First time skiing break - suggestions please!

Frugal_Fox

I'm after suggestions for a first time skiing holiday for two adults and two children (11 & 9yrs). 3 of us are having ski lessons at SnoZone, but one (11yr) would need to be booked into a 'ski school' in the 'resort'. We don't want to pay too much either - just how much should we budget for a 5 day / one weeks break.

We're thinking of going next year, once the 3 of us have mastered staying vertical on ski's (well for most of the time anyhow!) and there are so many resorts out there it's all getting a little bewildering trying to find somewhere. We've looked at the Scottish ski resorts and they appeal (Scotland is so pretty and there is plenty else to do to) but can anyone help us with a resort suggestion + ski school ?

Many thanks - also is it better to hire ski's etc in the UK and take to the resort or hire direct from the resort itself.

Also - how much should I expect to budget for this break so that I can start saving towards it.

Thanks, FF

monkeyspanner

It is difficult to give you a budget as prices vary so much during the ski season. Xmas and February half term are usually the most expensive and quite difficult to secure as the demand is high.

Second factor is reliability of snowfall, this year the early season snow has been very good in the alps and USA but this has also not been the case in recent years. Scotland has had a particularly bad run of snow I am not sure what this year is looking like, and you wont find it in any of the main brochures.

Have a look at the main tour operators to give you an idea of prices and where you would like to go. The main brochures to look for are Crystalski (part of Tui), Thomson ski (again part of Tui), Inghams, Neilson, Virgin Ski (USA & Canada), Panorama, Trailfinders. A good online site is www.iglu.co.uk.

A couple of suggestions you could look at late skiing Mar/April in West USA or Canada or Norway/Sweden/Finland for cheaper prices (look for half board in Norway/Sweden/Finland as eating out is v.expensive).

You can arrange ski and boot hire and lift passes via your tour operator. If you take skis with you the airline will charge extra. One thing to note is that lift prices vary a lot from resort to resort with bigger resorts being more expensive and as beginner skiers you are unlikely to be able to get the full value out of the pass. Some resorts have lower cost passes which limit you to certain lifts which service only the beginner areas. Lessons are always available in resort or you can book via your operator.

As your kids are under 12 you may be able to get free/discount places and/or lift pass deals if you book early enough. Take a look at the brochures for deals.

You can easily put ski packages together yourself but you can get hit with full price extras.

Good Luck.

gillbee

I've done the do it yourself break, the package holiday and plenty of days up north in Scotland so hopefully I can give you a few pointers.

Scotland - A full day adult lift pass will cost you about £20. The hills are small compared to europe but the terrain is varied and can provide something for all abilities. The weather is the big issue here and I rarely plan a weekend up north unless we've had a good base layer of snow. If it's not snowed for a while then it's icy and not great for beginners. If you do head up then I'd say base yourself centrally and be prepared to travel to a different area if the snow is better on one side of the country.

DIY holidays - we flew to Barcelona and went to Andorra (Soldeu) by bus. Luggage limits on buget airlines can be problematic if you're talking your own ski equiptment or a lot clothes. I don't think we did it any cheaper ourselfs than with a package and if you've got a couple of kids going along, you probably don't need the hassle of arranging everything yourselfs. If you want to go down this route just consider all the costs - Flights, buses, taxi's, hire car, hotels, luggage allowance.

Package holidays - you could get a good deal as there are four of you which opens up all the self catering options at full occupancy. Last year we paid about £300 per adult for self catered - not sure about the cost of kids places.

As for general cost for a week - it really depends where you go. A lift pass in large resort in France for the week will be around £150 - £200 this year. Group lessons around the £150 mark. (All adult prices).

Eastern europe is now touted as the way to ski for cheap however the ski areas are very small in comparison to most Austrian, French, Italian and even Andorran resorts. If you plan to take a week of lessons then I think you'd benifit from a bigger resort which would give the full skiing experience and would allow you to progress the most. I'd looks at places like Flaine, Tignes, Les Arc in France. Hopefully others will be able to suggest some alternatives but France is where I usually snowboard.

