 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all, reaching out for advice yet again. (Massive thanks to those that have helped me in the past).
Looking at options for first week in Jan 27.
We will be 2 family groups, with the kids all being beginners.
Flight options from Dublin would be as follows:
Turin/Zurich/Munich/Geneva.
Having been to the bigger French resorts, it might be nice to try an Italian or Austrian option.
Looking forward to hearing your proposals.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
might be nice to try an Italian or Austrian option.
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Or a smaller French one? Les Saisies.
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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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How old are the children? Look for resorts which give free or cheap lift passes.
And are the adults looking for cruisey blues or gnarly shreds?
First week in January; check how that interacts with local school holidays.
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@B1g_browner,
Ask Action Outdoors if UCPA are doing a family week for your chosen dates.
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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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@B1g_browner, Cervinia from Turin or Serfaus in Austria from Zurich.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I think Austria is generally quieter that week. St Johann in Tyroll said to be good for families (2 hours), low, but near enough to Munich.
Kuhtai is snow sure and ski in ski out, know a few people who've brought their kids there and enjoyed it, think its about 2hrs 30 ex Munich.
Obergurgl maybe 3 hours, lots of ski in ski out, prob more expensive. Snow sure.
Flaine (France) from Geneva (1 hour).
You should add Bergamo to your list or airports and consider Passo Tonale (2 hours), excellent for beginners.
Cervinia definitely a good option ex Turin (90 minutes) or any of the Milan airports (2 - 2hrs 30) and very snow sure.
Val Cenis in France through the tunnel from Turin (2 hours) said to be good with families.
Most of those have ski in ski out options which is an essential for me skiing with kids, but if it isn't that important to you there are lots more options. Don't be daunted by the variety, just pick one and go to another one next year!
You could also add Lyon to your list of airports but mainly accesses the big French resorts you're trying to avoid!
The suggestion of looking at cheaper ski passes for kids is wise. Tonale you definitely got a free kid with an adult up to maybe age 8 i think. Can add up over the weak.
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@Orange200, Hi the kids will range in age from 4 to 12. Adults would probably be content enough with cruisy blues that week, considering we will need to be back for lunch times etc.
Any tips for places with free lift passes for kids? That does sound appealing.
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@Kenzie, You are going to have to enlighten me Kenzie? I've no idea what you mean with this one?
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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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@Chicko, @8611, Thanks for the responses.
Will check out Cervinia for sure, based on the recommendations from you both. Thanks again.
@8611, wondering why you think the ski in/ski out is essential? Assume it's just because you don't want kids to be walking in boots?
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No because I don't want to be lugging four pairs of skis (kids plus put upon wife) plus my own from the accomodation on / off bus / or down the road to lift!
Its a personal preference. The way it works in our family we head out around 10 or 11, kids do an hour or two private lessons alternating while I ski with the other one, often times the younger ones are tired then so go back to accomodation for screens after lunch. I leave them with their mother and do a bit of skiing on my own or with the older one. All the transitions are tiring so its a pleasure to ski right to the accomodation, pop my skis off, carry the kids skis into the ski room and head straight out again. Same in the morning, just easier for me. Also limits stress on put upon wife who puts up with my ski addiction generally.
Another option for you (I have done all of these ex Dublin) fly to venice and 2 hour drive to Passo San Pellegrino. There's an excellent value small hotel with a pool, wellness and (casual) kids club called Hotel San Marco. There is literally a baby piste and fun run right at your door. Full board very good value. Not much of an atmosphere in the resort as its basically a high pass with a handful of hotels but ski convenience cannot be beat and the skiing is excellent in the area, world cup black run just the other side of the resort easily accessed.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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just because you don't want kids to be walking in boots?
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Getting 4 beginner kids, and their gear, to and from the ski school meeting place (carrying their skis, usually) is no small feat. But personally, even without kids, I have never enjoyed walking round in ski boots on icy pavements. And climbing, with your own and kids' skis, on and off crowded busses is even worse.
But being in "ski in/out" accommodation, which competent skiers can ski in and out of (or near) is not nearly as important as being near the ski school meeting place - close enough, if funds are tight, to take them back for a lunch of stuff they'll eat at supermarket prices!
