 Poster: A snowHead
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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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jirac18, it's maybe not realistic to look at "ski in/out" for complete beginners. Accommodation very near to the ski school meeting place is your best bet, as walking in ski boots and carrying skis is no fun for beginners and the 5 year old will probably need help, even for a short distance. It's easy for experienced skiers to forget how difficult it can be at first.
You don't, of course, need to self-cater if you stay in an apartment - you can take your pick of the restaurants, though obviously that'll be expensive. Restaurants may not be suitable for a tired 5 year old, either, and neither would hotels, unless you are happy to leave him/her on their own in the bedroom at night, which could be a long way away, in a big hotel. A family-oriented catered chalet might be best, though the specialist child-care people would probably blow the budget.
The quality of the ski school is pretty important - ideally with groups no bigger than 6, which rules out whole heaps of them.
I did several holidays with kids that sort of age, in a catered chalet. There was no other "activity" on offer, or needed, other than mucking around in the snow (building snowmen, snowballs, bit of low-key toboganning). Everybody was pretty tired after a day's skiing and the kids enjoyed the meals and company in the chalet. The beauty of a chalet is that you can put the kids to bed and still have company, and a few drinks, without having to bother about baby sitters etc, because the kids are close by and easily kept an eye on. And you can take your own duty frees and just buy mixers, which helps the budget enormously.
What dates are you thinking of? If it's school hols it won't be anything approaching cheap, however you do it. 
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I got side-tracked in the middle of my post, and hadn't seen Lou's - great minds think alike. 
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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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pam w, yours more professional though 
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well, longer-winded at any rate.
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We will probably look at jan or march 2012 outside school holidays. Chalet does seem most sensible option and no need for babysitting etc as wouldn't ever leave kids abroad and they'll tag along with us happily for a trip out. Interesting re ski in/out for newbies. No probs to walk very short distance and most places have boot storage at lifts I guess. Won't be walking in ski boots coz it's the worst!! Did it once never again. Agreed re tuition. Any resorts to recommend and or specific chalets or Tour ops?
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jirac18, probably helpful if you narrow it down to a country/ski area first then suggestions will come flooding in. Bear in mind that in France (I don't know about the others) the school hols run from second week of Feb through to 10th March and although you could well find a small quieter resort, generally those weeks are best avoided.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Somewhere to consider self-catered meets catered (food available in the bar in the evenings or local restaurants will deliver from village, fresh croissants delivered to your door each morning, I could go on ..  )
The skiing is a 5 minute drive away on their private bus or local ski bus. La Giettaz would be a lovely place to learn - very quiet and also has access to other areas.
http://www.chalet-la-giettaz.com/
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1. Les Arcs 2000;
2. Flaine;
3. Tignes.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I'd second pam w's advice that the ski school is really imprortant.
If it was me, I'd have a google for Evolution 2, Oxygene, Magic in Motion and Reflex which are all independantly run ski schools in the French alpes (I'm sure other snowheads can suggest for other areas) who have good reputations for kids groups lessons.
See which one looks like it would best fit the bill, and then try and find accomodation nearby.
Happy planning!
Heather
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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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jirac18, Be careful about 'ski in , ski out' claims. If it states this then maybe ask here to see if anyone has experience or advice. For instance, in VT there are certain apartments on the higher side of the area that state ski in-out. Some need good skiing ability. In April this year the tracks used were closed due to no snow, so if you did stay there it was a long walk in boots!
I would avoid anything that requires a bus to get to the slopes, these can be 'entertaining' in the early morning rush.
With your proposed group size (12) a catered chalet may be an option or alternatively separate apartments, but there's no guarantee you'll be near the rest of your group.
A good starting point would be your budget costs, as this may define what's realistically possible. As you don't intend going at half term, that should reduce costs considerably.
Good luck.
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In Feb I took my 6 year old daughter on her first trip to Club Med at La Plagne. It worked out really well. The Club Med is all inclusive, including travel ski tuition, lift pass, food, as much booze as you can manage. Just about the only thing the up front price doesn't incude is ski hire (available in the Club Med complex and pre booked). We were at the Aime La Plagne Club, which is right on the piste, ski in ski out, with a big sunny terrace to enjoy the apres ski and 'free' booze. The child care facilities were great as well, they got Spud9 Minor skiing blues within the week.
