 Poster: A snowHead
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Morning all,
I'm idly thinking about next years skiing and wondered if anyone had any suggestions for good small resorts/ski areas?
We had a great week in Bonneval-sur-arc at Easter which was our first family trip. 5 year old was confident on green's/easy blues by the end of the week and 3 year old was starting to get the hang of it but still very much on the nursery slopes - the only objective was that they enjoyed it. Mission complete and they're desperate to go again which is fantastic.
I was worried about the ski area for adults but in truth we really didn't need much more with the focus obviously being around ski lessons for the little ones.
I'm conscious there's a huge number of tiny ski resorts that don't really cross the radar and as we had such a good time last year I like the idea of exploring these. Any recommendations please?
We're looking at skiing new year week this year.
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My tip: don't talk about it on the internet 
More seriously, hire a car and follow your nose.
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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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Praz-de-Lys.
or not so tiny but usually reasonably quiet over NY week (other than 31, 1, 2) Champoluc? (or anywhere in monterosa?)
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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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Ha fair enough. Suggestions via PM welcome also.
Whilst i'd love to follow your suggestion unfortunately winging it with a 3 and a 6 year old isn't viable. Maybe when they're older and competent skiers though.
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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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Alleghe
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@All the gear...no idea!, are you flying or driving out? That may make a difference to which resorts you consider....
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@All the gear...no idea!, to help narrow down your shortlist, at New Year I'd also look for somewhere
1. with trees in case it's stormy
2. with a reasonable amount of height in case it's rainy
As above, how are you getting there?
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| GlasgowCyclops wrote: |
| Alleghe |
I was going to suggest that, the gentle beginner slopes at the top of the first gondola would be ideal for the kids, and for the adults it's a lovely ski area as you know. However I thought it best to clarify if the OP was flying or driving. Flying is no problem as you know, flight to Venice Marco Polo or Treviso airports then subsidised coach transfer to Alleghe. However if self driving it's a bit of a longer journey than the French resorts.
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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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@GlasgowCyclops, @Alastair Pink, +2 I've decided that, no matter what the question, Alleghe is often the correct answer. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Hi all,
Flying for preference but happy driving for the right option.
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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'd be looking on Snowtrex or Sunweb. We've used both a fair bit and never had any issues ( we drive out but you can sort flights and transfers yourselves )
They use a lot of the smaller resorts and always include lift passes in their accommodation deals.
We've been to Superdevouloy/la joue du loup, St Francois Langchamp, Valfejus, Les Sybelles, Orcierres Merlett etc etc etc with them.
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Thanks Andy - any particular favourites out of those and/or favourable for beginners?
Glasgow / Alastair / Hurtle - Thanks I'm having a look at Alleghe.
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You know it makes sense.
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Alleghe is massive compared with Bonneval.
Take a look at St Veran, very cute.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| under a new name wrote: |
Praz-de-Lys.
or not so tiny but usually reasonably quiet over NY week (other than 31, 1, 2) Champoluc? (or anywhere in monterosa?) |
Thanks - I will take a look!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@All the gear...no idea!,
Alpbach for Austria, Chamois for Italy, Sainte Foy for France (only because staying in the same place and have preferential treatment by owners )
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Loads in Austria. @mooney058, I was thinking along the lines of Alpbach, or for even smaller Niderau.
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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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| All the gear...no idea! wrote: |
Thanks Andy - any particular favourites out of those and/or favourable for beginners?
Glasgow / Alastair / Hurtle - Thanks I'm having a look at Alleghe. |
For a bit more info, have a look at the piste map here. You'll see that Alleghe itself is by the side of a lake, and from Alleghe there's a gondola (lift number 1 on the map) that goes up to a fairly flat area called Pianni di Pezze, which is where the ski school and several eating places are located. You'll see that there's a very short chairlift number 4 (which has one of those safety bars that are locked until you reach near the unloading area at the top, so ideal for kids) that serves a very gentle blue run to the left or a slightly steeper but still gentle short blue run to the right, both will bring you back to the bottom of the chairlift. Alternatively there's a baby button drag lift (lift number 8 ) that serves blue run 18. For the adults there's some nice runs, particularly if you head over to the Zoldo area.
Edit: If your kids like hot chocolate then the Italian hot chocolate is the best, so thick you can rest a teaspoon on the surface and it won't sink! (see some photos in this thread 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Grächen, Valais. Lift pass includes 2hrs free creche up to age 6 and ski school was excellent. I heard one other English speaker and he was Kiwi. Mainly Swiss and Dutch there. Unlike a lot of little resorts its HIGH- 2000-2800m
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Sun 6-08-23 17:23; edited 1 time in total
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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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We did Chinaillon in France for the first 3 years while the kids were learning/getting confident. Not a huge place but that made it easier to zoom around and get back for the end of ski school.
However, it sits at 1300m and I'm not sure what the snow conditions would be like that early in the season. My thoughts drift back to this year when most people at lower levels had truly awful conditions.
It's probably worth waiting until nearer the time to see what snowfall/conditions are like before choosing a destination. Hard if you want to book flights now. But if you don't mind driving, you can book your Channel crossing at least. I prefer to DIY the whole ski trip and, with lots of time and research, find it cheaper than using agents like Sunweb. However, appreciate some people prefer convenience.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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1. Krvavec
2. Pila
3. Alpbach
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You can't afford to leave booking accommodation till the last minute as you're aiming at New Year. Be aware that small resorts are likely to be just as busy, in proportion to their size, as large resorts. And may have a less wonderfully organised lift system. But there are other advantages.
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Another small resort suggestion - Areches Beaufort.
