 Poster: A snowHead
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Morning all.....
Am running through possibilities for this half term. We've never been on a ski holiday before...although I can ski, and my boy is getting there with the help of the indoor slopes. Budget, yes....but realistically speaking I need to have the stress element removed ie. pass, kit, lessons for him (allowing us to have a ski together at some point). Some company for me would be fab....food, meh....not too bothered. We're both veggie and usually end up with the after thought so won't worry too much. As long as my son is fed and watered. We want warm, safe and with friendly staff.
Thoughts on a postcard, or here!
Ta muchly....yours, an ever so slightly neurotic mother! 
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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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Half term may be expensive. Are you half terming the same time as most of the rest of the UK (17-21 Feb)? If you are a week later like us Welshies, it'll be cheaper. Worth checking out which countries are on winter break at the same time because this will dictate how busy some resorts are. For example, large French resorts will be chocka full of the French on their hols. Andorra may be a good option - lots of instructors speak good English, had good snow this year?
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Layne, I think that there are tons of threads on half terms. Sometimes you don't have the option when to go.
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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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dobby, Hi there, thanks for the advice. I don't particularly mind where we go...although I love France, but it's more the criteria that I mentioned that's important. Our half term is 16th Feb...so yes, very high prices. With Easter being so late this year I'd be concerned about us having decent snow...and my son having a great first experience (and me of course). I've heard about heading high up for the snow...but would still be worried, especially with it being such a huge outlay for us.
Sorry to bored people with the topic...but we all have slightly different criteria and budgets...and circumstances. Hence the new thread.
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alyefs, best of luck. Given you are leaving it late, if you don't find anything you can afford for half term, I would recommend watching the snow reports etc and if they look promising going for a last minute deal for then. In the past we did a last minute deal which coincided with Easter school holidays (before children) but I couldn't take time off before end of FY due to a project deliverables needing to be met. We went to Courchevel and had great conditions above 1850 height, the bottom runs going into 1650 were getting slushy in the afternoon and so was meribel, but we still had a lot of great skiing.
Due to cost and my eldest being 7 we have booked Les Deux Alpes for the second week of the school easter holidays and I am keeping my fingers are very firmly crossed!
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alyefs, I'm not seeing any new criteria here. The last thread ended with you saying you would definitely go with a TO and that you would check out Esprit/Club Med nearer the time. Is new thread about DIY or something else? TO's do packages, it's precisely what they do.
Easter maybe late but school holidays are not dictated by Easter. In my area schools are breaking up the first weekend in April. Plenty early enough. I've been a week later when it was unseasonably warm and we still skied the whole week.
If you want a TO deal for half term you really just need to be very flexible about where you go, fly from, etc and take the best of what's on offer.
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I would get the bags packed and hold out for the best deal you can get in the days up to departure date. Pretty sure you will get something.
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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-reading your other thread. If you look at 13th April - second week of school hols esprit have offers of £999 Les Arcs for 1 adult - 1 child, or La Rosiere for £799. The previous week there are a couple of other offers but they are obviously more money.
Looks like you can do Mark Warner to the same place I am going La Berangere, Les Deux Alpes going on the 13th April for £1382. Mark Warner have the kids clubs etc similar to Esprit.
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Apologies, should have mentioned we don't even break up til the 11th April...what about Ski Famille? Anyone know much about them...they seem to include flights in their deals. Someone told me the a club Med kids clubs aren't on site, but the Ski Famille ones are?
ansta1, That sounds like a fab idea! Might give it consideration...if I can find last minute pooch care too 
NickyJ, that's a good price! Is that all in? Transport, child care & activities, even flights? I'm guessing not flights for that price.
I think Mark Warner is extra for any clubs...and child care. Will double check. Clib Med and Ski Famille are possibly front runners. I used to work with Crystal....but such a long time ago it's likely to be incredibly different.
Again, don't mind where... We really need to fly from Liverpool or Manchester as they're the only airports we can get lifts to..
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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alyefs, no both Esprit and Mark Warner both charge extra for the kids clubs, and children's ski lessons etc. However those prices should be flights, accommodations, catered (breakfast, afternoon tea and evening meal including wine), and transfers. Didn't look at the airport, just had a quick look to see what was around.
Our school breaks up a week earlier, but we are going out on the 13th April as prices drop quite a bit going 1 week later.
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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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Check the usual suspects. Esprit, Mark Warner, Crystal, Ski Famille etc. Even at half term they have deals to clear bedrooms that only suit single parents.