I did a trip report here http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=74206
As a mixed ability group, including children this might just tick all your boxes. The up front cost may seem quite high, but you spend virtually nothing when you're at the resort.
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You know it makes sense.
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jirac18, I know you want it cheap as possible, but I would suggest that you may need to compromise on that as it is your wife's first trip. You should try to make sure that she enjoys every aspect of her first experience on snow. Savings can come down the line when she she is already hooked!
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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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jirac18, http://www.hotel-les-airelles.com/presentation_frame_eng.htm Hotel/Residense Les Airelles in La Toussiure is a good choice, its just behind the skishool and lifts/slopes. You can buy skipass for only La Toussiure or for all Les Sybelles, and you have 77 lifts and 300km of pists, La Toussuire is perfect for familys and beginner, and rest of les sybelles have skiing for all level, Saint Sorlin for example have excelent offpist, Its Cheap, about 20% less price than other areas. The most British tourists that go to Les Sybelles stay in Le Corbier, not so nice station, The skiing in La Toussuire is more family friendly. http://www.freeride.co.uk/img/resort/skimap/large/1232.jpg In La Toussuire the most not french tourists are from Netherland and Belgium, so its OK to speak english.
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Poster: A snowHead
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most places have boot storage at lifts I guess
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No, I don't think that's the case, though some do. If so, you need to ensure it's heated. Some ski shops near the slopes will have a "consigne" (don't know what the German equivalent would be) where you can leave hired equipment.
Lots of families like Les Gets (we did, we went there twice) and the BASS ski school is very good. Not ski in/out, on the whole, but quite a few places which are just a short walk from the main lift. As stated above, many so-called "ski in/out" places need a high level of ski ability, especially if snow cover is poor. One place with quite a lot of pretty easy ski in/out apartments is Mottaret IIRC - though the place we stayed needed a rather scary (to me at the time, and I wasn't a beginner) traverse through a kind of well-worn groove with no possibility of slowing down till you got to the piste. Got my heart beating faster every day.
Be wary of accommodation which might be very near piste/lift but still a trek to the ski school meeting place.
Have you thought of a trip or two to one of the indoor ski slopes for lessons for your beginners, before you go? There are arguments for an against, often rehearsed here. Depends on the attitude of your beginners. If they're desperate to try skiing, go for it. If you're desperate for them to start skiing, maybe leave it till they are in the mountain atmosphere.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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We stayed in the Tour Operater Allberg catered chalet in Les deux alpes, right on the nursery slopes, and good tuition as well, the boot room door opens onto the slope. There were quite a few kids there and all messed in the snow at the side of the hotel while the parents watched them off the balcony while having a bit of apres. Our kids are grown, but would have been ideal for first timers, and loads higher up for the more experienced.
Our new favourite place is Selva val Gardena in Italy, and there are quite a few hotels overlooking the slopes, stunning scenery, and the Sella Ronda to keep you busy.
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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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jirac18, budget..? if your going for a week i'd be wary of a chalet unless you get on really well with everyone.. a weeks a long time on tour even with your best mates and their brats.. i prefer hotels get a bit of you time..can always meet for dinner in the bar or do your own thing .. nothing wrg with slope side.. walking with clobber and kids clobber and wifes clobber is vastly over rated..
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nothing wrg with slope side..
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fully agree, but plenty of places marketed as "ski in/out" would NOT be for someone who couldn't ski at all, so the advice to check is good. I remember somebody posting about a "ski in/out" place which turned out to be right on a piste - but if there's one thing worse walking along a road with all your clobber it's walking down a piste with it. And walking up the damn thing is even worse. My son cooked in an incredibly fancy and expensive top of the range private chalet in Meribel which was "ski in/out" but it was on a red piste, about three-quarters of the way down. Would have been impossible for a beginner or early intermediate who couldn't cope with a red piste. The only alternative was a very, very, very, long walk.
I think you'd have to be pretty intolerant of your "friends", or have picked rubbish friends, not to be able to cope with a chalet. You don't have to sleep with them, after all. The OP said he wanted "cheap as possible" and extras such as teas and coffees can mount up in a hotel.
