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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Any advice at all appreciated on skiing holidays.....

12 replies

allaboutme · 10/02/2010 19:53

Thinking of a skiing holiday with friends. 2 DH's to ski and me and my friend to spend some time playing with children (4 pre schoolers between 10 months and 4 years), sledging, walking etc and some time with children in creche and us in spa/some kind of relaxing activity. We have no intention to ski at all.
Prefer SC chalet rather than hotel due to children.

Is this kind of combined holiday at all possible?
When does the skiing season go on until?
Any ideas as to where would be a good place to go?

Thanks for ANY advice at all, have no idea about skiing whatsoever

OP posts:

LadyBiscuit · 10/02/2010 19:56

Yes, perfectly possible. What level of ability are the skiers? Austria is generally better than France/Switzerland for the non-skier activities in my experience

You aren't going to want to be that high so I'd say end March is going to be your cut off dates wise

angel1976 · 10/02/2010 20:17

We are going to [http://www.chillypowder.com/ Chilly Powder Au Coin De Feu]] in a couple of weeks. Very good reviews. Has in-house creche where you can get nannies. Also has spa facilities. Also, transfer is only about an hour from Geneva airport. They also have rooms where there is an attached smaller room/den for the kids. We are going for the music room that has a separate room for the kids with bunk beds. Good luck!

angel1976 · 10/02/2010 20:18

Chilly Powder Au Coin De Feu Oops!

Original poster

allaboutme · 10/02/2010 20:52

Thank you both.
The link looks lovely. Only has prices for up to beginning of Feb though, so am guessing there are no more hols available this year?
That sort of place looks perfect though.
Am off to google chalets in Austria..

OP posts:

angel1976 · 10/02/2010 21:01

We are going early March, why not email them? You can also call them on a UK number (listed on their website) to speak to them.

Original poster

allaboutme · 10/02/2010 21:22

Good idea. i have just emailed them.
Had a peek at Mark Warner ski site and it is so pricey!!!! 5K for a week for all of us and thats not counting the kids club!! (I presume that includes ski passes for everyone though, which would be a waste as 2 not skiing...)

OP posts:

angel1976 · 10/02/2010 21:38

I meant to say they are very friendly and will do what they can to help. We are staying in the most expensive room there but only because they offered us an upgrade for not a lot of money as someone else wanted the room we had originally booked. From what I remember, the creche price was 295 euros per child if you put them in for 6 full days and includes lunch. There are other options as well though (i.e. half days, ski schools for the kids etc). They also do an early sitting for the kids' dinner and a 'listening in' service so the kids can be left sleeping while the adults eat later. But it is going to be a pretty expensive holiday!

Have you looked at Ski Espirit?

LadyBiscuit · 10/02/2010 22:12

I know Francesca and Paul who run Chilly Powder and they are really lovely. But Morzine doesn't have a pool or ice skating as far as I remember and the walking facilities are limited. Also if your partners are good skiers, they are likely to be in Avoriaz whereas the play slopes are in Morzine which is over the other side of the town.

I'd research your resort very carefully from the non-skier point of view. It can be really dull hanging around a ski resort all day long ...

Quintessential12belowZero · 10/02/2010 22:19

Geilo or Hemsedal in Norway.

hemsedal

geilo

cheap Norway deals directline skiing

You might find that you want to try some cross country skiing with the kids (not downhill at break neck speed)

Kiwinyc · 13/02/2010 17:10

Try posting on the ski forum, theres a dedicated one on here.

Ski season generally goes until end of april although by the last two weeks you have to go quite high up to still be able to ski. You need to look for a traditional village sort of resort which has the other activities you're looking for, not a purpose built French resort that has nothing but skiing.

Some ideas:
France - Les Gets, Chamonix
Otherwise most places in Austria, Italy or Switzerland which are villages in their own right have more to offer than just skiing.

LIZS · 13/02/2010 17:20

Be aware many resorts will start to close lifts at Easter as locals tend to finish their earlier than the UK tour operators. Pick a larger resort as it will have mroe facitlies for poor weather like an indoor pool, playgrounds and cafes in town. Access to a glacier guarantees snow later in the season for skiing if not in villages. Would recommend traffic free, such as Zermatt and Saas Fee, or resorts such as St Anton, Seefeld, Zell am See/Kaprun in Austria.

Cheskalou · 10/05/2011 22:37

Thank you all for your lovely compliments on Chilly Powder - I hope your holidays with us lived up to your expectations!

Just for your information Morzine has 2 ice rinks - an indoor one and an out door one right in front of a great wine bar - you can guess which one I take my kids to!
From winter 2011/2012 there will be an indoor swimming pool which is great for everyone when they need a break from skiing

Happy Skiing!

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