And yes the prices quoted by NJ include flights and transfers. You need to add ski hire, lift pass and any tuition or childcare.
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And to last minute childcare that would worry me as I have heard reports about people getting good last minute deals with esprit but discovering no places left in childcare. Saying that I am somebody who worries and stresses over stuff with the kids, which is part the reason why I booked this April's holiday LAST January, and I have already booked for April 2015
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You know it makes sense.
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Mike-H, yes good point re the single parent situation. We don't care where we sleep! Within reason! Last minute deals might be a good idea to look out for.
Have been looking at out own fair land too...Scotland! I've always poopood the idea of going...but it seems the conditions are not half bad at all. They do packages with instruction, kit, and half board which is affordable. I've no idea how the little guy will take to the real slopes. Maybe Scotland is a possibility for a first go?!
NickyJ, thanks for the info...and pricing ideas. Plenty to go on for sure. One thing I'm certain of though....as ski holiday novices i definitely need the whole shebang!
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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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Go to Soll. Lovely village, lovely friendly kiddy ski school- 2 hours in the morning, 2 in the afternoon, then an hours ski together. My 7y.o. can't get enough of the place, cries every time he has to leave!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Humpfknick, who do you travel with? I don't mind Austria at all! I really do want some ski time with my boy...that said, an hour with mum is probably ample! Still resolve the me skiing alone all day bit. But hey, it is what it is! Suck it up Aly
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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alyefs, I'm in the lucky position that my OH lives there, so I do a lot of travelling over and back. My son is in school in Dublin, but I bring him as often as possible in the winter, and he honestly just cant get enough of the place, it's lovely- really laid back. Think most of the tour operators who do Austria will do Soll, I'm pretty sure Crystal, Thompson & Directski do anyway. I have been seriously considering setting up a business for this exact situation for a while now- thanks for this reminder, lol!! But I feel your pain- it's difficult when you're organising on your own. I can tell you it's a resort very suited to your situation. Ski school 10-12 and 1-3, so I usually go up with my son around 8.30am, do a few short runs, then a hot chocolate at the middlestation restaurant & then ski school starts at 10 right next to the restaurant. You meet them there for lunch again at 12-1, and then you have the hour from 3-4 to do another couple of runs together. You can also ski back to the village on the family run, which has a lovely restaurant halfway down. I much prefer my son spending his ski time in ski school, I find I get nervous with him on the slopes (esp in the busyness of half term), and he picks up on my nerves very quickly. (Give me anyone elses kids & I'm fine- just not my own lol!), so I find the ski school times work well for us. You could also book in for ski school if you want some company while you get to know the resort? Then later on you can have dinner in the village, and an early night. Sorted!
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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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Pm if you want. Single parent in Tignes over half term. Did all diy and cheap as chips. Diy is really very easy. Or leave it until the last second and book with a to. Our first trip was booked less than 24 hours before the flight. I came home on the. Friday night and said "kids do you fancy going skiing" We bought gear the next day and flew out. Not such a big deal. Good luck, have fun.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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alyefs, I wouldn't go for Scotland. I've not been or heavily researched it but I do know that the weather can be pretty bad and the lift system/skiing isn't as extensive as even smaller european resorts. Good for a shorter trip at short notice I would say but not for your circumstances.
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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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jellybabe, I love it!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Humpfknick, , I'm heading to Soll with my 10yo for a week on the 8th feb. Ski'd there with the lads a few years ago and liked it. I am planing the same for him, couple of early runs, school in the morning, meet up for lunch then school in the afternoon, followed by an hour or so together. Back to hotel, swim in the pool, grub then sorted. Good to hear my plans are possible.
alyefs, I'm going with a major tour op, reasonable price all in, in a really good hotel, can't beat it for the convenience IMHO. I tend to go DIY with the adults but (again in my opinion) the convenience a TO gives when travelling with kids is great, little thought needed. I also find the pool invaluable, my fella still has energy at the end of the day and I find the 1.5hrs in the pool before dinner finishes him off (also passes that awkward time from when the lifts close until dinner) then an early night ready for the morning.
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BAJJ, 100% possible, sounds like you've got is all planned just right! Also, that toboggan run is SO much fun with kids!! Bring good boots & waterproof over-trousers (or plastic bags to put your bum in!) if poss, bums get very wet!!
