 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello everyone, couldn't find the right place to introduce myself so my first post will also have to be be my hello!!!
I only started skiing about 3 years ago with my wife (an experienced skier) since then I have been to Borvorets and Courcheval 1850, both of which I enjoyed thoroughly.
Since our last holiday we have had a daughter who now is 20 months and we are thinking that we would like to have another snow holiday, the problem we have is the only time we can go away will be March 2010, my questions are these:
a) is there still plenty of snow in France in March?
b) Where would you recommend?
c) who do you recommend to book a holiday through?
Thanks for all your advice
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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CONDOR, welcome to sowHeads.
There will be plenty of snow left in March. Many of the higher resorts remain open through until the end of April, and some beyond that, so March isn't late season at all. Snow depths are often their greatest in March, the weather is usually a bit warmer than the cold of January and the days are a bit longer so often more skiing time.
Any particular preferences for your holiday? Hotel, chalet, self-catering, childcare, etc? That info will make it much easier for people to offer recommendations.
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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 need to Login to know who's really who.
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If you tell me a resort you are thinking of going to I can send you historical snow depth figures.
(And welcome - there is no special place to say hello).
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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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CONDOR, welcome to Snowheads.  The absolute best week to go to France, in the whole season, IMO, is the second week of March, as the very crowded French school holiday weeks will then be finished. There are NO guarantees of snow - but for the last six years or so early to mid March has seen far, far, better snow conditions in many French resorts than January and February.
So, the world's your oyster really. You've already been to two resorts at very different ends of the ski resort spectrum, and had a good time, so you'll probably have a good time anywhere! However, it's very different with a baby. Will you be wanting somewhere with "built in" child care? Or a resort nursery? Or will you share the skiing/child minding duties? Going alone or with friends? Any possibilityof taking grandparents to babysit?
All makes a difference to choice of resort and kind of accommodation.
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| rob@rar wrote: |
CONDOR, welcome to sowHeads.
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Oh, dear - have we all got swine flu'? 
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CONDOR, Welcome to snowheads
We have gone in March to Courchevel France for the last three years. The snow always has been good although it gets a bit slushy in the afternoons. You will get a great tan and if you avoid kids holidays then the slopes are lovely and empty.
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CONDOR, Why France? Based on your location, would it not be easier going to Sweden or Norway? Both countries have excellent reputations in child friendly resorts and I would imagine that snow at that time of year still excellent, based on their proximity to the Arctic circle? Have not been to either but just a thought.
Ski Esprit does get a good rep on here for childcare. I've used Crystal on 2 occassions for child care and was not impressed on both occassions
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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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Having been a March skier I would only go again that month to a resort with plenty of north facing slopes above 2000 metres, as no matter how wonderful the morning conditions this isn't enough (for me, I don't do apres before 8pm) to make up for having to put up with slush and ice in the afternoons. If you are happy to have a late lunch and then sink into a deckchair with a cool beer gazing at an awesome sundrenched vista then March (avoiding the first week and Easter) is the best time to ski.
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| Quote: |
slush and ice in the afternoons
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where did you get slush and ice in the afternoons in March? That was bad luck. In the last 6 years I've generally not encountered any ice/slush in the afternoons until April - and then generally later in the month. But I did recommend the second week of March - obviously the very end of the month is likely to be warmer.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Hi, thanks for the replies, they are all a great help.
My wife is the motive behind France, she loves the more refined ambiance, me, I would love to go to Beitostollen in Norway, Sweden isn't very geared to Children so I didn't really consider it an option, thats me being part Swede, LoL.
Has anyone had any great experience with the Creche's supplied by any of the major operators? are there any resorts in your experiences that would be better for children?
I had a great time in Courcheval, however, the cost maybe a tad steep this time: on the night our hotel shut it's restaurant we went into town to eat, fab I thought, that was until I got a hit with a 250 pound bill for the 2 of us and a bottle of wine, OUCHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Are there any resorts in March that are great value family resorts? I thought of Val Thorens, La Tania, Chamonix (lots to do), Deux Vallees (sp) what would you recommend?
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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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Have you thought about Austria..or the Dolomites..alot cheaper then france..and much nicer in my view.
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Austria, sounds good, is there anywhere that you would recommend to me?
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You know it makes sense.
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Quote:
where did you get slush and ice in the afternoons in March?
