 Poster: A snowHead
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Deep joy, I seem to have convinced the wife we should do a weeks skiing holiday this Easter!
This will be my kids first ski trip so now it's a case of planning g and booking.
So there's me. Once an advanced ish skiier comfortable on and off piste, multiple off piste guided weeks, heli-skiing etc then an 8 year break after kids and a full knee rebuild after a nasty rugby injury.
My wife leisurely on piste skier who's actually much better than she'd admit.
Kids 5&8 will get them some hours on an indoor slope prior to the trip.
Schools break up 4/4 so it's a case of finding either a package/DIY while they're off but I've also got a week pencilled in 19/4.
First up where? I've been to a lot of resorts but I've never focused on which ones have the better nursery slopes! Also being late season if want to hedge my bets and look at resorts which are higher with high altitude nursery slopes.
We've had several enjoyable trips to Obergurgl which wouod be ideal but the price..... if also like accommodation that has a pool and spa facilities ideally so if/when the kids don't fancy skiing there's something else to do. I'd happily sleep in a shoebox and ski from.sun rise to sunset but want to make it as enjoyable as possible for everyone.
So the brief is:
Family friendly hotel, pool and spa facilities or access to non skiing things in resort.
Snow sure nursery slopes.
Thanks in advance!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Easter 25?
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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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@Grizwald, Are you looking at self-catering, or hotels etc? Flying or self drive? This can have a big impact on price and where to suggest.
Know one knows what the weather will hold, but I would be inclined to head high in April
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Yes 
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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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| Boris wrote: |
@Grizwald, Are you looking at self-catering, or hotels etc? Flying or self drive? This can have a big impact on price and where to suggest.
Know one knows what the weather will hold, but I would be inclined to head high in April |
Honestly not overly bothered. I've done packages and DIY and happy hiring a car and driving on the continent on mountain roads. What ever meets the brief best.
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You def want to go somewhere high up / snowsure at Easter - particularly if you're thinking w/c 19th April.
Flaine, Avoriaz, La Plagne are all worth considering for the first half of April but all end 21 April. If you want later then there are limited options incl Tignes, Val Thorens, Les 2 Alpes etc
I first took my kids mid April a few years ago when they were 7 & 5 - We went to Flaine which is good for absolute beginners and intermediates but there arent many greens for that inbetween period. Kids 7 and under ski free in Flaine.
Avoriaz had a bit more going on and lots of easy stuff. Accom was a bit more pricey but their ski pass prices for adults and kids are cut in half once you get to April.
I did the first trip to Flaine with Heidi (who put together flights/transfers/accom) and then subsequent trips have been DIY'd as I can get flights with Avios.
I'd recommend taking it easy to maximise chances of everyone enjoying themselves and wanting to go again. Kids lessons in the morning and then offer but don't insist on skiing some more in the afternoon. If they are knackered then let them slump in front of the TV or go sledging, bowling, or swimming etc.
Dont push them to go up the mountain too soon or they might get a bit traumatised. I'd generally match what their instructors are doing.
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@Grizwald, May be worth looking at Club Med - pricy but have the pool and activities for kids, plus price covers all your lessons and pass etc. They have a new(ish) location in Arc 1600 but has easy access to higher snow sure slopes. There is also one in Peisey, again with access up to high nursery slope above Vallandry.
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@Grizwald, snow sure nursery slopes, high altitude, hotel with pool/sauna, short walk to main lift hub, non-skiing activities nearby…
one that springs to mind is Chalet Hotel Rosset in Tignes 2100 (Le Lac).
The area has plenty variety for all levels of skiing. Personally I’d go for the earlier of the 2 weeks you mention; quieter and slightly better chance of good snow at all altitudes.
Not cheap or much village charm…but you didn’t mention those things as important.
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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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Yes, the earlier in April the better. Wherever you go, book the kids' ski lessons immediately. There have been lots of recent posts from people who booked accommodation and travel well in advance but forgot about one of the most important elements (for beginner kids) until the last minute. French resorts will be winding down by April (which is one reason this is such a good time to ski!) and choice of ski lessons will be reduced.
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There's normally no need to go super-high in the first week of April.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks all ill take a look at all those suggestions. For the family trip it will be the first week of Easter ideally. Also looking at the 19th in Tinges with a group of friends so getting the two to synchronise might make sense but the logistics and sending the wife and kids home on a flight while I kick back and wait for my friends to arrive while appealing is proabbly a bit unfair on my wife  .
Village charm isn't a big issue. Anyone who's stayed at the Bergwelt in Obergurgl is kind of what we're after. Cracking service and food was brilliant with top notch spa facilities. One of the best hotels I've stayed in whether skiing or not.