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alyefs, I think you'll find something with one of the family operators, esprit pretty much always have late deal one parent and one child offers for the last room in a chalet. I would make a list of such operators and get on the phone to them, might not be a full package but can easily do your own flights to Geneva (for a price!) Also look at other specialist operators which will have trips running for that week, there is a single parent travel group Mango or something I think, and then there is a Christian group (but you don't have to be) can't remember name of it that runs really good, value for money trips. I think you'll find something 
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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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Yup. It did. Lots of very good advice on that thread that is still valid.
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alyefs,
ClubMed is all on one site, kids club the lot. Never come across one where the kids club is some where else (and I've been to about 6 of them).
The price normally looks horrific BUT it includes everything (Skis, boots, ski school, lift pass, transfers, flights, food & drink). You don't need to spend one euro extra. It will also give you people to ski with!
Look a week or so before, as others has suggested. There are normally discounts
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Wow! So many really helpful comments Thankyou! Wee message for the more advance forum posters......I'm a bit of a ditz when it comes to this sort of thing...couldn't even find my last post! Apologies for not following usual process.
skitrack, I will check again....I hadn't considered lessons for anything other than well...lessons! Never occurred to me it would be a social event too. Will give that some thought!
jellybabe, are you in Tignes over half term 13th Feb onwards? A studio or apartment? I'll PM you thanks...!
sarah, Mango looks fab...although prices are even higher. Thanks for all the help!
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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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skitrack, it seems Club are only flying from London airports...and prices so far are ranging from £4k to 6k for the 2 of us. Kind of leaves out out of the running....
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You know it makes sense.
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You missed the point of waiting till the last minute..... You won't be getting peak week discounts just yet.
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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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NickyJ, thanks, brilliant! Funny reading it...it is almost the same...although at a different stage and quite a long time ago. I'm really pleased with the fresh replies here too!
Thanks again...
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Poster: A snowHead
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ansta1, gotcha.... I did miss the point! Minefield for me!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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alyefs,
Yup looks like they are pretty busy, half term week and all that ...
You can fly from Manchester but the stupid booking system keeps defaulting back to London. 
As others have said - now isn't exactly last minute.
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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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Uh huh...pretty busy. Well, I've come to conclusion if it's meant to be it's meant to be. No point in worrying. We'll keep! Ski Famille (similar to Club Med) have zero availability...not even last minute.
I've tweeted a couple if companies, they seem to think April I'll be ok. Although I've my doubts and the weather has been unseasonably warm.
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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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alyefs, look at Oak Hall, it's the one I couldn't remember the name of before. They are showing some limited availability on their trips and their prices are good too. They have been recommended on here before though I can't remember who by.
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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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They have been recommended on here before though I can't remember who by.
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Ray Zorro IIRC - and I'm sure he'd be happy to tell you more - send him a PM if you are interested.
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they seem to think April I'll be ok. Although I've my doubts and the weather has been unseasonably warm.
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April should be fine - and there will be far more last minute availability and choice. And it will be cheaper and - best of all - much less crowded. It has been unseasonably warm in much of December and January but that has little bearing on what will be happening in April.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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pam w, yes I think it could have been They look very good, it's be a great way to meet others and they seem to have these school hols family/kids weeks.
April will be good, there are good offers out already.
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sarah, thanks Sarah....I'll take a look! Yes it's equally important for me to have a nice time too. I'm not a drinker at all...not into parties or late nights etc... So a nice crowd with good kids would be great. I've looked at Outdoor a Activities too...not sure if they accommodate kids. Seems to be geared towards students and adults wanting a child free holiday. Although all inc deals seem good.
I will certainly keep an out for April with it being less busy. I'm not sure I could put so much cash into something unpredictable...will consider for sure.
pam w, thanks too....I'll give him a shout!
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I'm not sure I could put so much cash into something unpredictable..
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I understand that completely - but half term is predictably a scrum. You can afford to wait late to book in April, and reduce the unpredictability. If it turns out to be a really poor end of season - like 2011 (the only poor April for ages) you can forget the whole thing and save the money for next 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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| pam w wrote: |
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I'm not sure I could put so much cash into something unpredictable..
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I understand that completely - but half term is predictably a scrum. You can afford to wait late to book in April, and reduce the unpredictability. If it turns out to be a really poor end of season - like 2011 (the only poor April for ages) you can forget the whole thing and save the money for next time. |
You have a valid point Pam.....finances are a crucial consideration for us at the moment...but then so is experiencing some fun and enjoyment. Will definitely sit on it.
We have other complications such as the family dog with cancer. He's really good at the moment and I'd be happy for him to be look after....not sure sure how things will progress as the year goes on. We shall see
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FAQ
