Which European ski resort for families?

[lme30005]

Thinking of going skiing for the first time in early April next year. As we haven't been skiing before with the kids, we need a resort that has other activities apart from skiing. So a family friendly resort with good ski schools, fairly picturesque, and enough snow in early April. I haven't been to any European ski resorts so any recommendations?

[f1girly]

Highly recommend Yllas in Finland, not the cheapest of resorts but you have reindeer sleigh rides, husky sledging, snowmobiles, ice fishing, chance of seeing the Northern Lights as well as lots of beginners slopes, plus a few moderate so mostly families and beginners there, no-one whizzing past you at super speed.

We stayed in this ski to door hotel, so as soon as DD and DS said they were tired we skied straight back to the hotel door

crystalski/ski-res...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Bellasmummy]

We loved Beitostolen Norway and are hoping to go back again next April.

It’s worth noting at you need high altitude or to go further north if you want to ski in April.

[greekgranny]

Seefeld in Austria,

[lme30005]

Thanks for the recommendations - will check them out. We have been to Lapland in Finland which was just amazing so looking for another magical snowy place (without Santa!). Zell am See looks nice?

[Bellasmummy]

Originally Posted by lme30005

Thanks for the recommendations - will check them out. We have been to Lapland in Finland which was just amazing so looking for another magical snowy place (without Santa!). Zell am See looks nice?

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Zell is lovely but I doubt conditions would be good enough in April.

[lme30005]

How high should a French/italian/austrian etc resort be for early April? I assume the Scandinavian resorts have snow later? I usually watch the ski racing in Sweden late March I think

[Bellasmummy]

Originally Posted by lme30005

How high should a French/italian/austrian etc resort be for early April? I assume the Scandinavian resorts have snow later? I usually watch the ski racing in Sweden late March I think

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We skied in Austria this April in St Christoph which is 1800m. Conditions were good but the resort closed when we left and I don’t think the snow would have been good any longer as the temperature really picked up towards the end of our week. We were there from 13th April.

In comparison Zell is 750m and I wouldn’t book there for April as if there’s an early spring they could have no snow.

[katiec68]

I know its not quite what you are looking for but we have just bagged a fabulous deal for Banff, Canada for March next year - they have also a couple of Feb weeks that are amazing prices too.

They are outside school holidays though.

We have paid £2500 for 10 days skiing and 6 days lift pass - thats flights and accommodation too (for 2 adults). Food is as cheap or as expensive as you want to make it - last year we brought cereals and had that in the room - this year we are B&B!

We have also done Canada - Banff and Jasper - for only a week so it is do-able.

(We actually did Banff for our first ever ski holiday with a 10 year old)

There is no issue with the language barrier, the ski school is amazing and there are plenty of non-ski activites too!

I always think it worth pricing it up - look at the whole price - including lift passes, food etc and then see a)what you want to spend and b)what you are getting for your money.

(I priced up similar accommodation etc in Italy for next year and it was MORE expensive for a week!)

Edited to say that they ski right through to the end of April in (usually) very good conditions so snow cover is not something you usually have to worry about.

[Halowa]

Flaine. Only an hour or so from Geneva, cheap flights.

A family resort, mostly restaurants.