 Poster: A snowHead
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For the last 20 years I’ve had the luxury of avoiding skiing during school holidays. Now for the first time (2017) I’ll be taking my son with me for his first trip.
He’ll be 6 next year so I’ve decided that Esprit probably suits my needs best, as long as I don’t get too stung for a single supplement. Easter 2017 is somewhat late next year, so I’d naturally head for altitude.
Looking at the Esprit website, it looks like Les Arcs 2000, Belle Plange, Tignes\Val d’ are the viable options in France and Obergurgl in Austria.
So just how nuts is it during the Easter weeks?
Cheers
Rich
PS - I've read all the threads about taking my son out of school, but my wife is a teacher and I've lost that argument countless times
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 18-01-16 21:26; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Easter is one of the best times to go skiing in the Alps.
Good weather and good snow. Crowds are fine.
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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 guess it depends where you go but in terms of French skiing Easter is low season, accommodation prices are cheap. Conditions vary a good deal with south facing slopes suffering in sun, even at highish altitudes. But thawing first after an overnight freeze. A resort with slopes offering a mix of aspects is good. For a late Easter you need skiing at high altitude too, if possible.
So if you drive and rent accommodation locally Easter can be a cheap holiday, and not too busy.
If you go with British tour operators though then yes, it'll be expensive and resorts with lots of Brits are likely to be busier. Nothing like as bad as new year or half term though.
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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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Obergurgl is pretty quiet at Easter, no problem at all.
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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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I typically do DIY, but given that this will be his first trip, I think Esprit ticks all the boxes and should increase the chances of him loving it and also me getting a semi-decent holiday too. I’ll be leaving my wife and younger daughter at home, so with the overall approach to childcare from esprit it should make life a little easier on me too. Between AM lessons and the supervised lunch, this probably gives me the most time to ski and then spend the afternoons with him either playing in the snow or taking him skiing myself.
I've never skied in Austria, so Obergurgul is tempting but I'm more familliar with the French Alps.
Rich
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@RichClark, we have done Esprit during Easter school holidays to St Anton and Belle Plagne (and Les Deux Alpes with Mark Warner) and the resorts haven't been too busy at all, one the contrary very quiet and getting the feeling the resorts are getting ready to switch over to mountain biking
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Interesting! Don't want to hijack the thread, but I've just realised that the times I have free later on this season also happen to be Easter. Was half thinking about just putting up with one or two queues and then disappearing off piste / ski touring type thing but now I'm tempted into sticking with the normal resorts and normal skiing.
Haven't done an Easter for years - last one was at Zell am Zee, so not much snow left and the queues for the glacier skiing at kaprun were a bit daft. That was about 2002 or 2003 though.
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In our area (Bucks) the schools are breaking up on March 31st, which is only one week later than this year and two weeks before the actual Easter weekend. Do you know when your son will be breaking up? Not that it should make a massive difference. We've been out to Paradiski around the 9th/10th April when it was very warm and indeed this Christmas just gone with a lack of snow and warm temps, and they always do a great job of maintaining the links to and from the Vanoise Express and the upper slopes. So there is always an adequate supply of skiing to be had. And if you are more fortunate with the snow and temps it can be great with the extra daylight.
In short it isn't nuts and I am sure you will have a great 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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@Layne, My area (Brighton and Hove) don't break up until 7th April, so I guess based on a Sunday transfer, we'd depart on the 9th.
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Interesting! Don't want to hijack the thread, but I've just realised that the times I have free later on this season also happen to be Easter. Was half thinking about just putting up with one or two queues and then disappearing off piste / ski touring type thing but now I'm tempted into sticking with the normal resorts and normal skiing.
Haven't done an Easter for years - last one was at Zell am Zee, so not much snow left and the queues for the glacier skiing at kaprun were a bit daft. That was about 2002 or 2003 though.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I have done Easter almost every year for the last 20 years and it has generally been very good. This year with the Easter holidays being ealy - Good Friday is March 25th and I will head out on the 24th to Les Arcs for 10 days.
@RichClark, I have been skiing in Arc 2000 the last weekend in April and done May day in Tignes in good conditions.
Be careful the sun is fierce. Take at least factor 50 sun block
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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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@RichClark,
Easter skiing is fab - we stayed at Chalet Charline (Esprit) in Tignes in April 2014. 6 bluebird days and ended the week with a fierce blizzard on our last day. We had our Easter Sunday lunch in Les Brevieres, sat outside and didn't have to book. As others have said there is nothing more enjoyable than skiing in warm sunshine under blue skies (if that's the weather you'll get). Your 6 year old will also appreciate it more and thank you for it.
Personally I would go for one of their chalets in Tignes (the Charline is a good choice) - plenty of North facing slopes and high altitude skiing.
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Easter is generally excellent. We've done DIY and TO trips (shopping about) and costs are relatively low. Lots of areas offer free kids lift passes when an adults has been bought.
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You know it makes sense.
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Esprit don't seem to do cheap compared to DIY, but it does look like good value and worth every penny to hopefully give my son the best possible experience (within reason)
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Mon 18-01-16 21:57; edited 2 times in total
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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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Easter is fantastic - we always do a DIY trip to Val Thorens and have always done it at a great price, no queues and you'll probably come back with a tan!!.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I've been to VT on three successive Easters, and then about 12 years later went again for the EoSB which was some time after Easter - always plenty of snow to ski and board on, some lovely sunny days and occasional blizzards. Love it, even if the resort does lack charm.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@tomj, VT has often been an end of season trip for me. I'm less concerned about the snow and piste conditions at that time of year and more about how rammed it would be due to school holidays.
