Resort recommendations for Easter, nervous skier, family

A snowHead

Hi all,

Looking for your wise recommendations!

Two years ago, during Christmas, we had our first family ski trip (2 adults, 1 5yo) at Les Gets. I had been on skis before, but it was the first time ever for my husband and daughter. The little one had a blast, she managed to pick it up very quickly and enjoyed it a lot. She has continued over the last two years with indoor lessons. My husband on the other hand was too nervous, he tried it for two days and stopped, and he's very reluctant to try again. It was too busy and icy, understandably for the season, which didn't help.

I'd like to give him another chance though, hopefully in a more suitable environment Very Happy

So I'm looking for a resort that is great for beginners, with wide greens and blues, not too crowded, snow sure during Easter. The kid is now 7 so we're restricted to school holidays unfortunately. At the same time, it'd be great to have other things to do as we won't be skiing all day. We really liked the village feel of Les Gets, the restaurants, the light trail, Christmas activities, etc. Oh and not too expensive! Embarassed

Is there a place in place in Europe that you'd recommend? We'll be traveling from London.

Thank you!

A snowHead

I was going to say, Les Gets is probably right there with the best for some gentle, wide slopes - sounds like you hit it wrong with the conditions first time, which is a shame. Not sure on snow cover at easter though

We did Alp D'Huez two easters ago, staying in Oz, which is a satellite station that's linked by gondolas to the main area. Oz is renowned for being family-friendly, w its its now beginners area and direct access to Montfrais (a lovely are for learners) and the main bowl in ADH, where again, there are loads of more gentle runs. we went as a group of 8, 6 total beginners and it's really worked for them; they still regard it as right up there on the top of the list for trips we organise.

We went the week before Easter weekend (as we do every Easter) and we found it not busy at all. Plus, Oz is easy to get to when driving so there's little in the way of queues. It's much easier than doing the 21 hairpins up to ADH resort.

It doesn't have the size and scope of facilities that Les Gets does however.

Another place to look at is Arinsal in Andorra; not a massive ski area but lots of beginner-friendly stuff and it's a brilliant place, loads of options for eating out and it's great value. Bit of a schlep from the airport (3hrs) but that's not a dealbreaker IMO. We loved the fact that you can stay in the town and leave your skis and boots at the mid-station and downlift on the gondola, so you're not traipsing around in ski boots if you fancy apres. We went there as boarders but took lessons to learn to ski and the ski school was impressive. You could try Pas de La Casa or Soldeu if you want the higher resort

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@amaliapapa01, Take a look at Avoriaz as they have lots of wide beginners areas around the village and good runs to progress in as they gain confidence. Show will be fine around easter. Although it is a purpose built resort it has plenty of character in my opinion. There is also the Aquariaz swimming complex for after ski. Very easy to access from Geneva Airport. You can also take the main bubble and sk bus down to Morzine should you want a change in scenery.

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I presume your Husband had lessons......If so, were they Class Lessons or Private lessons?

If you want your husband to ski (and enjoy it), it is likely that you you need the following:

1. Private Lessons with the right Instructor. This is actually (somewhat surprisingly) more important than the resort. You need a recommendation from here, book as early as you can and take as many as you can afford....but I would say a minimum of 3 x 3hour lessons.

2. A small, quieter resort, with beginner slopes higher up the mountain (which means the snow is usually of better quality}. This probably means a small Italian resort or maybe Andorra.....as I go to big French resorts, I'm not the best person to advise on this. In France, Valmorel is known for having a good beginner area.

3. You now have one more chance to get this right, as another bad experience will but the tin hat on it and he won't go again.

4. Going somewhere small and quiet will save a lot of money, which should all be put into Private lessons, if you want future skiing holidays together.