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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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jirac18,
Have a look at the Terra Nova in La Plagne through Crystal which has got it's own Crystal run kids clubs with 'nannies'. I've not stayed in it, but have stayed / ski'd in la Plagne many times and the location is absolutely unbeatable for your entire group where no-one will have to walk very far with all the clobber on as the ski schools use the green run that runs past the hotel doors.
La Plagne doesn't offer the best nightlife, but, the hotel is right in the thick of what it does and according to your brief should satisfy the "bit of apres".
La Plagne will definitely keep you and your mates happy for a week with 200km of skiing plus the Les Arcs area with a further 200km if you need it.
Oxygene have a ski school there and I've heard great things about them so worth a look. From someone who in the last 3 yrs has successfully introduced his wife to skiing, my most important peace (intentional !) of advice is the right lessons for both your wife & kids. Get this wrong and you'll have problems evermore!!!
You could also consider the Golf Hotel (also Crystal) in Les Arcs. Again, right by the ski schools & lifts. Good facilities, right in the middle of town (1800). However, my wife used the ESF there and had a very poor experience so would point you towards NewGen instead.
The other place I would highly recommend is La Tania - the hotel Montana (Crystal) is in a perfect loaction. The resort itself is much smaller than either La Plagne or Les Arcs but very Brit-friendly and only one lift from Meribel & Courcheval. Magic Ski School are in La Tania and I've heard lots of good stuff about them
Would agree with Pam W - my wife did one of the 'learn to ski in a day' courses at Tamworth which most definitely eased her onto the slopes. If only to teach them how to get their equipment on and get used to moving about on skis. Good value too if you book for the summer when they are quiet.
P.S - I have no link to Crystal !
Good luck
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pam w, friends are great mainly because you donr have to live with them.. 
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Thanks to everyone so far for all the great ideas. I will start ploughing through and refining my search. Keep it coming snowheads great stuff ta!!
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jirac18, La Tania would tick the boxes, and - outside of the peak weeks of Half Term and New Year, when (in any case) we are fully booked - could be a good option. Drop me a PM (via Send/Read Messages above right) if you'd like more info. I'd PM you, but as you are 'Down a Crevasse' it wouldn't reach you
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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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Lots of good suggestions - to throw in my twopennerth:
- Agree with you that you don't want to be too far from the slopes - if you're not used to ski boots/lessons etc, having to get a 5 year old togged up then tramp halfway across town to the ski slope really is a downer in the morning - you're knackered before you start
- Look at some of the smaller, less popular resorts - these often have enough slopes if you're an intermediate for a week and lift passes aren't as high as the big resorts
- Look at the WTSS website - as well as this one of course, when you've narrowed down the resorts - this will sum them up for you nicely
- Some of my suggestions - Montgenevre, Serre Chevalier, La Rosiere (bit controversial that one - like Marmite!), Risoul, Les Gets (but a bit low at the ends of the season)
- If you want cheap then take the kids out of school or go very last minute (2-3 days before! if you have the nerve) this won't be so easy with a big group but we've got some cracking deals for 4
- Look at Rocketski if you want really good value - we've had really good service from them but their accomodation is on the clean but basic side - depends how much luxury you're after, you do get what you pay for
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A Club Hotel/Chalet Hotel operated by one of the big TO's might be worth considering. They're normally pretty good value, are well located, take most of the hassle out of organising ski school etc. and will have other kids around. They run kids clubs for various age groups and will run ski "guiding" for the intermediates.
Much cheaper than somewhere like Mark Warner but based around the same model.
I know Crystal, Thomson, Inghams and Nielson all have them.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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jirac18,
Take a look at Rohrmoos beside Schladming, small "village" at mid mountain, ski in/out, decent on hill prices. I don't know if Crystal hols do it but they do go to Schladming and I scoped out Rhormoos for my wife and younger 2 for next year but will go DIY and book hotel h/b through the tourist office in Sept. Schladming easy to get to from Salzburg and busy enough but not crazy, have been there the last 2 Januarys outside of school time. Also the local ski schools seem to use Rhormoos area so should be suitable from that point also. Enjot the chase....
