 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all. Looking for some advice on where I might take my 8 year old son skiing early April in Europe. But it's not straight forward. Let me expand.
I love to ski, but my wife doesn't! She tried it and hated it, so she won't ski again. So I have two options. I go with or without her. I guess I'd rather go with her, so a resort where she can be entertained during the day.
On to my son. He has skied a few times in Scotland and loves it, but he had a bad experience with a ski school so I feel he might be reluctant to go again, so it must be a place that caters for kids, English speaking etc.
So I'm looking for a resort with good late snow where I can ski (on my own by the looks of it -  ), my wife has things to do, and a great ski school for my son to have a blast and enjoy it! Not easy to find I'm sure! All advice appreciated please. Thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Zermatt is one that comes to mind. Though we haven't been there since having children.
What would help though is what sort of things does your wife enjoy? What about the ski school experience was bad?
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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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I think she'd be quite happy with somewhere nice to relax, she's not a hugely active sort of person.
Regarding the ski school, he had a one our lesson with an elderly foreign lady who basically couldn't get down to his wave length, so for him wasn't fun. She was also very direct, I don't think she was prepared to try and cater for his needs, it was her way or no way. To me, a good instructor will have a few different ways to get a message across. Basically, I want him to go to a ski school that provides instructors that speak good English, and also make it fun for the kids.
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Is he social? As in Would he enjoy group lessons with other children his own age? My eldest loves being with other children, my youngest though is much less social in that sense.
We have been with Esprit and Mark Warner one of the reasons being that the lessons booked through them will mean the girls will be in lessons with other children they are staying in the hotel with and that they are in relatively small groups (Max 8 from memory) and it will be all in English.
Obergurgl may be of interest - certainly should be relatively snow sure later season, has some spas if Into that sort of thing, you can do a day trip to Innsbruck which is rather pleasant ad I think the have some caves you can visit. Esprit go to there which mean the lessons are going to be tailored more to children's needs.
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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 Boofont. I must say Arc 1950 has suited my family - one non-skier wife and a 6 year old in lessons. Alot of the resort is English in the Easter holidays and so my daughter had no trouble making friends and enjoying the ski school.
The accommodation is comfortable and as well as having swimming pools for your wife she can use the Spa. It is ski-in and ski-out so nice and easy to meet up for lunch. Must be good for non-skiers as 2 other families we met in similar situations and ourselves are all likely to go back again this season.
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I'm in similar situation - we go to Mayrhofen in Easter holidays.
My wife's a little different in that she will do the occasional run on the nice flat slopes on the Ahorn but that's about it.
Kids (mine are 11 and 7 this year) get dropped at the ski school at the Penken cable car in the morning (you can drop at the bottom lift if you want) and they'll look after them through lunch and you don't have to see them again until 3pm if you don't want to!
There's stuff to do in the town , railway to nearby towns - you could probably do a trip to Innsbruck if you wanted.
Some gentle walking if that's your thing.
Lots of reasonably priced accommodation.
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Looks like you have plenty of good suggestions already. Zermatt is the place we know best. We've gone for over 20 years at the end of March or beginning of April and never not had good snow. All of our children learned to ski there, though it is often said not to be child/beginner friendly, we have never found it so. One bonus in a place where costs are admittedly high in many areas is that children 9 and under ski for free, so that includes your son! Also, first week in April next year coincides with Zermatt unplugged, which is a week long music festival that takes place in venues across the resort and on the mountains, which is always a fun week to be there. Many of the mountain restaurants are easily accessible to pedestrians, there are numerous pools and spas in town, a museum, cinema and so on.
There are a number of ski schools, all of which are pretty good, but from what you say I suspect Summit might fit the bill well for your son.
Good luck!
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@Boofont, take a look at Serfaus which is regularly the winner of the award for best Alpine resort for children and families. I'm not sure it appears in UK tour operators's brochures though, it features strongly in brochures here in mainland Europe.
https://www.serfaus-fiss-ladis.at/en
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@Samerberg Sue, +1
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| Samerberg Sue wrote: |
@Boofont, take a look at Serfaus which is regularly the winner of the award for best Alpine resort for children and families. I'm not sure it appears in UK tour operators's brochures though, it features strongly in brochures here in mainland Europe.
https://www.serfaus-fiss-ladis.at/en |
+1
My girlfriend & I have booked to go on 19 March for a week with my brother and his family.
