is a killer). We don't really want to be paying £3k for a week and don't mind self-catering so may rent an apartment. "Kinderhotels" seem very nice but price is such that it will take us waaay over budget.
* most important is childcare.
- I really have no idea about what childcare is available in Austria. The girls will be 4.5y and 22 months.
- The elder did a week's Esprit "Spritelets" in April, and has been asking to go again (a number of times - so she must have liked it... RESULT!!!)
- the younger obv too young to ski; are there generally creches, etc available? Are there any private nannies? Nannies or childcare in hotels/chalets that would let you join, even if you're not staying?
* obviously reasonably snow-sure. Somewhere like Mayrhofen obv. has Hintertux nearby; how snow sure are places liek Zell am See, Maria Alm, etc. at that time of year?
* wife is a cautious 2 week skier; I am a good boarder, and also a (slightly less cautious...) 1.5 week skier. For this, as a family trip, I will probably take ski lessons to spend time with the OH (provided we can arrange appropriate childcare).
Any tips welcome.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Is Esprit out of the question as I'm pretty sure they will go to Austria 
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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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Esprit do go to Austria (St Anton or Obergurgl) but with it being Christmas/New Year, not too sure if it would be within budget for the OP...
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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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Hi boardiac, as your eldest will only be 4.5 I don't believe you need to tie yourselves to school holiday for this year as legally she doesn't need to be In school until she is 5?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Have a good look at Kappl. Great kids area mid mountain for your youngest and is in the centre of all the main ski runs, so dead easy for you to check in. Gasthof Alpenfrieden was great when we stayed and right beside piste. Very good value too.
Was in Zell at half term there and queues were horrendous. Have been in kappl at NY and queues were absolutely fine. Ischgl just up the road. Couple of very family friendly après places too. Innsbruck only an hour away.
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Zell am See is a gamble at Christmas, I have been there for Christmas about 10 years ago and the runs to the village had no snow.
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Would it not be worth trying to persuade a relative to go with you to provide child care?
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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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Serfaus is very child friendly, excellent mid mountain kids area and snowsure. At least one Kinderhotel there but v pricey. There is a creche associated with the ski school which is open to all. Not the cheapest Austrian resort but we did Diy there and was doable. Linked resort of Fiss may be slightly cheaper.
The skiing domain is excellent and pretty varied. Do a search as a few  have been. My kids loved it and definitely keen to go back.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Another poster in here booked a good deal for halfterm from these guys
http://ski.sunweb.co.uk/
When I looked some if the hotels listed had kids clubs in the hotels.
I have never used them myself.
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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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Wot she said....
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| Quote: |
Zell am See is a gamble at Christmas, I have been there for Christmas about 10 years ago and the runs to the village had no snow.
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Mahooooooooosive generalisation... but thanks for the input!
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
Hi boardiac, as your eldest will only be 4.5 I don't believe you need to tie yourselves to school holiday for this year as legally she doesn't need to be In school until she is 5?
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Our school is apparently going to be a bit strict about this... may have to have a little word about pre-5 year old. All the grannies and grandpas are now in foreign lands unfortunately (hence the NZ trip next year).
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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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I'm taking the family to Serfaus area over Xmas (have DIY'd it) and the ski schools/creche look excellent. It seems that Austrian ski schools typically do 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon, with supervision over lunch.
Think you'll struggle to organised accommodation over the Xmas/New Year period. There was very little availability when I booked about a month ago, though you should more readily find something in the valley (Reid/Prutz). Great ski area, well worth looking at.
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