 Poster: A snowHead
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i am looking to take my daughter on her first skiing trip and looking for a good resort that can cater for her as a beginner and myself as an intermediate, looking for a kids club and english speaking, in essence to keep an active 12 year old happy whilst learning to ski and in the evening, any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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emmaw01, sounds a nice idea.  When?
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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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emmaw01, I've been taking my daughter skiing alone, she's now 14, since she was 8. We both learned together in fact. The most successful ones have been where she has been in lessons with a small group of other english children where the parents have also skied together and the whole families have skied together later in the day. This leads to some socialising in the evenings too if not too exhausted. Something like Mark Warner in school holidays perhaps?
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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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emmaw01, welcome to snowheads. Esprit often have quite good deals for 1 parent and 1 child even in school holidays.
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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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emmaw01, I've been taking my daughters skiing, one at a time, two at a time, or with the Mrs too, 2-3 times per season here, from age 5 & 7 to the present day (they're now 21 and 23!):
http://www.simonbutlerskiing.com/
They're based in Megève (lots of intermediate terrain and non-skiing attractions) and instruction (all abilities), from their own team of British instructors, is included in the package, all at a very reasonable price.
Kids are in their own instruction groups, with others of a similar ability, and have a whale of a time.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The impression I have got is that Esprit are good for young children, however once they get to 12, they aren't so good? We are going with them in December, but that is with a 1yr old, and 4yr old.
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i have done it twice with daughter, first time she was a beginner, we went to Livigno, was dirt cheap first week of easter hols, i ski'd alone in the mornings when she had lessons (they only do half day there) then helped her practice on nursery slopes in afternoon. was a good place for nice cheap evening meals, and there was even a small bowling alley. 2nd time we went to Montgenevre, as she had done a 2nd week lessons with school we are now same standard so did not bother, just ski'd all day together. Apts at Montgenevre are good for just 2 of you in a 4 berth one, as there is a pool for late afternoon fun, and once she is up and running its ski to door, but first couple of days you would need to walk or take free minibus to resort centre for ski school. Montgenvre quiet in evenings after your meal out, but apts have a tv with built in dvd player, so we watch some filmswe took and i had a bottle of beer or two. Hope to post a couple of pics of us this year on the gallery section soon.
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emmaw01, +1 for Simon Butler. Haven't been with him for... ahem, 22 years  but he was good then and if his current set up is good enough for laundryman, say no more!
Depnding on how grown up your daughter is, also worth checking with Ski Famille. Like Esprit you more often see them dealing with little ones, but if you check with the company they might be able to give you some pointers about when other kids of similar and/or maturity might be going. Generally very laid back atmos in the chalets, lovely resorts.
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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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if your daughter is 12 you may want to check the age limits - think esprit stop child care at 12 ?
crystal are also OK as your 12 year old will be a bit more independant ( we have taken our lad who is 6 with them a few times)
i would be happy to rate esprit, and crystal we have never had an issue with either so either are good choices.
last couple of years there have been stunning 1 parent 1 child deals from esprit so worth a look.
also if you dont need full child care - try esprits sister company total-ski as thats often cheaper
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| laundryman wrote: |
emmaw01, I've been taking my daughters skiing, one at a time, two at a time, or with the Mrs too, 2-3 times per season here, from age 5 & 7 to the present day (they're now 21 and 23!):
http://www.simonbutlerskiing.com/
They're based in Megève (lots of intermediate terrain and non-skiing attractions) and instruction (all abilities), from their own team of British instructors, is included in the package, all at a very reasonable price.
Kids are in their own instruction groups, with others of a similar ability, and have a whale of a time. |
You just reminded me....wrongly assumed these guys were the Thunder Vodka people at the ski show and sauntered over (as you do when there's toffee vodka around  ). There was rather a lot of the stuff alongside them. Anyway, had a lovely chat with them as am going Megeve way for the first time in March and they invited me to pop into the chalet and say hello 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Lou,  toffee vodka noted for the forthcoming booze order.
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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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miranda, oooh how lovely, but hide it from Shimmy
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You know it makes sense.