My nephew is 7 years old and the quality of the ski school, the variety of terrain, and snow record swung it for us.
We're staying in Hotel Lasinga which is ski-in, ski-out
http://www.lasinga.at/en/index.php
1250 euros per person for 7 nights accommodation, breakfast, afternoon tea and 5-course dinner PLUS 6-day full area lift pass.
That represented very good value for money in my eyes. Especially at Easter.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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We used to go to Serre Chevalier at this time when the kids were young. The snow is pretty reliable at this time though late afternoon it is getting soft in most areas. There are several alternative children's skis schools, New Generation being popular and British run. There is quite a bit for the non skier including hot spring/spa at Monetier and the old town of Briancon is an attractive place to visit. Pretty reasonably priced too.
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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 suspect the Esprit (or similar) holidays would be a great thing for an only child, and would give you a lot more free time to ski.
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You know it makes sense.
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+1 for Zermatt.
Snowsure, great skiing, very pretty village with lots to do for non-skiers, the Matterhorn, and easily accessible for your wife to meet you on the mountain by train, funicular or bubble lift for lunch at some of the best restaurants in the Alps. The Zermatt ski school was great for my 5 year old daughter, with lots of magic carpets and the train to do all the uplifts, so no drag lift or chairlift traumas. As the nursery slopes are high you don't get the crummy snow in nursery slopes that lower resorts will suffer with that time of year.
My wife skis a little bit, but just for the odd hour or so and not every day, and so I was skiing by myself a lot. The links have much improved over recent years so it is easy to pop over to Italy in the morning and be back the other side of Zermatt for a tea and a cake with my wife while we waited for the ski school to wrap up for the day.
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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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Great responses, thanks. Anyone had any experience of Megeve, notably Simon Butler?
Just looking at dates again, it might be possible to do something around mid Feb, but that would be doing the hideous crime of taking my son out of school for a few days (he is off from Thursday 11th Feb until Mon 15th).
It doesn't help that I work overseas for 4 weeks at a time, and then have 4 weeks off, so trying to line everything up is really difficult.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Tue 6-10-15 21:12; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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Nice resort, Megeve, but not great for late snow.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Serfaus - great for kids and one of the best ski areas for adults in the region as well. Tons of easy off-piste and fantastic lift system. Somewhere we choose to ski when we aren't hauling cameras around!
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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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Megeve won't have guaranteed snow in April, it is pretty low down, although the neighbouring Les Contamines should be better. For the non-skiers though it has a pretty village centre but it is fairly small and so maybe more limited IMO.
If the snow is good though, the domain is extensive and I like it a lot.
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Zermatt. Great village, your wife can do some sightseeing while you ski - local cemetery is very interesting and worth a visit. Nice shops, restaurants, bars, spas and cinemas, generally pleasant village to walk around with a river next to it. We went couple times during Zermatt Unplugged and atmosphere in town was great. Guaranteed snow too - we skied there one season in the middle of April when places like Morzine had no snow left worth of putting boots on before March ended - slash with bare patches and grass sticking out; plus Zermatt has many slopes to ski with different aspects and plenty easy slopes higher up won't be badly affected by spring weather. Can't comment on ski schools but there are a few in town and I am sure you can find a suitable one for your son. But if you decide to go, book early, because Zermatt Unplugged draws people.
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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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| Gaza wrote: |
My wife is not interested in a skiing. Like yours, she tried it while at school and again as an adult and hated it. She doesn't 'do cold' so there is little point in her coming to a ski resort and being miserable while trying to fill the day. The final straw is that she is a teacher so she could only go at school holidays so our costs would increase substantially. In the end it has been relatively easy decision; my son and I go without her.
My son had never had an issue with a ski school but we made the decision to go with Esprit as I wanted him to be able to ski and socialise with kids his own age. It was absolutely the right decision as he is as happy as a pig in 5hit while there. The Esprit staff are brilliant. |
Thanks Gaza,
Just read both your reports, very informative, thank you very much. I had considered just me and my son going, I think it could work but I wondered if I would feel sort of left out and on my own - lack of adult company etc. But it seems that if I were to go with Esprit I might make some friends over evening meal. I looked at the Esprit website but I have to say it isn't the easiest to try and work out availability etc, bit clunky I think. Did you call them up to book then?
