 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi everyone and a happy new year to you all! 
We are planning to take our first ever family ski trip around half term in February (preferably from the Friday to the Friday). None of us can ski. We are in Newcastle Upon Tyne and have 5 year old twins (b/g). My main preferences are:
-Ease of getting to the destination
-Ease of getting around the destination
-Good ski instruction (is it worth hiring an instructor just between the 4 of us?)
-Plenty of family apres ski activities
Don't mind spending a bit but don't want to pay circa 10 euros for a soft drink or a latte! Would prefer Europe as we've only got a week.
Any advice would be really appreciated as I'm absolutely clueless and everywhere I've checked looks good to me!
MAny thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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greyhoundlover, welcome to Snowheads.  you will find choices for half term (you do mean this year?) extremely limited. And it will be expensive and crowded. Practically everything worth having will be booked already.
Your twins are 5? Take them out of school for a week and go the first week in February (or maybe second half of March if you end up going to France. If taking them out of school will compromise their university entrance prospects, you could look at going at Easter. Cheaper, less crowded, still plenty of snow (Easter is early this year).
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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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Hi greyhoundlover, I've never done a family ski holiday, but from all the places I've been I'd say Les Gets in Les Portes du Soleil might tick all your boxes....
- Ease of getting to the destination - Its 1hr from Geneva airport (which is a very short transfer as ski holidays go)
- Ease of getting around the destination - Its a nice village to wander around, and the centre is fairly flat
- Good ski instruction (is it worth hiring an instructor just between the 4 of us?) - There is loads to choose from here, as with all the big resorts. The kids will be best in ski school with other kids, they'll absolutely love it! And as for you two, it's entirely up to you if you hire a private instructor or join a group. I think it's nice to meet new people, but then again you might progress faster with private tuition.
- Plenty of family apres ski activities - The village is very family friendly and loads to do for kids. The little ice rink in the centre always looks very popular!
It's not the cheapest resort, but by no means expensive. Plenty of accommodation to choose from too.
Bring in the Portes du Soleil its linked to Morzine, Avoriaz etc. You can get the bus, or ski, to Morzine and then the lift up to Avoriaz if you fancy a change of scenery one day.
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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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I do agree that Les Gets would be an ideal resort, and I'd recommend that you book the whole family into group lessons (appropriate age) with BASS. But I bet that they, and all the other good ski schools, are already fully booked for half term.
You will find that package ski holidays are nearly always Sat/Sat or Sun/Sun - for half term the latter is much preferable; there can be some horrendous traffic jams on those busy Saturdays.
If you drive yourself Fridays are also very busy as loads of people drive, then stay somewhere near the resort on the Friday night.
Really, if you possibly can, make your first family holiday some time other than half term. If it must be half term I'd advise against any of the French resorts routinely served by the big British tour operators - maybe Austria or Italy? You can get plenty of advice here from people who know individual resorts very well (though be aware that their advice might not be entirely disinterested  )
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greyhoundlover, go at easter. Less busy, cheaper, nicer weather for the young ones. At 5 they wont want to ski all day long so Easter gives you more options due to the weather
Yong kids and adults do not mix in a ski lesson, just doesn't work IMHO
How much experience do the adults have?
What is your preferred mode of transport?
Austria may be your best bet if you want fri-fri.
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greyhoundlover, +1 for Les Gets and BASS. We did that lots of times when our two were little, staying with Ski Famille, and it always worked well. If you're flexible on dates, you could start with the ski school, and then work from there. I think BASS do adult beginner group lessons, so those might be worth a look as well. Perhaps some time between half-term (including all the French ones!) and Easter would be good, in terms of both avoiding the crowds and having reasonable chances with the weather and snow?
