 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
Newbie here, just wanting to say hello and ask for some advice.
looking for a reasonably cheap (cheap is relatively when it comes to skiing, I know) break with my kids this easter, and want to take them skiing.
reading a few posts, Geneva seems best for having a reasonable chance of finding snow, but what sort of resort would be best for us?
I have skied a few times many years ago, and can still do the basics, but would class myself as a decent beginner, the boys (aged 11 & 6) have been taking dry slope lessons in anticipation and should have got through about 10 lessons by Easter. I was looking to put them in ski school anyway, so mostly want advice on where is good for kids, and not to expensive for me.
Even down to the basics of ski/boot/pole hire, lift passes, etc Once I have an idea of decent resort to start to price up, I can keep searching these forums for tips on where/how to get kit hire & passes at decent rates, just struggling with where to point us once landing at Geneva (assuming I scrape the cash together between now & then!!)
Any help, guidance, pointers would be really appreciated.
Thanks,
Pete
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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efcbluepete, welcome to Snowheads.  You'll get plenty of suggestions - and there should still be loads of snow about, though if you want to book now it'd be best to aim reasonably high. One of the places near Geneva, easy access, and good for snow, is Flaine. Not pretty, but lots of cheap apartments with easy piste access.
On the other hand, there's something to be said for looking at packages, where some of the work and thinking is being done by a Tour Operator. You might get some good last minute bargains, though it takes nerves of steel. when I looked at flights to Geneva at Easter (for my son) I thought they were looking pretty expensive, so you might not have to spend any more for a package. First time ski holidays with kids can be a bit of a logistical challenge, especially if you're on your own.
They'd be able to go in a class above beginners if they've done 10 lessons. So should you - it'll soon come back to you, and a genuine beginners class would drive you a bit mad.
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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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Hi Pam,
Thanks for the pointers. I have seen a few people with linkys to tour operators, but not sure of who best to start trawling with! Is there a kind of recommendations area on here?
Yes, going on my own will be quite testing, but situations ensure this is the case, iykwim. Always wanted to go again, went several times when a teenager, but my ex never liked the idea, with parting comes freedom to choose 
Geneva flights coming in ok with Swiss from Manchester (less than £500 for the 3 of us), but then the ground transportation, lift passes, kit hire, etc will all dwarf this, I guess. Just hope somebody buys the car sooner rather than later and I can conveniently downsize it and go skiing
yeah - I think aiming above the absolute beginner level would be best, as I took them on a taster at the chill factor in Manchester back in November and found it was coming back to me quite easy, and they are getting along pretty well at the dry slope lessons. I assume kids and adults go in different classes, though (preferable anyway, as they would gain more confidence without dad to hold on to!)
Thanks again,
Pete
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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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Yes, adult and kids in different classes. and yes, the airfares are a pretty minor part of the cost of a ski holiday. Transfers to resorts are expensive, however you do it. probably cheapest to hire a car.
With tour operators, there's a huge choice. One which always gets a good press here is Ski Olympic - we had good holidays with them yonks ago, and others have had good holidays with them since. If you look at their website, and get their brochure, that will give you a good broad idea - they are not the cheapest, but they are good value and they are very, very, far from being the most expensive.
I suggest you get a big pile of brochures and persuse them. then when you're thoroughly confused come back and ask again. One choice is between hotels, catered chalets and self catering apartments. With a lone parent and kids there's a lot to be said for catered chalets - other adults to talk to, probably other kids to play with, and no shopping and cooking. You get "tea and cakes" after skiing which means that lunch (ruinously expensive, often) can just be a plate of chips and a drink. and you can take duty frees, or buy cheap beers from the chalet staff.
Easter's a really good time to go - it'll be warmer and much quieter than the dreaded half term holiday.
How old are the kids?
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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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Me and the rugrats are going with Mango Holidays www.mangokids.co.uk at Feb half term. £3K all inc for me and 3 kids (flights, transfers, full board hotel, ski school and kit hire) Specialist single parent holiday operater so plenty of other kids for mine to run riot with and some adult company for me in evenings.
Hope the kids classes are seperate or my 10 year old would be showing me up with her ability!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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davkt, where are you going? Does that price include ski passes? Sounds a good formula.
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I have been with skiweekender (www.skiweekender.com) a couple of times and they look after you incredibly well. From transfers to sorting lessons etc, they have been faultlessly good at going that extra bit to make sure you are sorted.
There have been a few kids there at the same time as us and they seem to have coped alright as there is a decent supply of books, tv, games (jenga etc). The slopes are learner friendly and the ESF guys that they use are spot on too.
The food is pretty 'adult' but I dont remember seeing many full plates going back in the kitchens all week...
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Yep includes it all pam w, off to Predeal in Transylvania, looks plenty of skiing for new skiers like us and despite been worryingly warm over Christmas seems to be suitably cold and snow covered now! All of us having fun in the Tamworth fridge where we've all had our first lessons and middle daughter progressing scarly fast (the girls are 6, 10 and 14), I've played at skiing on the hills round here any time its snowed enough over the last 20 something years (so not many times!) but a first trip to the mountains for us all. Did forget to mention the €150 local payment once we get there but other than that its just spending money needed. What sold it to the kids was a trip to one of Dracula's castles as part of the package, once they saw that was part of the deal they'd decide that was the holiday for them for sure! The lift passes are linked to lessons but as its 4hrs a day ski school and when not skiing free use of the hotels ice rink and sledges the kids will probably be ready for something else to play at, and the lifts are cheap enough if they want a few more runs or a ski down the illuminated run at night.
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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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Excellent ideas for me to go read and look through over the weekend - cheers pam w, davkt & imull.
my boys, 11 & 6, would probably like the idea of a couple of other different things other than ski ski ski, so the idea of alternate entertainment seems to make sense.
if (more like when!) I have any more ideas I will probably pop up with the odd question or two.
Cheers,
Pete
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hiya,
peisey is a great resort for kids, and adults alike!
i cant really tell talks prices as i'm not too sure, but i know the kids have a great time at ski school, and the bars n restaurants are kid friendly...
what do you or any of the other guys think???
j
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Having done a fair bit of reading around, pricing up and visiting a travel agent, I have been tempted into Arinsal, Andorra. Price is great (£1400 for 1 adult & 2 kids, inclusive of everything except food/drink (kit, lessons, insurance, transfers, flights, extra baggage...)), only worry is how much snow will be there so late in the season (28th Mar to 4th Apr) but guess if that is the only gamble, then I think the amount of snow so far this season, I hope it will mean it stays for a bit longer.
I read a few Arinsal reports on here, but guess it is a bit more of a beginner resort (as it iseems to be mentioned a lot in other general travel review forms, etc), but given that is our kind of level, it shoud be good for us.
So once Easter has been and gone, I will put a review together on how it all went, but for now, thanks for general input, and help, and will keep trawling here for any other little pointers and stuff.
Pete 
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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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efcbluepete, that's not really very late - you've every chance of having good snow. Hope you have a good time. People are generally pleased with standard of tuition in Andorra, which is a very important aspect of the holiday. and yes, please write a report!
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