So did you take your son out of school then? I did wonder about doing this as he's still young but it seems such a taboo these days, but the bottom line is I don't actually get holidays, I have to fit it in around my time off from work (Think I said before, I work 4 weeks away then have 4 weeks off), so often (as is the case now) I miss most of his school holidays. If you did take your son out of school, were the ski schools still full of kids? For example, on the Esprit holidays etc.
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@Boofont, Mid February isn't a good time for France. French school hols. If you have to go then Austria might be better - plenty of advice available here.
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| pam w wrote: |
| @Boofont, Mid February isn't a good time for France. French school hols. If you have to go then Austria might be better - plenty of advice available here. |
Good advice, thanks. I notice that the schools are zoned, and pretty much all of Feb and in to March there is always at least one zone, sometimes two, off. That's from 6th Feb through to the 9th Mar in fact.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Boofont, I have take. My eldest out of school a couple of (when she was 4 and 6) there were still a lot of children going BUT that was before they changed the rules and I was able to do so with the permission of the school.
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| Boofont wrote: |
| I had considered just me and my son going, I think it could work but I wondered if I would feel sort of left out and on my own - lack of adult company etc. But it seems that if I were to go with Esprit I might make some friends over evening meal. |
My son is quite sociable and on both occasions has hooked up with other kids quite quickly. That then then leads on to me speaking to the parents and starting to socialise with them.
| Boofont wrote: |
| I looked at the Esprit website but I have to say it isn't the easiest to try and work out availability etc, bit clunky I think. Did you call them up to book then? |
Yes, you have to call them. I have heard that they are introducing online but I suspect that as their product is quite specialist the human touch is the best way to go.
| Boofont wrote: |
| So did you take your son out of school then? I did wonder about doing this as he's still young but it seems such a taboo these days, but the bottom line is I don't actually get holidays, I have to fit it in around my time off from work (Think I said before, I work 4 weeks away then have 4 weeks off), so often (as is the case now) I miss most of his school holidays. If you did take your son out of school, were the ski schools still full of kids? For example, on the Esprit holidays etc. |
I did. In Scotland we don't have the draconian approach to taking kids out that England does. Last year, on the advice of my wife, I timed it for the week before half-term. Next year we are going the week before Easter. She says that generally schools will slow down the week before a holiday so he won't miss much. I'm fortunate in that my son is very bright so missing a week doesn't harm his education.
On both occasions the hotels were full and the class were near the Esprit maximum ( 8 ).
Next year my son will be old enough ( 8 ) to go to the Esprit Cocoa Club Xtra. This gives them additional evening entertainment out of the hotel such as 10 pin bowling.
Personally I would not consider going on my own with Oscar on a non-specialist tour operator holiday. It wouldn't' be fair on him if there were no other kids in the hotel/chalet or the few that were there were in their own groups. The Esprit model is brilliant. The kids are encouraged to socialise (not that they need much encouragement) as happy kids generally means happy parents. Esprit have a very high loyalty rate with families going back year after year. They must do something right.
My next issue will be in winter 16/17. Oscar will be beyond even the Esprit Advanced class so I'll have to look for another ski school that will offer a higher level of instruction and/or race training.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Boofont, the French school holidays are definitely busy on the slopes, and as someone without kids, I avoid them. But there is an advantage, which is that the French resorts put on quite a lot of entertainment in the afternoons/early evenings specifically for kids, which can be quite nice.
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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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People often ask for ski school recommendations which always strikes me as slightly odd and the is always a bigger variance between instructors in the same school as there is between different ski schools imho.
I think group lessons are great for kids just because it's sociable and they make friends. Making sure they enjoy it is far more important than how well their skiing is progressing.
Couples with a non skier is always difficult late season as the higher resorts tend to be more purpose built with less to do for non skiers.
Have you thought of North America? Great, late snow, English speaking instruction and superb customer service. Lots to do for non skiers in the bigger resorts.
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@cameronphillips2000, one difference between ski schools is size of group which is one aspect making it worth asking for recommendations
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You know it makes sense.
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OK everyone, starting to make some kind of way forward on this one, thanks ever so much for all your help! So, here's where I'm at and my thinking, so any thoughts or help etc on this would be appreciated!
After hearing from Gaza, and speaking with the long haired general in base camp, travelling with just my son is way to go, and the deal with Esprit sounds like a good idea. I'm sure my son will make friends, and I'm pretty laid back so I'm sure I can make friends too. So I think I'm going to look at Esprit, hopefully over the Easter holidays, and I guess it will be France in a fairly high resort to try and get good snow.
