Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
I'm new here and new'ish to skiing.
Before I got married and had kids I used to ski every year and loved to try new places, Bulgaria etc.
I'm looking to start saving for a ski trip in January or February next year and am wondering where the best place to go would be.
By that time my girl will be 5 and I will looking to get her started with Ski lessons and my boy will be 14 months or there abouts.
A number of years ago a remember First choice or the like building a purpose built family hotel for people exactly like me but can't find any details??????? Does this ring any bells?
Would there be any other resorts that you could recommend that would suit my needs please and the best places to book?
Thanks
Doug
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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RUNT, Welcome to SH
There will be a HUGE choice of places, you may want to work on a short-list of must-haves to help narrow the choice. For example, transfer time or even country. Can't help with query but rest assured you will get a lot of suggestions here!
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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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If you don't mind being put in a big hotel, then maybe look at Club Med. Both their hotels in val d'Isere and Tignes had good reviews - I picked customers up from both and they were very happy.
On the expensive side, Premier Neige in Saint Foy are the BEST. Kids schools are best in France I'm told (several Norwegians, Danish, Austrians stayed here and would only send their kids to here).
Hotel Paquis offered a very friendly service in Tignes. They can book ski schools for you I'm sure - I would recommend Evo II for the kids. I some of their instructors and they were very good to the kids.
Hundred Hills chalets in Tignes were lovely, but obviously chalet is usually more expensive.
Hope that helps!
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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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With your age of children I would highly recommed Esprit we went with them Dec 2010 with a 1yr old and a 4yr old. We had a famtastic time we are going with them again next April to St Anton. I will dig out a link later
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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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Doug, Your pseudonym may reflect your inner trepidation but be sure that we all have that. It does you down a bit though, I think .
Anyway, have a look at Skivo2. They are Brits in Courchevel 1300, with a bubble within yards to link to the main area. They offer quality instruction (2hrs per day) in their price and have lovely catered chalets ...and I think a self-cater possibility if you prefer that. Special price for children under 2 and creche for 1-4 yr non-skiers and Snowdrop club for 5yr + skiing youngsters.. They are just the nicest people.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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RUNT, Weclome to SH: Assume RUNT is an abbreviation for Ruinette perhaps?
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Runt
Another recommend for Esprit from me.
We have been with them to Kaprun (x2 - no longer an option), Obergurgl (very good for beginners and intermediates), Les Arcs and a couple of other places I can't now recall.
Our kids were 5 when we first went and 11 when we last went, and Esprit were brilliant everywhere.
They'll take the oldest off your hands and get her to lessons (half day) and then give her lunch so you can pick her up at 2ish; they'll also mind the baby for you.
Kids eat separately from the adults in the evening, there are usually lots of other kids in the chaltes, and then go off to Cocoa Club or whatever vwhile you eat etc. They also offer (often free) babysitting so you can go out in the evening if you want.
I know they're not the only ones doing it, but we've been very happy with them over the years.
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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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Can recommend ski esprit (5 hols ), premier neige (2 hols in sainte foy ) and snowbizz (3 hols in puy st Vincent)
Also heard from friends ski famille is very good but not used them
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I'd suggest looking at Mark Warner as well, they have very good childcare.
Courchevel is a great all-round resort, although um, rather expensive..
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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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We used Ski Famille this year, would use them again really good - kids had a great time too (Les Gets)
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For family stuff, my tip is Neilson.
Resort? Well, my fave place, Serre Chevalier, ticks so many boxes for family friendly skiing. If you end up there, Ski Connections is THE ski school in the valley. Great people. Truly great people. Davina and her team (Especially Christian and Petit Paul!) are simply excellent.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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RUNT, ...don't be fooled by all the Switzerland is stupidly expensive stuff...prices on the hill (passes, food etc) are about the same as Val D, 3 Val etc - I can vouch for this since I had friends over to Crans Montana from 3V and they said they were paying less on the hill than in France. So....the relly important stuff: I would strongly recommend Swiss Mountain Sports - my two have skied with Yves' guys since they were 2 and a half and now at 6 and 8 are very happy, accomplished skiers. Very happy indeed. He really focusses on kids' skiing and the instructors simply love handing their skills and knowledge on. But most important of all, group size is restricted to a maximum of 5, and groups are often smaller. This means happy children who spend a lot of time skiing rather than standing around. SMS has been briliiant. The Tom Pouce ski area is great, accessible, with a restaurant and terrace, moving carpets for beginners and more demanding slopes for those graduating through the levels. Crans is sunny, best sun record in the Alps, which is great for kids. Stay in a chalet in the villages, like bluche, mollens or randongne and you will get low rents - 10 min drive up to the lifts. But the main thing is their enjoyment and time skiing, and SMS really specialises in that.
go to
http://www.sms04.ch/
and go to hiver
if you email them, mention tim in cambridge.
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