 Poster: A snowHead
|
Purpose of this post is not recommend me a resort, although may turn into that. And apologies in advance for this slightly dull topic compared to the post on why we are all narcissists.
Due to kids we go away February half term, they love to ski, and it is a fantastic pursuit as a family. I am getting longer in the tooth 47 late this year and I would like to ride my snowboard more for the enjoyment, practice and confidence. With that in mind we are looking at going away Christmas as well as February Half Term. Half term is baked in, tunnel booked and deposit down on Val Cenis hopefully same apartment with MGS Ski as 6 weeks past. Considering Valmeinier for 28th December for a week I know you’ll all say go higher, 3 Valleys, Tignes etc but Valmeinier is a decent height at 1800 metres and more compact for our needs and slightly more cost effective. We don’t need a vast area and the lift pass cost to boot plus my eldest will be 12 and so an adult, yes he can drink, drive, smoke and vote in the forthcoming general election according to the lift passers! Twenty odd years ago with an old girlfriend’s family I went away 3 Decembers on the trot to Schladming twice snow was amazing once not so good but still very skiable just not into town things have moved on since those halcyon days and just have to take your chances. That said pattern over last few years’ looks like good in December, double digit January/February and back to winter in time for Easter and chocolate eggs.
Interested in regular December trippers views and perhaps info on similar sized areas. We will be driving so plan to stick France or just over border.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Your dates look like New Year, rather than Christmas. Personally, if I was looking to get a family week additional to half term, I'd look at Easter. Or failing that, the previous (i.e. Christmas) week which is a bit less crowded than New Year.
The suggestion of Valloire/Valmeinier sounds fine to me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@Origen, Hi thank you. Yes, you're right. When I say Christmas in my mind I meant the Christmas break (kids school hols) the 28th would take us into New Year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Valloire/Valmeinier is a pretty good choice for the new year period. It doesn't get stupidly busy like the larger resorts, they are an easy drive and ski passes and accom etc are cost effective.
We have a place locally and have been the last couple of years at the same time and had a great time with good snow conditions. You will also find there are various forms of evening entertainment going on including a pretty impressive fireworks display on new year's eve.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@James77,
That early in the season it is not the height of the resort that is important, but the height of the slopes.
I'll chuck in Ste Foy, Bonneval sur Arc & La Rosiere, since you've discounted my prime recommendation - Tignes.
Easter has been mentioned, but it is very late in 2025. However look at the Snowheads Family and/or End of Season bashes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Quote: |
it is very late in 2025
|
yes, that doesn't help. Tignes still fine, though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Kenzie wrote: |
@James77,
Easter has been mentioned, but it is very late in 2025. |
It is very late in 2025, but the easter school holidays only tend to shift by a few days each year so shouldn't have a massive impact.
At least for our area (which are generally pretty typical) the start of the easter school hols for the past few years have been:
2020: 4th April
2021: 3rd April
2022: 9th April
2023: 1st April
2024: 30th March
2025: 5th April
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Kenzie, Often looked at Ste Foy but concerned not too may marked pistes and wondered if it was too off piste heavy for kids?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Handy Turnip wrote: |
| Kenzie wrote: |
@James77,
Easter has been mentioned, but it is very late in 2025. |
It is very late in 2025, but the easter school holidays only tend to shift by a few days each year so shouldn't have a massive impact.
At least for our area (which are generally pretty typical) the start of the easter school hols for the past few years have been:
2020: 4th April
2021: 3rd April
2022: 9th April
2023: 1st April
2024: 30th March
2025: 5th April |
Round here they take the week before Easter (which includes Good Friday) & the week after (which includes Easter Monday). Broke up last Friday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| James77 wrote: |
| @Kenzie, Often looked at Ste Foy but concerned not too may marked pistes and wondered if it was too off piste heavy for kids? |
Plenty of off-piste if you want it. If not, the other two resorts (or three if we include Tignes).
I'd recommend Christmas week with children over New Years, unless they are old enough to stay awake until midnight for whatever the resort puts on (Tignes' fireworks for the New Year are spectacular, by the way).
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Kenzie wrote: |
| Handy Turnip wrote: |
| Kenzie wrote: |
@James77,
Easter has been mentioned, but it is very late in 2025. |
It is very late in 2025, but the easter school holidays only tend to shift by a few days each year so shouldn't have a massive impact.
At least for our area (which are generally pretty typical) the start of the easter school hols for the past few years have been:
2020: 4th April
2021: 3rd April
2022: 9th April
2023: 1st April
2024: 30th March
2025: 5th April |
Round here they take the week before Easter (which includes Good Friday) & the week after (which includes Easter Monday). Broke up last Friday. |
Yeah, lots of places are slightly different so worth the OP checking in case. Although yours are particularly strange (if you don't mind me saying!), you must have some odd term lengths - it'll only be a couple days short of May when they go back to school next year!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Handy Turnip wrote: |
| Kenzie wrote: |
| Handy Turnip wrote: |
| Kenzie wrote: |
@James77,
Easter has been mentioned, but it is very late in 2025. |
It is very late in 2025, but the easter school holidays only tend to shift by a few days each year so shouldn't have a massive impact.
At least for our area (which are generally pretty typical) the start of the easter school hols for the past few years have been:
2020: 4th April
2021: 3rd April
2022: 9th April
2023: 1st April
2024: 30th March
2025: 5th April |
Round here they take the week before Easter (which includes Good Friday) & the week after (which includes Easter Monday). Broke up last Friday. |
Yeah, lots of places are slightly different so worth the OP checking in case. Although yours are particularly strange (if you don't mind me saying!), you must have some odd term lengths - it'll only be a couple days short of May when they go back to school next year! |
I provide school transport on Shropshire/Worcestershire border, the school I cover breaks up on 11th April next year and go back on 28th!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christmas week is quieter than new year week. Still busy but...
Ideally you need trees at that time of year IMO. Hence I usually go to Les Coches.
I've never been Valmeinier but a mate has and he thought it was good.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Weather is extremely variable at that time of the year. There is just no telling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
Go high and go the pre Christmas week - the last couple of years the Christmas week has been almost as busy as New Year which has been equal to Feb half term (in France)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@andmelffion, guess it's only one week difference to ours, and it all evens itself out in the end.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@boredsurfin, Thank you. My kids are in school I won't take them out, our decision to have kids with that goes a set of rules. Leaves 2 weeks at over the Christmas period kids don't want to be away over Christmas day which I can understand as they have a blast with cousins so that leaves the second we'll make the best of that. We've never had an issue with half term at all very few lift queues at either Val Cenis or Flaine all the occasion we've been there over February Half term.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Saas Fee might be a good shout for new year week, plenty of high slopes, if you are looking for a relatively low cost option the hostel 4000 is excellent and includes a pool of for the kinds (and a spa for grownups) assuming you can get a booking
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
