Skiing Advice

[Scoop]

After another rubbish Christmas we have decided to go away next year for Christmas. We are a family of three DH, me and DD (8). We would love to try skiing but have no idea were to start. Both DH and DD have not done it before and I have a long time ago with school.

We would like a decent family resort (not bothered where) with good ski schools and beginners slopes which does not cost too much.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[susan1]

havn't been skiing for a while but seefeld in austria was a family favourite. very easy beginner slopes and good schools.it is picture box pretty and there is plenty to do besides ski. also only 30 min train ride from innsbruck which was a wonderful place to look round, although ds can only remember it for the one place he has had a double fish burger! a few supermarkets have ski wear now. aldis, larger branches of asda also millets. i bought my last rossignol ski suit off e-bay. i personally would hire skis and boots before you go, you have more time to make sure they fit correctly and you will get the right length skis or at least the length you want. we always tried to get the shortest per body weight we could. having said all this, i don't think any ski resorts apart from roumania and andorra are particularly inexpensive:(

[susieb]

Im thinking about going next yaer for first time with DD (4). My aunt who took her kids ski-ing every year for 12 years and still skis twice a year says best for first timers with kids is France due to them being purpose built resorts. I will take her advce I think.

[Cal and Dave]

We used to go ski-ing in Mayrhofen in Austria, very family friendly, good beginner slopes, and good childrens and beginners classes. But as someone has already said there is only Andorra that is inexpensive. It's great fun though :grin:

[Alvin]

Ive skied in Sauze D'oulx(Italy) Serre Chevalier(France) Soll(Austria) and Soldeu in Andorra.

Personally I think Soldeu in Andorra is an excellent resort for beginners, as there is a huge Ski school and plenty of very easy beginners slopes right outside the Gondola station. Tuition is very cheap indeed. In fact the whole resort is amazingly cheap. Andorra also has a very good snow record, except for this year which has been a total disaster for all of Europe so far.
By the way I think its a great idea to go for christmas, we spent Christmas day on the slopes of Soldeu and it was a fantastic picture postcard type of day, fresh snow and bright sunshine, with loads of people skiing in fancy Dress, It was brilliant.

Steve

[lauradora]

We went to Soldeu in Andorra for our first and only ski trip to date and it was good. We had a mix of three first timers and two experienced and it seemed to suit us all. Had a great time. :grin:

[flikflak]

Just a word of warning that Andorra is not really that cheap anymore - €187 for a 6 day lift pass is a pretty hefty price tag. I would recommend it for learning to ski though.

I would also recommend a few Austrian resorts (used to live there so quite biased)
St Johann in Tirol
Ellmau
Scheffau
Axamer Lizum

These are good for beginners and families. Also another thing I would say that its sometimes better not to be in a purpose built resort (a la France) as if one of your party does not take to skiing then there is not really much else going on in the French resorts except skiing. At least is you go to an Austrian resort then there is an actual village or town you can busy yourself in and also you can take side trips to Salzburg or Innsbruck.

Have a scout round a few skiing websites to get a feel for what other families have done. My uncle and his family are heading to Les Angles in France - this is supposed to be great for beginners. You wont find any tour operators there though so you would have to arrange it yourself.

Booking my ski holiday independantly I got a week in Soldeu this March for about £214 thats flight, car hire and accomm.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy skiing!!

[Jackie]

you should check out the Ski Club of Great Britain website for current snow reports (to give you an idea of how snow looks over Christmas) - I think you'll see andorra had no snow this year....

For family hols, I recommend either Bardonnecia or Claviere in Italy as they are very family focussed. But they're quite low for sure snow early in the season.

Austria always has buckets of snow.....

[flikflak]

Not always buckets!!! There was nothing up until the week of Christmas and theres not that much there now. It has been snowing up top over the last couple of days.

[babsy]

:wavey: OOOh me and Dh have just been having the same conversation, about going away next christmas, especially where theres snow....and skiing would be perfect, i've never been but always wanted to go, and our Ds(5) would love it, my Dh went years ago with school and said it was fantastic.
We'd like to go in March/April first, and if we enjoy it, book for chrimbo...:D

[Alvin]

In 2005 we did Sauze D'Oulx for the third time but the conditions were so poor (only about 20% of the area open and that was partly man made) that we headed for Soll in Austria for 2006, what a difference, it put down over a metre of snow just while we were there, fantastic.

