 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hey all, need recommendations if you would be so kind!
I’m an avid skier but the family (wife and 2 young kids) have never been with me. I’m taking the plunge and booking for late December next year and need something to make them fall in love with the Alps.
Friends of ours did Club Med La Rosiere this December and it seemed perfect but expensive. Are there alternatives of similar quality or alternatives for a luxury all inclusive break with kids club, decent food/drink and spa etc?
Any suggestions welcome but my wife won’t slum it or share with strangers.
TIA
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
I suspect that a suggestion of one of the "family weeks" at a UCPA centre (brilliantly located one in La Plagne) won't go down well. My daughter and family did that at Christmas and loved it. But they were all already in love with skiing, and they are people who camp, sail and surf. They like their food and found it very good and fantastic value for money, but "luxury" it isn't. What won't your wife "share" with strangers? If the answer is "anything", maybe renting your own chalet and buying in a chef would be best option. And having private lessons, obvs. But that would cost a whole packet more than Club Med.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Might be worth considering The Dachstein Koenig
https://www.dachsteinkoenig.at
It’s a families only hotel right opposite the Gosau, Dachstein West ski area (max 250m walk to the beginner area and ski lift, plus there is a transport option).
The emphasis is on comfort, quality and guest experience with spas, swimming pool etc. All inclusive.
Dachstein West isn’t huge, but there’s a great sense of travel between the three villages. Great mountain Huttes, not what one would call expensive (large beer from 4.50€ for example), ski pass prices reasonable.
I believe the hotel also provides complimentary EVs for anyone wanting to visit local sites/places of interest e.g. Hallstatt (UNESCO town).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| pam w wrote: |
| I suspect that a suggestion of one of the "family weeks" at a UCPA centre (brilliantly located one in La Plagne) won't go down well. My daughter and family did that at Christmas and loved it. But they were all already in love with skiing, and they are people who camp, sail and surf. They like their food and found it very good and fantastic value for money, but "luxury" it isn't. What won't your wife "share" with strangers? If the answer is "anything", maybe renting your own chalet and buying in a chef would be best option. And having private lessons, obvs. But that would cost a whole packet more than Club Med. |
I’ve done AO trips at all the UCPA’s for years and used to be top ambassador there so that was my first option.
UCPA is a lot of fun but not luxury and it won’t get her excited.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@bezthespaniard,
There are a few family specialist tour operators such as Mark Warner and Ski Esprit - no doubt someone will be able to recommend others!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
"Won't share" sounds difficult to accommodate. The best family operators - like Esprit mentioned above - mostly have chalets where everyone sits down together for their evening meal and chats about the day's exploits. So sharing.
The flip side is that the children make friends, who they can bond with not just in the chalet but during ski lessons and in the daytime childcare that is provided around the ski lessons.
Avoiding sharing essentially means hotel or self-catering. You lose the communal meals but find your days need to be structured around the logistics of dropping of and picking up kids from ski school, when it sounds what you really want is some adult time enjoying the snowy Alps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Think seriously about whether it's really possible to have a 'hybrid' winter holiday that will work 100% for everyone from avid, experienced skier, through younger kids, to someone simply not a skier at all. It may be better for you and your wife to go out for a winter holiday to a luxury spa (where perhaps you'll get in the odd half day on the slopes); then for you to take the kids separately on their first learning holiday (where you'll have to concede you won't get a lot of skiing in yourself); and then for you to go out on an extreme skier's trip with someone else. At least as a starter, and then perhaps subsequent years merge the three once the kids are more able skiers.
Imagine that your partner was an avid equestrian (assuming that you aren't). How would you feel about spending a lot on a holiday where she spent all day out and about on the horse and you had to fend for yourself? However nice the surrounding countryside and luxurious the accommodation, you'd probably be quickly bored and come to feel the money could be better spent if they just did their horsey stuff independently.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Mon 26-12-22 16:58; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| j b wrote: |
"Won't share" sounds difficult to accommodate. The best family operators - like Esprit mentioned above - mostly have chalets where everyone sits down together for their evening meal and chats about the day's exploits. So sharing.
The flip side is that the children make friends, who they can bond with not just in the chalet but during ski lessons and in the daytime childcare that is provided around the ski lessons.
