 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi all
i am taking the family to Europe in January. There are 2 adults and 3 children- 12 year old, 17 year old and 20 year old females. All are begiiners to skiing.
It has been suggested that we try the Club Med resorts.
Can I please have suggestions as to what forum members think about which resort I should go to, for beginners and for fun for the youngsters(night life). Also thoughts about Club Med.
Thanks.
Snowdad
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Can I be first to say La Rosiere 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
In what ski area in France is it located?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Do you want to be somewhere big or small? How much would you like to spend?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
snowdad, hello. There have been a few threads on Club Meds; a search should find them. The reactions were not entirely positive. Club Med is either your cup of tea or not (it's not mine).
It's long way to come for a bit of a ski; presumably you've considered N.America. You obviously want good beginner facilities, which most resorts have, and good nightlife. The snow should be fine everywhere in Jan. The main choice you need to make is; 'alpine charm' or altitude and ski to/from door. The two are not completely mutually exclusive but don't usually go together.
The heading says France, the post says Europe. If you're looking more broadly than France (and if you're coming from Australia, why not?), and you want alpine charm, I'd recommend you look at Kitzbuhel. It's a good beginners' resort, plenty of mountain bars and restaurants, very prettty on the mountain and in the centre. There are threads on it.
Someone else will be a long in a moment with a better suggestion, I'm sure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
snowdad,
January can be cold, and generally the snow is good down to the valleg so I would endorse the Austria suggestion. Its worth going for a resort with good tree cover so 1200m plus. Also look at Courchevel in France (Expensive ++ but ticks all the boxes apart from alpine charm, and even then its better than most) for its beginners facilities and English language ski schools. Megeve has charm, easy slopes but is more French in flavour.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowdad, welcome to  s
I think that Soldeu in Andorra is a good beginners resort with reliable snow in January (due to loads of cannon).
It doesn't have a Club Med but Hotel Sport Village is really nice. The locals are friendly, the skischools English-speaking (lots of your fellow countrymen!) the beginners slopes plentiful.
The only downside from your point of view might be getting there - nearest airports Toulouse or Barcelona and then 2+ hour transfer.
Soldeu itself still has a fairly "village" atmosphere and you would probably feel happy letting your 17 and 20 yr olds out in the evening to the bars - which are all within easy walking distance.
Happy hunting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kramer, Hi Kramer
I will be going a long way, so preferably something with plenty of action and nightlife for the girls but also the ability to do some easy skiing during the day and possibly other attractions or activities for easily bored children. Not worried about cost at this stage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
What about Alpe D'Huez.
Big resort, good snow, good nightlife and gentle slopes at village level for beginners?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nick L, Hi Nick
Sorry I should have mentioned that we are flying into Geneva at this stage. Although if i have to I could change it. Any suggestions closer to this airport?
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
snowdad, could do worse than Megève. Oodles of charm, plenty of easy skiing, and good (if expensive) shopping and nightlife.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Ah - the night life is important.
Then what about Pas de la Casa? - same lift pass but much more vibrant in the evening I believe.
There is a bus to Andorra town in which there is some fantastic swimming bath thing - sorry never visited it as too busy skiing but a lot of people rave about it.
Also prices generally cheaper and quite a strong duty-free market in Andorra town.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowdad, FWIW Kitzbuhel is close to Munich, which has good international connections. Geneva is the place for many (all?) the major French resorts, including Megeve, mentioned by laundryman, the 3 Valleys (loads of skiing but not to everyone's taste), Val d'Isere/Tignes (not ideal beginner country?).
Courmayeur (Italy but close to Geneva) is a very pleasant spot, close to Mt Blanc. It can get busy, but it's prettty and the food is great.
Tell us how important pretinesss and alpine charm is for you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
What about Paradiski (Les Arcs/La Plagne) - huge skiing area, lots of interlinked resorts, facilities that you would expect. Out of all the bits, would probably suggest Belle Plagne for your older girls (but am prepared to be corrected on this!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
richmond, Pretiness and alpine charm is definitely a must for my wife. She has been told that Zermatt fits the bill BUT does it comply when it comes to beginner skiing, nightlife, other attractions etc??
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Hey all. My wife would like to know if most of the resorts supply all meals with their accomodation (ala Club Med) or would you recommend that we eat out?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
snowdad, Zermatt isn't for beginners (skiing or financial)
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Snowmum - no, full board packages are relatively unusual because most people don't want to have to "come home" at lunch-time.
Chalets are nearly always breakfast, "tea" and dinner with a limited amount of wine thrown in with the meal.
It can be quite sociable to eat out in restaurants in the evening of you go self catering or B&B, but similarly if took part of a chalet you would proabaly have a ball socialising in the evenings.
Probably not a good idea to aim for one which is "child friendly" given the age of your girls as they might end up without new mates of their own ages.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Thu 6-07-06 16:13; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
snowdad, in the Alps, most people stay in small hotels or chalets or self-catering apartments: there are usually lots of each in most resorts. It's usual in a hotel or chalet to get continental breakfast and an evening meal, with lunch taken at one of many restaurants on the slopes. Most chalets and some hotels have a staff night off, when you can try a local restaurant. There are outstanding mountain and village restaurants in most large French resorts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
snowdad, you might find the occasional hotel that gives you a packed lunch but (if you follow my example) you'll eat this on the first lift up to avoid having to carry it around with you.
I would expect that any mainstream ski resort would be fine in terms of nightlife - you should probably concentrate on the suitability for beginners, alpine charm, other activities, ease of access from airport side of things.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Thu 6-07-06 16:19; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Martin Nicholas, laundryman, Nick L, I take it that you all think that Club Med may not be worthwhile??
