To be so confused about how to book a ski holiday

For example... Les Gets is popular with Brits... fly to Geneva, Alpy bus to Les Gets,
We used https://www.chaletsdirect.com/search/ several times. .. or https://www.lesgets.com/en/where-to-sleep/discover-the-accommodation/chalets-and-apartments/..

Lift passes..
https://www.lesgets.com/en/lift-pass/skipass-prices/

Ski lessons and equipment..

https://www.lesgets.com/en/what-to-do/winter-activities/sports/skiing/

It is a good idea to stay close to the 'Front de Neige' but equally the buses are pretty good.

There are also many catered chalet options in the area.... and in nearby Morzine..
My favourite people are Treeline.. We also loved ChillyPowder and Family Ski.

Les Arcs..
https://www.pierreetvacances.com/fr-fr/de_location-arc-1800.

Self catering, Shops, Ski hire and Lessons .. all in close proximity.

We have skied a lot in the French and Swiss Alps because we live nearby... it is really busy in half term and there are a lot of logistical elements to skiing.. it is best to take things slowly, one step at a time, try not to pack too much in.

There are many different ways to structure a Ski holiday and different price options, getting your bearings cam be challenging while it seems that everyone around you knows it all, already.. so opting for a supported package can take a lot of the stress out of the first holiday but it will come at a cost.

You could look at a resort like avoriaz which is very close to Geneva with lots of bus transfers. For 4 people a taxi is pretty cost effective as well. Avoriaz has lots of self catering and is very family friendly. I'd book ski lessons with anyone except esf. And find the closest ski hire to your accommodation as they are all so similar. You could look at Heidi for flight and accommodation booking. They seem to have good prices. Good luck...best holiday ever imo.

Often the accommodation has ties with equipment rental places and some even have places in the basement etc.

We took ours skiing for the first time last year, they loved it! We booked through a company called WeSki who do various locations and all options of build your own holiday right up to flight, stay, transfer and lift pass all in - we got the 4 of us for about 2,400 in January (low budget was key for us)! Gear we rented in resort. I second the above advice to book somewhere with decent beginner slopes too.

Would definitely use WeSki again so absolutely recommend!

Have a look at Crystal ski if your going outside school holidays I’ve found their prices reasonable recently. We’ve always done self catering and booked independent but this year I used them as the cost of transfers had gone up so much it made it economical as we could go outside peak weeks.

You don’t need a big resort (forget Val d’Isère and the 3 valleys). Find a small one with greens and blues. Maybe the odd red run. I suggest you look in the crystal or similar brochure. First time it will be helpful to book a package. And check where the supermarket is in relation to the Appartment if you don’t have a car (I’d assume you’ll fly). Lots of threads in here with more advice on what to take.

have fun! ⛷️🎿⛷️

Club med is all inclusive and does all day ski school so great for beginners. Although pricey.

Start with deciding where you want to go, and look at a resort map to see where the ski lifts are.
The closer to the lifts, the more expensive the accommodation, but also the much easier it is. I choose to pay more for the convenience of being able to walk a short distance to the lifts, as the faff of carting kids plus skis, in ski boots, a long way on foot - or even worse, on a shuttle bus - is a headache too far. Also double check the lifts are the ones that go to the slopes you'll be using (eg blue/greens if you're a beginner). No use being right next to the lifts if it takes you to a host of red runs and all the easier runs are elsewhere.

In terms of kit, you can pay £££ for doing it through a ski company so we just do it ourselves. Look on Google maps to see the shops in resort and book direct with them. Intersport are good and reasonably priced. Again, pick one near your accommodation so it's easy to go back to swap your boots or whatever if they're not right.

I've never been self catering so can't comment on that, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.

Oh and lessons- if you are beginners you will need lessons. Half days are enough at first, as even if you are very fit you are likely to be knackered by lunchtime and wanting a bit of a break. I completely underestimated how tired I would be at the beginning... and I run long distances for fun. It does get easier though!

If you are all first timers you may find it easier/more fun/get more skiing if you go on a package that includes ski lessons. If you are putting it together yourself and going in school hols make sure you book lessons in advance.

Some people self cater some don’t.
most resorts have a load of restaurants and one or two very expensive shops. Pierre et vacance is good for French slopes self catering although beware it’s in French and aimed at French people and reception usually speak French but not necessarily anything else.

most resorts have two or three ski hire shops where you can hire skis, boots, poles and helmets. You need to have your own socks, thermals, and outer jacket and trousers.

some accommodation is what they call ski-in ski-out so it is literally on the slopes. Some you have to walk to the lifts. Some is further away and you might need to get a bus. Getting a bus with all your ski equipment is not fun so most people try to avoid those types of accommodation.

We've usually just used Crystal and gone full package holiday. I am not convinced booking separately is cheaper - transfers in particular can be astronomically expensive.

If you want cheap you could drive and self cater in which case Sunweb are your best bet.

Ski passes, ski hire and lessons are a doddle. Just Google it for resort you are staying in - or book through travel agent as above.

Nb - when you say all inclusive are you talking about package holiday rather than meal plan. Because you want half board not AI

Give Hayes Travel a ring. They offer package ski holidays and can talk you through ski hire etc. Ski Holidays 2025 / 2026 | Ski Packages - Hays Travel

How much have you got to spend?

You may find it’s easier to use a travel agent if you haven’t been before.

• Yes you can self cater. Pierre & vacances are good in France for this
• transfers you can get a bus or taxi. Look at alpybus. Some resorts are connected by train.
• How you get to the slopes depends - most big resorts have regular shuttles.

If you have never been before, I’d probably go with a tour operator just to make your life as easy as possible. It’s quite a full on holiday at the best of times, so doing it that way will make it easier (and so more enjoyable) for a novice.

www.seitenalm.at
I can recommend this hotel, fly to Salzburg and hire a car.
There is a ski school at Radau, where you can hire equipment and, if you don't want to drive the 10 minutes up the road, the ski bus stops just outside the hotel.
The food is excellent as are the hosts, we have known them for about 25 years.
Just to add, there may be an option to be collected from the airport these days, but we always drove down from Frankfurt, so never looked into this.