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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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CANV CANVINGTON, a week's holiday is hardly "living" with them. I've been on holiday with various friends over the years, often on a budget (once with six of us in one Cortina, sharing a gite, once on a canal boat with 6 kids including 2 x 2 year olds, once with the same kids, but older and less likely to fall overboard, on a Brixham trawler, etc etc etc ), including ski holidays in both apartments and catered chalets, and always enjoyed them. Have you considered that maybe you are extra cantankerous? Or maybe you just need to change your friends?
This group of 12 is going on holiday together..... so they must have decided they can stand each other.
Holidays with friends are ideal when you have small kids. the kids entertain themselves, you can help each other, and you can have a lot of fun without having to find babysitters, and without having to go out and buy expensive drinks. They're on a tight budget!
Friends you can't stand for more than 5 minutes are a bit of a waste of time, I'd say.
As elderlies we've had various friends and relations come to stay with us in our (pretty small) French apartment, and we've remained on good terms with them, too. 2 young and impecunious families borrowed our place at half term this year - 7 of them, in a place with 2 bedrooms, one bathroom, one loo. The littlest lad - 7 - broke his leg on the first day. And they STILL managed to have a great holiday and are planning the next. The same two families, keen wake-boarders, also go on that sort of trip together. A holiday with friends is not necessarily a recipe for disaster, O Doomy One!
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| pam w wrote: |
CANV CANVINGTON,
This group of 12 is going on holiday together..... so they must have decided they can stand each other.
Friends you can't stand for more than 5 minutes are a bit of a waste of time, I'd say.
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Remember guys you're all trying to help me out here and doing a great job so far. Loads of ideas but Pam you do make a good point and yes we are all very much good friends!!
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You know it makes sense.
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jirac18, once you decide on who you want to book for lessons make enquiries. Most of the schools probably start checking emails in the autumn but some of the very popular ones will already be taking bookings. I have booked a lesson with LGS in Les Gets already although that is over Christmas period.
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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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Hi,
I can certainly suggest some great options for you here. Firstly you have to consider resorts. Taking into account your requirements I would recommend any of the following resorts...
Mayerhofen (Austria)
Courchevel (1650 - is the best for beginners)
Les Arcs
La Plagne
La Rosiere
Les Gets
Meribel
Arabba (Italy)... all great family and beginner/intermediate resorts.
I can give you a great idea of chalets and hotels if you wish. I have done 4 seasons working in Courchevel, Meribel and La Plagne so know these resorts very well. I work for Interactive Resorts who are a Fulham based travel agent - specialising in winter ski holidays, so we know what we are talking about!
Along with my expert knowledge I can provide you with some perfect options that do meet ALL of your requirements above - including ski-in/ski-out properties!
If you want you can give us a call (0203 0800 202) and ask for Ed (that's me!) and I will be happy to discuss the options that are available for you. Obviously there is no obligation to book - we offer a free service and can provide exact quotes for the whole group.
I hope this is helpful - please feel free to give us a call and we can have a chat! Or check out our websites and have a look for yourself...
http://www.interactiveresorts.co.uk/
http://www.catered-ski-chalets.co.uk/
http://www.lataniachalets.co.uk/
Regards
Edward Davis
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Poster: A snowHead
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edwarddavis84, Arabba is not a good beginner resort! Questionable for early intermediates too.
Seems like your "expert knowledge" is a little suspect.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thanks for your input jzBun,
Yes, I agree, Arabba does have some challenging runs, the Red and Black runs on the North facing side are enjoyed by advanced skiers from all over Europe. However...
The whole area offers great intermediate skiing too and the pistes are nearly always perfectly groomed making the skiing easier and smoother than in most resorts. Arabba is also part of the Dolomite Superski area - which encompasses Canazei and Selva, as well as Arabba. I have skied this 'loop' of runs/resorts myself and have managed to complete it in a day (as an intermediate skier). Beginners will feel equally at home on the nursery slopes here and there are plenty of blue and green runs.
Arabba and the surrounding area has over 350km of Blue pistes and the majority of these are located just to the West of Arabba. Obviously Arabba has its own ski schools to and great (some of the simplest) nursery slopes too.
Jason, we do have experts here working on all of the major resorts in Europe and our knowledge is top notch - if you do want a chat about your holiday just give me a call, I can provide advice on all aspects of your holiday (in far too much detail to go into in writing). I can take the 'brain-mashing' aspect out of this for you.
Hope this helps!