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ben wright, What resorts do you recommend based on what you have mentioned?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowdad, I've no experience of them, but I have a prejudice that says you might be a bit cocooned from the culture of our Gallic friends. If that is the case, I think it would be a shame to go all that way and miss out. I suspect that within 48 hours someone with genuine experience will give you another perspective.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
snowdad, I have never stayed in a Club Med so find it a bit difficult to comment.
They have a certain reputation - I am not sure if it is justified - for being a way for affluent mummies and daddies not to have to look after their little darlings while the parents are on the piste.
They also are regarded as being a little bit overpriced.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
La Rosiere is great for beginners, buit not for nightclubs and loud apres. Vallandry the same. How about a catered chalet in Courchevel. WWW.SKIOLYMPIC.CO.UK have some properties in 1650. Great for beginners, couple of decent bars but its not St Anton.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
snowdad, my experience of the major resorts is a bit limited and most of the places I've been aren't easily accesible from Geneva.
As you're coming all the way from Australia and this might be a 'once in a blue-moon' sort of trip, I'd recommend you don't compromise on the general ambience of the place - stick to a traditional resort and don't go to a purpose built ski factory (which there are a few of in France). Somewhere without too much concrete and with good views of the Matterhorn or Mont Blanc which will stick in the memory a bit better than "oh and there were lots of mountains" would be my choice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
snowdad, Zermatt is in a spectacular location - 13(?) 4000m+ peaks around it, I think - and is pretty in an expensive sort of way. I suspect that it has plenty of nightlife if you have deep pockets. It wouldn't be where I'd immediately think of for beginners - its reputation is for off piste skiing - but from my only visit I seem to remember that it has plenty of skiing of all sorts; others here will know it much better. Access to the slopes is not brilliant compared with many European resorts; there are relatively few access points, around the edge of the town, and no buses (or other vehicles apart from electric buggy things). Geneva is the airport for Zermatt; you can get the train from there to Zermatt with a couple of easy changes (you have to take a train for the last few miles into Zermatt even if you drive).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G'day snowdad! Welcome to Snowheads!! People here tend to be obsessed with france but don't count out Switzerland - Geneva is actually inside the swiss border, and swiss resorts are generally easy to get to by road or rail. It is not really any more expensive than France, apart from maybe eating out in the evening.
If you get on with strangers and don't mind sharing your dinner table go for a chalet or Club Med. Friends of mine have used Club Med and liked it - all the lessons you'll need are included I think. There is one in Villars, Switzerland, quite close to Geneva. You'll meet people in the ski classes as well.
If you would rather not run the risk of ending up eating next to people you may not like, go for a hotel. You will have less chance of meeting people to socialise with but you should get a better standard of accomodation. If this is your choice go for Crans Montana in Switzerland, plenty of decent hotels, not the cheapest but not that bad either. Enough nightlife for most but not the alcohol-fuelled riot of some places. Good for beginners. Further away than Villars but an easy transfer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| snowdad wrote: |
| Martin Nicholas, laundryman, Nick L, I take it that you all think that Club Med may not be worthwhile?? |
As well as being inclusive of meals, lift pass and tuition, Club Med has a distinctive social element which, as I said, you either love or hate. There is 'entertainment' laid on, meals are often communal affairs, sharing large tables. They are not my cup of tea, and not as popular with Brits as with our European chums. If you like the idea of spending a significant amount of your off mountain time in the company of others, being sociable and communal, CM might suit you. If not, probably not.
My preference is for B&B acomodation (or self catering) so that we can eat in different restaurants, but I would expect half board to be cheaper.than B&B (for the same standard of accomodation).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
I've never used Club Med so can't comment.
What I would say is that as beginners there is no point in choosing a "Big" or "Name" resort as you're going to spend most of your early days on the nursery and easy runs. This is good, as nearly every resort you can think of can offer this and the smaller resorts are loads cheaper.
However, not all resorts offer a great nightlife, so it could be that you're better concentrating on that aspect of the trip. From Geneva, I'm struggling to think of a lively, good value resort though.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Thu 6-07-06 17:05; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
marc gledhill, true, but snowdad mentioned that cost is not an issue, which is why I mentioned Megève! Your point about total km of pistes being irrelevant is of course spot on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Les Gets is another possibility of nice village atmosphere close to Geneva, good for beginners
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
If cost is not an issue, and coming a long way, I would suggest Courchevel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Kramer, not particularly pretty, though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Kramer, which part for January beginners do you think? (could be pretty cold I suppose).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
If cost wasn't an issue, 1850.
richmond, but where in France is? Megeve perhaps, but I've never been there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I would second (third, fourth?) the idea of Courchevel: they are doing a lot of work tarting it up and making it look more "alpine", more wood and stone etc., it has something for everyone in terms of skiing and social life/restaurants. And even though we live in Switzerland, we still go there every year.
Or, if you're looking at Swiss resorts accessible from Geneva, how about Saas-Fee? Has a reputation for being good for beginners and pretty too
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowdad, someone on here had a rather bad experience with his teenagers at a Club Med last Season, I think in Alpe d'Huez. How about Les Deux Alpes, that would also fit the bill.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
snowdad, If you're set on France (and why not?) then the Portes Du Soleil system might fit the bill. I would recommend Morzine personally although Les Gets or Avoriaz also work. Avoriaz has a Club Med operation and is very central for the skiing. You would certainly get a feel for France although the prevalence of english speakers is much higher than it used to be.
All good for beginners - and if you're quick learners then there's huge scope (250 lifts, 650kms of skiing). Check out Ultimate Ski for resort info and Mountain Highs for Morzine accomodation. Dean and Rachel, like many other small chalet operations will help organise things.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morzine not quite so hot on alpine charm though?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