Avoiding sharing essentially means hotel or self-catering. You lose the communal meals but find your days need to be structured around the logistics of dropping of and picking up kids from ski school, when it sounds what you really want is some adult time enjoying the snowy Alps. |
To expand a little, a Ski Famille type shared chalet isn’t her idea of fun but she wouldn’t have an issue with Club Med hotel style where the lessons are shared.
We want everything done for us and a variety of ways to spend the day such as swim/spa.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| LaForet wrote: |
| Think seriously about whether it's really possible to have a 'hybrid' winter holiday that will work 100% for everyone from avid, experienced skier, through younger kids, to someone simply not a skier at all. It may be better for you and your wife to go out for a winter holiday to a luxury spa (where perhaps you'll get in the odd half day on the slopes); then for you to take the kids separately on their first learning holiday (where you'll have to concede you won't get a lot of skiing in yourself); and then for you to go out on an extreme skier's trip with someone else. At least as a starter, and then perhaps subsequent years merge the three once the kids are more able skiers. |
Can’t be bothered dropping kids off etc. I like the idea of Club Med coz kids club sorts their lessons and there’s enough for everyone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Club Med does sound a good bet for you, and you're not going to get "everything done for you" without spending £££££££££££££
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Sounds like it's Club Med then. You might want to look at their 3Trident Accommodation eg Serre-Chevalier.
Still fully inclusive but less "posh" end grub
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
I’ve been going to Club Med for years for our family ski trips. OK so up front cost is more but the quality of the food etc is worth it. Rooms vary from Club to Club - we have always enjoyed Peisey Vallandry as it captures everything- ski in / ski out, lovely bar area with proper fire, cracking food and nicely appointed rooms.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@bezthespaniard, does it have to be December?
Easter is a much better time IME for mixed ability groups. If skiing doesn’t work out, it’s usually warm and sunny, and there are more alternative activities (or at least, what activities there are, are more attractive).
More fundamentally though, your requirements seem potentially contradictory -
“Luxury all inclusive break” vs cheap/“club med is too expensive”.
“We want everything done for us” but don’t want to share means private concierge services.
“make them fall in love with the alps” (and skiing?) but don’t want to drop off/collect the kids.
I took the view that for the first few years of my kids skiing, ensuring they loved it and wanted to go again was the #1 priority, but that did mean deprioritising my skiing for a few years, and getting my enjoyment more from their achievements. We all have great memories of those times.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
I also sacrificed a few trips to ensure they got the bug.
Especially this year, my concern is that mid December doesn’t get much snow, except when high (not picturesque). But perhaps there’s enough for learner slopes and that will do for the first time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| snowdave wrote: |
@bezthespaniard, does it have to be December?
More fundamentally though, your requirements seem potentially contradictory -
“Luxury all inclusive break” vs cheap/“club med is too expensive”.
“We want everything done for us” but don’t want to share means private concierge services.
“make them fall in love with the alps” (and skiing?) but don’t want to drop off/collect the kids.
|
No doesn’t need to be December but that or early Jan is best for our schedule. We’re in Monaco in April so clashes with Easter.
To answer the other queries:
- It’s about value. We can afford Club Med and it suits our needs but I also think it’s overpriced for what it delivers. A week at a proper luxury family resort in the summer is the same price and miles better.
- I mean, transfers, kids club, equipment. All done by one company rather than DIY lessons etc.
- My kids love clubs with other kids. So kids club learning to ski is perfect.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Powder Byrne?
The issue is for what you want (“everything done for us”) there are limited providers and limited timeframes (mainly peak school hol weeks) so unfortunately that does tend to cost more than you’d expect. But if it means your family learns to love skiing, it might be worth the investment in the long run.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Skimum1 wrote: |
| But if it means your family learns to love skiing, it might cost you a fortune in the long run. |
Yup…
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Does it have to be all inclusive?
We had a lovely first week as a family in Austria a couple of years ago, in a half board hotel. They did afternoon tea at 4pm so apart from drinks and €10 for my son each day in ski school, we didn’t spend anything else on food. My husband was a non skier so walked up the mountains to meet me in cafes while my son was in ski school. He enjoyed the whole experience so much he learned to ski the following year (just about) and this year we’re back for a third trip.
