 Poster: A snowHead
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It's time for the year's most important decision to be made - the venue for 2010's skiing jollies!
We're a family of 4, with the two kids aged 7 and 6 (or at least they will be by the time we go.) Elder daughter will be in "Premier Etoile" and younger will be in "Flocon" assuming the ESF standards in Courchevel earlier this year are consistent with the rest of ESF. (No reason to assume they're not!)
Initial screening has got us down to either Peisey or Val, and we'll be going with Ski Esprit. (We've been twice before with them and had a good time, and at this stage it feels like just too much work to assess other TOs or go for the DIY option.)
So, any recommendations / info etc. from Snowheads with first hand experience of these resports with kids of the standards above would be much appreciated. We've skied Val D'Isere twice before in the "BC" area, but foolishly forget to consider the aspects of the resort from a "Family Skiing" perspective. (And if truth be known, after a few evenings in the Cafe Face, probably wouldn't remember them anyway!) Never been to Peisey.
The aim is to pick the kids up after lessons and ski with them in the afternoon, so challenging adult skiing is not top of our list of priorities. My knees take so long to warm up these days that I'm just into my stride each day when it's time to collect the kids! On a similarly age-related front, wild nightlife is definitely not required. In fact, nightlife of any description can probably be ruled out!
We'll be going for the first week of Feb, assuming that the Headmistress grants a bit of unauthorised absence... 
Thanks in advance for any suggestions that may be forthcoming. Or indeed any anecdotes that are not relevant but help you with your summer ski-withdrawal symptons!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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I think the resort and the skiing will be a bit more child-friendly in Peisey than in Val d'Isere. Peisey has lots of gentle pistes through the trees and just about everyone can ski back to the resort.
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It has been a while but the answer you are looking for is la Rosiere....or Selva.
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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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The Flying Snowplough, I suppose it boils down to whether you want to ski an amazing ski area that feels British (Val) of French (Peisey). Look into the alternatives for ski school in Peisey - BertieBasset has a fantastically detailed trip report about Peisey here . I'm not sure the comment about Peisey being spread out and Val not really stands up either. Both resorts have home runs that are steeper than Courchevel for the kids, so I suppose it depends how brave / confident they are? Frosty the Snowman, suggestion of La Ros might be worth thinking about. Peisey certainly fits your nightlife requirements!
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| Mountain Haddock wrote: |
| Both resorts have home runs that are steeper than Courchevel for the kids |
Peisey has gentle home runs, as well as a couple of nice reds; Val d'Isere doesn't (unless you're staying in La Dailee, and even then it's dubious that they should be described as 'gentle').
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The Flying Snowplough, Just a further thought. Check out the Esprit place in Belle Plagne, car free, snow sure and central to all La Plagne runs. You can do a huge amount of damage to yourself in the morning while the kids are in ski school and still get back for 12-12.30? to meet them. 
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rob@rar, Courchevel is FLAT just above 1800 though... but I agree. Peisey wins over Val with kids hands down for me
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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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Mountain Haddock, yes, C1860 offers extensive terrain for beginners.
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rob@rar, Has it gone up 10m since I was last there?
thefatcontroller, Interesting how people can have very different perceptions of the same place...now whilst I don't have kids of my own, I have skied with my nieces on a couple of family holidays, and when they were a little older than TFS's brood...I struggle to see how you call the road in Peisey 'fast' - sure there's some traffic around especially between 08:00 to 09:00 and some from about 16:30 to 17:30 but apart from that it's incredibly quiet. Yes the esprit chalets are across the road, but the child-care staff will walk the kids to/from the lift and make sure they are handed over correctly to the instructors - I've even seen that the ESF'ies sign to take responsibility off the kids from the Esprit team.
The Esprit chalets are no more than 200m from the steps just below the vanoise, so it's not totally ski-in, out but it could hardly be nearer, without paying an 'on-slope' premium. The 'esprit' hire-shop (sport 2000) is a bit of a walk away, but then the esprit staff arrange for the kids skis to be delivered to the lesson meeting point, so no need for dad to have to be sherpa. Ironically there is a small Intersport shop almost directly opposite the entry to the chalets
As to whether ESF is any good, well I've never been their biggest fan but my nieces had a great time in a couple of private lessons in Dec last year. As it's just 1st lessons then I can't really see that it's worth paying extra for lessons from the likes of New Gen or other schools, especially as it'll be the basics. Last season I saw a number of esprit kids learning with ESF, and once skiing a bit more on the mountain then often the Esprit child-carer would act as sweeper upper at the back of the group which I thought was a nice idea. Pretty much all the Esprit child-care crew I met, whilst young seemed very conscientious and were keen to see the kids enjoying themselves safely!
In terms of the runs then as Rob@rar has suggested there's a great windy blue down from the top station which all the kids ski down along after there first few days - most seem to get on with it fine as it is super flat in places and only a smidge tricky right at the bottom, but there is an alternate if the snow is good.
To my mind Plan-Peisey would be much better than Val D'izzle with kids - it's almost 'sleepy enough' out of high-season that you feel you could leave your front door unlocked and not worry about it. Not sure I'd say the same about VDI however. If you want true ski-in out then I do like TFC's idea of belle plagne, reckon that would tick those boxes nicely too. But be prepared for walking up and down a million steps to get to/from any shops or bar - and whilst it's car free watch out for people skiing too fast through the centre.
Here's to a fun holiday!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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bertie bassett, Thanks. First hand research beats the TO brochure any day!
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You know it makes sense.
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| Mountain Haddock, yes, C1860 offers extensive terrain for beginners. |
Apparently C1850 is a fair bit lower than 1850m. When the resort was opened, it was branded "1850", so as to not be "outheighted" by Val D'Isere.