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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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| Grizwald wrote: |
| if also like accommodation that has a pool and spa facilities ideally so if/when the kids don't fancy skiing there's something else to do. |
Just on this specific point - it might just be my kids/family but when we had access to a pool (which wasn't that often I'd admit) we didn't use it much. And we didn't miss it when we didn't.
if they did anything they would dig in the snow (sand shovels taken), have snowball fights and sledge but mostly it would be eating some cakes/biscuits, chill, shower, chill, eat dinner, board games, ipad, phone when older.
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We drive rather than fly but maybe check out the flight situation to see if it makes sense to diy as they availability or cost might mean it makes more sense to get a package.
I presume you can't drive from the UK?
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You know it makes sense.
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@Grizwald, Don't worry too much about altitude if you're aiming for 5-12 April. Family trips are usually made or broken by the transfer times, standard of accomodation and skiing dynamics than by snow conditions.
Here in Flachau (90 mins transfer from SZG), there are lots of great deals on Booking.com for family apartments. Alternatively the Hotel Central has an excellent reputation for families and ticks your Spa/Pool requirements. https://www.central-flachau.com/
Ski Schools will remain open until Easter Week so classes are available. Nursery slopes are North facing so hold snow well into April, or Sport Am Jet Ski School has a learner area at mid-mountain which makes it easier to pick up the kids.
Further savings to be had in Ski Amade with lift pass deals. Kids ski free after mid-March when an adult buys a pass.
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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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Our first family trip was Easter 2024 and we had 3x adults who'd not skied for a long time, plus novice adult and 4x kids who'd done a fast-pass course at Tamworth, so we needed gentle terrain. We did Alpe d'Huez (actually, we stayed in Oz En Oisans) and it was perfect; nurses slopes straight out the front door and then up on the gondola, loads of gentle runs going back down into ADH and Montfrais. The Marcel's Farm sector above Signal is especially good for kids - tunnels, little ramps, bells to ring with your ski pole, all very fun and easy going. Mid-April I'm not sure what the snow is like TBH, it was getting typical Spring slush when we left on 29th March.
One good thing about Oz was the accomodation; big chalet-style apartment next to the slopes, we paid about £320pp through Sunweb (so including lift pass) so great value. It also had a pool, which the kids loved. We drove because we made it into a road trip but ADH - like L2A - are dead easy to get to from Grenoble airport. There is a hotel in Oz called the Timberlodge that's half-board and seems to be good value if you're not into self-catering.
We've just booked L2A on the basis that we're travelling with another family so prefer to be in one accommodation, which just wasn't an option for our budget in Les Menuires/Val Thorens, which I=s where we;'d have preferred this year due to the late Easter dates. I've never been to L2A that late in the season so it's a gamble - Easter feels really late this year anyway - but thankfully, it has the height to go up and explore up near the glacier on lots of beginner-friendly blues. L2A could be a good option to look at.
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Poster: A snowHead
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We live in the Lake District so unfortunately is too much of a drive pre arriving on the continent (8-10 hours to Dover with stops).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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We were in Avoriaz at Easter 2024, and it was really really slushy. And it was the first April Week.
So i suppose for the Easter 2025, it will be worse.
I am considering also Alpe d'Huez or L2A and althoung i really do not like the whole image of L2A, and i prefer Alpe d'Huez, i think with the kids it is better in L2A because there are a lot of friendly blues near the Glacier. On the other hand Alpe d'Huez has only a blue slope high near 3.000 and the other are red or blacks
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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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@turms2, As I frequently mention, altitude doesn't help if the Sun hits the slopes at 9am! Look to the North my friends.
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How are the Scandinavian resorts? I skied in Levi recently and while limited for me would be ideal for beginners with non ski stuff on offer too.
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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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| Grizwald wrote: |
| We live in the Lake District so unfortunately is too much of a drive pre arriving on the continent (8-10 hours to Dover with stops). |
Yeah, that would be a mission. Not a drive I would wish upon my worst enemy LOL
| turms2 wrote: |
| ....I am considering also Alpe d'Huez or L2A and althoung i really do not like the whole image of L2A, and i prefer Alpe d'Huez, i think with the kids it is better in L2A because there are a lot of friendly blues near the Glacier. On the other hand Alpe d'Huez has only a blue slope high near 3.000 and the other are red or blacks |
We opted for L2A for that reason (among others) - have visited before years ago and remember the 'upside-down' feel to the resort. I highly doubt the blacks under Diable will be skiable when we go but even if we do have to download in the gondola, it's not the worst thing. Lots of slopes above 2000m s that should work.