Last edited by After all it is free  on Thu 3-01-13 13:53; edited 1 time in total
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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 you go immediately after half term, France will be busy (French half term from mid-Feb to early March this year - there's a SH topic on Euro hols somewhere). I 'd echo the thought of not having small kids and adults in the same lesson. Would be a 'mare. Fri-Fri may be hard to get through UK tour operator - you may have to do a DIY if you are set on Fri-Fri. Personally. I'd ruin their chances at Uni and take them out of school - far cheaper then. If you are set on Easter, do for a resort with a good snow record at the end of March (most places should be OK because Easter is early this year). There are lots of threads on SH about skiing with small kids. Keep them dry, warm and fed (wait, that's the same for me....). Take lots of gloves. Enjoy and say bye-bye to any spare cash you once had....skiing's addictive.
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greyhoundlover, Take them out of school, at that age, is the real winner. Mid March when the school hols are over would be nice. Mid Jan is the quietest. You get the pick of resorts and ski schools.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
Anything I should be considering for either alternative?
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Flights and package hols for the Easter school hols are expensive (because it's school hols, even though it's low season in France, as far as accommodation costs are concerned). And although Easter is early, it's still just a tad later than is ideal.
I'd suggest that, if looking at France, you look at the week beginning 16/17 March, when the four week French holidays are finished, packages should be quite a bit cheaper than Easter or half term and there's a better statistical chance of good snow conditions (though there are no guarantees about snow, don't believe anything anyone tells you to the contrary ).
Les Gets is certainly a good place, not least because of the BASS ski school where you'll be guaranteed good instruction, which is really crucial, especially for adult beginners. Adults and kids learn completely differently - I agree that separate groups make more sense than a private family lesson. Groups of 6 or below are good - you get the fun and social side of a group, but also plenty of individual attention. You learn from watching your fellow group members too - doing it right - or wrong.
If you have a large budget you could look at Esprit, who do child care, take kids back and forth to lessons, etc etc. I've no direct experience (could never afford it when kids were young) but they get very enthusiastic reports here. There are some other family operators too, who will probably get mentioned. A first ski holiday, with young kids, is quite a task of organisation and you'll enjoy it more with some experienced help. Just getting them kitted out with boots and skis (even once you've climbed the hill of gloves/mitts/goggles/helmets/neckwarmers/one piece or two piece suit etc etc) can seem very daunting. Then getting them into all that clobber and out in time for a ski lesson, without anyone needing a last minute wee, or forgetting their goggles......
Finally, if you have a great holiday, you do realise you're on an expensive treadmill, don't you? Best family holidays ever.
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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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greyhoundlover,
1) If you can get to a UK Snowdome before your trip, I would certainly do so. It's great fun, and even after just a couple of hours you'll at least have got to grips with how boots go on, how to clip into bindings and the very basics of skiing on real snow (I was thrilled to discover that, unlike say ice skating, it's actually pretty easy to stand up, slow down and stop on skis - phew!). More importantly, it will mean you don't waste time 'in resort' on this sort of stuff. We went to the Hemel Snow centre (excellent), so the kids had spent a couple of hours on skis prior to their/our first ever trip.
2) Not all half terms are the same - for example I believe ours (in Bath) is early this year - 11th to 15th Feb - so we're hoping to miss the worst of the French school holiday crowds (18th Feb onwards?).
Anyway, welcome to Snowheads and I hope you and your family enjoy skiing as much as we do! I had loads of great advice from the Snowheads so you've found a great place to start your journey! Enjoy (and post a trip report!).
chemistry
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greyhoundlover, Welcome to Snowheads! I'd say look at mid March, it won't be as cold and as total beginners you (or particularly the kids if you are having private lessons) will spend quite a bit of time standing around while the rest of the class has its turn. One more thing if you possibly can try and get to one of the snowdomes or dry slopes in this country and have a few beginners lessons, you will make much quicker progress and have way more fun (with less standing around) in the mountains even if you only manage 2 or 3 lessons before you go.
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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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If you are looking for this season and are prepared to take them out of school for a week it would be worth taking a look at these offers
http://www.espritski.com/offers/
There are ones for going over the next few weeks for family of four though tat this stage you may have limited availability in th sprite classes etc. I took my eldest out of school when she was 4 (she is one of the youngest in the year) and will be agwin in April (she is in 6 now).
