Ski-ing with kids: Neilson Andorra v Snowbizz Puy de St Vincent

[heidiw123]

Hi
We're looking at ski-ing mid march, and taking a 3 year old. We're both very inexperienced ski-ers and have heard that by mid march, the snow can be melted low down, forcing you higher which isn't great if you're pretty wobbly. I wondered if anyone has any experience of Soldeu in Andorra or Puy St Vincents to compare? Also, 3 year old we're thinking will prob do a combo of kids club and some lessons, if he's keen - he's a very physical boy, used to being outdoors a lot and with good stamina and balance, so imagine he'll get on ok but that they just play if not. Any recommendations for neilson ski resorts versus Snowbizz? Thanks!

[angelcake20]

Just typed a massive reply and it's all disappeared!

There are a lot of threads on here on Snowbizz, including some recently. If you search, this could give you a lot of information.

Have never been to Andorra so can't help there but have to been with Snowbizz several times and to France with Neilson. Are you looking at the new Neilson run hotel in El Tarter? This would be very different from other Neilson holidays. The kids club would be Neilson run and it would be very hands on, like their beachclubs. On other Neilson ski holidays, they are largely an agent booking you in with other organisations.

It is unusual for most companies/ ski schools to have 3 year olds skiing, which is one of the reasons we chose Snowbizz when first skiing with DCs but I see on the website that Neilson offer a ski-kindergarten from 3-6. It is not clear who this is run by so don't know if it would be mixed language or not or how much skiing would be done.

Snowbizz run their own crèche and ski school so are always very hands on. 3 year olds have 3 hours crèche and an hours lesson in the morning, with extra crèche bookable in the afternoon but you have to take them out for lunch, whereas I assume Neilson childcare is available all day. It would be unusual for a 3 year old to ski anywhere other than the nursery slope, especially if you are not confident to take them by yourself.

Soldeu is a much larger ski area than Puy, though if you are inexperienced, Puy would be more than adequate. Puy is also a small resort with limited off-piste attractions, though this does mean everything is very convenient, which is fantastic when they are small, and ours were happy to just sledge and play in the afternoon at 3.

The accommodation in Puy is basic whereas Soldeu would have a lot more choice. I would expect there to be a price differential.

We have never skiied in Puy earlier than mid-March and there has always been plenty of snow down to the accommodation at 1600, though on 2 of our 5 visits, some of the runs down to 1400 were closed. Soldeu is slightly higher and has no lower runs but the majority of runs for both are about the same height. At that time of year it is likely to be getting soft in the afternoon in most places.

We loved Snowbizz and it works extremely well with children. We also love Neilson beach clubs but would never use them for skiing again unless it was to one of their own hotels as we didn't see them from one transfer to the next and they gave us nothing beyond a taxi service from the airport.

[angelcake20]

Should have said, you have posted in 'UK' and might get more info in 'skiing'.