 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all snow heads
Myself and my 7 year old are looking into our first skiing trip for this time next year.
Bored of the standard summer holiday to Spain and alike and we fancy something a bit more exciting and different.
Can any one recommend the best place for 2 beginners to go for the whole deal.
Not realy interested in clubbing (got a 7 year old so no need)
Was looking at bulgaria as the cost of everything is cheaper.
But what are the ski schools like?
I know it's so many questions but if you don't ask you don't get
Tia
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Welcome to Snowheads, @stewpot101 
Will you be doing your trip in school holidays? If so, "this time of year" might not be the best.
What's your budget? You'll get loads of good (and often conflicting!) advice here. There's not a huge enthusiasm for Bulgaria, it has to be said.....though I think the ski schools are OK.
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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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Welcome.
If you are travelling as a single parent with one child you may want to book late and grab a bargain. For example Esprit Ski were offering-
La Rosiere. 07/02/2016 - Birmingham 1 Adults & 1 child (2-11 inc) any available room for £999
In a catered chalet with flights and transfers I think that's a cracking deal. Plus Esprit will help get your 7 year old to lessons etc.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I've never been to Bulgaria skiing but from what I heard from people who have been.
1st Timers thought it was great and would go again (Either to Bulgaria or just skiing in general).
Non 1st Timers that had been to either France, Austria, Italy, Andorra, Switzerland etc before said it was cheap for a reason and wouldn't go back.
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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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Obviously to keep costs down it won't be during half term.
Would like to get a week with flights ect for arround £1000 - £1200 as this is what we would spend on a summer holiday.
Just getting some ideas at the moment
Would it be better to book a package or separate.
Thanks for your help
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Try Kirchdorf , the ski school is very good but the skiing is very limited should be ok for beginners as there is no hassle with people skiing through groups as in large resorts . Crystal do a package but many find it easy to sort themselves out. You just need to keep an eye on snow conditions
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Hi Stew, I'm a single parent too. I highly recommend going for a package holiday for your first trip, to take the stress out while you figure out the ropes of skiing etc. Also, you'll meet other people if you stay in a catered chalet. Much better than sitting in a hotel room all evening! You can save money by avoiding the larger, more popular resorts.
My daughter and I got a 'single parent' deal with Esprit last year and can't praise them enough. All we had to do was turn up at the airport! She loved ski school, and every evening the kids go to kids club so you can have adult dinner with all the other grown-ups and far too much free wine...
As mentioned above La Rosiere with esprit looks good, I nearly booked it myself for this year.
There's probably other companies that do similar, but I haven't seen much for singles.
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The next step up from Bulgaria is Andorra, we've done it on a late booking all incl' for 600 quid each. That incl' lift passes, ski gear and ski school. Seriously good tuition and great slopes for learning on. That was last week in March, 2 or 3 yrs ago.
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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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Santa caterina in italy, Hotel san mateo... Fairly quiet resort.. We thought it was good for our 7 year old... Went twice !!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I would second the idea for staying in a chalet. Much easier way to be able to socialise so you can enjoy your evening more when your little one is in bed.
Generally speaking, you can get to know the chalet staff a little better than you might in a hotel. I even told the chalet staff where my insurance documents etc could be found, so that in the unlikely event of me having an accident, they would help (paranoid maybe, but that was my first trip with the kids).
Wherever you do choose, I bet you'll have a blast and be forever more broke!
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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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Duplicated post
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Definitely recommend Slovenian resorts.....cheapish, great schools, English widely spoken and very friendly. That said, resorts are limited for terrain. But as beginners, this shouldn't be an issue.
Alpe D'huez perhaps?? Best and easiest selection of beginners slopes ive ever seen. As far as im aware, the lifts for beginners area is free.
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You know it makes sense.
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My experience with my seven year old is you are off the slopes by 4.30, bit of a rest and prepare pasta for dinner, bath, then in bed by 7.30 and snoring by 8. Our two girls enjoy their own company and almost never had time or energy for socialising. The adults were then also asleep by 10.30 and all up and fresh the next morning.
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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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@Homey, +1 On our first family holiday a single dad and daughter took the last room in our chalet on a late deal. Once the kids retire or chill with books/games the adults relax at dinner table. It's very sociable and the dad joined us for skiing a couple of times. We all met at the bar in the afternoon before heading back for afternoon tea/dinner. Unless you prefer your own company of course in which case a hotel or an apartment would suit.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks for all the advice.
Definitely going to look into a chalet.
Just for the adult conversation.
We have, for the last 5 years, stayed in hotels and the occasional caravan.
Even though I love my daughters company some times its nice to have a conversation not about my little pony or spongebob lol
Narrowing down the field, mainly on cost,
I'm going to look at Bulgaria, Slovakia or andora.
Going at the end of February beginning March next year.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@stewpot101, just be aware that if you are going outside of the main school holidays, children are often not allowed in chalets (they are in very short supply in the resorts you're now looking at, in any case) - hotels are OK to accept children on those dates; chalet-hotels often are too.
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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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@stewpot101, I'd echo @CAPTA1N P's recommendation and suggest Andorra - and in particular Soldeu which is in the Grandvalira ski area. It's set up perfectly for the first ski trip..
- great ski school with loads of British ski instructors so no language barriers
- large amount of easy blues, so you'll be able to ski a lot of the mountain after your first few days
- extensive snow cannons so pretty snow sure even in a bad year
- fantastic slope grooming, so nicely conditioned pistes - perfect for the beginner
- very good value for money, very easy to pick up a cheap package deal (we did flights, transfers, hotel, ski hire, lift pass, and lessons for £600)
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Soldeu or El Tarter in Andorra has the best ski school for kids in my opinion. the ski school instructors / entertainers there are top class.
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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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@stewpot101,
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Narrowing down the field, mainly on cost,
I'm going to look at Bulgaria, Slovakia or andora.
Going at the end of February beginning March next year
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I'd recommend late booking to France, Austria or Italy instead. You would know snow conditions. You could get child-friendly operator, eg Esprit. Should be available within your budget, at that time of the season. All round better than Eastern Europe I think, although Andorra can be good, if snow conditions right, and instruction is very good. I have seen reports that Andorra is no longer significantly cheaper than many Alps resorts.
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FAQ
Tried Bulgaria and Romania as a 1st few trips. Ski school was ok but healthcare was limited and mainly second hand. We shared ski school with kids which was not ideal, especially when they progressed quicker than their parents 
