Novice family Skiing in December, where to go?

A snowHead

Hello SnowHeads,

I'm new to this forum and new to skiing too. I am hoping to take my family skiing in Dec. 2013 after we've all had a couple of lessons on the dry ski slope. We need to go in school holidays, unfortunately, and can't afford Feb. half term so we are thinking over Christmas. We are happy to self cater, will all need ski school (2 adults, kids aged 13,10 and 7) and are very keen to keep costs down. My biggest worry is choosing a resort that is suitable for families but with VERY reliable snow cover - My biggest concern is that we might spend several thousand pounds and find there's not enough snow to ski at the resort we choose.

I'm sure other people have probably asked the same question on here but if anyone can offer me some advice I would be very grateful.

A snowHead

Completenoviceneedsadvice, welcome to snowheads.

Christmas is a good choice - much quieter than half term, and there are plenty of resorts which should give you enough snow (you don't need huge amounts when you're learning!).

One of the tour operators that does "learn to ski" holidays would probably be a good idea, with everything in one package. Possibly more expensive would be Club Med - who do all inclusive packages too. Some enthusiastic reports here about Club Med holidays, and given the fact that absolutely everything is included, it might be better value than it appears at first sight.

Still, self-catering would probably be cheapest. Have a look at all the brochures, then maybe get some specific advice here once you've narrowed down the choice a bit.

Holidays could get very expensive from now on...... snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Completenoviceneedsadvice, by far the most important determinant of early season snow is altitude. Most resorts have artificial snowmaking on their beginner slopes, but that obviously can't work if temperatures are above 0C for a sustained period. The important thing for you is the altitude of the base area: many resorts have a couple of high lifts or a glacier, but, as beginners you might not be able to get there without having to cross runs that could initially be too difficult for you. Local factors (eg North facing slopes) can have an influence, but altitude data is almost always clearly marked in the brochures. But don't go too high: some resorts above the tree level can be closed for days at a time if a really bad storm settles in.

As pam_w says, look at the brochures and pull up a shortlist of places that look promising; the suggestion of a learn to ski package in particular is very good advice. Apart from the altitude, some factors that you might want to consider in pulling your shortlist together are:

- Resort size: as beginners, you don't need a large resort. Small resorts are likely to be better value and less crowded.
- Alpine charm: many of us go to the mountains purely for the sport and don't care if we sleep in a tiny spartan corner of a concrete jungle as long as the skiing is good. As beginners, a beautiful Alpine village might be relatively more important.
- Accommodation convenience: your 7 year old is unlikely to be able to carry his/her skis very far so make sure your accommodation is close to the slopes or at least very close to a bus stop. I've been to some accommodation in well known resorts that needed a 20 minute walk from the accommodation with no suitable bus alternative.
- Price: Don't just look at the accommodation cost. Charges for lift passes, ski hire and lessons vary hugely between resorts so get your spreadsheet out. You're likely to be shocked by restaurant prices, too - especially in Switzerland and the larger French resorts - so do your maths carefully if your package doesn't include accommodation. Even if you're willing to cook every night, local supermarkets are usually extraordinarily expensive unless you have a car and drive down to the valley. Real bargain hunters drive over with a car full of British food - possibly a major saving over air fares for a family of five.

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Completenoviceneedsadvice, family DIY S/C ski holidays is what we do. Ours don't do ski school nor do we hire equipment but no matter. As Jonny says driving out is probably going to be the most economical and easiest option. If you have Tesco Clubcard vouchers convert them into Eurotunnel vouchers. Even if you don't unless the ferry is significantly cheaper book a Eurotunnel crossing. If you are up for it drive overnight avoiding having to pay for a hotel. Shop in a supermarket somewhere like Chambery/Albertville before you drive up to the resort and then just buy bread and the like locally. A lot of the resorts have online search and book facilities for apartments. They are not always that slick and sometimes the booking procedure can be a bit of a faff but you can get there. Depending on when the schools knock out sometimes you can do the week before christmas week, which is a bit cheaper. But last year and this year in our area we have to do christmas week. It's still OK though. The week after new year week is one of the most expensive of the season. In France for an apartment sleeping 5 you are probably looking at around 500 Euros for a basic apartment for christmas week.

I disagree with Jonny slightly. I have never found there to be a problem with snow cover at Christmas and it's a virtual non issue in my book. I've skied at both ends of the season many times and definitely April/Easter is more of an issue than Christmas IMHO. I do agree with him that resort size is less of an issue. And that you may get better value in a smaller resort. One of the key things though is to get a decent ski school. So that should be a major part of your search.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Here's my enthusiastic review...

http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=1995402

Not cheap, but you don't need to spend anything once you are there, get five full days of lessons, etc.

chemistry

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I didn't see any one mention in the thread so have you thought about Easter holidays?
Longer warmer days, 4 months of winter to build up snow on the upper slopes and cheaper than Christmas ?

