 Poster: A snowHead
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We have managed to persuade some extended family to join us for skiing in Feb next year and want to make sure we get the best experience so they want to come again.
We’re looking at France because we need a large chalet and there will be a group of 8 beginners, late teens, early 20s and a couple pushing 50. Wondering what the best resort is for learning and progression for adults rather than small kids. We’re also looking for decent intermediate skiing for 4 of us who are regular skiers, and some things to do if some of the group don’t take to skiing. Morzine seems a good choice but looking for other suggestions.
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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@Soozm, beginners don't need much, snow wise, but other facilities and convenience should rank highly? I'd be looking at places like Avoriaz or Flaine so that you are +/- ski in/out, I'd think?
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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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If you want to get the ski bug into people, you need to give them the absolute easiest first trip.
In my opinion, that is
- ski in/out or as close to it as possible. No one wants to lug skis about on a walk or buses on their first trip.
- as close to guaranteed decent snow. You want that classic, snow capped roofs look.
- mountain views. Don't be in the valley. Let them wake up, pull back the curtains and see the mountains around them.
Whilst Morzine is a lovely town, most chalets are a walk (or bus/land train) to a lift and in a bad snow year like this one and last season, the town will be not be white and chance of skiing in the rain.
The PdS ski area is also somewhat disjointed.
If you want to go to that area, then I'd go for Avoriaz which is at 1800m so will be white, is ski in/out and also has the swimming pool for non-skiers.
However, if it was me I'd be looking at either the 3V, Paradiski or Tignes. All 3 are high so will have good snow, have an abundance of ski in/out or piste side accommodation and have other activities for non-skiers.
3V - Specifically I'd be looking at Val Thorens or Les Menuires as a starting point. La Tania has some lovely chalet accommodation but not much to do for non-skiers.
Paradiski - La Plagne probably provides more chalet options than Les Arcs but all the different villages offer a wide range of options across the area.
Tignes - The higher villages offer some of if not the best access to amazing intermediate skiing. Although may be more apartment type accommodation unless you go to a lower village.
I'd also consider Alpe D'Huez as a potentially option as well.
Just my 2 cents!
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Not Tignes for beginners. Alpe d huez would be a good shout for beginners.
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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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I’d avoid paradiski or the grand massif as they will be too busy with too many fast skiiers. Morzine would be hard work with carrying skis as others have said.
I’d suggest La rosiere, montgenvere or les Saisies. I don’t know about chalets in these resorts but could recommend some high end self catering options.
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I disagree that you need ski in/ski out for absolute beginners (unless it’s on a nursery slope) as they’ll probably have to walk to ski school for at least the first couple of days.
Also going to a huge ski area with an expensive lift pass will be wasted too, as they’ll only be using a few runs by the end of the week.
I would suggest picking somewhere with a very short walk to ski school in a smaller resort such as the Napoleon complex in Montgenevre. Still lots of lovely skiing for the intermediates but super handy for the beginners as it’s just across the road from ski school meeting place and the nursery slopes.
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I did something similar 2 two years ago and opted for Morzine - there was 9 of us, 6 complete beginners. We stayed with more mountain in a self catered chalet that was probably 3/4 minute walk to the Pleney lift and less for the bus to Prodains for Avoriaz. We arranged for cake delivery each day and a couple of days catering for that Chalet experience but then had other nights to eat out and see the town.
For what we wanted it worked really well - granted snow conditions could have been better but there was plenty going around especially for beginners and given the area is, i think, more family orientated it didn't feel like there were lots of people skiing quickly/out of control around beginners etc.
As mentioned above, the town was not white (we went 2nd week of march) but the thinking behind that was partially to avoid it been too cold for people and little ones - ironic looking at the last couple of seasons. the height/snow is the only thing that would make me hesitant on returning but that is a big factor!
Good luck in the search.
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Beware the 4 week French school holidays. Avoid at all costs! Last three weeks of Feb and first week of March, but check exact dates.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I agree with @surferrosa, ski in ski out not so important for beginners and if you hire lockers near the ski school meet this would give a wider radius to search. The intermediates would normally be able start their day from near most ski school meet areas.
A base within Les Sybelles could work as a cheaper alternative to a better known mega resort?