And re an earlier post I am still hopeful that for my 50th in a good few years time, I can drag him on a ranch holiday and subject him to a week of horses too 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@bezthespaniard, sorry if I missed this, but does your wife want to learn to ski? Or will she be doing other stuff?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our to go “all inclusive” is the Hotel Mottaret in … ermmm … Mottaret. Effectively a ski-in / out hotel, with a lovely spa and indoor pool and the friendliest of staff. I’m assuming that your wife and kids will want to learn to ski. I wouldn’t recommend Mottaret for non-skiers. But does it really have to be an all-inclusive?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| pam w wrote: |
| @bezthespaniard, sorry if I missed this, but does your wife want to learn to ski? Or will she be doing other stuff? |
A few lessons, spa time, relax time with a book etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 have been on a few club med summer holidays and would suggest you book with them for your first family ski trip as that will be the most enjoyable option for your wife and the kids will be well looked after. I would go for the la rosiere one as it is newish and well located. You could also look at the one in peisey vallandry or possibly valmorel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
A few lessons, spa time, relax time with a book etc
|
If you hope this experience will lead her to "fall in love with the Alps" then the choice of instructor/ski school will probably be one of the most crucial decisions. I suspect your wife already has plenty of experience of spas and reading, and in these respects there's nothing special about the Alps.
For someone who is perhaps sceptical about the overwhelming power of skiing to transform their lives I'd have serious doubts as to whether an "all inclusive" resort is the best prescription. Being directed to the "third beginners group on the right" might not be the gateway to falling in love with skiing, especially if having a jolly time with strangers is not her idea of fun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
The new Club Med in Peisey looks stunning. My brother in law always goes to Club Med and loves it, if I was in the market for an all inclusive holiday which had options for everyone then I’d go for it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
When kids were younger I did look a few times at Club Med options vs Esprit and Mark Warner. Almost came close to booking once or twice. However one thing that concerned me was the size of the club med ski school groups I have observed on the slopes (and again observed last week over in Sameons). Those groups were a huge as the ESF ones for school holidays.
However I am getting a general positive vibe from people? Is it not as bad as it appears?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| Quote: |
However one thing that concerned me was the size of the club med ski school groups I have observed on the slopes (and again observed last week over in Sameons). Those groups were a huge as the ESF ones for school holidays.
|
This was the kind of thought which prompted my message above. And in that situation you either turn up and do what the group does (which might be too easy or too hard, and they will carry on however awful the weather) or drop out for a session or two and perhaps never catch up.
One to one with a recommended private instructor seems much more likely to prompt the falling in love thing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| pam w wrote: |
One to one with a recommended private instructor seems much more likely to prompt the falling in love thing. |
That may be exactly what the OP doesn’t want- a young, attentive, caring, attractive instructor 
Could turn out to be a much more expensive trip than they expect…
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@bezthespaniard, we went both with Clubmed and more recently with Esprit. Have a look at Esprit Hotel De Champoluc in Italy, we are just back from there. Very easy ski holiday, with childcare and ski school included as well as food. It is a hotel but a smaller one , so not much sharing. Much cheaper than Clubmed. Spa within easy walking distance ( we haven’t been). Kids learn in small groups. Might suit your needs
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| pam w wrote: |
| Quote: |
A few lessons, spa time, relax time with a book etc
|
If you hope this experience will lead her to "fall in love with the Alps" then the choice of instructor/ski school will probably be one of the most crucial decisions. |
Very wise words from Pam.
Good private lessons, with a quality career instructor is probably the best investment you can make for your wife over a number of holidays in my view.
Perhaps also a couple of 1 to 1 lessons at a fridge or dry slope just to get used to the initial faff of just putting boots and skis on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
there many family hotels in Austria and S. Tirol which offe AI, and they are near the slopes, with kids programm etc and superb spa, pools etc some with adults only area.
In Dec you could find really good offers in S. Tirol
The problem is if you can afford it and if yes, they will addicted and want always something like this
https://www.suedtirol-tophotels.com/urlaubsthemen-in-suedtirol/familienhotels-kinderhotels-4sterne-5sterne-familienurlaub-dolomiten
there are many also in Austria...
i was in some from kinderhotels.com and familotel.com , not in S.Tirol but in Austria (summer / winter)
The kids were excited and the food etc was from a scale 1 to 10, around 8.
But most of them in S. Tirol are much better than these i visited...
I dont think there is a better place for "luxury all inclusive break with kids club, decent food/drink and spa "
however in the prices are not skipass, school etc as in UCPA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
If that's your outlook your Mrs might have no chance with the skiing 