Hope you find something to suit.

cazziebo

You really can't plan a Scottish ski break - it's more a case of seizing the opportunity when the snow is there.

Because it's four of you, you might be better just going for the package deal. If you can possibly go outwith school holidays, you'll find the price difference to be stunning -perhaps one third of what a mid term or Christmas break would cost.

We usually book last minute with one of the "brokers" fasttrackski or igluski, and can get good chalet or half board deals with them. Another good one to look at for family holidays on special offer is esprit ski.

Italy, France, Austria and Andorra are good. I really can't recommend Bulgaria - thought it was awful. Rotten skiing, terrible food, and 24 hour Crazy Frog belting out. It was very very cheap (in 2007).

Be warned - skiing is a great family holiday, and you might get addicted.. It's an expensive addiction. Quite jealous really because we're not skiing this year because both kids are now over 16 so full adult prices, and both have/had exams so couldn't get the timing right. Fingers crossed for snow at Aviemore!

Have fun!

Fortyfoot

If you are on a budget I would look at Andorra and Livigno. The ski hire, lift passes and ski school are generally much cheaper there and the schools for kids are handy. Hire your gear there, I suggest Soldeu for Andorra. Our first try was Avimore, there was snow, but cold damp and foggy.

Fortyfoot

Hotspur

As a skier and snowboarder for about 30 years who has done everything from cheap and cheerful to luxury in many countries my suggestion would be to go to a smaller Eurpoean resort rather than larger ones (where you generally pay more for the lift pass), and avoid Scotland (often poor weather and snow conditions), Eastern Europe or North America. For a first experience with children I don't think you can beat

La Rosiere in France (where you say?). Fairly snowsure due to the height and just across the valley from Les Arc and Tignes, a family orientated resort with a ski school used to children. Look at Ski Esprit for an idea or the La Rosiere website. You can ski over to Italy and back in a day if you become confident. Most accommodation is within walking distance of the slopes.

Soldeu in Andora, good English speaking ski school and has been good value in the past.

Westendorf in Austria. Traditional resort for that all round experience

A friend took his family to La Clusaz, France last year and loved it.

Lots more resorts that could be suggested. Best tip is to get some of this years brochures and browse. Also take more lessons in resort as you will enjoy the whole experience better.

PS: Hire equipment in resort as you can change skis if you progress quickly and boots easily if they don't fit your feet. Booking in advance with the ski shop can save 20%. Google ski hire and/or ski set once you know where you are going and staying

Millie2008_2

Echo the above advice

We tend to leave it till a week or so before and we have never failed to get a good deal. We tend to do Chalet hols in Europe, but we are flexible

It isn't cheap and after trying to do it on the cheap as students, we now resign ourselves to spending a bit as it is our only holiday. We have our own skis and don't usually pay for carriage, but the last time we paid it was £15. Friend was quoted £130 for ski and boot rental, so is thinking of buying some second hand ones over here.

If you are a home bargains convert (as many on here are) they were recently selling the 2006 ski and snowboard guide for 49p - which offers a comprehensive overview of resorts

hth

Mills x

BernadetteN

We are going to Val Cenis, staying in a 6 person apartment during the first week of April. We are taking 6 days of lift passes, 6 days of ski school, 6 days of equipment hire, return train and bus from Lille for 3 adults/over12 and 3 children. I have just worked it out at €1597, or €266.17 per head for the week. All we have to pay on top of that is food which will probably set us back around an extra €40 per head. If you are travelling from the UK, it would be a further £59 adult or £50 child return Eurostar from London to Lille.

Frugal_Fox

Wow - that'll teach me for not logging in for a week! Many thanks to all of you for all your suggestions, you've certainly given me some homework for the next few days. I'm looking forward to digesting all that you've said - and take note of the comments about the snowfall/Scotland too.
Thanks FF