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Sorry - new to all this but resort advice needed

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Hi
I realise that this is a thread that is probably posted numerous times but could really do with some advice.
We are looking at taking our family skiing next February half term (week of 9 Feb), but I don't even know where to start looking, the background is this.

My husband went on a skiing trip at school (over 20 years ago!). We then went on a holiday about 6 years ago - my first skiing trip and, having discovered I was pregnant a few weeks before we went out, I got too nervous and so didn't do very well at lessons - I had my confidence knocked on day 2 when my instructor told me I was going to go off the side of the mountain if I didn't learn to stop and then told my class we were going up on the ski lifts - I opted out! hubbie however really enjoyed his skiing and did well. We then gave it a rest until now.

I have now done a beginners day course at an inside fridge and have discovered that I can actually stop when going down hill, the kids have also had introductory lessons and enjoyed it (aged 8 & 6), and so we are looking as I said to go out next February.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good resort that will be easy for us to manage with one near novice and 3 novices, with enough gentle slopes that if I manage to gain some confidence in lessons part way through the week we might be able to venture having the 4 of us skiing together outside of lessons?


Thanks in anticipation (I'm honestly not a total wimp!!)

Kaf
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Sorry my advice be in lessons all of the time at your stage
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
While I think you should be having lessons part of the day, I'm not sure I sits necessary to sign up to lessons all day unless money is no object. Lots of resorts will suit. You don't need a huge resort, but one that is graded highly for beginners. I can certainly recommend Alpe d huez, la plagne, courchevel as resorts with good progression slope for novices. there are many others in france, austria and Italy. there are resorts to avoid eg chamonix val d sere which while having some suitable slopes are not good resorts for the skiing you describe.
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kafreeman, welcome to Snowheads snowHead

Whilst I'm not sure it's essential to be in lessons all day, every day, I'd agree you do need more than just part of the week.

How would you feel about all being in lessons in the morning, meeting for lunch and then skiing together on either the nursery slopes where you've been learning or - if feasible and you have the confidence - trying some easy blue/green runs together? The children will most likely be raring to go after a bit of a rest at lunchtime and IME it's great fun skiing en famille, as long as you are on runs which match your ability and confidence levels. In the meantime, some more time in a fridge will help too.

Morillon in the Grand Massif might fit the bill, as may Les Gets (although I haven't skied there, lots of SnowHeads have), and La Tania would be a good choice too.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Don't get your hopes up about sliding together as the kids will advance far faster than you. Any small French resort (& I suspect many Austrian, Italian etc) will fit the bill. These are not necessary the same as ones served in volume by mass Tour Operators. If I had to pick a big resort I'd say Alpe d'Huez has a large number of sunny green runs down to resort. As above all day lessons will help you progress faster.
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Thanks for all of this - I didn't word myself very well when talking about lessons - I would certainly be looking at us all doing a full week of at least half day lessons, but towards the end of the week it would be nice to be able to go out as a family for a "group ski" - though I would agree that the kids will be overtaking me on day 2 as a minimum - one going very precisely and one with legs and arms everywhere but getting down the slope and stopping somehow in one piece, judging on their fridge performances!
I will certainly look at the resorts mentioned.
Thanks again, Kaf
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I would choose Andorra very good VFM and Soldeu has a complete resort to enable easy meet ups and is relatively high.
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After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
You don't mention budget, which might influence the best solution.

I subbed my daughter (22) and her boyfriend to learn to ski this year in Meribel.

They had a three hour session with Ski Marmalade to learn to snow plough.

They were then booked into morning lessons with New Generation and met for lunch.

Until the end of the week they practiced together.

By the end of the week they were at completely different levels. But now have an excellent foundation to move forward on family skiing holidays.

I (and there experienced skiing friends) skied with them on two or three occasions, each time we mistakenly pushed them beyond their limits.

My conclusions are (1) that this lesson format worked really well.

(2) Don't ski with experienced skiers until well toward the end of the week.

(3) You need to dedicate a week to accepting that the experienced skiers adapt their eating and travelling habits to accommodate the "early" skiers, if socialising at lunch etc. is important.

A previous poster said that it does nobody any favours mixing experienced skiers and inexperienced skiers at the learning phase ... I endorse this.

Other thoughts are smaller cheaper resorts like Valmorel would work well, since the extent of the resort is not that important, and ski hire and lessons should come cheaper.

If there are 4 beginners, you might advance faster with a private instructor working with you as a group, this might also help getting the group to the right places for lunch! As you might gather lunch is very important to me in the mountains.

Hope that this helps.
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kafreeman, Welcome to Snowheads! snowHead
I think it was very wise of you for you and your kids to have had some time at an indoor fridge - that's a big help and has obviously enthused you all to progress a bit further with this skiing lark! Smile

As regards recommended resorts, here's my own thoughts for some resorts which would be particularly good for beginners:
1. France: As dan100 said, Alpe d'Huez.
2. Austria: Alpbach or Westendorf (both also chocolate box pretty villages)
3. Italian Dolomites: Colfosco - there are some wide nursery slopes right by the village, and the scenery in the Dolomites is also outstanding.

