Advice needed - single mum of 7yr old. Beginner/Intermediate

A snowHead

Hi all,
Aly here, mum to Efan, almost 7 yrs old. We need advice, & courage! I skied years ago....in my early 20s, I worked 1 solitary season in Courchevel 1850. I learned to ski there and hosted a chalet for Crystal. I returned to the slopes (albeit indoors on artificial snow) last year, and am progressing reasonably well. Have my parallel status back...even if a bit flappy! My little boy has just started lessons at Chill Factore and is loving it. So we intend to continue sessions through the summer so we can both be of standard to enjoy a holiday next year. My concern is.....I've no idea where to start. I've never been on a ski holiday, let alone a holiday with my son flying to a resort (since divorce) and I have advice coming from all sides. The Crystal rep I spoke to yesterday told me I'd need to put aside at least £800 each for a week inc accommodation half board, travel and passes. This seems a bit extreme to me....is it? We would have precious little left to spend if that we're the case.

Help needed, replies welcome, new ski buddies would be wonderful!
Aly

A snowHead

Hi there alyefs,

I feel your pain there... I would have thought doing a DIY package would be loads cheaper (but I don't live in the UK, I'm just good at cheap travel).

I assume you've already looked ahead to see when your child has holidays during ski season. As soon as you're able to, book your tickets to anyone of the ski destinations cities, Geneva, Zurich, Innsbruck, what have you.

In the meantime, start searching out the smaller resorts, and see what prices are for lift tickets and ski lessons, and an average of accommodations. Getting yourself organized is going to save yourself money, otherwise going into a catered chalet is in fact paying someone else to organize it for you.

Lastly, you can post on here, and see if there any other small families looking to join up on a self catered accommodation.

But as an example, when my kids were first starting out skiing, we went two years in a row to St. Jean D'Aulps, and stayed at place that was a 100 yards or so from the Gondola. In 2011 when it was a bad snow year, you had to also download from the top of the mountain a couple of times, but hey it was all cheap.

Anyway, for a one bedroom of studio, during half term, you're looking at about 300 euro. Ski passes will about a 100 euro a piece, then another 150 euro in ski equipment rental when you book ahead, for the two of you. Ski lessons for the week are about 100 euro as well. There is a big Carrefour on the way into town, that you could stop off at and load up on some easy self catered meals. In this particular village, if you were going auto-less, there is a small store with fresh bread everyday, and a pizzeria and a pub, so you wouldn't starve up there. But also, getting fresh bread everyday then making your sandwich will also save you on your budget. Ideally, with a child so young, you'd be clever to get doorstep skiing, as extended rests for him, will in fact extend the amount he is able to ski.

Here is a link to a site which I think has a fair selection of holiday apartments in this resort: http://www.mediahols.com/EN/saint-jean-d-aulps-la-grande-terche_holiday-rentals_idv-469/rentals.php

As you can see, if you can get a bit bigger place, and share, it ends up being cheaper, and the company can be nice. Try posting a sign at indoor ski slope you frequent...

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

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and one last thing.

If you are going to do self catering, plan your meals ahead, with a shopping list and stick to it. Not doing that is another money trap to spend more money then you want, and often you end up throwing food away.....at the same time wasting money, and the idea here is to stretch the vacation budget...

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

alyefs, One other idea is to keep an eye out here for people or even yourself, organising a small group of like minded peeps to . . . Austria comes to mind as a good value destination. There may even be another 'Family Bash' next season. It should be very possible to get a week on the snow for less than 500 $quid and if you risk it, an early Jan last minute deal could get that down to 250.

BTW, welcome to slushNuts snowHead

Have to admit that I'm looking forward to being a 'single g'dad' and taking the wee snot-miner onto the hills.

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pam w, You've just got to hover over the button for last minute deals . . . best I've had is £188 for a week in Livigno, half board and lift pass included . . . been watching the deals and the best I've seen is now £250 for a similar deal in Andorra . . . though you must disable cookies in your browser to get the updated offers.