Esprit were very good and we all had a great time.
Other options which sound like they are good for children include Mark Warner and Club Med the club med prices fully inclusive for food and include child care and lessons for all from what I am reading. They may also have something suitable for over the next few weeks to month for reduced prices.
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Poster: A snowHead
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As another skiing family with young children based in newcastle (6 and 2), and going this easter, I would second the idea of going later if you can. As we have learnt how to do ski trips with kids, we have often gone for longer than a week - often 2 weeks if we can find the time - and at easter. This has made driving more possible, and meant mixing in skiing with just enjoying being in the mountains. Have you considered the ferry from North Shields to Holland? This is what we do, or sometimes the one from Hull to Zeebrugge, which means a shorter drive on the other side if you are heading to France. I would also second Serre Chevalier - a long drive which we do over two days, but a great place to be and ski, with other stuff to do (great pool in Briancon). New Generation ski in Monetier, an english speaking ski school run by Gavin Crosby, is really good - our daughter loved her course with them last year when she was 5, and friends with us who had never skied also did well with them. Good luck with it all!
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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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| greyhoundlover wrote: |
| I'm LOVING the sound of Esprit |
FWIW we went with Club Med (see my trip report - link in earlier post in this thread).
Not cheap, but we all had a fab time, they were brilliant with the kids and overall everything was incredibly easy. It was all inclusive too, so once we'd booked, there were no further costs at all to pay. I believe there are a few other positive trip reports from Club Med hotels - especially for young families - here on SnowHeads e.g: http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=74206
Just another option to potentially consider.
chemistry
PS. Booking Club Med via their website can be a pain - we've found that going via a local travel agent is easier, and can even be slightly cheaper. As an example, we're off to CM again this year (Peisey Vallandry this time) and another family wanted to join us after we'd booked - Club Med website said there was no availability but the local travel agent managed to get them a room; apparently there was availability on the French system but this didn't show on teh English section(s) of the CM website...don't let any of that put you off though!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Aww, this thread just made me look back over my photos of the PDS. What a wicked place....
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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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| greyhoundlover wrote: |
I will defintely look into a local ski slope too, that is sound advice.
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Bit of a trek and more expensive I know but if you could possibly make it down to Castleford you'll find it more fun than a dry slope, my 8 year old learnt at Tamworth when she was 5 and had a great time, don't know the age limits for lessons at Casstleford but have seen classes of tiny kids on the slopes.
Silksworth looks to be you local dryslope, have driven past it but never skied there though it looks good.
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Ours are much older now, but a few years ago I know we appreciated being in a town rather than half way up a mountain. Sure, ski-in-ski-out is good but restless kids also like running around terra firma, visiting swimming pools and play parks, and generally enjoying the atmosphere of food and music.
In our experience, Austrian resorts beat French ones for that. OK, a few French resorts like Morzine have critical mass (and others have mentioned nearby Les Gets), but many Austrian resorts do too. We've been to Zell am Ziller, Bad Hofgastein and (in the summer) Saalback/Zell am See. We also went to the Stubai Glacier but I wouldn't call that child-friendly. Children's activities are often free in these places and probably the lift passes too. Austrian flights can be pricey compared with French and Swiss, though.
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| pam w wrote: |
| If taking them out of school will compromise their university entrance prospects |
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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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| Quote: |
restless kids also like running around terra firma, visiting swimming pools and play parks
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my kids only ever wanted to go skiing, toboganning, building snowmen and mucking around in the snow.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Phone Esprit directly then you will be getting availability from the horses mouth. One thing I especially like about Esprit is that they have quite a few rooms which are suites meaning that your children can have their own room which for us we now make a mandatory requirement as if ours girls are sharing with us they wake us up and dont sleep as well. this leads to a rather grumpy Daddy and not much of a holiday. However you will have limited availability at this stage. They give descriptions of each room in their accommodation details on their website to you can find out about whether it is baths or showers etc.