By the sounds of it, I have little to worry about.
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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.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Been to Les Arcs at Easter most years for last 12 years. It's great time to ski
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We've skied at Easter the last couple of years due to school commitments and on the whole it was good. (Alp d'huez and Les Deux Alpes)
Pros
Cheaper and less busy than half term and Xmas.
Weather generally good - more chance of sun and blue skies
Longer hours of daylight
Conditions can still be very good - particularly at high altitude and between 10am - 1pm.
Children (and many adults) will generally be happier with warm sunshine and slightly slushy snow rather than perfect powder and bitter cold!
Esprit are a great choice if going with children.
Cons
Can be icy in morning and slushy in afternoon.
Lower runs often closed, so generally can't ski back to door.
Walking to and from accomodation carrying skis and wearing ski gear can be uncomfortably hot!
(I'd recommend taking a thin waterproof jacket in addition to your normal ski jacket for days when its really warm.)
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Best time of the year to ski. Just go for somewhere with lots of north facing slopes. South facing become slush very early.
Easter is very early this year too so should be good conditions.
Take lots of sunscreen a clean undergarments. They will be very hot and sweaty by the end of the day
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@RichClark, Great choice of time of year and Esprit.
Ideal for kids that age- he'll have a blast.
Not too cold etc, less busy, less expensive.
We always try and go at Easter (as well as Feb).
All those places will be good. Obergurgul very good value. Esprit places there are very large Chalets rather than Chalet Hotels (or they were when we went).
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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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| RichClark wrote: |
| @Layne, My area (Brighton and Hove) don't break up until 7th April, so I guess based on a Sunday transfer, we'd depart on the 9th. |
They break up AFTER Easter?
BTW did anyone see the news about a possible Anglican agreement about fixing Easter in mid-April? So much for good snow then 
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@Orange200,
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BTW did anyone see the news about a possible Anglican agreement about fixing Easter in mid-April? So much for good snow then
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I wonder what proportion of committed practicing Anglicans ski or board? Those who do will hopefully lobby for a mid March fixed Easter...just after mainland Europe winter holiday break season has ended! Moving Easter around the phases of the moon has always seemed strange to me.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Went to La Plagne last Easter and Avoriaz the year before. Both were great ski trips and nowhere near as busy as the Feb half term week.
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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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@Orange200, I'm discussing Easter 2017...
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 you actually had me checking my own hols for this year, as I'd already booked everything for March... Don't panic Mr Mainwaring, don't panic...
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Thanks @Gaza, for the info on single single supplements and I'll certainly look your trip reports. Out of interest, does anyone know what the typical single supp is with Esprit if I opt for another resort.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@RichClark, last year when we were in Belle Plagne the base price was £959. The under occupancy supplement was £319. When I looked at it again for this season it seemed to be much higher. The Esprit website is very opaque so the only way to find out is to call them. Even then I find that you often get a different answer depending on who you speak to.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Gaza, Great info and great trip reviews! You've cemented my view that Esprit is the way to go. I'll look at some TripAdvisor reviews for the other locations, but you've made a compelling case for Ducs, especially given the ~£300 single sup. My only reservation is the 15 min hike in boots, that’s seems a bit excessive for me, let alone my son.
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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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a shout out for family friendly skiing in La Tania, as another option. Took my kids there for many a year and handy gondola to get them higher up the mountain for a play in the snow if none low down (which never happened even skiing in April!)
http://www.familyfriendlyskiing.com/
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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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15 minute hike in ski boots? Ouch. If doing that with a small child I'd carry boots and walk in walking boots which could be transferred into a back pack. but surely shone mishtake?
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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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| Quote: |
I wonder what proportion of committed practicing Anglicans ski or board? Those who do will hopefully lobby for a mid March fixed Easter...just after mainland Europe winter holiday break season has ended! Moving Easter around the phases of the moon has always seemed strange to me.
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I thought the discussion was between the Orthodox, Catholic and Anglian churches, partly to have them celebrating on the same Sunday. As to moving Easter around with the phases of the moon - well it is religion we are talking about and religion is strange.
Like@Orange200, I hadn't realised that the OP was talking about an event over a year away. I am only just getting around to planning this Easter's trip having been granted the rest of Easter week off work yesterday. Sorry for any confusion.
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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, perhaps it wasn't 15 mins but having just looked at Google Maps it shows it as being a 600m walk taking 7 mins. Add kids in ski boots to the mix and it would be 10+ mins. I was a little surprised by this on the first day. The kids seemed to walk quite happily and the Esprit staff kept they singing. They did the same walk on the way back. There was a minibus that took the younger ones and all the skis. I did the walk on the first couple of days but then discovered the bus stop almost outside the hotel door so used that to get to and from the slopes.
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@RichClark, if you've got a rucksack that you can strap your and your kids skis to that makes it easier to do any walking around, keeps hands free to hold him, your and his poles etc etc.
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@kitenski, That takes me back to when my son was young. Trecking up the hill in Val Thorens exhausted son on my shoulders (still with skis on) my skis in one hand poles in the other.
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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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another alternative is Mountain Sun in Tignes not child centred- but very child friendly and lots of kids at holiday times and a hot tub and great staff and a great dog.
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@RichClark, I was emailed yesterday by Esprit offering a cheap deal in Easter holidays for 1 adult 1 child. I know you are looking at next season but if you were considering taking a chance and booking a late deal (you can see what they are staring to offer for this season)
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FAQ
