 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Snowheads
I’m after some help please from the awesome Snowheads.
Next year my wife hits the big 3 0 and the father in law 6 0. We want to go for a ski trip in Europe but all is not that simple. This will be around March time.
In our group we have 8 adults and 4 kids. Kids will all be under 4 (4, 4, 2 & 1). My parents will be with us that don’t ski or snowboard (terrible I know).
Are there any recommended resorts that would cover:
* off slope activities for the non snow sport people
* good for young kids
* fairly snow sure
* self catered or catered works for us so that doesn’t need to be considered
* possibly drivable from Calais
We are struggling for ideas or where to start. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Wengen, Laax/Flims or Lenzerheide, you will need snow tyres.
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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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How many days, the usual 7?
How advanced are the adult skiers, or what do they expect? Cruising blues, demon blacks, lessons?
Lift passes will make a large part of the budget. Bigger area usually means a more expensive lift pass. Would the adults accept a smaller area for that reason, or do they want to chase kms?
Easter comes early next year, factor that in - ie, to avoid some Easter holiday traffic, consider early/mid March rather than late.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The usual 7 days that’s right.
Dates mostly likely 9/10 march and that week as that’s when my father in law turns 60.
Happy to go to smaller scale places as it’s mainly about being there together. Plus with the kids it won’t be hardcore skiing all week.
A cruises blues would be ideal
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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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@hammy050, Ste Foy Tarantaise for group like this. It is primarily ski station living for those that don't (they'd be able to get the bus down the hill if needed to travel though) which would of course depend on what those intentions were.
I'll explain more, if they are happy to walk out, help look after children, use of swimming pool, join lunches out on piste in village (it's all very closely contained and just walking required ) plus pedestrian access up 1st chair for more lunch meeting options too, then this village is an exemplary mix for such a social group. Skiing never far from village, two infant travelling carpet plus dedicated toboggan from one of them all right in village centre. Very good ski school skills in ESF there, just great atmosphere for everyone to share and usually pretty warm in March to spend the most time outside for all of them.
Obvious limitation if the non skiers wanted something more substantial in the way of their interest, but that's the balance exceptionally well delivered here.
Good self catering accommodation, some big apartments to share, less lift pass cost than really big domain, superb learning progression piste, along with much more significant grading if you desire that with advanced skills.
Small but perfectly formed, really good food choices too, Etoile de Cime, Les Ferme, would be two apartment location to check out initially.
Flaine for the same basis as above, primarily ski focus but with excellent non ski access to socialise throughout the day week. Le Terrace d'Eos apartments a good initial starting point here to research.
Note, these are both ski focused but with exceptional mixed access for groups, that's the core of them and not a huge suite of other activities.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We've visited both often, in march. Also taking non skiers too.
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Thanks for the suggestions. Really helpful. Been a long while since we done a proper trip so appreciate it
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Les Saisies would be good, too. A lot of very nice self-catering accommodation available, several with pools, though there is also a big public swimming/leisure complex. A lot prettier than Flaine, at about the same altitude. Big enough area (196kms of piste) for the skiers.
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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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Valloire would tick a lot of boxes. Also has family weeks/deals if you book direct with a lift pass discount. Would be PITA to get to for transfers though, with such a large group.
Maybe Westerndorf - Brixen in Thale area in Austria is worth a look also. That would give plenty of opportunity for non skiers or a rest day to have a dayout somewhere accessible cheaply by train. Worth looking at lift passes now & find a resort that gives free lift pass for your kids ages. That can save a lot of money! Austria has some resorts up to the age of 8, I think France is about 5.
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I'd consider Saas Fee, Super snow sure, pretty car free village, lots of non ski activities, lots of intermediate runs. Check out the Sass Fee youth hostel for it's facilities (spa and pool) and good location at a great price. Drive might be a bit long but otherwise it's a great place for non skiers. Saas Fee also has the option of a day in Zermatt if you feel like taking the relatively short trip.
Also Sierra Nevada in Spain is worth looking at because Granada is about an hour away from the main ski village so there will be lots of non ski options a short drive away. It has a really good ski area for beginners in a snowy bowl around the top of the first gondola and would be more likely to be a bit warmer for the younger kids. This would be fly to Malaga and hire a car, flights in March are usually pretty cheap.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I have limited experience of resorts outside of a few of the french ones, but my go to for this would be La Rosiere, Tarantaise - just along from St Foy.
Never having been a non-skier (except when injured) judging what they'd be up for is difficult. but if they're fit there's various walking options, including getting up onto the hill for lunch, fab expansive views (if weather is kind).
to be specific we love this place https://leplanica.com/en/apartment-rental-15-persons/ which i think would suit you group mix.
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