Top terrain for the ankle biters, though. Around 8 different green routes accessible via gondolas, including some through the trees.
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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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| The Flying Snowplough wrote: |
| Apparently C1850 is a fair bit lower than 1850m. When the resort was opened, it was branded "1850", so as to not be "outheighted" by Val D'Isere. |
Mane part of 1850 is at 1760m, IIRC. Val d'Isere is a bit lower than it's advertised height as well. And Arc 1800 is actually closer to 1715m.
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Poster: A snowHead
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rob@rar, The bottom of the stade in 1850 is listed as being at 1820m, there are chalets further up the road than this so you probably can get up to 1850m in the town.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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The Flying Snowplough, I think 'down a crevasse' means that the powers that be dont have a valid email address 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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Well, after a lengthy interlude to do the summer holiday thing, the decision was finally made, and Peisey it is. Selva's late bid was derailed by the fact that the potential lodgings was a chalet-hotel type thing, with some distance between the bedrooms and the dining room, and the thought of one or both Little Snowploughs going a wandering late at night was too much of a risk.
3 months tomorrow until we depart. I reckon if I initiate a turn now then the message will have made it from my dinosaur like brain to my flat feet in time for the first run of the holiday. 
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The Flying Snowplough, a good choice IMHO.
Have been to Peisey Vallandry for the last 7 trips and think it is a lovely resort. Ideal for kids and great skiing easily accessable
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| gravystuffing wrote: |
http://www.familyski.co.uk/french-ski-holidays/ski-chalets-paradiski.aspx
Check out this chalet in Les Coches......just the other side of Vanoise Express to Peissey on the La Plagne side.
Chalet is on the piste where the ski-school meets and walk into town is negligible.
If booking ESF make sure you specify Sebastien's group for the kids. His World Ski Class is perfect for English speaking kids.
http://www.esf-montchavinlescoches.com/fr/bloclibre/index.php?titre=32 |
And who do you work for?
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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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We have found Peisey-Vallandry is a great resort for mixed abilities - we have taken our kids there from pre ski days onwards. But I would disagree with the fatcontroller - our experience over about 4 trips with the local ESF was on the whole very good - possibly all that shows though is that there are some good and some poor instructors which is no surprise !
John
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Peisey!
Great little place to stay, good access, enough bars and shops and great atmosphere!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I go with a big group of families, so far we've been to Tremblant, Arc 1950, Vallandry and Tignes. Although I've been to Val D'Isere a couple of times with adults.
Tignes has come out as the favorite of the group by a street. This year will be the third year in a row. Most of them felt that the resort in Vallandry was a bit too steep and spread out, but they loved the skiing.
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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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You know it makes sense.
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Pre-Plan Bois lift upgrade I might have agreed. It is now more marginal. Also if buying, Montchavin has more real Savoyard village for your money especially in the summer.
For British holiday skiers though I think Les Coches is a clear winner. Most of the "British" chalets have ready access to Plan Bois 6 man high speed lift. This option is not good for beginners however but most companies run their guests round to the "patinoire" although that's no longer necessary since the opening of the Telebufette link between the bottom and top village lifts. Also Les Coches has The Last One Pub 
The reason Les Coches doesn't get publicity with the Brits is that NO major UK operators use the resort.
Check out these UK operators if you want to give Les Coches a try:-
http://www.ski-lasource.com/
http://www.finlayski.com/laplagne.htm
http://www.ridersrepublic.com/
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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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gravystuffing, Sadly one of the favourite aspects of Montchavin for us was the smell of cow wee wee from the cows being put up for Winter under the houses in the Village. You don't get that in many Alpine resorts, good for clearing the sinses.
Someone high up in Les Coches must have a friend in high places in the lift company as it has one hell of a lot of lifts and fast ones too (unlike Montalbert) 
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Poster: A snowHead
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The old (in more ways than one) mayor of Bellentre was replaced (amazingly after 23 years I think) by a much younger ski instructor who is from one of the established French families from Montchavin. Bellentre was one of the original villages that got together to establish La Plagne to replace the mines so it has always had to be "accommodated".
Now we have a young ski minded mayor expect to see things moving forward all the more. Fingers crossed.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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To all Peisey / Val experts ... we are staying in Peisey with Esprit next week. My wife and I fancy a cheeky trip to VDI one day (I believe the Paradiski pass allows you to do that?). What's best way of getting there and is it worth it (we've both skied VDI lots but not for a couple of years so this is not a case of popping over to see what it's like)?
Thanks
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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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not that easy to get there and getting back in time for childcare pick up high tea would be a complete nightmare (Argentiere to Chamonix is bad enough but VDI to Peisey seems like madness!
Either-
hire a car- £ silly
taxi- £sillier
Peisey- ski to les Arcs- down as far as possible- funicular to Bourg- bus / taxi- possible- and reverse
Peisey - ski to Villaroger- taxi to Val Disere- ski to Tignes- col du Palet- ski to Champagny-ski to la Plagne- North Face Bellcote- Nancroix- Peisey?- £ not too much- but might not be ideal.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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ed123,
Blimey - not sure OH can cope with this!
Hmm - I think it would work better if she stayed behind to make 100% sure the little one was picked from tea on time ... but it doesn't matter what time daddy gets back, does it?
Thanks
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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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franga, You are staying in Peisey with 460km of piste on your doorstep and you want a day trip to Little England?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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thefatcontroller
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thefatcontroller,
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You are staying in Peisey with 460km of piste on your doorstep and you want a day trip to Little England?
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Words of true wisdom!
Why would one even dream of such a thing?
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I think the Villaroger- taxi- Val- Tignes- Col du Palet- Champagny- North Face idea is great myself!
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