After all it is free

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Pam....thankyou for the welcome! Very kind.....and I've said in my previous messages, I finally feel like I could make some pretty good contacts, and hopefully friends.

The DIY and apartment idea sound great....and in an ideal scenario would work brilliantly if I knew anyone to share. If it were just me and junior in accommodation, I'd feel pretty isolated in the evening. I spend enough time time doing that at home.

I guess at least the chalet option would give me the chance to meet some new people, and socialise on the evening, without having to organise child care or sitters.

Pam, you're right about having ski school for half a day...with a break followed by skiing together in the afternoon. I've no desire to go screaming down black runs....at best I'd prefer easy reads, but mostly blues and greens. So my boy and I could ski together happily. We are both members of Chill Factore.....and are regularly sent deals as a result. I've just booked my son into the improver kids academy...a further 3 sessions to get him to the top of the slope using the button lift confidentially. From there onwards we will go once or twice a month with a 2 hr lift pass....just keep a hand in and have fun. So wouldn't be wasting more cash between now and the hols next year.

I would probably take Efan out of school for a week too....we'd make sure we had access to a little online learning too. Pack the old iPad! That way the school can't have a go! He's had 1 day off in his entire attendance since starting school....even went in after having his head glued! So a week away with intention to do a bit whilst away couldn't possibly be frowned upon Smile

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alyefs, yes, chalets can be v good from the social point of view - we always found them so, and the kids did too. More expensive than a budget DIY holiday but a lot cheaper than a hotel because you can take your own soft drinks, often buy beer cheaply off the chalet staff and get free plonk with dinner. Tea after skiing is a big money saver too as it means that between that and a good breakfast you don't need much more than a Mars Bar. But yes, last minute doesn't work for everyone and chalets in school holidays cost big money - though even so there can be some last minute bargains.

some people on SHs have recommended Oak Hall, a Christian organisation that does very good value holidays. Apparently you don't have to be a Christian but it probably helps if you a tolerant and social type who likes people and treats them with consideration. One always dreads the loud drunken group sharing a chalet and shooting their mouths off at 2 am, though fortunately we didn't encounter any (we just got drunk quietly and went to bed early wink

)

http://www.oakhall.co.uk/

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Thanks Pam....will take a look. Do you know, that whole 'drunk people' consideration hadn't crossed my mind. I don't drink and can't for medical reasons. I'm not very tolerant of very drunk people either! I'm not entirely sure I could holiday with a Christian bunch...although we have been known to gather with our local church community from time to time. I am very open minded...and try to instil the same into my son's way of life too....

alyefs,
One good option I have found is to go with ski esprit especially if you look for late deals. I've never paid full price with them and they often have deals, in particular for 1 adult + 1 child. Price includes flight, transfers, fully catered. Usually meet other families so good for the kids to mix.

As a example http://www.espritski.com/offers/

Bearing in mind the above are now limited to the last remaining weeks of the season but I have seen offers throughout the season. Quotes for £699 - £899 for an adult plus child not unusual. Some resorts offer free or reduced lift passes for under 12s, I always book my ski equipment via Skimium online (find most tour ops more expensive as they look to profiteer from kit hire), up to 40% discount and only pay upon collection when you arrive.

You know it makes sense.

Hi there Damobloke....
I will definitely look into that. I think for our first venture....I would perhaps let someone do the coordinating, cooking, shopping etc! So a single parent trip sounds like quite a good idea. I'll be nervous enough as it is! Although I never ever let my son know about this! Regardless of how I feel I make sure he believes I'm confident and comfortable, and in control wherever we go. I suppose most of the time I am.

We won't be going this year...and depending on poorly dog situation....will go next year. A deposit wouldn't harm.

Thanks so much...all this is really helpful. Far more helpful than the lady with best intentions at the Ski Crystal office....

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

Hey Damobloke....I had a look at the Esprit website....now that looks up our street. Family orientated...supportive environment...deals in good resorts...lift pass reductions and reduced child places. Sounds a lot better than the £1600 package I was initially faced with.