So, have any of you been with Esprit to France before? Val is looking like a good option, maybe Meribel, or Alpe d'Huez? just trying to narrow done which one.
Cheers!
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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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I have been with Esprit to Belle Plagne and St Anton in mid April. We are booked with them to Gressoney first week in April for this season.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Boofont, I think you are doing the right thing. It will probably be tough for your wife to see you both go but we Skyped most nights we were away so that helped. If you go with Esprit I'd stick to the bigger Chalet Hotels as there will be more kids. I've only been to Val d'Isere and Belle Plagne and you know what I think of those so I can't help.
The Esprit website has "Sold Out" banners across a few of the hotels but gives deals lower down. No idea what could be going on there.
We are in VdI from 20th March.
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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 also went to their place in Courchevel very early season, however have visited that resort Easter time before. That place is truly ski in ski out.
They do a specials prices in certain places for solo adult travellers (as normally child discount prices are only normally obtained of travelling with two adults).
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I think Val is at the top of the list at the mo. It has to be first week of April really, shame Gaza as it sounds like we're both in the same boat!
Thanks NickyJ, I'm tempted with the 3 Valley's, I skied there a few times in the late 90's, be good to go there again!
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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 went with the grandparents a few times when the children were in a pram, so we could ski whilst the grandparents enjoyed "non-ski" activities, which included babysitting, shopping etc.  . We loved their company in the evenings and it did add a different dimension to our ski holidays, so I can understand the drive to have your non-skiing wife share your ski holiday (and your son's ski stories in the evening). I'm afraid to say that Switzerland rather ticks every box for non-skiers but with the current exchange rate it is not a great choice. Zermatt was top of the list - watching curling on the ice rink, cute tea and cake shops, trips up the cable cars (really expensive though  ), cobbled streets (no cars), great hotels with pools, the list goes on so I wholly endorse what others have said on this thread above. Saas Fee was also popular for being a chocolate box place with ice cave (and great for a late season trip). Cortina (Italy) was a hit - great shopping and a day trip to Venice (but not high enough for Easter). Kitzbuhel (Austria) would be great for half term but not Easter. Lech was given the thumbs up (expensive -but may be high enough for an Easter trip - we only went in January so not sure on that score). In conclusion (in my humble view), most high snow sure European ski resorts do not cater for the discerning non-skier although the most boring will be livened up for an adult non-skier without a pram (!) by restaurants that walkers can access either by road or gondola for a nice lunch, and accommodation with pool and spa.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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This is turning in to a mare! I was sort of set on Val, but perhaps a but put-off by the reviews of the Chalet Hotel Ducs de Savoie. So been looking at other Esprit options. This doesn't make things easy, lol!
Anyone used the Chalet Hotel Alba in Meribel? Early April, if I recall Meribel is quite low, will the snow be OK at that level?
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When we stayed Courchevel in April Meribel was very slushy the skiing was much nice on Courchevel side.
Esprit places tend to be a little tired round the edges from an accommodation POV but they have a great family feel and are comfortable fit makes sense.
There place in Val d'Isere is definitely on my list to go to and reviews from people on here certainly haven't put me off. The location of the Crystal 2000 (their place in Courchevel) is above 1850 so if you want to go into 1850 then you need to ski down or take the bus. They also have shuttle buses which they use for taking kids to ski lessons etc which they sometimes offer you lifts (up and down) if you catch them at the right time. The result of this mean you literally ski right out the back of the hotel (and into it).
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@NickyJ, thanks. I'm going to look at the offers they have for solo parents as to be honest it just doesn't make sense to take my wife as a none skier. It's a shame as I think I will miss the adult company a bit but I'm sure I'll meet others. But with just my son and I going it limits the options available as per the list you kindly linked to.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Boofont, we met several "single" parents where only one can or wants to ski in all their places. The way they run it means you get good social company on evenings and our child can go to cocoa club with their friends and to bed when they want (the staff will come and get you from dinner if your child wants to go up to bed.). There is "baby listening" service on all the floors so you know that they are looked after.
I have met a few nice snowheads at each of our esprit holidays as well.
I am wondering why you are focusing on France? Another I would suggest looking at is Obergurgl nice and high very short transfer from Innsbruck...
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I would give them a call and get some prices TBH there website is ether difficult to do that and doesn't show their availability. Good luck!
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