First Skiing holiday

bargainz

This is the first time we've decided to go skiing, needs to be suitable for beginners and family friendly also. We hope to go over Hogmany time, any ideas on resort greatly appreciated or any points to look out for TIA :j

Hotspur

I'd suggest Austria for the all round experience and good atmosphere as a first time holiday. Westendorf would be good and also Neiderau (smaller). I assume you are all first timers so you don't need to go for a resort with a massive lift system and lift pass prices to match. I'd generally advise anyone to avoid France as the resorts are often large and expensive. An exception is La Rosiere which is very family friendly and has a great snow record. A friend goes to La Clusaz with his family but says prices have risen this year.

Hotspur

This thread will be helpful too.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=524901&highlight=

Get down to TK Max for quality ski wear at lower prices.

Errata

OP you need to make sure you are all ski-fit, google for special exercises that will work on your ski-ing muscles. Can you get to an artificial slope for a couple of lessons before you go? It would really make a difference.
Austrian resorts are good for beginners and families, my suggestion would be Mayerhofen.
Ebay is much cheaper than TK Maxx, also check out the small ads in your local paper, there's often ski clothes going very cheap there.

thepenniescount

I agree with Westerndorf in Austria I have been there about 7 times! Always stay at the Hotel Briem. It's the furthest away from the noise of the church bells. Maria Alm in Austria is great too, not too big. My mum has a place there. I have been to France and agree with Hotspur it's not good for beginners. Good luck it's a great holiday.

bargainz

I appreciate all the advice, yeah all beginner stage at skiing, plan to get all kitted out and snow permitting, hopefully get up Cairngorms prior to going as we are close enough to drive to Aviemore for the day Thanks to all :j

Maldives_lover

I can recommend Bulgaria (Pamporovo) is family friendly, has great ski schools and fantastic scenery. Lapland is also good for skiing and the snow is guaranteed but it is extremely cold, we went in January and the temp was -32.

Off to Canada in Feb to give that a try, but will also try and get a week in Bulgaria before that.

seven-day-weekend

Sierra Nevada 'Sol y Nieve' in southern Spain - visit Granada at the same time!

http://www.andalucia.com/sports/ski.htm

Lucie_2

bargainz wrote: »

We hope to go over Hogmany time, any ideas on resort greatly appreciated or any points to look out for TIA :j

The New Year week is just about the most expensive ski week of the year, along with Christmas week & Feb half term. The week after, first week of Jan, will be the cheapest of the season, so if you can hold off a week it will be much cheaper.

Not having lessons is not money saving for beginners - you will enjoy the holiday much more if you are taught properly. Have a look for an inclusive deal with one of the ski tour operators which includes lessons, lift pass & equipment hire. They will usually save you money.

Tom1234

Get lessons - for everyone regardless of ability.

You wont regret it.

Horace

Definitely get some lessons before you go...don't make the mistake that I did and book into ski school (beginners class) without them. Admittedly it was in Val d'Isere - I had never slapped skis on my feet before and as a consquence didnt do very well to the point where I was booted off the course on the second day having paid for a week's worth of lessons:mad: I had a massive argument with the ski school because they refused to give money back that I had paid out and tried to refuse private lessons..needless to say I won and got my private lessons. Austria has better ski schools - I would avoid France if you can. I actually spoke to a friend on my return who is a ski instructor and he confirmed that the french ski schools are bad and are not user friendly when it comes to teaching us brits to ski:mad: