 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi All, just wondering if I can get some advice here. We have 4 kids , 18, 15, 13 and 10. For years, we toyed with the idea of a skiing holiday. I always chickened out, afraid it would be too costly....I am finally determined to explore this option for 2024.
Few things
1) we have a house South of France - 1hour away from Bordeaux. I see that we are just over 4 hours from Andorra. Is Andorra a good option for total beginners?
2) I checked out a place Pas De La Casa. For 3 days lift pass, skis and boots, lessons (3hr per day) and boots late March 2024, they are quoting approx €280 per child. Question - is that all we pay for the skiing part?
3) next I have to look for accommodation - is it important to be close to the ski slope where kids will be taking lessons? If so, how close?
4) We do not have any skiing gear at all. Someone once told me LIDL stuff are OK to buy when you are starting. Is that true? Can someone give me a list of items to buy before going?
I know it's a lot of questions. My kids had been asking every year and I kept putting it off. I would really love for them to experience it this year.
Thank you all!
3)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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1) Yes, took my 10 and 13 years old there a few years ago. They really enjoyed it.
2) Yes
3) The less walking in boots and carrying skis, the better. Anything more than 15 minutes walk is not good, especially for the younger kids. I had to carry the gears for my 10 years old.
4) Yes, Lidl stuff are decent for beginners. Decathlon stuff are good too. You could also try 2nd hand stuff on eBay, Gumtree etc as the children will grow out of them very quickly. https://skiingkids.com/family-ski-checklist-free-printable/
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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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Don't know about Andorra, but:
3) I guess you'll have a car. We often stay a bit further and drive to the lift in the morning. Combined with a depot for your skis and boots close to the lift that always worked well for us.
This of course assumes you can park close to the lift relatively easy.
4) +1 for second hand. Decent stuff to be had, not only for beginners. Especially kids stuff which is too small after one or two years - which is max a couple of weeks of use for most.
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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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1) Yes Andorra/Pas is good. I'm not sure how good the snow is there end of Mar so maybe someone else can comment.
3) If first time, you definitely want to be less than 5 mins away from meeting point. If your hotel is further up the slope in Pas, you can join the slop directly from the side and the ski down to the meeting point but you might not be able to do this as total beginners. Alternative you can hire storage in some of the rental places so you don't have to carry your gear.
4) Lidl is ok but you might struggle to find enough stock for all of you and it won't have everything. Decathlon is quite nice because I think they will have everything so you can buy all in one go. Mountain Warehouse is also quite good.
At minimum you need:
Ski Jacket
Ski Pants
Base layer top or running tshirt (something technical)
Base layer bottom
Mid layer (fleece or puffer jacket)
Goggles
Helmet (you could hire but its a bit gross...)
Ski socks
Ski gloves
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Mon 1-01-24 20:38; 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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TK Maxx & SportsDirect can be good for ski gear.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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If you have friends who ski you might be able to borrow stuff. Do you have a home in the UK?
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@Queen Elsa,
1) Andorra is good for beginners but snow conditions may not be so good in late March. Does it take much longer to drive to the French Alps?
2) Yes
3) Best to be 5 minutes walk max from 1st lift.
4. Lidl and Aldi have adequate kit at certain times. Decathlon and Sports Direct too. Lots of 2nd hand bargains available. I’m sure I have quite a few teenage sized unused pairs of gloves, socks and base layers. Also some decent quality used ski jackets and trousers stored away.
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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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A perfect time for you to get into skiing! Some of us we stupid enough to get into the sport when our kids were young and therefore subjected ourselves to years of financial pain. Yours will be paying for themselves soon enough.
Just kidding of course. We have so many unforgettable memories of our family skiing in wonderful places the world over. I highly recommend you give it a go.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Ray Zorro, the OP has a house in the south of France.
Does it seem likely they'll rent clothing?
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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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TK Maxx & SportsDirect can be good for gear.
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| red 27 wrote: |
@Ray Zorro, the OP has a house in the south of France.
Does it seem likely they'll rent clothing? |
Who knows? Certainly not you.
The OP said she has been put off by the cost.
Kitting out 4 youngsters won't be cheap now that the Lidl and Aldi deals have passed.
I throw it out there as an option that hasn't otherwise been offered and which the OP can dismiss if she pleases but which she may not have been otherwise aware.
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You know it makes sense.
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Lots of ski clothing available on Ebay - lowers the cost and helps the planet via reusing!
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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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Vinted is excellent for second hand ski gear.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Decathlon for cheap good new ski clothing. Andorra is great, I would strongly suggest Soldeu or El Tarter for beginner ski school in English rather than Pas de La Casa.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Agree to check temps and snow in late March.
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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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@Queen Elsa, Andorra is a perfect place to learn. Pas de la Casa is fine. It quietens down at the end of March so there isn’t as much partying. The step up from the beginner pistes to the others is quite high in Pas, however, in three days you might not need to progress onto other slopes. Soldeu or El Tarter are better options for absolute beginners who may progress onto other slopes (again in three days skiing, this might not come into play).
Snow conditions at the end of March will be fine everywhere on the Grandvalira. The nursery slopes are well looked after. Avoid Arinsal though. It’s the sunniest resort that time of year and nearly always the first place to close if it’s been warm, sunny and not snowy.
If you’re in France you could also consider looking on Wallapop to buy second hand kit.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Vinted is good for second hand gear, I recommend reading reviews of new stuff online, then looking on Vinted / eBay… lots of decent kit and often hardly used.
Seconding TKMaxx if you want new jackets but try BrandAlley too - my OH got a decent Burton jacket at a fraction of the retail price.
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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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Dare2B always seems to be decent value on Ebay - look for their higher water proof rated garments.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I've used Mountain Warehouse a lot - there is normally a 20% off voucher code to be found on top of their already discounted prices. Their basic jackets and salopettes are perfectly fine and last for years.
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Definitely check eBay/vinted/fb marketplace for second hand ski clothes - some really good deals out there. If you really want new, mountain warehouse is decent and currently has jacket and salopette sets that are pretty discounted on sale (adult and child).
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FAQ