We would have minimal costs otherwise....ski school for half days perhaps, although I would need to look at cheaper deals for that, the Esprit school tuition costs £200 per week....not sure I'd stretch to that for us both! Although I probably wouldn't bother...and just meet up with junior in the afternoon.

I don't drink....and don't have a big appetite even when skiing.....so would fuel up at breakfast and survive on snacks through the day. My son too probably. Pockets full of dried fruit and flapjacks would work!

Looking good for next season already! Very Happy

A snowHead

A snowHead

I was pricing €80 a week for group lessons. The OP is trying to do a holiday as a single parent on a budget - they are both already taking lessons and she has done a season. I'm sure they'll do absolutely fine with the ESF, especially if they make it a low-season week when the groups are likely to be smaller. You could do it for the budget I suggested in quite a lot of French resorts. probably the majority. wink

In our resort there's an ESI with equally good value lessons and max group size of 10. Usually less out of peak weeks.

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

£255 is group lessons, pam w - as is €399 a head (which does seem astronomical, but that's what they charge). The €399 is New Generation who seem to have a good reputation and also take them for a longer lesson (4 1/4 hours, I think). My two had an awful time a few years ago in Flaine with ESF with an instructor who didn't seem to care whether anyone learned anything and a massive class size (and whose response to our then 5 year old falling and knocking her tooth out was to stick tissue paper up her nose and set off again!). And judging by the hysterical French 4 year old I helped back into her skis near Chatel this year as her ESF instructor stood rolling a fag 200 yards down the piste they're not a lot better in PdS!

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alyefs, Esprit suited our needs while the kids were younger. Never used their childcare (good reports but we prefer to be with our kids and enjoy their company), and never used Esprit lessons.

Most of our holidays are done independently rather than tour op packages. There are pros and cons to each. The thing about using Tour ops is that they do give a degree of security / late deals and you can pick and choose all the add-ons as you see fit. However, the Internet gives you so much more choice and access to information that you can book lift passes, lessons and kit totally independently of the tour op - and I'm convinced this is where a tour op seeks to max their profit. You can invariably get better prices by getting all the extras yourself online. Make the most of the free market !

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Hi alyefs, I'm not long back from here http://easiski.co.uk/. It's a B&B chalet with the option of dinner for 20euros if you want it (adult price) We were a group of adults but I spoke to them about taking children (my boy is 6 and is desperate to go) and they said they would provide evening meals to suit youngsters as well.
It's only a 2 star chalet but the food was excellent and the owners couldn't do enough to help, including driving you into town and collecting you each day. They do have a really big dog though, very friendly, but very big.

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andy from embsay, you do hear some bad stories about ESF but plenty of good ones too. I see ESF classes all the time and most of the kids look happy enough. Several snowheads recently have put in very positive reports of ESF. Someone who is trying to keep the entire holiday cost down to less tha £800 a head is not going to spend £255 each on lessons, are they? That's three times the price!!

I agree with the OP that for a single parent and a 7 year old, on their own, a DIY trip is not ideal. Both expensive (no shared costs) and isolating.

With kids we did 2 chalet holidays with Ski Olympic in La Rosiere, travelling by coach. The second time with my sister and family. The kids had a ball and the coach travel made it more affordable. We never "lunched" on the slopes, we didn't go out in the evenings - we had a lot of fun in the chalet and we enjoyed the company of the other guests. They were terrific holidays. They still were very expensive though - the first time must have been the early 90s and £500 a head was about the cost then for a fairly low budget holiday, coach travel - no lessons (everyone could ski, if not very well) and no lunches! We did a similar cheap trip, also by coach, to Valmeinier. We either had low cost ski holidays, or no ski holidays at all.

Wonderful memories though, and those were our main holidays of the year.

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alyefs, I have been with Esprit several times and found them to be great. My daughter is an only child so she loved the company of the other children. All the kids from Esprit are in ski classes together. It is very social for both parent and kids. I met a few single parents on Esprit holidays - and the social arrangement of meals meant they were not left out (so to speak). I hope you find the right holiday for you!

