 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi,
I have done a search and found bits and pieces but I was hoping that those of you who have been with Ski Esprit could give me a mini review of your experience with them - good or bad lol!
We are total beginners and def going either next Jan or March and will be taking our daughter (17 mths at the time) with us. Someone on here suggested looking at them and I have a good feling about their childcare which is the most important thing for us if we are bringing her and not leaving her with her grandparents.
We are totally flexible as to resorts so would love to hear your experiences of any that you have been to during the ski season.
Thanks in advance,
Christie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
I went with them to La Rosiere a couple of years ago, and had a great time. We got a reasonably late deal, so the price was perfect for a chalet just across the road from the main lift in La Rosiere. Until I got on the transfer bus at the airport I hadn't realise that (at the time) they'd been "number one in family skiing for 25 years". I did think it was odd that all the other grown ups on the bus had young children, while I was part of a group of five blokes over for beer & drinking.
Fortunately, there was a nanny shortage in La Rosiere that year, so Ski Esprit had been opening their chalets to non-families, so our chalet was filled with people over the age of 24 with a penchant for keys and bowls.
Service was good from reps. and chalet staff, the chef was excellent, though one of the chalet reps (probably a nanny) was a bit grumpy.
La Rosiere is quite a nice resort. Apparently it's going to be the next Bansko.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Went with Esprit to La Ros last year on a last minute deal. Can thoroughly recommend La Ros for a family holiday. Our kids were 6 & 9 and well able to ski with us so we didn't use much childcare although those in the Chalet who did seemed quite pleased with it - more suited to the under 5's I think so probably ok for you.
We got quite a good deal as we booked last minute but I think I would have been disappointed if I had paid full price. The Chalet facilities were fine although they could have been cleaner! and there was no real place to dry things - we often had to clean up the living area before sitting down for cakes as the kids club had had their lunch in there and there were peas and sweetcorn all over the floor. The food, whilst generally fine was not as good as I have had in chalets with worse cooking facilities - although I accept this is always pot luck on chalets as you're at the mercy of the cooking skills of your chalet hosts. Guests in another of the big chalets I believe weren't that impressed either about the standards of their accommodation.
All in all we had a good holiday but I wouldn't say Esprit was fantastic and I thought certainly brochure prices were overpriced.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
christiek0310, We have done 2 esprit trips, one to Les Gets and one to La Praz (Courcheval). Child care has always been good. Rooms can be small, particualarly with a cot (which you will use), so getting a last minute bargain may mean you could get a larger room. Food has been good when we went but it is down to the chalet host and not everyone we have talked to has felt the same. Transfers are the usual TO big bus, but our transfers have been fine. Try to avoid long transfers and make sure your little one is well before the trip so no exclusion from child care.
Have a great trip
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
christiek0310, I've done 3 trips with Esprit and have another booked. First was to Saas Fee, hotel was good apart from the fact that they we're still renovating it rooms were really good. Hannah was only 4 at the time and was in the kindergarten park, which in January hardly ever got any sun as I recall. Last two times we've stop in Tignes at the Terrill Blanc, another chalet hotel, lot more basic (and doesn;t claim to be anything else) but skiing more to my taste.
On the whole the childcare has been really good and by young one really enjoys it. The food is more about presentation than quality or quantity but that's my personnel view. We're off again to La Ros in Jan as I feel we now need a resort where Hannah has more choice of runs rather than me.
As to the price, yes it can get expensive, as we only go as 1 parent / 1child (wife doesn't ski) I've taken to booking early to get one of their rather rare child goes free on single parent room offers.
Hope this all helps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
We've done 5 Esprit trips - La Plagne (Montchavin), Courchevel, and Obergurgl x 3. The childcare is brilliant, thats why we kept going back.
Be very careful with the rooms that you book at time of paying, however. We got caught out twice with really sub-standard rooms, so make sure you talk it right through with them first. PM me if you want more information on that or any other aspect.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"La Rosiere is quite a nice resort. Apparently it's going to be the next Bansko." (hyweljenkins)
Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Done 3 trips with Esprit, Selva, Les Arcs and Tignes. Always good, childcare very good. Only stopped cos children are now in ski school all day or skiing with us. But they are expensive, wait and book last minute if you can avoid the school holidays.
On a separate note, because I need to vent, my proposed trip to Tignes at end of March has gone up from £1500 for the four of us to £3600! Crystal, you're aving a laff?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Ghost Dog, Not AFTER you've booked it surely?!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
christiek0310, similar experience to most of the above really. We've been with them 4 times now I think (all to the Terril Blanc in Tignes - hey, it works for us!) and will be using them again this season. Our youngest was a similar age to yours last season and was very happy. I've been very impressed with the childcare every year which ensures we keep using them.
They're not cheap but I think the childcare, and the overall experience, is well worth the price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Just to say thank you for all your replies - it has really helped us to make our decision.
We are def going to go in March and take the litle one with us although as we aren't restricted to resort/date we are going to wait until a month or two before and see what offers they have available and hopefully it'll work out.
I'll be keeping a close eye on this board though as there is so much information to be gained and  are all a lovely bunch.
Christie
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
christiek0310,
There are pretty good deals with 'them' now for December & Jan so suspect March will have some good deals early next year too.
Good luck
Mitch
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Yep, used them half a dozen times in Selva when mine were small. Going with them in Dec again to Selva as my Sis uses them with her kids. We take a whole Chalet as it makes for a good deal. The kiddie care is the best in the market.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
No, not booked. Was waiting to see if I was still employed after Christmas (property lawyer).
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Hi
We ( and the little one) have been lots of times since he was 8 months old ( took him to Norway - it was -20 ! good move)
apart from one trip with Crystal ( his first one) - and they were good we have now been 5 times with ski esprit.
I have to say that you cannot fault them - especially if you are the child. they hav lots of things that they do, so even if
you child fancies a non skiing day they can cope OK ( they always seem to have high child to carer ratios).
last year we went to scheffau - and there was a child that had "difficulties" - they provided her with her own personal
one on one carer ( annoyingly to all the young mums he was the best looking of the esprit guides ) - and he was amazing
we have already booked again to go with them for a Xmas trip just prior to him starting school, and will
hopefully go again at least once more with them.
Dont forget that esprit are partnered with total ski - and often you can book collective trips if you have lots of non skiers.
also we have been al over with them - scheffau, st anton, mayrhofen, geillo, alp d'huez to name a few , this year off
to peisey at xmas.
good luck, and dodnt foget to practise those pizza's ( never again will they be known as a snowplough!!!!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