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Hamish, no,no, no. What happens is, they get hooked at Christmas and book again for the end of the season

After all it is free

Hamish, Easter 2014 is very late, around 20 April. So would have to have a great snow record/be high.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

This year, Easter is a very good alternative but next year Easter is very late, though it could still work in a mega high altitude resort.

I have skied for the last ten Christmases, in a resort with 2000m max altitude. 2 of them were poor for snow, but would still have been OK for beginners in lessons.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

Also, Christmas is often so dreary in the UK - far too much to eat and drink and most people seem to watch telly for hours each day - it's far better in the mountains.

snow reports

Must say that I quite like LDA for absolute beginners. Lots of nice easy green runs at the bottom (with no loonies haring through), and a nice easy green run (Petites Cretes) with magic carpet just up the hill.

You know it makes sense.

I think the advantage of going at Easter is that your children are less likely to have colds/flu than at Christmas and you will avoid the traffic/flight chaos that arises if there is ever any snow in the UK. Easter may be late in 2014 but our school holidays start on 5th April which is only a week after the holidays this year. We haven't yet decided which week to go in 2014.

I'd say Montgenevre is a fairly snow sure resort for Christmas or Easter. The altitude is 1800m and the beginner slopes are all north facing. Both Apeak and ESF ski schools are very good. There is a good choice of self catering apartments to suit different budgets. The best value apartments are Le Hameau des Airelles. The large package companies offer these apartments. However if you are willing to drive you could book a self drive package with Peak Retreats which would work out cheaper.

La Rosiere would be another good option for Christmas. Very snow sure. Ideal for families. Accessible by the direct Eurostar to Bourg St Maurice.

Resorts such as La Plagne would be snow sure enough but you would be paying for a more expensive lift pass and not getting the full benefit of it.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Completenoviceneedsadvice, as a complete newcomer to skiing and as you'll have family too, I would recommend going the TO package route. Obviously there is no guarantee that they will get it right, but what they almost certainly will do is be able to take much of the organising and scheduling away leaving you less to "worry" over.

I went DIY on my first ever week, but fortunately was in the company of people who knew their way around. Otherwise it could have been a little bewildering....and I don't count myself as the shy, retiring or nervous sort Toofy Grin

The TO can assist with ski/equipment hire plus arrange all your ski passes too. They may also be able to assist with lessons. If you can get to a snowdome for lessons before you go, so much the better, even if just to familiarise yourself with the gear and some basics.

Of the resorts that are relatively high, yet also offer convenient skiing for beginners, you could look at Alp d'Huez (some excellent learner slopes right by the town), Livigno (again, easy access beginner slopes behind the main town) or La Rosiere (again, good beginner slopes close to the town).

As has been suggested, some TO provide learn to ski packages which, from what I have seen, genuinely seem to represent reasonable value. Worth having a look around, Crystal stick in my mind, particularly.

A snowHead

Don't worry about Easter 2014. Whilst the religious holiday is later the schools break up on 4th April round here, only a week later than this year. A week could make the difference, but it's unlikely to make a massive difference.

We tend to do the Christmas and Easter school hols combo and avoid half term. Love spending Christmas day skiing.

For a first holiday I'd recommend a dealing with a tour operator. Heading to a ski resort and trying to learn the ropes can be quite daunting, at least with a tour operator they usually help with delivering lift passes, showing you where the ski hire shop, ski school meeting point and lifts are. If you go alone you have to work all this out for yourself on top of the trauma that can be getting yourself and all your kids out with the right kit on the first morning in time for ski school

A snowHead

x-post with Chasseur, and snowymum, - practically made the same points Laughing

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

hammerite, if you're a bit slow today, maybe we can put that down to a post-birthday hangover? wink

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Chasseur, no chance. The disadvantage of having your birthday at the end of dry January!*

* although I broke it by having one heavy-ish night at a gathering at a friends house.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

It's horses for courses in regard of Dec v April. As snowymum says December is quite tough weather wise but it's usually colder and so the snowpack is holding and building. And as pam w says it takes you out of the dullness/madness of a UK christmas. April is more "pleasant", arguably slicker but quite often things are detiorating before your very eyes and certainly at lower altitudes unlikely to revive until next winter. Anyway at the minute we cover all bases and do both Laughing

As I've said once or twice before in these sorts of threads, snow cannons have rather changed the game in terms of what you have to worry about. Even in insanely warm spring temps links down to and from Les Coches at 1400m were maintained Easter before last.

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hammerite, you should try having it at the beginning then Laughing

Dry January? Never going to happen Laughing

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Novice family Skiing in December, where to go?

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