 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi, looking for suggestions for a specific set of circumstances... involving a mother in law.
My Australian parents-in-law (who are in their (mid 60s) just retired and will be touring around Europe over April/May. They have suggested that we all meet up somewhere while the kids are on their Easter school hols (Fri 4th April - Sun 20th Apr) - but that's when we usually go skiing! So I'm trying to kill two birds with one stone... but this may tricky due to MIL's exacting standards...
My father in law is very easy going and will have fun wherever we go.
My MIL can often be hard to please and isn't naturally inclined to cold places - She will often get an idea in her head that she isn't going to enjoy something, but she can come around if there is some wow factor e.g. natural surroundings, architecture, charm, shopping, food etc
My parents in law are reasonably active and can probably do some walking but might not want a whole week of it... Meanwhile, we will probably all ski in the morning but might meet for lunch and do some stuff in the afternoon/evening.
So my mission (if snowheads chooses to accept it) is to find somewhere that meets the following criteria:
- Has plenty of decent self catering options that'll comfortably fit 2 families.
- Is relatively snow sure for early/mid April.
- Has beginner friendly runs for the kids (9 and 7yo and have skiied a couple of times before).
- Has some form of wow factor (does need all of the criteria I mentioned but at least one).
- That isn't crazy money. (if it does late season ski pass discounts then that would be a bonus).
- We'll probably fly (from london) and don't want crazy long transfer at the other end (but could live with this or even driving whole way if other boxes ticked)
I haven't been but was wondering if Courchevel 1650 might fit the bill? (suspect 1850 is a bit pricey).
Any hive mind thoughts/suggestions most appreciated..
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Not sure about Courchevel - how much is there for non skiers?
I would be included to look at somewhere close to Innsbruck - possibly Innsbruck itself? It's a great city for pedestrians, there's plenty to do and look at, and various ski areas all accessible by bus from Innsbruck. Would need to check re what areas are still open that late in the season, but there is the option of the Glacier at Stubai.
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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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Zell Am Zee would be my suggestion. Pretty village with a lake good range of shops/restaurants, an amazing Spa complex close by and if the snow is poor in Zell then you can jump on the bus to Kaprun and the glacier (same lift pass). Salzburg is an easy day trip and a beautiful wee city.
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Stay in Aosta maybe? You can go up to La Thuile (40min drive) to ski. In laws can either chill around Aosta or come up with you and snow shoe etc? Easy Gondola for pedestrians for good lunch meeting places and not too expensive. OR if looking at La Thuile stay in Pre St Didier, nice spa etc, easy drive to La Thuile and in laws can enjoy Pre St Didier but also close to Aosta for a day trip.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Thu 23-01-25 14:09; 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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Zermatt?
It is pricey of course, but does have a lot of apartments, so maybe you'll find something.
Is does tick all the boxes! Your MIL definitely can't complain about Zermatt!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Arc 1950.
It has a properly nice (Fussy MiL) standard of accommodation - if it isn't outside of your budget. Then there is a ski bus that takes you down to Arc 1600 and from there you have access to BSM via the Funicular.
For the Skiers, you are high enough to be snow sure, with a good ski school (Tignes Spirit/Evo 2)....and everything is incredibly handy in this small but bijou resort with ski in/ski out accessibility.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Thu 23-01-25 14:22; edited 1 time in total
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Grindelwald? Trip up to the Jungfraujoch as well as Lauterbrunnen and Wengen. Trains all about the place....
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St Moritz is pretty high so should be snow sure.
It’s in a valley so walking should be a possibility. If not, snowshoe? With all the villages linked by train and buses, there’s enough things for the non-skier to do. Lots of spas (which I hadn’t done yet)
This late in the season, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be too expensive.
The only thing I don’t remember is the amount of easy skiing (I’m not a beginner and wasn’t paying attention to that)
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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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I'd probably look at Austria.
