Kids first ski holiday - how do not spend the earth!

[Blackandwhitepolaroid]

We're looking into ski holidays for either Feb half term or Easter next year and I'm completely bamboozled given it's been such a while since we've been skiing and we've never been with the kids.

We're looking for something that doesn't cost the earth given this is a bit of an experiment for us (so cheaper than Club Med etc) but that has ski school that starts from 3 as my youngest won't quite be 4 by this point. Something with a swimming pool and walking distance to get to ski lifts etc?

We haven't been skiing in a long time too, so big adventurous skiing for us isn't a consideration, just a mix of a few different slopes and a couple of restaurants etc.

Any hotels / resorts / companies we should be looking at? As a complete novice to booking a ski holiday I need mumsnet wisdom! Thank you!

We went to Andorra with Crystalski company in Easter. The trip was very good and all the transfers worked without problems.

My main tip would be to avoid Feb half term altogether. It is the busiest and most expensive time you could possibly go.

Half term is far more expensive than any other time, with the possible exception of New Year.

Easter 2025 falls too late in the season for 90% of resorts - most will be closed. The only ones remaining open are the highest (and most expensive) resorts, and skiing on glaciers or at altitude above the tree line is not the best learning environment.

There is a skiing forum here on MN (see "Similar Threads" below) where you'll find similar questions and loads of useful answers

You need to go as soon as the Easter holidays start, not over easter itself.

However skiing and 'doesn't cost the earth' when you then list quite a few nice to have's.... I'm afraid they don't go together. Skiing is expensive in most resorts. By going to places like Bulgaria or Poland you'll cut costs but the experience is not the same (IMO)

Tignes is good. If you self cater it cuts costs, but mostly cuts costs when you drive and take food etc with you.

Lots of similar threads on here too

Not sure what the prices are like now as it’s been a few years since we went, but this hotel has everything you’re looking for https://www.dachsteinkoenig.at/en/family-kids/childrens-winter/

Half term is a non starter for saving money. Easter is mid April next year so you need to go somewhere snowsure. Skischool for a 3 yo is tricky, realistically they will do little skiing.

that has ski school that starts from 3 as my youngest won't quite be 4 by this point

Many years ago we went to a small resort in Austria when DS was 5 1/2 and DD was not yet 4. The official ski school was very snooty and said "4th birthday minimum, insurance innit". But there was a little school with the world's smallest office run by a builder who couldn't work in the winter, with his wife who had spent time in the UK and spoke in an interesting mixture of Austrian and Brummie accents, and he was much less hung-up on details, so DD learned to ski at 3 3/4.

(We also learned, after a fashion. At the end of the week, there was a little slalom race for all the adult beginners in which the builder's son, aged about 2, also took part. The son won the race because he could ski like a champion, although being 2 he had no idea of the rules about needing to go around the gates!)

Anyway, enough reminiscing, my point is that you might struggle to find a "branded" school that accepts kids under 4, but if so, there might be some alternative possibilities.

Snowbizz are good value and ideal for young children. They are based in Puy St Vincent.

Peak Retreats are family oriented and have some cheaper resorts like Val Cenis, La Rosiere, Sainte Foy and Montgenevre. Accommodation mainly apartments with pools. You could take the train to these or drive. They would be able to book you ESF lessons/childcare if needed.
Prices will be far lower for the school Easter holidays and that is a good time to go with younger kids anyway. Just book as early in April as possible.

We drive across to beautiful Thollon-les-Memises, overlooking Lake Geneva (it’s an hour drive from Geneva airport.) You’d need to go in February as it’s low down.

It’s a small, friendly resort, mostly popular with French and Swiss families. Close to Chatel etc. There are numerous English families with chalets/flats there too, but it’s very much not Meribel. It’s got a lovely community feel and the local community out on some really fun events in the season. Some great little restaurants. The mountain walking is exceptional.

Plenty of apartments near the telecabine to rent for about €1000 a week. The lift pass is about £400 for a family of four for the week.

You can walk to the telecabine, and up to Green, blue and fun red runs. There is a small ESF school with lessons from 3+ in English.

All in, we spend about £2000 for a week’s skiing (petrol, lift pass, lessons.) It would be £3000 with accommodation I guess.

I’ve never used a package firm or been to one of the swizzy resorts (except for the day from Thollon) so am always a bit bemused about why the English see skiing as an expensive, luxury holiday. Look a lot and you can make the holiday pretty affordable.

Easter = high so look at Val Thorens and ESF / Prosneige for lessons as they both take 3 year olds. Check our Sunweb for accommodation and drive and you might not spend the entire earth on it. Half term is chaos so give it a swerve til the kids are older.

Have a look at Livigno Italy. We always drove down, stopping overnight in Basel. Lots of self catering options. Very good ski schools and plenty of pasta and pizza for the kids. Duty free area so slightly cheaper than other areas.

We did Slovenia for our first two ski holidays with kids . Was fantastic . Great value . Very like Austria without the price tag . Kranskja Gora . Flew to Ljubljana.

Unfortunately they outgrew it after two years there but we have super memories . Although it was over 10 years ago we did the entire holiday for 3000 euro for 7 of us !