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@EdYarker, you still then need to walk in boots ... a good shop with overnight boot warmers/dryers then essential
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Having been there a few weeks ago with a beginner, I'd highly recommend Les Saisies. The area is very beginner friendly, with suitable for progression. Our beginner had a week's beginner lessons (6 2.5hr lessons) for €147, which was an absolute bargain compared to the "mega resorts". The quality of the instruction seemed good.
We stayed in the Foret area, which seemed to have many properties with great access onto the snow. The group lessons started down in the centre of town but there's an easy green down to there, that our beginner had no issue using to get to lessons.
The Les Saisies bowl itself held the snow brilliantly, even while surrounding areas and resorts were starting to struggle.
At some point I'll get around to writing a proper trip review.
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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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Beginners need proximity to ski school, agreed. And small learning groups. And the older learners need to get fit to get the most out of it. And quiet slopes are very important.
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I always recommend Alpe d'Huez. Short gondola to graduated slopes ideal for progression.
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You know it makes sense.
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Brilliant - thank you everyone! We are going to rule out Tignes (although we’ve been and enjoyed it it’s not a very nice town for anyone not skiing and not worth it for the beginners).
Still keen on Morzine but with all the reservations about no snow in the village and walking in boots - I think we could mitigate that but hiring lockers at Pleney though. (Morzine more chalets than Avoriaz)
Off to check out ADH and Les Saisies, I think the Apres Ski requirements of the 17-24yr old “kids” might come into play though!
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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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Morzine or Les Gets. That's where people who can't ski, go for a ski holiday. Alta Badia if you fancy the Dolomites.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Soozm, what dates?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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@Soozm, I would not discount Montgenevre which I mentioned above. It would be ok for older teens/young adults as well as being an ideal ski area for the group.
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If half term best avoid France. Could you go at Easter if determined to go to France? If half term, Italy better.
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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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Another shout for Montgenevre. Ticks the boxes for beginners, there’s some really nice green runs to get going on. Also plenty locally and further afield in the whole Via Lattea for the intermediates. Tends to not get as badly crowded in half term as the French mega resorts. Although if there’s any way to avoid half term I’d absolutely put that as a priority, one way to kill skiing enthusiasm is to be constantly fighting big queues.
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+ for Montgenevre
I also think Courcheval has some great learner slopes
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Oh yes, I missed Montgenevre somehow, will add that in. My personal pref would be to go to Austria but we really want a chalet with living room space.
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@Soozm, Now you mention Austria! How about Alpbach? Inghams have some options but have a good look around for catered or Halb Pension options. The local tourist office would be a good starting point.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Soozm, although Montgenevre is in France it mainly caters for an Italian crowd, and Italy don’t have a half term holiday per se. So it shouldn’t be crazy busy.
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| Soozm wrote: |
| My personal pref would be to go to Austria but we really want a chalet with living room space. |
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Walking in boots; when I stayed in Morzine I specifically rented from a shop right next to the gondola, who then provided storage each evening. So hotel to lift was in normal shoes, change in the shop, shop to gondola was 50m if that. An idea.
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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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You know it makes sense.
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I'd say equally important as the right holiday resort is getting the beginners through their 5 stages in a UK snow dome before you go away. They'll have a much better time in resort (not feeling too left out), and you'll have a good idea what their standard is which should help you choosing a location.
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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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If the budget is high then Courchevel 1850 is the stand-out imo. The whole area is surrounded by wide, gentle greens with blues above to progress to. 1550 would be a cheaper option, with beginners taking the Grangettes gondola down from 1850.
Again, if budget not an issue then Val D'Isere can be considered, downloading on the Solaise or Olympique gondolas from the beginner areas. A big benefit is the skiing is high so conditions much more likely to be better i.e. less ice and slush.
Other good beginner/all ability areas are the gurgls (hoch & ober), Lech and Wengen but these tend to be hotel based not chalet.
Alpe D'Huez, as has been mentioned, looks a great contender (from studying the piste map) but admittedly I've not been.
I'd avoid Morzine due to the altitude. Avoriaz is ok but not the prettiest and from memory the lift connections are a bit cumbersome.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Kenzie, Thanks very much for this!
@red 27, @RedandWhiteFlachau, I realise that sounds confusing but when we go as a family of 4 we go to Austria and stay in a hotel (my personal preferred option!) but whenever I've looked for a group I've never found a chalet (exclusive use, self catered or catered for about 12) that's affordable anywhere but France. We don't want to stay in a pension or hotel.
