 Poster: A snowHead
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thinking of going with mark warner with the family this year. been with esprit a couple of times and crystal once. is there much difference with mark warner or do they follow a similar pattern to esprit. one child will be in creche and one in kids club / lessons. any experiece of hotel christina in la plagne ?? thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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backhojo, haven't been with either for skiing but have been with both for summer and that childcare has been very similar. AFAIK Mark Warner do not have exclusive classes for the skiing kids as Esprit do if this is important to you.
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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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backhojo, We did Esprit for 3 years and on the last year the head of childcare who we had met previously told us he had done a summer working for MW and he wasn't overly impressed. He also had mates who were working that winter near us with MW. They weren't impressed and I know he was biased but he had seen the MW set up and he said it wasn't a patch on the Esprit standards. Don't use them now as we have moved on but had 3 holidays with Esprit, friends are going for their 5th this year, for childcare absolutely amazing.
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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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hello ,we have used both . About 7 weeks with MW 3x 2 weeks in Val, both at the Val d'Isere and Cygnaski and a week in Tignes, and various Esprit; Chamonix, les Arcs, Peisey, Le Rossiere and summer in Sass Fee.
Various differences
CHILDREN/Childcare
All Esprit holidays have childcare- all the guests will have kids with them (just possible a few last minutes without but unlikely). Not all MW places take kids and those that do are just as likely to have more guests without children as those that do. So a little difference with the dynamics. At most MW places we have stayed there were some guests who quite obviously objected to kids in general.
Childcare very similar, although my children particularly enjoy the communal singing with Esprit and gunging- not a feature of MW at all. Childcare with MW not obviously different to me, although Esprit , having more children has a better 'vibe'.
Prices for childcare broken down a bit more in Esprit as far as I can remember.
PRICE
Mark Warner a little more expensive.
STAFF
Most MW chalet / managerial /hotel staff very nicely spoken, public school, etc
Levels of service just the same with the exception of MW staff carrying bags to rooms (although I think Esprit have done this at least once)
Chalets/Chalet Hotels
Both highly variable. MW 'Hotel Val D'Isere' one of if not the most expensive MW hotel is really quite run down and tired- it has a pool though.
Esprit 'Hotel Sapiniere' in Cham likewise- and we had no hot water for a week.
Esprit Chalets in Peisey however- amazing- large, luxurious, hot tubs (but a bit icky and could have done with a clean) large screen TVs- big rooms really good.
FOOD
Chalet hotels always better than Chalets (professional chefs in professional kitchen vs students on gap year in a tiny kitchen)
Best food ever in Sapiniere in Chamonix- the chef had worked at the Ivy
SICKNESS
We have often had D&V at MW places in Val- unless we didn't drink tap water and stayed out of the pool. Likewise lots of other guests. Think this is a VdI thing.
Ski Hosting
Much better with MW- good ski hosts with at least 1 group that goes fast.
I think out kids enjoy Esprit more. We ski a lot with kids and haven't been with MW for years- but MW does have one particular gem- the last 2 weeks of April in Val D'Isere are very good value- for adults 2 weeks for 2/3rds the price of 1 week Feb half term. If you have preschool kids then this is really good.
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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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There has to be at least one child under 12 in the party to book with Esprit. In the 8/9 ish trips, we've been on with Esprit, our bags have always been carried by staff. Esprit childcare is the best in the business. However, we've noticed savings being made in recent years, stingy food portions and basic accom.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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sounds like there are pros and cons of both. we like the fact that MW childcare finishes later allowing us a longer day on the slopes and also theyhave free evening games etc for kids so we can have relaxed evening meal. with esprit this has not been the case. not sure about the fact that many guest might not have kids (especially as we will not be going in kids hols - we take a week out of school in late jan or early march). will be interesting to see if any other people offer their views - thanks for comments so far
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| backhojo wrote: |
| sounds like there are pros and cons of both. we like the fact that MW childcare finishes later allowing us a longer day on the slopes and also theyhave free evening games etc for kids so we can have relaxed evening meal. with esprit this has not been the case. not sure about the fact that many guest might not have kids (especially as we will not be going in kids hols - we take a week out of school in late jan or early march). will be interesting to see if any other people offer their views - thanks for comments so far |
Unless they're babies, kids can be left with child care staff until after 'kids' tea which is 5.30-6ish. Esprit run Coco Club in the eves for kids of all ages and also offer nights out for older children, bowling, ice-skating etc.
Have I been on some unusually good Esprit holidays? 
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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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| Mollerski wrote: |
| Have I been on some unusually good Esprit holidays? |
No you haven't, as I said above went with them 3 times and my mate is going for his 5th this year. They took the kids at 9am and gave them back at 6pm with Coco club in the evening if they wanted. Ours never went there, to knackered. Childcare we experienced was amazing, the kids still sing the blinking songs!!
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Kel, there are often problems for good but not fast women in ski hosting groups- not just with MW but all groups- very often some- usually older men ski terribly and cut people up / fall over have too much to drink at lunch. Have a go but a female 'nervous intermediate' might not have a great time - or I just might be a miserable old f4rt.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| edsilva wrote: |
...........SICKNESS
We have often had D&V at MW places in Val- unless we didn't drink tap water and stayed out of the pool. Likewise lots of other guests. Think this is a VdI thing................ |
Whilst the occasional dose is almost inevitable when travelling, 'often' smacks of a casual attitude to hygiene by MW.
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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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| achilles wrote: |
| edsilva wrote: |
...........SICKNESS
We have often had D&V at MW places in Val- unless we didn't drink tap water and stayed out of the pool. Likewise lots of other guests. Think this is a VdI thing................ |
Whilst the occasional dose is almost inevitable when travelling, 'often' smacks of a casual attitude to hygiene by MW. |
I don't think it is a MW issue rather a VdI water treatment problem. Classically many get ill the day after the MW night off.
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