Mumsnet Talk

Well, ok, we do have a budget, but I kind of assume it's going to be so expensive we should just bite the bullet...
So we are thinking about trying our first ski holiday this Easter but not sure what would be the best bet. Where is really reliable snow wise? Which companies are best for tuition? We will want tuition for the boys, and plenty of other snow and ice activities we can enjoy together. I would like good food (not self catering) beautiful surroundings and an easy journey. I like peace and space, so not interested in après ski...I don't want to learn downhill but would like to try cross country, or failing that just go walking or ice skating.
Top of the list at present is Geilo with Inntravel, but open to other suggestions. Bit daunted by all the kit and caboodle so also keen on finding a company that will sort us out...
Thanks for any thoughts...

If money is really no object, Flims-Laax or Arosa in Switzerland , Lech in Austria are good all-rounded, slightly lower key, resorts. All can be reached by train from Zurich (for Lech I think you change to a bus for last part). Powder Byrne are at the top end of the family market. Very .

Thanks. I expect I'm about to find out that my budget is more limited than I think! ;-)
Are those resorts reliable at Easter?

Flims has a glacier so would be fine, Arosa relatively high but a bit less snowsure, Lech lower but sheltered, possibly best skiing to be had in Oberlech by then but easily accessible. Saas Fee worth considering too but a longish transfer.

Hi there, have you thought about France? Val Thorens is in the Three Valleys and is the highest resort in Europe. There are some lovely apartments www.ernalow.co.uk/france/three-valleys/val-thorens/residence-oxalys which has a gastronomic restaurant in the building. Pro Neige is an excellent ski school too. Or if you really really have no budget then why not check out www.consensioholidays.co.uk. who have some utterly fabulous chalets...

tignes also good for snow at easter.
powder byrne is expensive, ski espirit is cheaper and may be what you are thinking of, kaprun in austria is also good for snow, not sure who goes there.
you probably want the kids to have friends of a similar age so look for 'kid oriented' chalets.

you could try north america - banff would be amazing at that time of year, but i have no idea of any high end operators - crystalski would take you though, and it will certainly not be cheap (because of the flight).

or lapland to see the northern lights as well?

If you are all beginners, I thoroughly recommend Finnish Lapland. Levi is a fantastic resort with excellent skiing. All the runs you can imagine, and great tuition with English speaking instructors. Creche for babies and youngsters with outdoors and indoor activities and fun, so mum and dad can ski.
Excellent self catering apartments or hotels.
And you will get to see Northern lights too.

There can be an amazing dump of snow in early April, but if spring arrives early the lower resorts will be either mud or slush - and that, unfortunately, rules out a lot of the prettier, more traditional villages, which tend to be at lower altitudes.

So think high and/or glacier. Val Thorens, Tignes, Saas Fee, etc. Also consider lower resorts with good lift links to high slopes. Sleeping at altitude can be uncomfortable for the first few days. If going to the US bear this in mind as the Rockies are very high. DH and I went to Breckenridge and had altitude sickness, but you can also get it at the higher Alpine resorts too.

Not hugely keen on France as I gather the tuition isn't brilliant. No-one with any feedback about Norway?
What companies can you recommend for Finland? Would prefer hotel or catered chalet, and yes some company for the boys would be ideal!

If you go to France you don't have to have lessons with ESF. There are lots of other companies out there and in the resorts that are popular with Brits there are nearly always native English instructors available and even English-run ski schools (there are three in the resort we're going to in March).

I am Norwegian but I have never been to the Norwegian resorts, aside from this one which is just two hours drive from where we used to live. I preferred to drive 3 more hours to go to Levi in Finland. Much bigger, better, and better tuition. I dont know what operators go there from Britain. But I met a British family there last year, the entire extended family had come in March for the last 7 years, they said they preferred it to the alps, as there were more runs suitable for beginners and families all across the mountains. They were all different levels and said they found excellent variation in runs for them all. They also said it was much cheaper than the alps, so better value for money.

I have been looking into this. crystal and inghams go to several resorts, and they are very suited to beginners because they offer lots of non-snow related activities - you can stay in the glass igloos and watch the northern lights, reinder safaris, santa's workshops, husky rides...the skiing is reported as very good for beginners, with excellent english spoken, and the cost is certainly comparable to the alps, when you consider the flights.
Because the resorts are not so mountainois they are very strong on cross country skiing, but i would remind you that there is some downhill path in any skirun and it might still be worth having a few lessons on a uk slope so you know how to snowplough if you need to.
I think the holidays look very good, and am plannig one for next seaon.
this is inghams

America more reliable thank Europe for Easter snow. Whistler has a glacier too.

that should be
'they offer lots of non-ski related activities'

and
'an planning one for next season'.

Skiing season in north Finland is still going strong in June, btw, as our old local ski club goes to Levi every June, when the snow has all melted in the North of Norway.

yes Levi, it's great! I wouldn't chance the Alps in April but Easter is the best time to go to Lapland. Hotel Levitunturi is literally on the main piste. Lots of people go there just to do cross country skiing. It's boring for expert skiers as there isn't much to do unless you want to go on a multi day tour (hut to hut with skins etc) but for beginners it's the best place to learn and progress. (I'm Finnish so biased but still!).

DS1 worked for Esprit in Chamonix one winter & we visited him at Easter (similar time of year to this year though can't remember exactly. It was April anyway)

There was still masses of snow on top for great skiing, but the town was clear, the weather mostly warm (it snowed one day), & Chamonix is lovely