@ratkinsonuk, I absolutely agree - Hemel is doable for me but most of the group are in either Brighton or Bristol which are tricky for snowdomes unfortunately
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@shortturns, I think Courchevel is a bit too spendy for this trip, unfortunately!
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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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@Soozm, possibly helpful (although not full availability for 2025 yet) and may give pointers to which you find interesting for ski area consideration https://en.ski-france.com/ski-holidays-to-france/ often a smaller ski village will give a good balance of skipass cost, then not to overwhelm newcomers while offering you a more "chaperoned" experience for your newcomers.
Hopefully you can pinpoint something suitable to get a very good initiation visit for those you're encouraging to try skiing.
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@Soozm, you will have to compromise on something.
France at half term will be minging and busy, more so if the snow is as poor as this year. Beginners will hate it.
Italy or Austria would be much better you could go self catering and eat out / takeaway in, that will give you your living room to socialise in.
Left field - Norway or Sweden, that guarantees good snow.
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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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Not all of France gets stupidly busy at half term…look outside the large Brit dominated areas and consider Val Cenis, Valmeinier, Valloire - all family friendly resorts that offer enough skiing for experienced and beginner skiers. Just spent our half term in the area last week and longest queue was no more than 3 minutes and that was thanks to the lift stopping for some unknown reason.
Happy skiing and have a great time wherever you go.
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One thing to consider with total beginners is the length of ski school lessons. If it's France or Italy then you're usually either on mornings or afternoons and you're going to have to plan lunchtime meetups and what you do or don't do together outside lessons.
Most Austrian ski schools are 10 to 3pm including group lunch so it's easier for the more experienced skiers to have a "normal" ski day if they so wish. Depends on your group I guess but it would be easy for the beginners to not have enough confidence to ski any more on their own once their lesson has finished and end up feeling that they've "wasted" half the day if it's just the mornings.
Of course, if you're happy to spend every afternoon ploughing green runs, it doesn't matter but there must be a chance that either you get frustrated supervising or they feel frustrated that they're holding you back.
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I would vote for Val Thorens or Zurs. Both have access to a lot of easy blues that feel different to ski and promote confidence. VT will be cheaper and chalets are much more common (good for groups). Try and get a catered chalet because that will add to the experience for newbies!
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What about La Rosiere?
A slightly smaller town with slightly less options for activities off the slopes but generally nice easy skiing and a quieter more family orientated resort.
+1 for getting your beginners off the basics at a snowdome (even a dry slope would help) before the holiday. This will help them progress more whilst on holiday and probably give them a much better sense of achievement in the mountains. A few basic skills beforehand will make the first few days less tiring for them too.
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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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| Je suis un Skieur wrote: |
One thing to consider with total beginners is the length of ski school lessons. If it's France or Italy then you're usually either on mornings or afternoons and you're going to have to plan lunchtime meetups and what you do or don't do together outside lessons.
Most Austrian ski schools are 10 to 3pm including group lunch so it's easier for the more experienced skiers to have a "normal" ski day if they so wish. Depends on your group I guess but it would be easy for the beginners to not have enough confidence to ski any more on their own once their lesson has finished and end up feeling that they've "wasted" half the day if it's just the mornings.
Of course, if you're happy to spend every afternoon ploughing green runs, it doesn't matter but there must be a chance that either you get frustrated supervising or they feel frustrated that they're holding you back. |
I think your point, it depends on your group, is really key. Some tight knit groups might be keen to meet up at lunch, otherwise they might feel they've not spend any time together during the day. Also, with quite a few beginners, there's enough of them to spend an hour or two post-lunch on the nursery slopes without everyone needing to stay back and look after them (although I'm sure a few will want to spend time with them).
I remember loving the post lunch ski after lessons - we'd pootle up and down the bunny slopes thinking we were going 100mph, falling frequently but laughing a lot. And after about an hour of that we were exhausted, so were happy to retreat to a bar!!
We learned in Andorra - so by about day 3 we could cover quite a lot of the mountain (relatively I meant). But that definitely helps.
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For me lift pass cost is a big factor - there’s no point in paying for large ski area for beginners so normally I’d look somewhere like Grand Bornand, Les Sybelles, Valloire - but with current conditions going high would trump those
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