I will let others suggest resorts and Instructors, as the ones I know are in the likes of Tignes, VDI and Courchevel.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@amaliapapa01, we are a few years ahead of you - so far we have done Flaine a couple of times and Avoriaz a couple of times and Ive been to some other family friendly locations over the years:

Flaine was really good for the first trip for people learning absolute basics - but the learners seemed to find quite a step up from the easy greens to blues that felt tricky. Quite a chill resort - not much apres which suited us with kids. Adjacent Les Carroz is on our consideration list (not quite as snow sure but you can get a lift up to Flaine).

Avoriaz has become a favourite - shortish transfer from Geneva it can get a bit busy if snow is bad in the lower resorts of portes du soleil (ie morzine and Les Gets) but we've never found it a problem. No cars in town but you can get a horse drawn taxi. Tropical swimming pool with lazy river, waterslide and oversized outdoor hot tub was a big hit.

Les Menuires - I havent taken my kids but have been with other families - not a pretty resort but well priced for the 3 valleys which has a good snow record. Very family friendly. Meribel is same deal but nicer to look at (and a little more convenient for people exploring the 3 valleys) so it has associated higher price tag.

Val Cenis - is well set up for families, well priced and snow sure (next valley over to Val D'Isere.)

La Plagne - havent been but its next on our list.

Le Corbier - I havent been but seems like a big varied ski area, well priced, but not pretty (can you spot a pattern here!). Dont think many UK tour operators go here so only worth looking at if you are happy to DIY.

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@AliAfro, @amaliapapa01, Easter is not so busy in Avoriaz as the number of French visitors tends to drop off significantly after half term. We are in neighbouring Chatel and always go for Easter and often pop over to Avoriaz and crowds not really and issue at this time. Its a fun atmosphere.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Definitely second the suggestion that your other half takes some lessons before going.

You'll get many responses about the ideal resort, if you liked Les Gets then may be worth sticking with what you know.

Personally I'd suggest looking at Vallandry, part of Arcs area. Beginner area is at top of lift, easy to use sit down cable car, so is as snow sure as it can be. Can download on lift or take the very easy and gentle Foret run down. Plenty of little runs through trees to keep young ones entertained as well - our kids all learnt to ski there.

Can visit the Peisey village on the bucket lifts for old village charm, or walk/bus to 1800 for more activities

As with any ski trip, decide what's important to you and start making a list. Is it accomodation, access to slopes, transfer time etc. How you're travelling to resort and what you're looking for (hotel, self-catering etc) will influence choice and recommendations

After all it is free

Not sure about LG or Arinsal being snow sure at Easter. Avoriaz sounds a better bet for that.

Tell hubby to stick with it for 5 days. Most adults are a broken rotary clothes line after only two. And attempting to learn on ice is just masochism. Soft snow at Easter much more forgiving.

Lapland, do it now before you’re all too good ! It Will be cold at easter so should be decent conditions.
Private lessons for hubby.
Skidoo trips, reindeer sleigh rides and husky sledding to mix things up.
Plus a good chance of the northern lights.

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@amaliapapa01, maybe look at some lessons in the fridge at Hemel before you go. This might build a bit more confidence for him before you go. This may help progression once you get up on the hill.

snow reports

In my opinion someone who "he tried it for two days and stopped, and he's very reluctant to try again" should be left at home.

I've known a few people who have tried and simply don't like it.

I get with a family dynamic that can be a tough thing to swallow but...

I think you need to pick your resort carefully and I think Les Gets is on the low side for early/late season. I think La Rosiere or Montgenevre last week of March/first week of April would be good. Les Saisies has even more gentle runs but does not go up as high. It would probably be ok then too though as it tends to get above average snow depths and would probably be less busy than Portes du Soleil. Sainte Foy and Val Cenis would be other options.

I think its worth your husband giving it another go in a private lesson late season. Montgenevre with Apeak ski school would be ideal for him. If he still doesn't take to skiing after the second trip late season it might not be for him.

You know it makes sense.

@Layne, I completely disagree! I HATED my first three days’ skiing (aged 32 and physically pretty fit). I always tell my beginner friends whom I take that they should be prepared to expect to hate skiing for a good chunk of the first week. It’s dangerous (or feels it), it’s hard work, you are overtaken by tiny children, nothing (in your body) works properly, why throw yourself off a perfectly decent mountain etc. And I’ve never taken single beginners, so they’re always with somebody else to suffer with.

