Poster: A snowHead
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Hello All,
I've been lurking for quite a while now, searching so many topics for answers. You seem like a friendly bunch! I'd really appreciate any advice. I've had quite a few glasses of wine, so please excuse typos.
We went on our first family skiing holiday (me and the OH skied a lot BC (before children!)) in January with Esprit Ski to La Rosiere. It was brilliant, everything we expected and more. The only prolem was, 8 weeks before we went, my hubby had a really bad accident on his mountain bike which meant he wasn't able to ski. Poor bloke had to sit in the chalet (or bar) while me and our 2 lads had a fabulous time on the slopes. Anyway to cut a long story short, we want to go again at Easter so OH can ski this time, but on a budget.
Has anyone got any words of words of wisdom?
Cheapest resort with snow at Easter?
Will the kids be horrified at lessons with someone other that esprit ski reps in them? (they are 7 and 5)
Best companys for packages?
How late shall we leave it for best deal?
How easy is it to drive to the alps if we can get a package?
Thanks in advance
Jolo
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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jolo, welcome to SHs.
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How easy is it to drive to the alps if we can get a package?
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It's easy enough except at half term and other v busy times - Easter is much quieter and there's also less (but not nil) chance of big snow meaning you need to use snow chains etc.
As for the other questions, a budget holiday will certainly be a lot more hassle than Esprit (I could never afford outfits like that, but reading reports here of how they work, it's obviously far, far, easier than DIY with kids).
for the cheapest holiday you should maybe look at renting an apartment direct (e.g. from an owner, not a company) in one of the smaller resorts.
This thread might be useful for you http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=86486#1980214
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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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jolo, welcome to Snowheads. We've been going out at Easter for a few years now and have always had a great time. This year we are going to Risoul in southern alps for the third year running plus a week in Ste Foy. We've found Risoul great value and fun family skiing, but our kids are a bit older (now 12 and 9). Snow has always been fine and it's a good area, however I think you'd want to check the ski school first, we've used Skicool who have been v good but you will find a mix of french and english.
We always drive and find it no problem but we are less than an hour from the tunnel. We've generally booked with Erna Low who we have found great and they tend to have some good deals and prices include Flexiplus on Eurotunnel which is great.
Another company we've used many times are Snowbizz to Puy st Vincent, good value and great for kids (esp younger kids).
So - look around, try Erna Low and any other self catering companies (I've heard Peak Retreats are good also) who offer the Eurotunnel inclusive, I'm sure you'll find a good deal with a bit of searching.
Tell your hubby to slow down on his mtb or get a road bike!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Do you want cheap or reasonable price so you are not with lads? Self catering in Tignes would be cheap and cheerful, one of the best resorts in the world for skiing he would have to catch up in not the best resort for beginners. Val Claret in the high rise mini flats, but everyone has done it and you have to start your real skiing sometime, have a flat for six for four people, park over the road take all the kit with you, stock up in Bourg before the wind up the hill the things you need fresh. Moan in the Alpaca in Lac on Monday night if you are a SGB member about the size of the flat and have I got slight altitude problems in Val C? to all the old Brit soaks Marvellous.
You can do it all yourself, ferry or train, who is going to drive in what, book the "mini flat" half the price of a package but it is hard work. I once got a coach there and back £40 return and a flat £16 a head for a week. It can be done but you have to be young and resilient to put up with the latter and possibly a little more experienced about the pitfalls, but research costs nothing and the "experts" on here will help with your considerations.
Or you could do my favourite and go to Club Med for the week, this would solve all your problems they do absolutely everything for you.
But.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Look at the Esprit prices for 7 April. Family of 4 from £1,400. By the time you've crossed the channel, driven (don't forget the tolls - see viamichelin site and the cost of snowchains) and rented an apartment and bought food... and spent a night in a hotel on the way - possibly two...
http://www.espritski.com/offers/
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I agree with James the Last. We drove for the first time this year and it cost more than £500 - around £130 for tolls, £270 for fuel, £45 one night in an Etap hotel on the way there (drove back in one go) and around £60 for snow chains & shovel, £70 for ferry (tho you can get Tunnel on Tesco vouchers if you have them). I suppose you need to weigh it up against the cost of airport parking and ski carriage if you have them though.
