Ski Holiday Idea for Beginners

jimjamgirl

Very new to the forum although have been lurking on here for some time! Just after some recommendations really. We're hoping to go skiing in the February half term next year and just really want some ideas of the best place to go. I've been browsing website after website this afternoon and not really getting anywhere!

So, here's what we're after. We're a family of two adults and two children (boys who will be 14 and 16). Total beginners, apart from our son of 14 who has been before with the school. Looking for somewhere, preferably France, that isn't too far to travel from the airport once we're there. Really after self-catering accommodation in a quiet (ish) location. Think we'll be too knackered after a days skiing to contemplate going too far-afield in the evening (well that's the plan anyway!)

Look forward to hearing your suggestions! Would be happy to look at Bulgaria/Italy etc.....

Thank you! :beer:

Mr_Lahey

You can get 'Ski in a Weekend' Courses throughout ski centres in the UK. I would suggest doing the learning before you get there. There are 4 levels for beginners and each level took my 5 year old daughter 2 hours at £16 per 2 hour session. This is a more expensive way to do things and you will save money getting a private family lesson.
At the end of the beginners level you will be a competent skier.

When you get to Austria (my suggestion) you will just have to pay for your ski passes/lift passes which will mean much more family time and much more skiing.

jimjamgirl

Thanks for the quick response, Austria was another possible place that we had considered. Any particular resort you would recommend? Luckily we are about 15 miles from the Snow Dome in Milton Keynes and fully intend to make full use of it before we let ourselves loose near any ski resort!

magpiecottage

Austria generally has shorter transfers than France.

My personal favourite is still Kitzbühel - about 2 hrs from Salzburg or 1½ from Innsbruck.

olias

Have a look at Sainte Foy

http://www.saintefoy-tarentaise.com/

It is does have a bit of a lengthy transfer, but is great for families for a number of reasons. It is very uncrowded - no queues ever at the lifts. There is a good little ski school, that again has only small classes, the lift pass is also very cheap. It is a small intimate and quite exclusive, but affordable resort with only a handful of shops and bars/restaurants. There are only about 5 or 6 lifts, but that is more than enough as you can access the whole mountain from them (should you get good enough!). They also appear to have quite a bit of self catering accommodation, but I would consider chalet board in one of the smaller chalets, Have a look at

http://www.alpineelements.co.uk/ski-holidays/resort/ski-sainte-foy.html.

(You can usually get places for sub £500pp through these, as they always have offers on). If you fancy a bigger night out, or day away from the slopes, Tignes and Val D'isere (sp?) are just up the road. Oh, and the regional food is fantastic.

Olias

jimjamgirl

Thanks for the response Olias! Had a quick look at the links you provided and it looks idyllic. Appreciate your recommendation and will have a good look at it later.

Techno

We learnt to ski in Arinsal in Andorra - great for beginners and English speaking instructors but that was about 15 years ago:-) . In February you shouldn't have to go too high as there should be plenty of snow even lower down. Have heard that Obergurgl in Austria is good for families - never been though.

lfc321

If you want to go to France with a short transfer there are absolutely tons of places within 60-90 mins of Geneva. I would start by looking at the Grand Massif (esp Samoens or Morillon - I'm not a big fan of Flaine, although I know others like it) or the Portes du Soleil (maybe Morzine).

Since you're all beginners I would book some private lessons for the whole family together. It makes learning more fun and you'll get more individual tuition than in a big group. Before you go sort out a lesson a day with ESF or someone for the first few days. You can see how it goes after that.

poe.tuesday

have a look at inghams as you will find their learn to ski packages very good value (depending on where you go of course)

being half term means that it is going to be very busy but it also means that in the ski schools you will not have to queue for the lifts

also if you have a package deal everything is taken care of for you which would be good given it is your first time skiing - personally I would recommend you to go to finland to ski as it not only will be magical but also there will be loads of snow, it will also be much quieter than other euro resorts, only down side is that it can be very cold but still magical

if you are looking to do it on a budget then do look at renting a place and driving yourself - we did that this half term and it cost us about £1000 for 4 of us for travel and accommodation, skiing passes we additional to that and we have our own ski gear which also keeps costs down, but if you go for a week long ski school (as you get with inghams etc) then all your gear is included in the price

also, do you have to go in the half term? as if not, just get a last minute deal as there will be loads about

JasonLVC

If you're looking for less-busy slopes in February then I'd steer clear of the big names like Chamonix, Avoriaz and Morzine in France.

You could try places like Bernex (http://www.bernex.fr/www-accueil-51-HIVER-UK-village.html), Thollon (http://www.thollonlesmemises.com/), Abondance (http://www.lachapelle74.com/www-presentation-258-ETE-UK.html) or Chatel (http://info.chatel.com/) which are about an 1hr 30 minutes from Geneva by car, they are 'low' level resorts (ie, less than 2000m) but are usually well snowed by February and much less busy which is good if you are starting out as you don't want the pressure of pros whizzing past you every five seconds.

The resorts above all have english speaking ski-schools (ESF).

To be honest any of the smaller French ski resorts in the Haute Savoie (North Alps) or Mid-Alps are all chocolate box places of tranquility.

You're most likely going to have book everything yourself if you want a 'less popular' resort but you should be able to get flights with EasyJet and car hire fairly cheaply and then just need to book some accomm by using sites such as www.ownersdirect.co.uk and www.holiday-rentals.co.uk - again, the high level resorts such as Avoriaz or Tignes will be more expensive and more busy but more snow-sure and much more nightlife/clubs/bars.

Swiss resorts are a couple of hours out from Geneva so probably don't fit your criteria and Zell am See in Austria is gorgeous but again is about 2 hours from Salzburg airport so a bit too far for you.

You may want to visit www.snowheads.com forums which have lots of information on best hire car companies to use, deals, in-village hints and tips, etc.