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I would suggest a smaller resort so that you can set areas if she wants to ski off at lunch on her own if you prefer to relax for a little longer. If she is learning french or German or Italian would perhaps also help her at school. Do go in school holidays - although its dearer - so she mixes with other kids. Again, prob a UK tour Op would be better (more money) for the mixing.
I took mine first at aged 10 and we went to Risoul. Fantastic place and lots of sun (kids dont want bleak and fresh pow on there first trip). minimal queues more reasonably priced. Last year we went to Chamrousse (again, a bit cheaper ) but the queues after lunch and in the morning was tedious.
Both times we done DIY and met other families, but it is cerainly more important that she meets other english kids at 12 i think so i would suggest a TO package to Risoul for a reasonable price.
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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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| Libertine wrote: |
I would suggest a smaller resort so that you can set areas if she wants to ski off at lunch on her own if you prefer to relax for a little longer. If she is learning french or German or Italian would perhaps also help her at school. Do go in school holidays - although its dearer - so she mixes with other kids. Again, prob a UK tour Op would be better (more money) for the mixing.
I took mine first at aged 10 and we went to Risoul. Fantastic place and lots of sun (kids dont want bleak and fresh pow on there first trip). minimal queues more reasonably priced. Last year we went to Chamrousse (again, a bit cheaper ) but the queues after lunch and in the morning was tedious.
Both times we done DIY and met other families, but it is cerainly more important that she meets other english kids at 12 i think so i would suggest a TO package to Risoul for a reasonable price. |
pam w, Pam, it will be in the school holidays in February 2011 
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Poster: A snowHead
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pam w, Pam, it will be in the school holidays in February 2011 Smile
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I'd get booking quickly then and expect to pay through the nose. Have you thought about Easter instead? Far warmer for learners and still plenty of snow around if you choose the resort wisely.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Colin B wrote: |
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pam w, Pam, it will be in the school holidays in February 2011 Smile
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I'd get booking quickly then and expect to pay through the nose. Have you thought about Easter instead? Far warmer for learners and still plenty of snow around if you choose the resort wisely. |
emmaw01,
It will be more expensive in the school holidays, but it does not have to break the bank if you go to smaller resorts with a transfer around 2.5-3.5 hours. You dont need a big area when you are learning anyway.
If you go in feb rather than easter, it then give you the opportunity to go again in easter if she really likes it. Lots of cheap short breaks then too so she gets really hooked.
Let us know where you decide to go.
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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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Libertine, True but would a holiday, probably in an apartment in a smaller resort, with less English kids around, offer the other things that the OP was looking for?
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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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hi guys, thank you for all the feedback, i rang esprit ski and the were very helpful, have booked the week of the 20th feb with my daughter, it sounds good, fully catered in austria with ski school/lift passes all in, a little expensive but no more once i costed it all out by booking myself with flights accomadation etc, lets hope she enjoys the week away with her dad.
once again thank you for all the feedback.
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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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emmaw01, I'm sure she will, my daughter always does. Look forward to her skiing overtaking yours in no time at all 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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emmaw01, that sounds great. Hope you both enjoy it very much.
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Esprit are highly recommended. Used them before - you will enjoy
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Done this before with Esprit and always had a great time but daughter's only 9 this year so your issues will probably be different to mine, I want her to be with other kids during the non skiing times. Seen older that 12 year olds but normally part of a bigger group and tend to ski with parents. Oops just realised that you've booked - never mind I'll post this anyway!
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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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emmaw01, welcome to snowheads- I'm sure you will have a great time.
I've been with my oldest son on 3 'dads and lads ' holidays with Esprit and we have always had a bloody great time. He was between 5 and 7 each time and no problems with missing mum! Mum now feels left out and insists on coming as well.
As others have said - your daughter will soon be faster than you- which is great really.
Have a fantastic time- just don't think about the money- the wort thing that can happen is that you love skiing- and need to keep going back. It will cost you thousands (a year).
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See you have chosen - next year !
Go to whistler and get Kids clubs for 5 days and she will be expert by then and you can ski the weekend together.
Took daughter and niece and they had a blast.
You can also get Ski Esprit which is is half teach/guide or ski by your self.
Tricky as you will be going school hols but we have done Easter for last 3 years and it has been great. It is not cheap but you can do it for £2000 each all in easily in school hols.
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FAQ