Suddenly something clicked on my day four, my instructor took me down a red, I went for it (in a way I maybe didn’t for some years to come…?!!) and I felt it.

I presume OP’s husband is older than I was. I reckon he needs 6x3 hour private lessons that week. Yes, that’s about £2k. Money well spent if the instructor is good. And he also needs a wife who will accompany him in the afternoons and say repeatedly ‘darling you’re doing so well’ and literally nothing else. Even better, like 1,000 times better, find another beginner husband (and his family obv) to go with. The men can look after each other. And compete (gently). And the wives can have fun/ play with children.

This is an investment in your marriage of both a significant amount of cash and time, and love.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@James the Last, I don't want to get into an internet fight over this. You say you hated it but you didn't stop right? Even after 3 days...

I've known several people who tried skiing and quit pretty quickly. And I've read enough threads on here of people trying really hard to get a partner or a n other to into it. Enough at least to keep the spousal or for family thing going.

Anyhow, I don't mean to dampen the OP's ardour, I'm just putting it out there that it may be a battle that can't be or you shouldn't try to win.

A snowHead

Regarding the most recent posts above, it depends imho. Does the person thinking of quitting have a deep down wish or motivation to become a decent skier? Or are they only doing it purely for their family or mates?

Reluctance new skiers in their 30’s can become competent skiers, I’ve met many, but they were motivated.

If that’s the case pick a resort with genuinely gentle runs (don’t go just by piste plans) and take some private lessons. Because that’s not cheap, perhaps the first three mornings. And again the next holiday.

A snowHead

I would say it's probably worth the husband giving it one more shot, maybe the result will be the same in which case it may be time to admit defeat...

We go at Easter every year, either 3 valleys or Tignes/Val D'Isere due to the altitude and ski area, lovely time to ski and generally be in the mountains.

Agree with others that private lessons are probably a better bet than group ones. If you go this route then lessons around lunchtime would be ideal, even at Easter it can be pretty icy in the morning (the afternoon sun starts to melt the snow, which then refreezes overnight and can be pretty solid first thing the next day, usually starts to soften up by 10am IME).

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Thank you all for your suggestions! Lots to look into.

I’ve particularly enjoyed the debate of whether I should leave hubby at home Very Happy

I will certainly do if it comes to that. I respect that skiing is not for everyone, and it’s fine. I grew up skiing with my dad while my mum was perfectly happy enjoying the view from indoors. It’s just easier to justify an expensive trip if we’re all into it.

We’ll definitely do lessons. Noted about preferring private. He was supposed to do group lessons the first time. On the first day, on the way to the lesson he lost his lift pass rolling eyes

so that day was lost… He switched to private lessons for the next two days, and he did really well considering the conditions and the fact it was only two days. So I think he’s got potential and he sees the appeal of it but he’s too aware of the risks and he doesn’t fancy the idea of falling onto people or the other way around.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

I'll say this. The first day I skied (first half in a group lesson) I must have fallen over 50 times. I loved it.

Never considered the possibility of falling onto someone to be honest.

Good luck @amaliapapa01, I hope it works out.

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Just to add to the anecdata on other halves that dont love it:

My Australian wife hates the cold.

In our 20s I took her on 2 x snowboarding trips with a load of friends - each time she just about got it but remembered the pain of falling rather than the joy of sliding...

When kids were old enough to ski I switched to skis and we all had beginner (group) ski lessons - she did ok but still didn't love it (but started enjoying the mountains a bit more - sunny easter helped).

Have completed 3 subesquent ski trips - got her a couple of private lessons each time - this final trip it finally clicked and she says she loves it now... Now I just need to convince her that we should do another Easter trip, to 'cement the learning'.

Help!!

Resort recommendations for Easter, nervous skier, family

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