After all it is free

Out of season i think you could do a chalet, flight and transfer for not too much in Jan. The place we stayed at half term will do chalet board and in-resort transport for £60 a night, with a reduction for kids - so say £100 for the pair of you, £700 a week. Flights in Jan about £120 each - £240. Transfers £40 each. So £500 a head for transport and half board accommodation.

I'm sure if you can afford Esprit it would be excellent, alyefs. Was generally beyond our budget - and we didn't need child-care.

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Cor....never realised people could get so excited and passionate about such a boring topic! A single mum....bleating about a first time ski holiday? Chill guys....simmer down Cool

But Pam yes you're right...we should be all lessoned up. My son will be handling a bluey no problem. I've no intention of taking lessons. I may pay for him to have a couple....firstly for the fun aspect, secondly for his social needs....and thirdly so I can have a little me time. But quite honestly....it's a me n him deal all the way. We're family and buddies. I'm making sure he has lessons now so we can both practice together...and have fun on holiday together.

I think, all taken into consideration....something like Esprit would be good. Unless Pam...you'll take us under your wing!

I like the idea of the security of a family orientated TO. We can mix with other families (big or small). Eat with groups, not have to food shop, not have to cook or wash up, and just have some fun. If I have to save like crazy now to achieve that....then so be it.

Like I said, I don't drink...not fussy about posh pizza, fat steaks (we're veggie!) or any other ridiculous expenditure. We like coffee, hot chocolate....and feet up Friday. So, I might take a few spare dinero for additionals.

If a family of 3 or 4 can do a ski holiday on 3k....not inc spends and kit hire....then I'm sure my little family can manage the whole shebang inc kit n pass for 2k tops....right?

Now....where's that catnip??!

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alyefs, from what we've found it'll be far better value to put your son into ski school for 5 or 6 sessions as part of a group rather than do a couple of lessons. Most ski schools will either do a course of group lessons or private - private can be v expensive (£200 for half a day) which isn't too bad if you're splitting it between 4 or 5 of you. I've not seen many ski schools that do single group lessons - and from our kids' experience they have fun learning in a group of similar age and ability kids - and if you can get a week for €80 that's great value.

Just checked Vallandry where we've booked the amazingly priced €399 lessons - ESF are €158 for 5x2 3/4 hour lessons, so quite a bit cheaper and probably a bit cheaper still out of season.

You know it makes sense.

Gee whizz Pam! That's quite an operation you have going! So do you run a private business? Or you're just in charge of your trip? Kids outnumbering adults too....that's a lot of expenditure per party!

ah...there...you've mentioned something else worth thinking about. See, group kit hire discounts for operators.....now if we read the part of this thread referring to the benefits of going in pendent and DIY all the way....I believe, the TO high costs are negated somewhat by the group booking discount. Maybe not substantially....but sufficient to sell it as an efficient service.

When we get more experienced....or....heaven forbid end up with an additional adult!!?? Then we'll go with organised...and marginally more expensive. For those planning to come back to me with a scrupulously detailed breakdown of the percentage difference between buying my own cheese baguette and drink, and having the chalet pack a Brie and cranberry french stick with orange zest and port....need not worry too much. I'm not in the mood for debates tonight Smile

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

It's fine. We will just ski. We won't bother with lessons Smile

Quick resolution to the whole ski school dilemma....a positive outcome all round. Wouldn't you say?

A snowHead

A snowHead

It might be worth looking at Club Med all inclusive deals if you want precise control of prices. 2 years ago I took my then 6 year old daughter all inclusive with club Med to La Plagne. cost for the two of us was £2,024 for everything (except insurance and getting to Gatwick airport) for the first week of Feb (i.e. not half term) total expenditure in resort was less than £20. child care was brilliant, from 8 in the morning to 9 at night (with a break for dinner) if you wanted. The price included tuition for both of us, with ESF, my booze, and gear hire for junior. I was impressed.

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

That's a good deal, Spud9, and I guess Club Med you have the option of hanging out with other guests or doing your own thing?