We did ADH at Easter (it was earlier in 2024 though) and it was brilliant, especially the Marcel's Farm area and the bits around Montfrais, but like you say, probably more advanced skier terrain up high where the snow is best.
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@Grizwald,
Look at some of the family specialist tour operators, such as skifamille.co.uk family ski.co.uk markwarner.co.uk
Also check action-outdoors.co.uk for Family Plus weeks (ie for age 3 and up) with UCPA - they provide all in packages in resort, you just have to sort out flights & transfers.
A quick look at action's site shows Flaine available for weeks commencing 5th and 12th April. Flaine is handily a short transfer from Geneva airport.
If none of those suit, Tignes-Val d'Isere has plenty of high altitude green and blue runs. If you choose VdI book Steve Angus (if you can get him, he's very popular!) to teach the kids.
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Ischgl is a very good option for easter - Most of the skiing is above 2000 meters even though the town is lower. It's open until the 1st week in May so they are pretty confident of snow there.
We are also looking to take a second ski holiday mid-late April and Ischgl is currently #1 on my short list of resorts.
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| RedandWhiteFlachau wrote: |
| @turms2, As I frequently mention, altitude doesn't help if the Sun hits the slopes at 9am! Look to the North my friends. |
if as North you mean Austria, is not an option because the kids want to France.
If you mean other resorts in France, i consider everything, as soon as i have a good offer.
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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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Bit of a lurker on here, but thought I'd post as have been in a very similar situation to OP. Experienced skier who had long gap between trips enforced by having children.
Have managed to establish two trips a year now, one with friends the other with kids.
For the adults only trip we DIY book and self cater as generally works out cheaper and gives more flexibility . For the family trip I use a TO as it makes organisation easier. Have used Crystal and Heidi previously and no issues with either. Generally choose a half or full board hotel with the kids. Don't underestimate how exhausting it is getting two small people in and out of ski gear and up on a mountain. Not having to worry about shopping and cooking as well really helps. I would understand if you had fussy kids, self-catering may be more straightforward, but mine love a hotel buffet and the prospect of one is a big attraction of the trip for them.
Ditto choosing a ski-in/out location. They won't be able to carry their own skis and the closer you stay to the slopes, the easier it is.
For a ski trip with kids, especially a first one, expect to be doing stuff other than skiing as they will get tired/bored quickly. Swimming and sledging/playing in the snow have worked well for us, so I would say access to a pool in the hotel or nearby is hugely useful, as is staying somewhere high where there will be snow around your accommodation for the kids to play in.
For choice of resort there is a great list on Weathertoski.co.uk of late season resorts, and best resorts for snow sure nursery slopes:
https://www.weathertoski.co.uk/top-10s/top-10-late-season-ski-resorts-europe/
https://www.weathertoski.co.uk/top-10s/top-10-snow-sure-nursery-slopes-europe/
Last year we stayed the first week of April in La Plagne at Hotel Club MMV at Aime 2000. Snow conditions were great at resort level and higher, not so good on the lower slopes, although plenty of skiing and these could be avoided. Great for ski in/out and for sitting on the terrace with a drink while children played in the snow. No pool though, and on a blue run so not ideal for complete beginners.
This year we're staying in Arc 1800, first week of April again. Hotel du Golf, all inclusive with Crystal. There's a good beginners area there with novelty kids run and easy access to a pool at the Mille 8 leisure centre. I'm expecting spring conditions at 1800 (icy in the morning, slush in the afternoon) with hopefully the chance to ski higher up on the other side at Arc 1950/2000 while the kids are in lessons.
I wouldn't do Club Med at 1600 in April with beginner skiers as the terrain around 1600 is relatively steep and can get quite icy/busy, so not ideal for novices, especially late in the season. (Would totally stay there myself though as location is great, right on the piste.)
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Thanks for all the responses. Pain to reply on my phone indivually but it really is appreciated.
Lots of reading up to do tonight and hopefully get something booked ASAP. Heidi aren't a company who I think existed when I last skiied so will give them a look. First thing will be to weigh up booking DIY or going with a tour operator.
Thanks again.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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We've done Les Menuires the last 2 easters and going that week this year again. That block is really close to the school meeting point, short ski down and not too steep IIRC. I think there may be a pool / leisure centre down there as well if they want a decent pool. We stay a little higher up in apartments called Hameau Sapinere, or something like that. We went with beginner mates the first year and they thought that the slope down was a bit steep from where we were. You should be fine though.
Mornings are good, or have been. Snow is decent, especially up in Val Thorens, which is an easy 1 or 2 lifts from where you are. You can get up pretty high and there's a lot of skiing in the 3V. You may get away with just the local pass for the kids though. You can get a lot further if you put them in morning classes. Ours did the ones with ESF and really liked them (controversial...) while I did a level 4 class and my partner skied with our mates.