Regards
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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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St Anton might be a good bet, excellent ski school, good challenging skiing close to village. No it's not the best place for someone with 2-3 weeks skiing outwith ski school, but my kids loved it as beginners.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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edwarddavis84, I don't think Meribel is a good location for beginners either, really, compared to other places in the 3V (many, possibly most, of the 3V bases are better).
And perhaps a smaller, less busy, area than the 3V might be better - and cheaper.
How long before somebody with chalets there suggests Val D'Isere?
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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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How long before somebody with chalets there suggests Val D'Isere?
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pam w, What I was thinking about
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St Anton has a reputation for being a good place for advanced skiiers - I would have thought there would be better places to take kids skiing for the first time.
I think La Rosiere would meet your requirements. We stayed in Cimes Blanches apartments - various TOs offer them, we used Ski Collection who I'd recommend. They are self catering but are very luxurious with a lovely pool area. You can ski to and from the door (only a couple of easy turns on a blue run to Les Eucharts lift). We ate out in restaurants/creperie a few times and there is bowling and a small ice rink. Our children had ESF lessons but there is also the option of Evolution 2 who will pick up from the apartments.
There are several wide blues above la rosiere which would be ideal for the beginners in the party. There are a couple of good reds in la rosiere and plenty more in La Thuile. When we were there La thuile was very quiet and there was so much fresh snow. The main drawback to the resort is that the lifts are not the fastest and the wind really blows - it can get very cold in Jan! But despite that we had a great holiday there.
You could get to la rosiere by direct eurostar. I think the pass includes a day in Sainte Foy which is supposed to be worth a visit but you'd need transport to get there.
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snowymum - La Rosiere is a good shout for sure! St Anton is generally a harder place to get to grips with.
pam w - I have lived, worked and skied in Meribel for over a year (2009), if I know any resort in the world - it is Meribel. There are great nursery slopes and beginner areas at the top of the Rhodos (the Altiport, Golf and Village areas) - with plenty of greens and blues to practice on. True, there are other resorts in the 3 Valleys that are better for beginners, hence why I put Courchevel 1650 at the top of my list earlier. I personally would chose Courchevel for a family or group of beginners/intermediates.
Over on the other side of the 3 Valleys, Val Thorens is also decent for beginners. It does have good beginner slopes and ski school meeting points that are very easily accessible from most chalets/hotels there (a lot are ski-in, ski-out too). However, the main reason that I would chose Meribel and Courchevel over Val Thorens is that it can get VERY busy through the town and on the lifts near the leaner slopes. In addition to this Val Thorens also has (in my opinion) better/more demanding off piste and higher, steeper runs at the top of the resort.
A smaller, less busy area of the 3 Valleys, i.e. Les Menuires, Reberty, Les Allues, Le Praz will all be cheaper! This is simply due to the fact that these villages are lower down the mountain and access to the main slopes is generally harder.
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend Val d'Isere for a family of beginner group. The main leaner slopes (actually on just one run) are located at the bottom of the Solaise lift in the village, the other beginner slopes are half way up the mountain and these blues/greens are not very accessible for nervous skiers.
Trust me – I do this for a living and talk about these resorts, chalets and holidays on an hourly basis (with my colleagues and holidays-makers out there) and I have been to nearly every one of the above resorts.
Ed
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| snowymum wrote: |
| You could get to la rosiere by direct Eurostar. I think the pass includes a day in Sainte Foy which is supposed to be worth a visit but you'd need transport to get there. |
Blimey.....I knew La Ros was one of the top resorts, but hadn't realised it was now also served by train straight from the UK. Where have they built the terminal? 
On a serious note for just a moment.....La Ros does have ski-in/out options onto beginner slopes on the Western edge of the resort. Mostly catered chalets there IIRC. And a couple of decent apres options right there too.
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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 went with Esprit to Obergurgl when the wife and kids were starters. Fits most of your criteria -chalet 50m from the ski school meeting place and lesson slopes. Ideal lessons for the kids too. Chalet Verwall in thier brochure. Not glamourous but great fun and thoroughly recommended. Childcare costs a bit but takes the pressure off whilst your wife gets going and frees you up for skiing yourself. Chaler small enough to put the youngster to be whlst you eat.
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FAQ