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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

andy from embsay, yes. you end up getting to know others through ski school groups, although to be honest, although I was a single dad we did the trip with two other families so it was never lonely. Having said that., the other adults in our group were beginners so I was skiing with strangers all day.

The whole ski school thing is a bit odd. The club Med had its own branch of ESF, and everyone pretty much automatically skiied with them all day. I put myself in 2nd highest group, there was very little teaching, but s lot of 'ski hosting' showing us the resort, a morning on a slalom course, a bit of off piste, some runs down the skier cross course, visiting the extremities of the ski area., into the terrain park. All good fun but not exactly focussed technical tuition.

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+1 on ski lessons...

I am forever grateful that my parents did loads of lessons for me. I learned how to do it right, and when the slope gets steep, or the moguls get deep, the skills I learned in the lessons still worked, opposed to friends of mine, what worked on the reds didn't work anymore on blacks or moguls...

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Yep...we're carrying on with the lessons now. They have all levels at the snow Factore...right up to academy race school. They do mogul training too. I've seen the little dots not much older than Efan rumbling down...if only they shouted aaahhhhhh!!! On the way down, would sound hilarious over all the bumps.
I'll try and do something in between the all inc of club med...and a DIY studio. We definitely need stress free. We don't mind the French at all...my son is familiar with the French language to an extent...and it was my second language, if not equal first for a number of years. We always try and holiday there in the Summer. So the ESF would probably be fine.
My intention is, to go with a budget of £2k all in...everything. If I thought I needed to spend more then I would. Esprit sounds pretty good....the deals for 1 adult and 1 child look pretty decent. Especially as it includes flights and meals.

The only aspect I'm not keen on.....at all.....is the idea that there are adult only dinners in some of these places? What's that all about? We don't eat separately at home....we don't have different sittings when we go out in the evening. Certainly wont go for a company that condones such a culture......

After all it is free

alyefs, I am a master of the DIY on a budget holiday. You need to go self catering, drive there and make sure that plant yourself totally on a ski-in/out location that way you can return to the chalet for lunch and save a fortune on the hill without wasting too much time going in for lunch. If you drive take as much grub with you from the UK esp. the meat. I can take sufficient meat for the whole week in a freezer box with plenty of ice. Aim to use the stuff like chicken first and keep sausages and beef for later in the week as they will keep, with a bit of luck some will still contain ice crystals when you arrive and can be packed back in the ice box of the refridgerator. Packet seasoning mixes that you can make up with water save space and if you drive try and take a crock pot then you can have food hot when you arrive back at night. I can do a holiday for 4 for a week for <£2K inc. everything!

Mega mum....thanks for all the advice re meat. Er.....we're both veggie! As I wrote near the start of my thread...I'm a bit of an expert in catering for long trips, on a budget in remote location with ingredients from all over the world. We won't be driving....we do a France drive holiday in the summer in our VW......and esprit offer all in, flights too for under £1k for us both including accommodation and meals. The additional costs I've budgeted for are lessons and ski hire...and a little playtime too.

At least if we go with something organised we both get some social time. I need some me time too. Not too much though. I'm a 95% single mum...meaning little input from anyone else..so will appreciate having a chinwag once junior tucked up and sleeping.

I'm sure once my son is older and we're both more experienced....we will tackle the amazing DIY trip you speak of Smile

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alyefs, another recommendation here for Esprit, my wife doesn't ski and I've taken my now 11 year old daughter on 6 Esprit trips up to Jan 2012 so I've experienced the single parent dilemmas whilst not being one. The child care with Esprit is great but we grew out of most of it and Hannah now skis with me in the afternoons and this year much preferred a proper dinner in the Ski Folgardia booked hotel we went on at this half term. Having said that the kids meals at Esprit, especially for a 7 year old are great; Esprit do do some whole group meal chalets but not as I recall them in the ones that have rooms for single parents.

Hope some of this helps.

Help!!

Advice needed - single mum of 7yr old. Beginner/Intermediate

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