In general the accomodation is at a lower altitude, down in the valley based around a real, year round village and you gondola up in the morning to the snow at a higher altitude. As a result they tend to feel less artificial/manufactured than the purpose built, mountain top French resorts so there's a bit more history/interesting architecture/etc. And of course being lower, especially late in the season it can be significantly warmer in the town vs. up on the snow.
Zell Am Zee's already been suggested so I'll add Mayrhofen to the list. That also gives you the train line down the valley as an in-laws day trip.
I think price will always be an issue though and you won't be getting any late season discounts for the Easter weeks - Easter = school holidays = peak week/rates I'm afraid.
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? Milan for a day, hire car to Cervinia for 7 days, return to Milan for a day. Fossils can stay longer in Milan and get train/bus to cervinia as/when... shopping, culture, matterhorn, pedestrian access to over 3800m, very sunny s facing resort but with loads of snow, easy walks (w/wo lifts) to lots of nice restos on piste (again s facing), great blue run network plus loads of easy reds, option to lunch in Zermatt for all, italian food & hot chocolate...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If you are still considering Courchevel 1650, would she be interested in a few sessions at Aquamotion?
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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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Was coming on to say Zermatt. If they are touring Europe, the train up to resort from Visp (and actually the whole train from GVA) is scenic before you even get to the very obvious Matterhorn views from the Gornergrat Bahn. She can also potter around plenty of unaffordable shops 
I'd imagine is one of the safer places for Skiing in April with plenty 3000m+ but mainly red runs from memory, and as i'm not a beginner it doesn't really factor (not sure on the kids, but if they are having morning lessons then instructor will definitely find the most suitable pistes for them)
Not cheap either, but chalk it up as an 'experience' rather than an average ski week and go all in.
Other option is it gives them maybe a few days there if they can find a 4 day rental, and then they can train off somewhere else to do Geneva or Zurich as a bit of a city visit
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| trmacc wrote: |
| Stay in Aosta maybe? You can go up to La Thuile (40min drive) to ski. In laws can either chill around Aosta or come up with you and snow shoe etc? . |
This plus as suggested a few days in Milan.
They can also head to Courmayeur, bound to have something of interest (food, boutiques etc.) to the tourist with high standards.
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You know it makes sense.
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Perhaps an impossible task where everyone ends up a bit disappointed.
I'd be a bit miffed if made plans to spend time with friends/family and found out they were planning on doing an activity I wasn't going to be involved in for 7 hours or so per day!
I guess it depends on many factors; their health, how often you get to see each other, relationship between them and your wife and kids etc. But I'd be tempted to just scrap skiing for one year and let he grandparents enjoy their big trip and the kids and wife enjoy time with them.
But as always with these predicaments why dont you actually speak to them? If you say you usually go skiing at that time they may well be accomodating. You could discuss options and find a suitable compromise like normal adults 
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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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| AliAfro wrote: |
| So my mission (if snowheads chooses to accept it) |
Nah, it's OK
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Poster: A snowHead
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I'm kinda with @boarder2020 on this one.
Couldn't you just meet up post skiing?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Do a hybrid?
4th April - 20th Apr is 2 weeks. Sacrifice one of those weeks so the grand parents get to spend 1 week with their grand kids full time. Do another week in a ski resort where the grand parents gets to try a few activities near snow while the kids/parents ski?
For non-skiers, 2 weeks in resort could be incredibly boring.
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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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You haven't said if you're planning a one or 2 week hol yourselves.
I'd be inclined to make your usual plans then offer them the chance to join you if they want. Or if you really want to accommodate you could base yourself near somewhere there is plenty to do (Innsbruck is usually pretty nice around Easter for example) and hit up local hills. Or split your hol - if you were in the car you could do 1 week in Austria or Dolomites or Slovenia (if still snow) then a week in Northern Croatia for instance.
In general though if MiL is a bit of princess about things I'd be inclined to be as take it or leave it about things as possible - if you end up negotiating around all her wants I think you'd lose.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Zermatt and tell them they are paying - will save you a fortune as many of the mountain restaurants are pedestrian pass accessible, and nowadays they can get the lifts over to Italy to meet you for lunch there.
