 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello,
Well as some of you know I have been looking to find a holiday that suits a group of 9. Now that we had found something that suited all criteria our fussiest member had a soul search and decided she didn't want to go at all.  The bad news is I've spent all this time for nothing. The good news is that I think booking a holiday for just our family with no budget restrictions would be a lot easier!!!
I have been looking at Esprit's website and I have a few favourites (I had better favourites but they are, by now, full of course). Does anyone have any advice please or fab ideas outside of that?
Configuration
- We are two adults and two 4 year old boys. We don't mind sharing with them although even better would be one of those suite-type rooms or interconnecting rooms. In a chalet we would even consider two rooms next to each other but we are a little wary of that.
- Location
We are really not fussed although I have a slight preference for France! What we do want is to be near top quality childcare (could be a private nanny or a good, British run snowgarden that is informal/not hard core to 4 year olds!). We would like to learn to ski (better) for a few hours a day without having to worry about the boys. The other half we'd like to spend with them.
Also, as we are both beginners/just off beginners, we would prefer to be quite close to the slopes and a resort with good blues and greens would be ideal.
- Accommodation
Hotel (but preferably not too massive) or chalet. We are not really restricted by budget so secretly we fancy a really plush hotel, some I've seen have a great pool (fab for the boys too) etc. But an upmarket chalet with hot tub would be nice too, although the nice chalet or hotel would need to be welcoming to kids of course.
- Date and price
Best date for France is clearly 8/9 March so that is our preference, but we are not bound by these dates. Any week in March will do as long as we are pretty sure of snow. As I said price is the least important thing, although obviously the more money, the more it would have to be worth it!
Any ideas or tips? Esprit is an obvious choice but their nicest/plushest options are fully booked. For example, the Peisey les Arcs one Frostythesnowman raves about doesn't have any rooms for our configuration til April. I'm not sure if I am missing a few tricks?
I really appreciate any ideas! I'm feeling a bit jaded after my massive search for 9 has been for nothing.
Mirjam
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'd say the Totem in Flaine meets your needs very well. Although it's a Crystal hotel rather than a family specialist they place was *packed* with families last time we were theere as the facilities for children were excellent. no pool in the hotel, but there is one justr a couple of hundred yards away on the other side of the shoping area I think
http://www.crystalski.co.uk/destinations/france/flaine/002397/002397.html
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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 could try Puy and Snowbizz - they tick all the boxes.
We're there that week - so if you do go don't hold it against me if it's not right for you!!
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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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Mirjam, we have availability for w/c 9th Mar in chalet Le Mouflon, La Rosiere 1850, childcare in the village is excellent, Les Galopins at their Les Eucherts location, they have 2, has a predominately English clientele. Check out our website www.tracksvacations.com.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Mirjam,
I can't help much with the childcare side of things but if you want a top notch plush hotel with pool have a look at Hotel Mont Vallon in Meribel-Mottaret. I have always booked direct (do a google) but you will probably find it available through Inghams or Neilson. There is a very easy beginners slope right outside the hotel and the ski school meets very close - only downside is that in general the skiing may be a bit difficult if you are beginners. (You did say not restricted by budget didn't you?  )
Alternatively I think Mark Warner are OK for family holidays and sometimes they do good offers close to departure.
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Mirjam, the fussy one was clearly hoping that if she put up enough barriers, there would be no way that you could meet all her criteria and then she could blame you for her not skiing.
A nice plush hotel that fits your criteria and has lots of English-speaking tuition and easy nursery slopes (at the top of the Gondola) is the Hotel Sport Villages in Soldeu.
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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 would say go for somewhere with something other than skiing, probably a pool. Look also for somewhere where you can take the boys right up the mountain to look around. That rules out La Rosiere, as neither is on offer unless you find somewhere with a private pool.
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Mirjam
I'll stand by for in coming - but have you looked at Club Med?
They can certainly tick quite a few of the boxes (French Resorts, Child care\ski-ing, Swimming pool, a bit of luxury). Altough I don't have kids myself - we go with friends and their kid is now 10. He will probably be beating us all down the slopes when we ski-together on the last day! I think he has only been ski-ing with ClubMed, (5 years - I think), so that is some recommendation.
What else - Oh yes - The food is fantastic. The prices quoted are also fully inclusive - So you don't have to factor in lift passes, ski-school, booze etc etc (but do have to add ski\boot\helmet hire). Did I mention that the food is fantastic?
I've only stayesd in two of their Hotels - Peissey-Vallandry (Fully Booked) and Tignes. The Tignes one appears to be available for the week after (16th March).
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Go for it we had great fun in a shared Chalet this year and would do that again..
We when with Leski (either Leski.co.uk or com)..the childcare was excellent and if thats sorted then you can really relax..
Do let us know how you get on..sounds like you'd better off with out the fussy one she'd have been moaning about the holiday when there...
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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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Mirjam, we went Esprit for the first time (first 'family' trip) last year to St Anton, and will use them again without a second thought....
Although we aren't going as a family this year, we are thinking of going next year and would like to head back to Courchevel... it would be great to hear from you when you get back about how the accommodation in Le Praz worked out for you.
Have a great trip!
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You know it makes sense.
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Mark Warner also good for childcare and reasonable comfort.
If the budget's not a problem, and they've still got availability, Scott Dunn is also excellent.
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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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FAQ
) but we've decided to go for the Esprit holiday in Courchevel Le Praz - because 1850 is good for beginners, because it's available on our preferred date and because from what I've read on here you can really relax because the kids are happy. 