Had we not chosen to increase the cost of our Esprit holiday this year by driving, the package would have been £999 for 2 adults/2 children, booked around a week before, so I think it is definitely worth looking at late deals around 1 to 2 weeks before you go. Trouble with taking children is that it's difficult to cut costs if you want childcare/children's lessons,. We travelled (semi)indepently for around 5 years with children and found the cost of in resort nurseries/nannies just as expensive as Esprit and not always as good.
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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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jolo, I shall be at Les Deux Alpes for Easter, 6th year in a row. Conditions are usually very good and it's reasonably priced compared to many large, high french resorts.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Yes, I'd agree that LdA would be a good choice.
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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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jolo, have a look at Crystal, Inghams or Neilson.
Crystal and Inghams have had some deals with free childs places. We got a free childs place for a trip to Kitzbuhel with Crystal going out on 31st March - first week of kids Easter holidays. Inghams had some places in Andorra with free childs places, and free childs lift passes - makes a hell of a saving. We've been to Andorra in April and had great spring conditions.
When we've looked at Neilson before they haven't really had any free childs places but have had good packages for lift passes, lessons and kit hire.
Check this page for details of hotels with free child places with Inghams.... http://www.inghams.co.uk/ski-holidays/information/families/
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jolo, while you can always cut costs, there is no such thing as a cheap ski holiday in my view. Certainly not with kids where you have to pay everything for them!
We've been at Jan and Easter the last few years, as you've discovered once is never enough! If your kids are reasonable skiers and you're confident, do they really need lessons again in the same year? Ski together for the week, that will save you a fair few quid.
We drive, yes there is a cost to this as stated, but it does mean we shop in the valley where cheaper, and are happy to self-cater for the week.
Ultimately its what suits - we like the drive and our happy to cook, but if that doesn't appeal you just need to book as later as you dare
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You know it makes sense.
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If your kids are reasonable skiers and you're confident, do they really need lessons again in the same year? Ski together for the week, that will save you a fair few quid.
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+1. There aren't many years when they'll be happy to ski with you (except in a charitable frame of mind......) so make the most of it now.
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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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More lessons you have in the early stages the better skier you will become, don't stint on lessons.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Cynic, while you are correct, lessons are expensive when you're the one paying for them all. For a 2nd family holiday, not long after the first, I think there is as much to be gained from skiing as a family.
More lessons could even be counter productive for some children in that they may lose the thrill of skiing as its yet more lessons.
This is based on an assumption that children are of a reasonable standard i.e. not complete beginners
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I think our kids did amazingly well after one week of skiing (don't they all?) They loved it and seem very confident, but I still think they would benefit from lessons again - they are on a roll!
At the moment I feel as if I have so much information that I don't know how to collate it all. We can book flights from Newcastle (where we live) to chambery quite cheaply, so are thinking where is the best snow sure place to go, self catering, good ski school, cheap lift passes, from there?
jolo
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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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I still think they would benefit from lessons again
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practically everyone would benefit from lessons - I agree. Was just a suggestion to try to keep the price down.
Do you have a notional budget?
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What about 8th April? Do you think there will still be package offers if I leave it till a few weeks before then?
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yes, I'd think there will be package offers, and if by any chance there weren't, you'd have no problem booking up DIY. Provided you're flexible, there's every reason to leave it till much nearer the time. If (as seems likely at the moment) the late season snow is good, you'll be spoilt for choice. Without help with the kids you'll want accommodation VERY close to the ski school meeting place, and a resort which makes it easy for you to do a few hours when they are in ski school, then meet them afterwards. Lots of places would fit the bill - but not all.
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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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I know people are beginning to think I work for the tourist board, I don't, but take a look at Vallandry
Part of Les Arcs area, but has lots of self catering places, most of them very close to bottom of lift, some lovely runs above Vallandry and in the bowl for kids to play in trees and on bumps. Plus plenty of skiing for adults when kids in lessons
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