I took my girls to a lesson on the local dry ski slope but although they enjoyed it my youngest (3) got too tired and had to stop early and both arent keen to go again and at their age (6 and 3) I am not going to push them I know it is so different (so much easier) on snow and that they will be with groups of other children making it far more fun.
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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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I feel that the dryslope lessons are more suitable for adults - I wouldn't put small kids on a dryslope as their first experience of skiing, though a fridge is a different matter. The kids will learn very fast at 5 - it's an ideal age, really.
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Lots of great advice given already. Observations from my experience:
Les Gets is a great town for your group. However it's relatively low altitude, so be aware snow conditions can be poor in some seasons as March progresses. La Rosiere might be a reasonable alternative although not so attractive a town or area in my opinion. Does have a decent snow record though.
I enjoyed many years of holidays with Esprit and would definitely recommend them.
Pam W highlights French school holiday weeks. This is important if you want to avoid crowds. Crowded pistes not much for anyone but especially daunting for beginners. So w/c 18 March likely to be far less busy than w/c 11 March.
Personally I wouldn't use a dry slope again if someone paid me to. If at all possible get to a snowdome. If you must use a dry slope, a simple tip is to make sure everyone wears mitts, with the whole hand stuffed into the 'finger' part of the mitt. Sounds silly but broken, or badly sprained thumbs, are a real risk on dry slopes and can be very painful.
ENJOY YOUR SKIING.
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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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greyhoundlover,
Congrats on having booked!
For what it's worth, here's what we took/used each, for our first week skiing (2 adults, 2 kids):
For the slopes
Skis - (rent)
Boots - (rent)
Helmet
Goggles - (mine are Bolle Modulators - were fine in all conditions and never fogged up)
Sunglasses - (mine are Oakley flak jackets - never wore them once!)
Thermals - (3 sets - with hindsight, we only needed two)
Ski socks - (5 pairs - with hindsight, we only needed three)
Ski jacket
Ski pants
Gloves - (took two pairs - one for morning, one for afternoon - as they get damp)
Thin fleece top (mid layer - wore this microfleece on one day only)
Neck warmer/buff - (the thin buffs are brilliant)
Suncream (30 SPF)
Lip balm (25 SPF)
Mobile & charger
Camera & charger
For the evenings
Casual shirts/t-shirts
Thick fleece/hoody/sweater
Hat
Money
Tissues
Waterproof boots (snow boots, walking boots) - (useful for wandering around outside)
Jeans
Swimming trunks & goggles - (there was a pool in our hotel...)
Normal socks
Underwear
Paperwork, passports, tickets, insurance
Glasses, contact lenses & rewetting eye drops
Shampoo, shower gel, toothbrush & toothpaste, razor, comb
Plasters (esp. Compeed blister ones) - (used two all week)
Ibuprofen etc. -
Electrical plug socket converter
Small rucksack
Teabags(!)
Sense of humour
I hope this helps.
chemistry
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Poster: A snowHead
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greyhoundlover,
Q. Do we need to take our own goggles and/or sunglasses or do you hire?
A. I think everyone takes their own. If wearing goggles, check that they fit with your helmet, so they are comfy, don't have a gaper gap, etc.
Q. Can you just wear layers such as leggings and a tee or 2 under ski wear or does it have to be proper 'thermals'?
A. In my limited experience, you don't need thermals per se BUT don't wear cotton or any other fabric that holds moisture and so gets wet/cold. A cheap cotton t-shirt will not do.
Q. Do you bother getting changed in the evening for your meal or is it very relaxed all the way?
A. We got changed for dinner at the hotel, as most people did, but nonetheless it was pretty relaxed. Wore ski wear for breakfast. If you'd worn it at dinner, nobody would have batted an eyelid.