I doubt whether there'll be many ski pass bargains around in the first week of January.
When you decide on a destination, book ski lessons ASAP.
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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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@B1g_browner, What do you define as "first week in January"? the period between 1st and 6th of January is high season in Austria, the 6th is a public holiday in Germany and Austria (and other countries) so for schools and many people back to work day is the 7th. This also affects the Italian areas popular with Germans such as the Dolomites, Campiglio etc. Serfaus (fly into Zürich) might be ideal but expensive, SkiWelt / Kitzbühel also good (fly into Munich or Salzburg), if you can do Salzburg then look at either Saalbach Hinterglemm or Ski Amade (Flachau, Schladming etc)
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in general I think Italians are off that week but the industrious Austrians return to work so you might be better backing Austria that week
Although this suggests otherwise for the kids at least; maybe someone more familiar with Italian holidays will be able to tell you
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=5501256
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You know it makes sense.
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@8611, Thanks for the update. Thankfully my other half is as bonkers as I am and will be encouraging all the skiing that we can get. However, I do get your reasoning for having to lug ski's about the place. I have told the Mrs our kid will be carrying her own ski's, but as we will be going with other parents, I appreciate the insight.
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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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| Quote: |
| When you decide on a destination, book ski lessons ASAP. |
This I was already considering, just back from Les Menuires with another group and some of them struggled to get lessons.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Puy st Vincent via Turin was our first family ski holiday, 4 adults and 3 kids and only one adult had skied before.
We went with Snowbizz who were fantastic, took the kids off of our hands first thing and sorted them into ski stuff and off to lessons, we had lessons all morning and then met at lunchtime.
So easy!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@munich_irish, we are looking at the 2nd Jan to the 9th Feb (taking a gamble on the kids only missing a couple of days of school). Maybe not the week to be headed towards Austria?
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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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@martyngb, where did you stay etc? Do you have any further details you could share?
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Ski in ski out not necessary if like me you just rent from a shop near the ski lift and you can store there or a locker every night. Minimises the loaded walking.
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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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With Snowbiz , you stay in the main apartment block in PSV, right on the slopes. Their creche and children's club is there
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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With small kids on a ski holiday, one very important factor is having snow to play in right outside the door, preferably somewhere safe where they don't need an adult standing over them. It doesn't matter if the snow is a bit tired - they'll have fun anyway. Taking a few "beach type" spades with you is worthwhile for the entertainment value.
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| B1g_browner wrote: |
| @Kenzie, You are going to have to enlighten me Kenzie? I've no idea what you mean with this one? |
UCPA are a French non-profit aimed at getting young adults skiing, but also do family weeks. They generally offer accommodation, three meals/day, lift pass, kit hire and instruction in their price. Action Outdoors are their English speaking arm, and would be able to advise.
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Turin then Montgenevre
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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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Valmorel
Montgenevre
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Obertauern
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@B1g_browner, absolutely set on those airports? Have you considered Barcelona/Toulouse for Andorra? Pretty sure there's a decent number of flight options from Dublin into Barcelona.
I've done this before after not reading a whole thread... is there any mention of transfer times?
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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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@hammerite, yes barcelona, girona, Toulouse and even Lourdes are options! Bilbao probably too
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Of resorts I've been to, @Old Fartbag's suggestions of Valmorel (though don't know ease of transfer from Geneva) and Montgenevre (from Turin) would work well. As would Les Gets (easy from Geneva) and probably Pila (easy from Turin).
I have less experience of Austrian resorts, but others here have. Those I have visited have tended to have accommodation in the valleys needing a gondola - if not also a bus - to access the beginner slopes. But I am sure there are suitable places.
I am not sure Andorra is possible without a long transfer (i.e. not family friendly) though there are excellent learning pistes.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hi guys, sorry I was away with work for a few days, so this fell off my radar.
Would be open to any suggestions, with the limited amount of searching I haven't found too much that would suit us.
Ideally we would like a catered Chalet, so adults could sit together in the evenings - or an apartment style hotel with a pool or something like that to keep the kids entertained.
Is it possible to get something that meets this criterial, while still being close to lifts (close to ski school)?