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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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| swskier wrote: |
| Loads in Austria. @mooney058, I was thinking along the lines of Alpbach, or for even smaller Niderau. |
+1 for Albach / Niederau - charming villages and a lovely ski area.
Or look at somewhere like Fugen in the Zillertal?
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Isn't Alpbach now joined up with somewhere else, and not really "small" at all? We went there many years ago on a big family holiday in the cheapest week in January. The catered chalet was rubbish, but that was Ingham's fault, not Alpbach. It's a lovely village and very friendly. Bus to slopes isn't my favourite but the kids were all well able to carry their own skis so not a big problem. Pila is a good shout.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| phil_w wrote: |
My tip: don't talk about it on the internet
More seriously, hire a car and follow your nose. |
Don't worry, most suggestions will be for mid sized resorts
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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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@All the gear...no idea!, if you’re focused on good lessons for the kids but a reasonable size for adults I’d go to Trysil and stay half board at the Raddison Blu resort. It’s ski room opens directly onto the kids ski and lesson area with the main lift into the area less than 400m walk. Lessons there are very good. The hotel does a decent buffet (and keeps a cap on costs) , has an indoor swimming pool area and sauna, and a bowling alley. Its easy to get to from the airport if booking yourself (hire a car or theres a direct bus) or often BA Holidays do ski packages there too.
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| pam w wrote: |
| Isn't Alpbach now joined up with somewhere else, and not really "small" at all? We went there many years ago on a big family holiday in the cheapest week in January. The catered chalet was rubbish, but that was Ingham's fault, not Alpbach. It's a lovely village and very friendly. Bus to slopes isn't my favourite but the kids were all well able to carry their own skis so not a big problem. Pila is a good shout. |
You can ski from Alpbach to Auffach on one connected area. Niderau and Reith are separate areas on the same Ski Juwel lift pass.
The main area isn't exactly small, but it is vs some of the popular French resorts and would feel small in comparison.
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You know it makes sense.
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@All the gear...no idea!, sorry....
St Francois Langchamo is ideal for beginners, they have a kids festival in January and lots of long greens progressing to / criss-crossing lots of long blues.
I do like Orcierres Merlette, feels pretty big, centre is pedestrian friendly, apartments seem pretty big, there's a big swimming/bowling place in town and some nice bars/restaurants.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I'd like to promote Damüls in the Voralberg.
There are a few small villages with ski lifts in the valley between Bregenz and Warth.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
The main area isn't exactly small, but it is vs some of the popular French resorts
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Many, many, French resorts are also small versus some of the popular-with-British-package-tourists French resorts.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@pam w, absolutely, plenty of options out there. St Foy in the Tarentaise would probably be a good shout, an example maybe of a more well know small resort amongst brits. Also gives the option of driving up to Tignes if snow is bad at that time of the year.
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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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| swskier wrote: |
| @pam w, absolutely, plenty of options out there. St Foy in the Tarentaise would probably be a good shout, an example maybe of a more well know small resort amongst brits. Also gives the option of driving up to Tignes if snow is bad at that time of the year. |
In all +10 visits to St Foy I was thinking “yeah, if the snow is bad I will head to Tignes/VDI”. Not a single time I wanted to. Except maybe when I drove up to Tignes to JoJo for boot fitting 10years ago. Though true - StFoy is very British now
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If you liked Bonneval I think you would find Sainte Foy very different. Sainte Foy is a scenic small ski resort with a good snow record and a good place for kids to learn to ski. However one of the reasons I haven't rushed back is that there were more British than French voices. I prefer off the beaten track resorts where you can speak in french and get a reply in French.
I would also suggest avoiding New Year week. It is likely to be expensive and busy and not necessarily the best snow conditions of the season. I'd stick to the Easter holidays with children that age if possible.
We have booked through Peak Retreats for many years and they offer lots of less well known resorts in France some of which have been mentioned above. You might like Val Cenis which is near Bonneville sur Arc or Les Saisies. These resorts are much bigger than Bonneval sur Arc but worth considering as they both have a good snow record.
Alternatively we had a good holiday with Snow bizz in Puy St Vincent when our kids were 3 and 5 (NB this was a long time ago). Puy St Vincent is a nice small ski area with a good snow record. I think Snow Bizz is the only British TO that goes there.
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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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| All the gear...no idea! wrote: |
| We're looking at skiing new year week this year. |
Christmas week would be better - or even pre-Christmas week if your schools break up early.
We went to La Norma when the kids were little and we didn't need a big area - which was pretty good. I wrote a TR on here which you could search for if interested.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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To be honest, practically any week is better than New Year!
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Having spent every New Year in a "small French resort" for 15 years (along with lots of other weeks) I can confidently say that. New Year week we would do lots of other things rather than go anywhere near the lift queues and frantically busy restaurants.
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For something a bit different, consider the Pyrenees. Cauterets is a delightful fin de siecle spa town with a modern gondola up to a family-friendly north-facing bowl starting at 1850m. All runs come back to the same area. Within half an hour / 40 mins drive you have Grand Tourmalet (superb off-piste when conditions are good, especially from the pic du midi cable car), Luz St Saveur and Gavarnie. Ryanair fly Stansted - Lourdes and there is a ski bus to the first three above from the airport. Accommodation is plentiful, varied and cheap. Lots of other things to do locally if the snow is crap.
[url=https://www.mountainpassions.com/winter/ski-resort-reviews/pyrenees/ski-cauterets/][/url]
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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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Mmm - that does sound interesting.
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You can also get into the Pyrenees from Barcelona, and there are a few small cute places there. Not great for tree skiing. Places like Vall de Núria may be good for kids (I've none so don't know) because that's car free and very contained. May not be good for tour operators.
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FAQ