I've been three times, always the second week of March:
Alpe d'Huez: masses of snow, fresh powder most nights, but lower runs towards outlying villages very slushy by afternoon. Higher runs remained OK but then high in Alpe d'Huez is seriously high
La Ros: Again, huge amounts of snow, biting cold wind, but very slushy from mid afternoon onwards regardless of height
Val Cenis: reasonable but not hugely deep snow cover; lower slopes soft by 11.45, middle slopes by 12.30-1.00pm. The very top slope remained superb all afternoon but the rest was ice from 3pm (or even before) onwards
By contrast the snow at Zell am See remained in remarkably good condition at the beginning of last December despite the relative lack of height.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Great stuff, to be honest I have no idea of anything to do with Austria so I will go away and check things out.
I am still looking for reviews of the creches, if they are ok or if the poor wee ones are sat in front of a TV all day with a bag of crisps, they all look great in brochures but nothing replaces experience.
Is Austria markably cheaper than other resorts like France?
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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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CONDOR, I'm a March convert. Used to go in January and now either second or third week in March (as long as Easter doesn't fall then). Generally in the past few years I have enjoyed great snow conditions (last season was epic), generally empty pistes and nice sunshine. I don't go to France as it's not brilliant for nightlife or single rooms so I generally go to Italy or Austria. You should have plenty of choice.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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truffaut, Not that I have been but I have read that Alpe d'Huez late in the season does often have slushy and icy conditions due to a large proportion of the area being south facing.
I'm going away in March most probably for the first time this year. This thread has made me a little worried, as I have always thought that conditions dont become overly slushy till April. Im looking to go away between 6-20 March in Val d'Isere and Les Arcs.
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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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Christopher,
| Quote: |
This thread has made me a little worried, as I have always thought that conditions dont become overly slushy till April. Im looking to go away between 6-20 March in Val d'Isere and Les Arcs.
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You sometimes get heat waves in March and can get some slush in hte afternoon and ice in the morning. Particularly in lower slopes and more south facing slopes. Les Arcs and Val d'I have masses of high north facing slopes. I would have no worries about getting decent skiing. South facing slopes in warm weather can make for fabulous spring snow off piste if you get it right.
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Christopher, there are never any guarantees with snow conditions. I went to Kitzbuhel (a very low resort) in March 2008. There was no snow at resort level but the snow further up where most of the pistes are was fantastic. Admittedly the geography of the Alps allows the Austria resorts to be much lower than the French resorts and still provide good snow. But I have also been to Pas De La Casa (high Pyrennean resort) in March (1999 I think) and the snow was terrible. Most of the resort was closed or operating with patchy artificial snow. You pays your money and takes your chances.
I don't think mid-March constitutes the tag 'late in the season' to be honest.
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CONDOR,
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Is Austria markably cheaper than other resorts like France?
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In my experience Austria is on average cheaper but there are as big differences within countries as between them. I have had excellent value in France. One thing I would say is that a lot depends on the type of accommodation you want. Austria has far better quality hotels at a given price than France in my experience. If you are looking for catered chalets France has a greater variety. Switzerland is a lovely place to ski and most places will look cheap relative to Courchevel 1800.
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queen bodecia, T Bar, Cheers for that information. Yeah thats what I genreally thought. This years March had a heatwave didn't it?
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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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a beginners question, wheres the highest peaks then?
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CONDOR, when you mean peaks? I assume you mean the highest lift served skiing rather than the highest mountains.
Resorts with glaciers genreally have the highest lift served skiing. Les Deux Alpes, Tignes, Val d'Isere, La Plagne plus loads more all have skiing that goes above 3000 Metres, which is very high.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Christopher, this year's March had the best snow I've seen in years. Although I did get a couple of very warm days in Courmayeur. Sunbathing weather and perfect snow. What more could you want? 
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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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Christopher, We love March - but conditions can be variable. For example, a fortnight holiday in early March, probably 2005 ish, 1st week - 18 C, 2nd week +12C. You never can tell! But generally the lighter evening make for a more pleasant experience.
Don't sweat it we're off to Les Arcs in April again this year and have no worries.
CONDOR, plenty of advice on here about height and small people - your daughter will be what... 26 months? some people may suggest living at 2000m plus could be a strain. ( ducks and cover)
Probably a bit young for ski school ( next year...) so creche required: then mummy and daddy can come back at lunch time, and build snowmen, go sledging etc. in the warm winter sun. Or if happy to ski alone, or with a group, take it in turns to stay parenting in the morning.