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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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This year we had 2 x familes on holiday in Avoriaz in Portes Du Soleil in 2nd week of Jan. Admittedly a big french resort / ski area - but it worked really well. Ski-in / ski out. Traffic free town. Fun stuff for kids including the tropical swimming pool with slides etc... And horse drawn sleigh taxis...
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Poster: A snowHead
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If you're looking for free ski passes for kids, then Stubai offer just that for under 10's.
It's not a massive ski area - around 60km plus ski routes iirc - but you also get access to Schlick 2000 and maybe some others on the same pass.
It's very family friendly. Great kids area, very good value lessons and the nursery slopes are at 2600m - so everyone get's that 'wow we really are in the mountains' feeling. Easy to get to this area for lunch.
Very good value accommodation - especially the half board with spa & pool kinda thing. OK it's all relative but you'd pay double at least in France for the same.
The slopes are pretty wide and there is nothing to scare the horses. There are some very long runs if you go from the top (over 3000m) and link into an itinerary down to the bottom.
Innsbruck or Munich airports. Neustift (the main town) is very close to Innsbruck. You can get the train from Munich to Innsbruck and it takes about an hour and a half.
No real ski in/out accommodation - but the ski buses are great (and I hate ski buses)
Even in February it wasn't too crowded.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| AliAfro wrote: |
| This year we had 2 x familes on holiday in Avoriaz in Portes Du Soleil in 2nd week of Jan. Admittedly a big french resort / ski area - but it worked really well. Ski-in / ski out. Traffic free town. Fun stuff for kids including the tropical swimming pool with slides etc... And horse drawn sleigh taxis... |
Could you DM me a little more detail?
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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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@obmij, Thanks for the recommendation, looks like it should be worth checking out. Do you have any accommodation tips?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| B1g_browner wrote: |
| Could you DM me a little more detail? |
Not really sure what I can add
Generally: its ideal for familes, its snowsure (1 of the snowiest resorts in France), because of that it can be expensive in peak holiday weeks (and get busy if the lower level resorts in portes du Soleil have bad snow) - but Jan won't be expensive or busy. The entire resort is ski in ski out - the roads zig zag down through the resort and end up at some ski lifts at the bottom that can take you back up to the top - or there are publics lifts and escalators in buildings so you can walk from bottom to top if you want to...
Accom: Belhambra do an all inclusive hotel but most of the accom in the reort is self catering run by Pierre Et Vacances or the other big self catering operators - that said theres quite a bit of private lettings on Booking.com or Vrbo etc. On Vrbo we found 2 x interlinked apartments with a shared lobby - they were a bit tired but worked really well having families right next to each other. If you want chalets there are some lower down the mountain at Prodains from where you can get the gondola up to Avoriaz. Nearby Morzine has loads of accom options but isnt particularly convenient to get to and from, particualry if you are booking kids ski lessons.
Transfers: Not too expensive to do private as its only 1.5 hrs from Geneva, or there are a few shared bus options that are really cheap - we used Alpy Bus. You cant drive in the resort so you'll end up in 1 of the 2 welcome centres at either end of the resort and from there you can get a horse drawn taxi to your accom, or you take a ride in a piste basher at times where the horses arent available - this is usually included in accom cost.
Ski School - We used Ecole De Ski 360 who were very french but kids managed to understand what they said and they were very friendly - no complaints. There are other operators available. Avoriaz Alpine Ski School are british run i think (so no language barrier) and get good reviews but cost a fair bit more.
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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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@B1g_browner,
I can only recommend where I have stayed, which is here https://www.gasteigerhof.at/
It's in a hamlet (Gasteig), not the main town of Neustift so most action is hotel based. They sometimes have lift pass inclusive deals as well, which are pretty good.
I think they do have apartments, but in Austria I would always go for half board as they do it so well. I love that whole choose your dinner at breakfast thing.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@AliAfro, Apologies, I should have stated that I was interested in Accommodation details. Thanks for the in depth input though, I love the PDS, but even there we are struggling to find the chalet approach that we are after.
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Yeah - you wont find many chalets in Avoriaz - the only ones I know of are with www.skiweekends.com but most of their bookings are geared up for long weekends or mid week trips - so if you want a week it will probably need to start on Thursday, or Monday.
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FAQ
