![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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am looking for a smallish / beginner ski resort probably in france poss austria for feb half term..... two young kids so no massive ski area needed.... decent nursery set up with plenty of greens and blues...... will be driving from either calais or rotterdam (hence Austria idea)
cheers
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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@Old Fartbag,
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Quite a few years since we went to Valmorel, but it did seem an ideal place in terms of blue and green runs. If your children are at a stage of learning when their enthusiasm will be boosted by doing quite long "trips" with their parents it is suitable for that.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Valmorel worked for us 20 odd years ago with 2 young kids. Not too long a drive either compared to places further up the valley. I'm sure lifts etc have improved since then.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll need to Register first of course.
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Niederau. We popped in there for a morning a few years ago when we were thinking of taking a young skier on their first trip. It seemed pretty perfect.
Westendorf, Ellmau etc also looked to have great setups for kids.
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Look at Sunweb and Snowtrex, they use a lot of the smaller French and Austrian resorts, prices include lift pass amd if you dont mind driving a bit longer they feature some resorts in the southern areas of france. we liked Superdevouloy and Val Cenis
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@ajc2260626, La Norma or Val Frejus in valley Maurienne both offer a decent mix at relatively good cost to meet your requirements.
Believe there's sunweb etc deals there too with inclusive lift pass (has been historically) also Val Cenis Haute could be good option.
Outlying choice, Praz De Lys village has really good mix of items matching your request. Ideal for beginners/progression without high large area pass costs. Easily achieved blue piste right from top too which I found manageable with very early experience child. Very friendly relaxed atmosphere, costs certainly reasonable compared to headline larger ski domain too and very easy to use slopes grouped around village. Good food/cost helps balance things for family too.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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a more informative thread title might help you get more replies, @ajc2260626. Are you absolutely resolved on half term - if the Christmas or Easter holidays are a possible alternative (cheaper, less busy, on both roads and pistes, but questions about snow quality) then the possibilities are rather different. And what kind of accommodation (hotel, rent an apartment) do you prefer? Budget? Austria generally has greater choice of suitable hotels, with some specifically set up for kids, whereas France generally has a greater range of accommodation to rent, from cheap but cramped apartments to real luxury pads and everything in between. France is perhaps easier to find genuine ski in/out. Where have you been before? How old are the kids? Will you be looking after them yourselves, outside ski school lessons, or do you want more "wrap around" child care?
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@pam w, hey pam...i like to keep it short and open
so i will be going 2nd week of dec (val d'isere) as decent value that time of year and decent enough white stuff, i will go at easter probably tignes again for snow issues
so the floating week is feb..... kids 6&9 both can ski greens and blues but dont want a massive area as they cant do the miles.... usually go self catering but would do a hotel, i have tended to ski the same places so dont know much about family type skis esp the smaller ones as ive only skied the bigger resorts...... i know more about france than austria, i have a place in orelle but i dont really fancy it but i can use it as a back up if needed
my brother uses sun web a lot
i fancied les saises as easy drive but could be mobbed?
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) 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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i fancied les saises as easy drive but could be mobbed?
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I don't think Les Saisies (which would suit your kids well and has huge choice of self-catering options) it will be any more mobbed than other French resorts. Personally, I'd go to Italy if I couldn't avoid skiing at half term.
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La Rosiere?
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You know it makes sense.
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We started off with our kids at Chinaillon (just up from Le Grand Bornand).
Rented direct from a French family - about 1400 Euros (Feb half term) got us a large 2 bed appt on the ground floor of a chalet (with a snowy garden which kids loved to play in each evening). 50 metres from piste.
Don't expect après ski but some lovely traditional restaurants. Easy to drop kids at ski school, bomb about and get back in time for pick up, lunch at home then family afternoon. 5 years later and kids still talk about wanting to go back.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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hadn't really considered italy, but theres no difference in the drive to tignes that we make, courmayeur i dont think is united to beginners / kids and thats the only place that ive being round there, where else would people recommend?
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