Remember at this stage to think of it as a family holiday with skiing, rather than a family skiing holiday.
(When she gets to 6 or 7 of course, things change...)
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I quite agree, I just love the cold and being outdoors, what do you all think of Andorra, Arinsal looks quite good
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You know it makes sense.
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CONDOR, with a little one that age, my advice is FIRST choose a specialist family tour operator THEN select from their resorts. It might be a little bit more expensive than DIY or crossing your fingers that a generic TOs childcare is all it's cracked up to be, but a) whoever said having kids was cheap? and b) if she's not happy then you and OH won't be happy so it will have been a total waste of money.
I imagine that travel time is something you're just going to have to grin and bear but on the bright side, it needn't influence or limit your choice.  Go for it!
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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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thanks man, you really have to consider resorts aswell tho, you really need to make sure that you can entertain them and care for them if things go wrong, I want a chic holiday with some winter sun and fun for basically not too many gold bullion bars, I don't know how to do it so im here begging for help as im no pro
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Poster: A snowHead
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The highest resort is Val Thorens (in the Trois Vallees) but that would only be relevant if you were going in April.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Why just april?
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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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| CONDOR wrote: |
| Why just april? |
Because early March is pretty well peak season fro snow conditions, so height really doesn't matter much.
Even the last week in March, quite low resorts in Austria (and probably other places) are still usually very skiable except for the final home runs at the end of the day, which can get a bit slushy.
It isn't really until the beginning of April that most lower resorts are starting to be risky for snow cover.
Although of course, you can never guarantee snow, except in resorts with glaciers.
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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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condor, I have been 6 times with this company, from when the kids were very young until they have been much older!!
http://www.familyfriendlyskiing.com/
no issues skiing back to La Tania even on the last week of the season.
Here's what we found on the 17th April 2005 at 1300m in La Tania
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Wed 16-09-09 15:03; edited 2 times in total
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CONDOR, I think snowball is suggesting you wouldn't go to VT unless it was end of season skiing, but as you say, no reason not to go there any other time (so long as you don't mind staying in a snowy moonscape).
To pick up on your other point, not sure what things you're worried about that might go wrong (for the little 'un, I mean - you could break your leg but I don't suppose she'd be looking after you ). Chic but cheap still leaves you with a huge range of resorts. There's some obvious places you would take off the list - Courcheval 1850, Megeve and Klosters spring to mind, but doubtless there are dozens of other stupidly expensive places to stay, and probably inexpensive ways of staying at these places.
Personally, I have taken our family skiing with Ski Famille about a dozen times (more maybe?) and would recommend them, or for that matter any other TO that can offer that type of service. Any of their resorts are suitable for skiing and kiddies, but it's the childcare that makes the difference between a holiday for you as well as them.
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Brilliant,
Just found cheap flights to Geneva so might have a go at doing DIY, what do you think?
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T Bar, Give the mods a chance!
The posts are (rightly) being deleted, it seems.
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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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andyph, We have done Courchevel 1850 three years on the run. Now we wonder why we bothered. we could have got double the amount of ski holidays by just going a bit lower to courchevel 1550 or Meribel. Needless to say we agree and Courchevel 1850 will be a very lovely non visited memory in the future.
Keeping to thread the snow in March is spot on. All the blacks are filled in. We went to alpes du Heuz in January and everything up top was closed.
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CONDOR, If you like refinement then you'd be hard pushed to beat Oberlech/Lech. Have stayed at Hotel Montana twice, once with my wife, 3 kids and another 2 families and once as couples. Really fantastic. www.oberlech.com for all the hotels etc and I THINK your daughter may be allowed in the village creche free of charge if you're staying in any of the Oberlech hotels (she may have to be 2 years old?). Hotel Sonnenburg (next to Montana) has a creche. Both hotels are right on slopes. You would be best flying to Innsbruck though, and Friedrichshafen and Zurich are easy options too. You would need to DIY though.
Oberlech is expensive to stay but lunch will set you back around €30 for two including a couple of alcoholic drinks.
Serfaus is supposed to be THE best family resort in Austria but never been but others who have been do rate it highly. When I've looked into Serfaus, the prices have been on a par with Oberlech though
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FAQ
And I was nowhere near ski resorts which are notorious for trying to make a quick mega buck or two out of a trapped clientèle 
It was different when they were predominantly run by the locals by the way!