Hope this helps, and welcome to the addiction! Madeye-Smiley
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Thank you all again - I can feel an evening on the internet coming on - my eldest would probably like the sound of the Dolomites as he is doing a bit of Italian at school, whilst my youngest would echo Davids views on the importance of lunch!!
Kaf
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Hi Kaf. I've fairly recently returned from a week in Alpe d'Huez with my husband and 8 year old son see my review here - http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=88638
It wasn't a cheap holiday but it catered very well for my son's first proper time on the slopes. We're hoping next year we can do some proper skiing as a family Very Happy
Alpe d'Huez has lots of gentle nursery slopes to help build up confidence.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Essentially you want a resort good for beginners. I recommend getting somewhere with slope-side accom as all the carrying of skis can turn many beginners off.

Andorra is good for beginners, good fun.

I would say one thing re French resorts I have been to: French often not very patient with learner skiiers.

You wouldn't have that issue in Andorra

And to endorse a point made above: experienced skiiers should not ski with inexperienced
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So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
If you go to Morrilon try to get somewhere in 'les esserts' or 'Morillon 1100'.

It was maybe 10 years ago, but I remember stopping just outside of Morillon at Feb half term. We got the ski bus in each day. If we missed the earlier bus we were in for a big wait at the bottom gondola (1hr+).

I'd recommend Valliore. Cheaper and quieter than most other French resorts of that size and there's lots of greens and blues on the 150km of pistes snowHead
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kafreeman, Welcome to snowheads Very Happy
You need to ask youself some basic questions
1) are you looking for a packaage deal or are you willing to sort some of it yourself
2) catered or self catering
3) budget
4) how will you travel

All these could affect where you go.

Don't know much about france or italy but I do know that everywhere I've been in Austria has been brilliant. Very flexible in ski school, you pick your hours/days, often with english speaking instructors. It won't matter too much on the size of resort. I was happy with tiny resorts, 15-20 km of piste for the first couple of trips till I'd got the technique sorted. Small resorts mean cheaper prices to a certain degree. Don't rule out oddities like Andorra or Bavaria.
My guess is it will take more than one evening on the interweb to make a decision, could keep you busy for months. Especially as all the conflicing views and opinions of a thousand snowheads starts to pile up.
Have fun Laughing
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Hi, I am also new to snowheads.

We ventured to the already mentioned Alp De Huez earlier this year with kids 8,6 and 3. Absolutely perfect for novices with loads of really long and wide green runs. I have ventured to several other resorts however I personnally havent seen anywhere for beginners as good as this place. Also if the weather comes in the greens are all located at the bottom of the resort and if you fancy an afternoon off skiing there are the ice caves, outdoor swimming pool and ice rink.

Happy searching.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Les Gets
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Louis wrote:
Les Gets

+1 An excellent choice for beginners plus easily driveable from the UK
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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?
Does anyone have any suggestions for a good resort that will be easy for us to manage with one near novice and 3 novices, with enough gentle slopes that if I manage to gain some confidence in lessons part way through the week we might be able to venture having the 4 of us skiing together outside of lessons?

^
Consider Macugnaga as it's ideal for that.

http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Macugnaga/reviews

It's also quiet, charming, authentically Piedmont rural and set in a stunning and dramatic location under Monte Rosa, the second highest mountain in the Alps.

Re. Alpe D'Huez, I'm not a fan but if a big but brash resort centre combined with a lot of very wide, very easy, very straight pistes radiating out from it sounds appealing then it might be ideal. You'll certainly feel safer in Macugnaga though as it has far fewer Jester hat wearing, out-of-control muppets racing through it. Laughing I reckon Macugnaga has got its own village 'green' preservation society. Blush
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The Dolomites are spectacular with mostly easy pistes (though perhaps not the best snow record).
February is not good in France due to the crowds caused by the (staggered) French school holidays. I am unsure to what extent this problem affects other countries.

Some small, low resorts get advertised as good for beginners since they are clearly not good for experienced skiers - but beginners need good snow even more than more experienced skiers do. Don't risk icy or slushy conditions on a few low, perhaps south-facing slopes. (However bear in mind that further east resorts (eg in Austria) can get good conditions at a lower altitude than in the Western Alps).
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Montgenevre....fantastic resort, perfect for beginners and intermediates, not too pricey....not too busy either.
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snowball wrote:

February is not good in France due to the crowds caused by the (staggered) French school holidays.


Not the week of the 9th of February.
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kafreeman, feb half term is the most expensive week normally certainly I am looking at booking with Esprit and they are over £1100 per person in the accomadation in Alp D'Huez I am looking at versus £509 per person the week I am looking at also your child discounts aren't as good (for you age range 60% and 20% first and second child vs first child free and 40% of second child). I am just waiting for permission to take my eldest out of school before booking it. Have you considered Eeaster? As that week isn't anywhere near as expensive.

Given the age of your chIldren I personally would recommend Esprit. My girls loved going with them.
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Are many areas in the UK having their half term on the 9th?
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Don't know Hampshire are the week later, but presumebly so as that and the following week are over 1100 and 1200 respectively.
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miranda wrote:
Are many areas in the UK having their half term on the 9th?