This year everywhere has been very poor so far, but I have a gut feeling that heavy snow is going to come soon, I feel it in my water as they say:d:

[flikflak]

This year everywhere has been very poor so far, but I have a gut feeling that heavy snow is going to come soon, I feel it in my water as they say:d:

Oh I hope you are right!!! Only 60 odd days until my holiday!!

I am sure we will see a big dump soon too!

[Mrs_Dazzle]

Snow can never be guaranteed - anywhere, any time! Any one who heads off skiing around Xmas/New Year has to do so with the idea that there might not be tonnes of snow - however, just head to a high resort that has adequate snow making facilities. New Year is an even busier time on the slopes than Christmas, so ski resorts will be operating their snow cannons in plenty of time for the holiday season.

I have skied many times in Europe and there are many resorts which are excellent for beginners and families. France has the man made, purpose built resorts, most above 'tree' line, so they are not as pretty and chocolate boxy looking as many Austrian/Swiss resorts. Switzerland is very expensive. Saying that, there isn't much chance of a really cheap ski holiday anywhere, but surprisingly it's cheaper at Xmas than Feb half term, this is mainly due to conditions.

We skied in Italy two Christmas' ago and were so lucky with loads of snow. However, until the day we arrived it was practically bare, but the resort we'd chosen had good snow making facilities so we knew there would be snow on the slopes (although it's nice to have it in the villages for that all over reall White Xmasy feel). Nothing in my book beats heading out on to the slopes on Christmas day, simply magical.

We skied in California/Nevada last Easter and are heading back to the States for another American Ski Adventure, this time in Killington on the east coast. It really has spoiled us for anywhere else, but for first timers would recommend a picturesque, family orientated resort, make sure there are other things to do - like swimming, snow shoeing, toboganning, sledging, husky racing etc. - just in case the conditions aren't ideal (don't forget, blizzard conditions and 'puddingy' snow can cause as much of a problem as no snow:confused2 ) or one of the family doesn't take to skiing (shock horror;) ).

There are many sites to look at, many books and guides to read. Would suggest you get a bundle of brochures from the travel agents, look through them all, particularly looking for resorts that are: family friendly, have plentiful beginners slopes with a recommended (English speaking) ski school, non-ski activities and good snow-making capacity.

Decide what type of accommodation you'd like - small, friendly B&B, hotel, chalet - there is SO much on offer out there.

Shout if you need any more info:d: and good luck with the hunting.

[borntoshop]

Hi, we have never been ski-ing before but there are 4 of us (kids 9 & 12) going soon to North Conway in New Hampshire. This holiday worked out cheap and includes breakfast and lots of facilities at the hotel. They have lots of different activities and also, if you like shopping it's tax free I believe. The only problem is all the clothes/luggage we need and if the hire car is big enough.:d:

[Mrs_Dazzle]

When are you off, Borntoshop? Are you staying at the North Conway Grand Hotel? We looked at going there, but because we are going so late in the season, it was recommended to go further North to Killington.

You will have such a great time skiing in the states - the slopes are wide and very well groomed, the people real friendly and of course the food and shopping are to die for!!

We have a really, seriously great trip skiing last Easter, would go back to Heavenly any time, but we wanted to try somewhere new this year. Can't wait.

Would recommend TKMaxx for skiwear, from socks, gloves and goggles, to jackets and salopettes/board trousers. They have good brands at great prices. Of course if you are going for the first time, do you know anyone who's clothing you could borrow?

[Mrs_Dazzle]

The only problem is all the clothes/luggage we need and if the hire car is big enough.:d:
I meant to ask who you are flying with - into Boston, I'm guessing.

Don't worry about taking loads of clothes - many thin layers are the key to keeping warm for skiing. If you are off in Jan/Feb chances are it could be very cold (especially on the East) so make sure you have lots of thin layers. Unless you're planning to walk a lot outside, again even for the evening you won't need much bulk because the hotels and restaurants all are snug and warm.

Have a terrific time - what a great first time ski experience you're going to have :d: :spin:

[borntoshop]

Hi

We are flying with Virgin to Boston on the 8th Feb. We had originally booked to stay in Green Mountain Hotel in Stowe, Vermont but we changed when they would not even provide coffee making facilities in the room to the North Conway Grand as it seems that they have a lot more to offer families. We keep checking on the Cranmore Mountain website and they have had some snow but are making a lot themselves. We booked just over a year ago so we managed to get some good bargains at T K Maxx and Decathlon but no worries as there is also a T J Maxx and a Walmart close to the hotel.

Looking forward to the shopping.

Borntoshop