 Poster: A snowHead
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So I met up with some friends over the early May bank holiday weekend...and seem to have ended up organizing an Easter 2023 ski trip for between 9/12 people - but want to go somewhere I haven't been before.
1. The groups going to mainly be beginners/early intermediates, half of them U10 so needs to be beginner friendly/accomodation convienient for the lifts (doesn't need to be ski in/out and I'd say a 10-15min morning child drag is acceptable but no to buses).
2. We'll have at least 1 non-slider so ideally big enough a resort they have somewhere to get out the accomodation (if they want - I can see at least one of them having zero objections to only changing out of their PJs when it's time to go and collect the children from ski school) and ideally not have them thinking they are in a 1950s East German people's housing project when they do.
3. Apres ski isn't likely to be a big thing.
4. Accomodation would be self catering and ideally a chalet rather than an apartment.
5. A sensible drive from the UK.
6. Pricewise ideally sub £5k for accomodation but not fixed - just not the £11k end 
7. A reasonable bet for early April skiing.
But where-ever it is it SHOULDN'T be:
- Portes du Soleil
- Alpe d'Huez
- Tignes/Val d'Isere
As I've either done them before or will already be doing them in the 22/23 season and want something to amuse me too.
So, what would you throw on the table...?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Les Contamines
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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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Grimentz, north-ish facing, gondola straight up to snow for lessons etc, great village and mountain valley setting, feels very different to your exclusion choices.
Nendaz, larger village, own slopes for beginner, north facing, good choice of places to stay. Amused that with younger ski schools here they sometimes wear a triangle cloth on their back that the children extend their arms in order to give a kite effect and slow down, like a flock of little bats whizzing down the slopes 
Both pretty snow sure and with good altitude slopes with easy access. Also fairly close drive from UK.
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| HilbertSpace wrote: |
| Les Contamines |
I'd say fine for 1 3, 4, 6 & 7 (we've just been there in April)
I dont know about 5.
But not sure its great for 2
There is accomodation at the bottom of the gondola so as to satisfy "no buses". But from there its a gondola up and if they are beginners/early interms I dont see the piste down to the bottom would be a great option. And I doubt the non-skier would be heading up to bring them down the gondola? They would need a lift pass (I am not sure if there is a cheap ped pass).
Also for the non-skier(s), theres not much to do at that accomodation, its a walk/bus to the small town. Not sure there's much for them their once they get there either. There is a pool & ice rink in St Gervais but thats a 15 min drive.
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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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@ster, I've not actually been to Les Contaimines but I've driven many times to nearby resorts and it would tick box 5. An easier drive than somewhere like Les Arcs or Sainte-Foy, for example.
Re 2, Les Contaimines does look quite pretty in the pictures, and it certainly doesn't look like a "1950s East German housing project". Unlike Flaine, which definitely does (which is a shame as Flaine would tick all the other boxes).
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@HilbertSpace, agreed, its a nice spot, just wondering if the non-skier could actually do ski school pick up given the set up and what else they would do when there as there really isn't much where they would be to avoid buses and not much more in Les C Village proper other than a few shops and restaurants.
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@Mjit, There are some chalets in the woods above Arc1600 that I have stayed in before, but I haven't seen them for rent for a long time. There are some other places available. £5000 for 9/12 people is a very generous amount for a week just for rent.
Arc1600 would meet all your criteria. There are big standalone chalets but I don't know if they are rented out or what agencies to go to. Almost all the accommodation is on the piste and there is quite a lot to do apart from skiing: over Easter people have started mountain biking again, there is snowshoeing and walking beside the river in Bourg st Maurice or even cycling on the valley cycle paths, and if you have the gear some rockclimbing in the valley. The swimming pools in Bourg st Maurice or Mile8 are available. The only drawback as I see it is the local pistes are a bit steep for absolute beginners.
It is an easy drive of about 9 or 10 hour from Calais.
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Les Menuires?
No purpose built ski resort has much for non skiers but it’s got a new pool/spa, nice walking and easy to access lots of meeting points, piste side restaurants etc on foot. It’s a resort but a big one compared to somewhere like Les C.
And for skiing with kids it’s just about the perfect resort. Loads of blues for them to explore but for the adults while the kids are in ski school it’s one lift to the ridge and you are in the heart of the 3 valleys. High for April snow as well.
Lots of apartments but there are chalets available as well.
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