 Poster: A snowHead
|
I would like to take my four year old son skiing for the first time. I've only been twice but have fallen in love with it. I'll be taking him on my own so it will just be the two of us. I'd like him to have ski lessons in the morning with an English speaking instructor and then for us to have some quality time in the afternoon by sledging or playing in a pool. That way if he really doesn't like it I'm not leaving him in a situation where he's unhappy. Are there any family friendly ski resorts that would cater for just two people i.e. a hotel rather than a chalet?
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thank you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Two portions I would suggest,
Soldeu in Andorra may suit you, a lot of instructors have English as their first language, you need to take a gondola or chair up to the ski area, but there is a very good area for kids with a magic carpet.
I think the Sport hotel or one of their options has a pool, possibly also the Poilets. You can also take a local bus into Andorra Le Vella where there is a thermal pool Caldea.
The skiing for you will be suitable, blue and easy reds in the main, and out of term time is should be quiet.
2nd option,,have a look at Esprit they have excellent kids care, lots of resorts to choose from, and do 1 adult and 1 child specials, our son loved their child care, there will be other kids to play with, kids meals are early, so you would get to eat with the other adults later giving you a bit of adult time. They do baby sitting and a listening service outside the rooms.
Go for it, only downside will be he will hopefully want to go every year and empty your pockets 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
I'd advise to look for accommodation truly ski in ski out. You don't want the hassle of a walk with ski boots, carrying both sets of skis and poles, cramming into a gondola etc. Somewhere like Avoriaz would fit the bill. Short transfer from Geneva. All accomodation is ski in ski out. It has a nice children's area, and a swimming pool in the resort. And a number of British ski schools, so you may be able to get him to group lessons.
Alternative, as I'm biased, is you could look at Sweden. Very family friendly. Easyjet fly from Gatwick to Ostersund (Åre). Avoid weeks 7 to 10 as that is half term weeks. Outsider that you'll find very well priced self-catering apartments. I'd advise to stay in Bjornen area, and sign him up to group ski school. You'll be able to look/book accomodation, lessons, ski hire etc through https://www.skistar.com/en/Are/. Although other children will likely be Swedish, the teacher will ensure your son is fine. They don't much talk anyway, and just follow the teacher. He will probably make some little ski friends. Get chatting to the other parents and maybe you can all ski together  There is a lovely pool down at the Holiday Club, but it's quite pricey.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
That's great advice. Thank you. I'd imagine Switzerland would be too pricy but is there anywhere in Austria or France (noting the Avoriaz option already mentioned)?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@Blueandred, I also suggest looking at Esprit. When they are beginners in the lesson one of the esprit staff go into the lessons with them to help them out as well. They are with other children all in the same hotel which made more fun for my girls at the same age.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
La Norma in France has the best nursery slope that I have seen - it's fantastic, and private lessons won't break the bank too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Blueandred, like @NickyJ, I suggest Esprit. Was great for both of my kids. Peace of mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Esprit do single parent ski holidays. I took my daughter on one before Christmas. It was brilliant. They really understand what young kids need.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Not sure how much skiing there will be at age 4, or if it would be mainly snow crèche. That would be the case in Andorra.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arc 1950 was really good when we had small children. Ski in ski out. In the village so no walking on an evening either.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
I'd 2nd La Norma 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Have a look over http://www.skiboundholidays.co.uk/
They cater for school trips but sell the empty rooms via that website. The hotels are child friendly as you can imagine (milkshakes and non alcoholic cocktails at the bar for example) and they would probably tag along on the more appropriate night activities (bum boarding, film nights, etc). I did work for them which I have mixed memories from but the end product was a good standard for the budget. You won't eat with the school groups but they do cater for fussy kids if yours is that way inclined.
Worth a look anyway!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second vote for Avoriaz here, taken young kids there a couple of times. You will get English speaking kids in the lessons, look at Evolution 2 and have a look at Aquariaz, it's a Centre Parks type pool with slides etc perfect for a 4 year old.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
I'd seriously consider Mark Warner - doesn't really matter where but we had good holidays in Alp d'Huez and Tignes when the kids were small. They do small hotels with crèches on site. The nannies are generally excellent and will take your children to and from ski school in the morning allowing you to ski. You can then collect them whenever suits you (before or after lunch). FWIW I think you have the right idea - ski school in the morning - play in the afternoon, possibly after crashing in front of a DVD for them to recharge a bit if necessary.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
+ 1 for Esprit. When my daughter was younger she loved it. Being an only child she enjoyed the interaction with other children. They will take the kids to and back form ski-lessons. You can then ski in the afternoon. Being in a chalet you may also find some other parents to ski with.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
We tried Mark Warner and found Esprit better from a couple of POV.
One was the staff don't go with them to help out the children in the lessons. The other was they don't offer baby listening service but they do offer snuggle club where they have little camp beds for the youngers ones to sleep on while you are eating dinner. Unfortunately these are in the same room they have DVDs playing for the older children. Our youngest was 4 when we went with them and wouldn't sleep due to the distraction and hence got over tired by morning trying to get her up in time for lessons. We found ourselves rushing to eat food as fast as possible to get the girls to bed as early as we could. Then were stuck in The room unable to socialise.
Also be warned they may invoke the surcharge clause (see another thread for details)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Norway is great try Geillo, perfect for little people and good ski schools
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
When ours were younger the "Club Hotel" setup that Crystal did were good. We used one in Alpe D'Huez which had the kids club / creche on site so the youngster had a familiar location available when he wasn't skiiing. And they walked the kids to ski school daily and back again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Hi - I'm doing exactly the same next year with my 5 year old girl...so was keeping an eye out when I went to Alpe d Huez earlier in the month. I'm going to go back with her to a little satellite resort called Auris that's linked in to the main area so I can get some hours in when she's in lessons. I spent a couple of hours over there to scope it out and it looked as it was a collection of hotels based around a small central parking area. Had a nice feel to it, couple of restaurants, few shops, supermarket and ski school. Slopes about 20 yards walk from the hotels, ski school base there, magic carpet ride up the slide of the beginner area...and then for later you can get a few chairs over to the main resort (quite an adventure in itself for a beginner 5 year old) to spend the afternoon and maybe do ice skating etc.
There are some new self catering apartments that look really nice and the complex has a pool as well. All sounds great - it's at 1600m so not sure I'd chance it early/late in the season...but i'm guessing you're restricted to school holidays as well so Feb half term could be great there I reckon.
hope that helps
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
At that age, they either love it or hate it.
There is usually no middle ground.
Take the kid to an indoor slope first, to see if they take to it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
When mine was 5, 6 and 7, I took her on the Mango single parent ski holidays. I have nothing but praise for them. The hotel was fantastic and had a swimming pool, the food was good, the trip to the slopes wasn't bad and Steve the organiser is just about all you could want. I would have no hesitation in recommending them. The kids all play with each other while you actually get to relax and kick back with new friends. The only reason I'm not going again this year is that I'm a bit bored after three years of doing the same slopes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