Enjoy your skiing adventure!
chemistry
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Just another plus for your choice of going with Esprit. My daughter and I are going with them in March (wife and youngest 2 staying at home) and it will be our 4th trip with them. Not been to La Rosiere, but the general attitude and service from ALL the staff has always been exemplary, and the accommodation whilst not luxury, has always been clean and comfortable and the meals more than acceptable.
Hope you have a great holiday - you will enjoy.
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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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greyhoundlover,
Sounds like you have booked yourself a vey pleasant holiday.
2nd week of March you will be on south facing clopes in La Ros you need to be prepared for different possibilities of weather. Although it is early spring and will be snowy in the high mountains on sunny days it can feel blisteringly hot at this time of year. (It can also be cold so you need to be prepared for this as well)
But
Don't stint on the amount of sunsccreen and lip salve you take.
Thermals/ base layer is a good idea but generally light thermals with the ability to take layers above off if it is warm is a good idea. I will frequently ski with a light thermal thin shirt and shell jacket but it can get cold and I generally carry a fleece.
I always change out of my ski stuff in the evening but it is hardly into anything smart and it certainly is not something different every day, I just want a shower and change out of the clothes I have been sweating in for the day.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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greyhoundlover, you will have a fab time and esprit will look after your kids better than they look after you take a look at their 'advice' page this comes from people who have been on their holidays before and most of it is pretty sound advice. http://www.espritski.com/childcare/family-ski-top-tips/
The adults are going to be nervous about leaving the children and it depends on the type of children you have but they may or may not be really happy just wandering off with the snow rangers and instructors. Have faith and let them go, they will not want to come back to you as they will be having soooo much fun.
It's your holiday and theirs so enjoy.
As for the getting changed, just to make it clear, most people will change out of their skiing gear into something more comfortable, but dinner is not a black tie affair. Just be comfortable, if that is shirt and t-shirt or trousers and shirt that's up to you.
As for the kit, if you can't borrow from a friend or family member get yersel down to TK-Max, Aldi or LIDL's there may still be some goggles and other kit in the stores. it doesn't need to cost the earth.
Enjoy and remember to post a trip report either when you get back or whilst you are out there.
PS - We found Esprit a couple of years ago and go on our 3rd trip with them in just over 4 weeks. Kids are almost a desperate as I am to get back out there.
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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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Another one already! Do I need to take goggles for the kids or will they be provided? (the helmets are included I believe)
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| Quote: |
Do I need to take goggles for the kids
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yes - they can hire helmets with their skis, no point buying for little ones.
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greyhoundlover,
Buying a helmet from Lidl/Aldi can be cheaper than hiring one for a week (also a good idea not to use the "h" word on this site as well - it rattles the odd cage or 2 . )
I usually just take a pair of trainers and a pair of walking boots.
Has your chalet got a pool? The kids love that. You won't as learning to ski is hard work, and as soon as you get back the kids will insist on going straight to the pool.
My kid have yet to loose anything while skiing. Not even a glove. If your kids are like mine they will pend as much time snowballing as skiing, so buying them reasonable gloves is a good idea ad cold hands make for miserable kids. I got junior a pair of gore-tex Hestra gloves off ebay for £7, and have just bought the other one a nice pair in the Tog24 sales.
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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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greyhoundlover,
| Quote: |
what do you mean by the 'h' word - do you mean hire?
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Helmets are a little controversial sometimes on snowHeads though to be fair not really for those who wish to it is when it gets to the point of suggestion fo compulsion and obligation that things get heated.
As well as ebay / TK Max if you live near a Decathlon they uisually have very reasonably priced ski/outdoor wear and are well worth looking at.
You might be a bit late for Aldi Lidl who usually only do ski stuff once a season and had it a month or so ago from memory.
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FAQ
, I think I'll risk their future university prospects and take them out of school for a week and avoid half term altogether (I'm also a novice school mother as they only started in September last year!) That makes perfect sense!
The adults have zero experience (well, I went once probably 20 years ago! 
) £3,500. This includes more or less everything bar 1 night's food and helmets for me and hubby.
The travel agent also looked for us to fly from Newcastle and came up with 