Tignes or Val d'Isere - loads of non-ski activities for them to do with grandkids - check out Evolution 2's website - also has pedestrian pass/plenty of village restaurants for lunches. Again, tell them they are paying - what are their pensions for if not to spoil the grandkids?
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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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| boarder2020 wrote: |
Perhaps an impossible task where everyone ends up a bit disappointed.
I'd be a bit miffed if made plans to spend time with friends/family and found out they were planning on doing an activity I wasn't going to be involved in for 7 hours or so per day!
I guess it depends on many factors; their health, how often you get to see each other, relationship between them and your wife and kids etc. But I'd be tempted to just scrap skiing for one year and let he grandparents enjoy their big trip and the kids and wife enjoy time with them.
But as always with these predicaments why dont you actually speak to them? If you say you usually go skiing at that time they may well be accommodating. You could discuss options and find a suitable compromise like normal adults |
Wise words - We're actually over in Australia for most of Feb staying with them which was booked a while back - they've only just announced their grand tour of Europe which has been prompted by their retirement. It might be that we don't end up meeting up in Europe but I just thought I'd see if the hive mind could come up with something they would like that coincides with something we would like (the kids aren't in to city breaks and the Aussies don't need another beach holiday). I'd add that the kids don't always have stamina for a full day of skiing so we have no prob meeting for lunch then pottering about in the afternoon. And my father in law loves the mountains as he's from a cooler part of NZ originally.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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wow. loads of great suggestions. Thanks so much!
To answer a question that came up a couple of times - we'd probably be planning just a 1 week hol at some point during the 2 week long easter break - not sure the budget could stretch to the whole 2 weeks...
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| boarder2020 wrote: |
I'd be a bit miffed if made plans to spend time with friends/family and found out they were planning on doing an activity I wasn't going to be involved in for 7 hours or so per day! |
There’s no law saying you must ski for 7 hours everyday whilst staying in a resort? If so we’re outlaws.
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How often do they usually see the grandkids? I assume the little ones are priority. If every year/ twice a year, they might accommodate your hols this time. If they haven’t seen for 2 years and might not for another 2, you might sacrifice or minimize your ski trip. If they aren’t fussed about seeing the little ones, then go ahead and meet them on the snow.
Ok I saw boarder got there first and your reply. If they have already seen them for a whole month in Feb, then I’d say you are allowed a ski trip and they can tag along for a few days! I don’t remember innsbruck but it sounds good and your youngsters don’t need much snow to learn on.
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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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| AliAfro wrote: |
Wise words - We're actually over in Australia for most of Feb staying with them which was booked a while back - they've only just announced their grand tour of Europe which has been prompted by their retirement. It might be that we don't end up meeting up in Europe but I just thought I'd see if the hive mind could come up with something they would like that coincides with something we would like (the kids aren't in to city breaks and the Aussies don't need another beach holiday). I'd add that the kids don't always have stamina for a full day of skiing so we have no prob meeting for lunch then pottering about in the afternoon. And my father in law loves the mountains as he's from a cooler part of NZ originally. |
Particularly if you are likely to be skiing mainly in the first half of the day there is no need for great altitude at Easter time if the slopes are not too south facing East gets pretty soft as well low down.
Innsbruck doesn't sound like a bad shout . We went for quite a few years to Briancon at Easter with the kids though we would usually drive them up to Villeneuve or Monetier for ski school. Attractive old town in Briancon it was always reasonably priced and when we stayed there for a season elderly parents really enjoyed it. There was always plenty of good snow in the morning though in the warmer Easters it was soft after about 2-3 pm, equally some years there was great skiing all day.
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What about Cortina? It doesn’t get any prettier. There will still be snow at least in the first week of April. Sunny weather is probable. There’s a good town there so she’ll have something to do while you ski. The Olympics will be there next year, maybe that gives some “wow“ factor. Then there’s the food!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@AliAfro,
Ultimately it doesn't matter where you go - she's an Aussie - whinging is their national sport. So just go where suits yourselves. 
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