Hopefully everywhere apart from East Sussex wink Toofy Grin
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Peterborough is the 9th Very Happy Got an apartment for about half the cost of the following week. I think the vast majority of the UK is the next week.
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Colin B, thanks for that Laughing
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So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Useful info to know, thank you - we were fully booked by one big party on the week of the 9th who then moved the booking back to the 2nd. I didn't realise the week of the 9th was a half term so was wondering if that's why they moved.

marmotte16, well, at least you have picked somewhere lovely for the 16th wink
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You know it makes sense.
miranda, well yes Laughing 15th wink
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marmotte16, ah yes, forgot you were one of those difficult ones wink Looking forward to it already Very Happy
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 Poster: A snowHead
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miranda, Toofy Grin
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Alpe D'Huez or Montgenevre would fit the bill - both have a great collection of confidence building pistes with good progression heading out from the resort centre.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
My thoughts would be to put the kids in ski school for the week where group sizes are small (6-Cool and English spoken. I have always had private lessons for myself and this could work for your husband and you (mixed group of kids adults not great idea - certainly not right at beginning) but if he is a better skier he might find it a bit dull.
You are lucky with your half term week - should make prices + lessen number of people in resort.
We went to Les Deux Alpes for our first hols where all skiing (v similar situation but I had skied a week in Andorra and was husband's first week). Lots of nursery slopes at bottom where you can gain confidence post lessons whilst not being to far from home - also good range of ski school options..... And Easiski (www.easiski.com) who is amazing
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Andorra would get my vote.

Worth considering that if you choose Austria that group lessons tend to be all day (well 2hrs morning, 2hrs afternoon and lunch with the instructor). Although if you speak to your instructors I'm sure they'll try and get you to a point where you can meet up and ski together at the end of the day.
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katedenhaag wrote:
My thoughts would be to put the kids in ski school for the week where group sizes are small (6-Cool and English spoken. I have always had private lessons for myself and this could work for your husband and you (mixed group of kids adults not great idea - certainly not right at beginning) but if he is a better skier he might find it a bit dull.
You are lucky with your half term week - should make prices + lessen number of people in resort.
We went to Les Deux Alpes for our first hols where all skiing (v similar situation but I had skied a week in Andorra and was husband's first week). Lots of nursery slopes at bottom where you can gain confidence post lessons whilst not being to far from home - also good range of ski school options..... And Easiski (www.easiski.com) who is amazing


This is one advantage of Esprit in that the lessons are with the other children from the Chalet Hotel (at least that was our experience when we went to Courchevel with them), the lesson was with ESF lady, but there was also one of the Esprit staff on hand as well, to help them out. When we went my daughter was 4 and there was only 3 of them in the lesson together.
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kafreeman,

We were in a similar position to you; here's what we decided: http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=86952

I hope you have as much fun as we did.

chemistry
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Think about how you are going to organise it - TO or DIY - TO is probably easiest with less things to worry about for a novice-ish trip.

Look for a smallish resort - there's no point paying the lift pass prices for the large resorts as you probably won't justify the mileage.

We've mainly been to France and of the resorts we've been to would suggest Montgenevre or Risoul. If you're looking at Montgenevre, we've had very good experiences with Apeak for lessons.
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We had our first family ski trip with Esprit Ski at their chalet in Obergurgl. At that time, I had one week experience from 6 years ago and son, who was 5 then, had a couple of dry ski slope lessons. It worked really well for us. It was not cheap and the chalet was not the most luxurious but it was mindless as it was the first family ski trip and it was just so convenient to book everything thru them. They even take the kids to the ski lessons for you and kids can eat lunch together so that you don't need to rush back to pick them up for lunch etc. The downside (for some people) is you can't eat dinner with your kids as they do separate dinners for kids and for adults. We prefer having dinners together as a family and so we only did Esprit Ski that one time.
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Forgot to say, try to book accomodation that is not to difficult to get to ski school meeting point/nursery slope. It's not fun trying to walk in ski boots carrying skis plus trying to help your kids at the same time!
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Yes, try Esprit - just the right package for the kids at that age, the younger might not want to ski all day. English speakers all. Definitely go to ski school yourselves - you will be learning with other people at your level and it's more fun that way. Don't worry if you get put in separate classes - meeting new friends is part of it! You can meet for lunch. You will be tired and so will the kids so imo getting them fed and off to bed is a good thing!
Go to a nice small resort - somewhere in the Austrian Tyrol, maybe, you will only need 2 or 3 lifts for your first week, and the lift passes in the big resorts are so expensive... you just don't need them.
And get a move on - half term week gets booked up really quickly. Book your lessons/childcare at the same time or you may be disappointed.

You have plenty of time so book yourselves into a dry slope course - something to do in the summer holidays? Far cheaper than snow, probably nearer and if you can do it there you can do it anywhere. They generally run lessons and clubs for all ages - our local one has Junior lessons on Sunday mornings and then they go on to Junior Club when they are good enough. And Ladies coffee and ski sessions....I really must go along sometime!
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