 Poster: A snowHead
|
Looking for resort recommendations for next Winter (21/22). Previously I had a really good recommendation on here of Le Bettex in Saint-Gervais. My wife and I drove out with our then 14 month old son and stayed in Hotel Flech D'Or for what was probably the best ski holiday we've ever had. The only "problem" was that there was about 1.5m of snow the week before we got there and another 1m after we arrived, so we came away thinking this was normal! We've been back twice since and whilst everything else has been great the snow has been pretty poor.
Does anyone have any suggestions of places good for families but a bit higher up? Ski in/ski out is not necessary but we'd like to be within walking distance of the lifts and ski-shool. The family has since grown - we've got 3 boys now who will be 8, 5 and 18months next winter so probably looking at an appartment/chalet rather than hotel. The other thing I loved about Saint Gervais is that is a pretty authentic alpine resort and not too industrialised. I'm a bit of a francophile so I enjoy feeling like I'm abroad and being expected to speak French.
Long list of quite specific requirements but I know this is the place to find the answer if there is one!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Hi
We keep going back to Meribel Mottaret. It is purpose built, but not that bad by French standards and at 1750m so very snow sure, but it is very French! There are loads of self catering options and most of it is right by the piste. We find self catering easier with our kids (now 7 and 10) as we have a bit more space and flexibility on catering. Being piste side is great on a morning as you are straight out onto a green run, clip in and ski a gentle few kms down to Meribel to drop the kids at ski school. Another big positive for us is the range of ski schools - we use Parallel Lines for the kids and can't recommend them enough. Small classes and brilliant instructors.
The other place I have considered with the kids - but never been with them as we like Mottaret so much, although I have skied PDS with a few mates - is Avoriaz. Again it is high at 1800m and it is all piste side and self catering, but again purpose built. Les Gets also always gets great reviews as a family destination and has ice rinks and lots of other stuff going on - it is also an authentic village (albeit massively expanded) just a bit lower around 1300m.
Hope that helps
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
@pow1985, I wonder when in the season you are planning on going? My recommendations would be:
Val Cenis - good value, slightly off the beaten track feel. Lanslevillard is pretty.
Montgenevre - attractive village. Excellent for families and more varied extensive skiing than Val Cenis
Les Saisies - very French. Beautiful gentle tree lined slopes, views of mont blanc.
La Rosiere - I prefer the Les Eucharts part of it which is recently built but attractive architecture. Very family orientated. Good snow record. Spoiled for choice with luxury self catering options and has some hotels too.
Les Carroz - It is a bit higher than St Gervais and is linked to Flaine which has high north facing slopes. A beautiful ski area but avoid at half term as it can be busy. Maybe a good option when your kids are a bit older.
Thinking of the fact you might need childcare for your youngest I think Montgenevre and La Rosiere would be your best options out of the above for now. both resorts have conveniently located ESF childcare and very good ski schools. There would be enough Brits there for your kids to avoid french speaking lessons but you would find people willing to converse with you in French.
We have been to all the above with Peak Retreats who specialise in the type of resorts you are looking for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@pow1985, what time, or specifically which week(s) are you planning to go?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
...assuming your 5 and 8 ear olds will be skiing at least some of each day, what’s your plan for what your 18 month old will do?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
la clusaz?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| PeakyB wrote: |
| ...assuming your 5 and 8 ear olds will be skiing at least some of each day, what’s your plan for what your 18 month old will do? |
We would plan to leave them in the ESF nursery. It limits the resorts we can go to as the earliest age accomodated is different depending on the resort. Saint-Gervais for example is 6months+ but some nurseries are 3years+
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Another vote for Les Carroz for all the reasons mentioned above + https://www.lescarroz.com/en/day-nursery/ . Takes littles ones from 6 months and is on the ski bus route. So after drop-off , hop back on and head off to the slopes. It has a car park if you prefer to drive. We always had great experiences with the ESF team for lessons. A real village like St Gervais, where locals live year round.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
I'd echo the recommendation for Les Saisies from @snowymum. It is indeed very French - your kids would have to cope with mainly French being spoken in ski school, especially in ESF. It's an attractive village which sits on a col at 1650m and is much more snowsure than most of the surroundings. Plenty of easily accessible accommodation of all standards. But will be very crowded in half term 2022, coinciding with the Paris holidays.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