Afternoons are a bit of a slush fest though, especially when you get down to the LM level. On the upside you can drink beer in the sun in your T-shirt - which you may be doing more of if the kids are knackered. I really like it there, we drive down over 2 days but we live SE. I think easter is perfect if you have beginner kids. Good conditions in the morning, maybe a couple of other runs then you can relax and get a tan while they play in the snow and don't come back blue due to the cold. It ain't hardcore but it'll suit the kids better. When they can ski better and can deal with the cold you could switch to colder months but we never have. We went at half term once and I'd never do that again. Too expensive, too busy, no tan.
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Also, if you're a family, or just a group, you all get the passes at kids prices so it's a decent deal.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Grizwald wrote: |
| We live in the Lake District so unfortunately is too much of a drive pre arriving on the continent (8-10 hours to Dover with stops). |
Raise.
Had a brilliant Good Friday up there once. Though even I would be hard pushed to argue that it is the ideal family learning environment.
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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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| B. wrote: |
| Also, if you're a family, or just a group, you all get the passes at kids prices so it's a decent deal. |
Thanks for the reply. Sounds good. There's a pool in this place but once I've a short list I'll start looking at individual accommodation in a bit more detail. The place I linked is room only but at just over 2k with flights and private transfers included seems like really good value with plenty of budget for lessons, food and drink etc.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
| Grizwald wrote: |
| We live in the Lake District so unfortunately is too much of a drive pre arriving on the continent (8-10 hours to Dover with stops). |
Raise.
Had a brilliant Good Friday up there once. Though even I would be hard pushed to argue that it is the ideal family learning environment. |
I'm a member and have got 5 days in over the last week. Been a while but you could ski all the way back down to the road. Problem is when there's unicorn conditions is getting transport close enough. The track up needed proper winter tyres or chains by all accounts to get up. I opted to park on the Thirlmere side which was about an hours hike up. Definitely earned my turns.....
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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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Nope, you dont need to go high.
As we are doing, go to Trysil, book the Raddison Blu (pool and spa and bowling in house and other non ski actiivities are also around) , nursery slopes are just outside the hotel ski room door. Usually very good snow late on, we have been twice in mid late-April, last year they has so much they could have easily stayed open for another month after their late April closing date.
Very faimly friendly hotel, relaxed skiing, lots of easy slopes, excellent English instruction to be had.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Grizwald, I’m not sure if you’re going Easter or early April. If the former then check what is actually open and research how to get there. Many TOs will have stopped by then. My suggestion would be a high tarrentaise resort such as tignes. Tignes has lots to do other than skiing: a swimming pool, and a climbing wall spring to mind for example and if it is very warm a via verrats in val d’Isère
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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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@Grizwald, Heidi are good. They're not that new, they rebranded and for the life of me, I can't remember their old name. I used the about 3/4 years ago. Compared to Sunweb who offer lift pass, Heidi do the transfer instead which is usually the pain bit for me.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Heidi were previously Ski Zoom
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Hello all. For clarity we'd be looking to do the family trip at the start of the school Easter Holidays-our school break up on the Friday 4th of April so would be looking to travel on the 5th/6th.
The friends trip is pencilled in for the weekend of the 19th but I've only just realised that Easter Sunday is the 20/4. I'm sure the school holidays usually straddle Easter weekend, i.e. it's in the middle.
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| Gaz_H wrote: |
| @Grizwald, Heidi are good. They're not that new, they rebranded and for the life of me, I can't remember their old name. I used the about 3/4 years ago. Compared to Sunweb who offer lift pass, Heidi do the transfer instead which is usually the pain bit for me. |
I've also been looking at Sunweb-they seem to offer hire too on some of their deals in addition to the lift pass. My wife and I have our own skis, boots etc but would need to hire for the kids.
Am I right in thinking some resorts it's a free pass for certain ages?
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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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Also have a look at Hochgurgl (better than Obergurgl that late) and Obertauern. You’ll find lovely hotels that meet all your requirements.
Easy, short drives/taxis from Innsbruck and Salzburg respectively.
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@Grizwald, Sunweb are decent. Went with them last year and had zero issues, great comms, good value and no hassles whatsoever with the hire kit we'd booked through them. Have booked with them again this year just on the basis that buying the lift passes and a chalet separate just won't come near what we've paid.
They do also packages with flights and transfers - they act like a travel agent to out you on the right flight rather than a tour operator.
RE: discounted passes - some resorts do free or discounts depending on age of child. Some also have free ski areas where beginners/kids can access things like conveyors or a tow lift at no cost.
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FAQ
