the best way to achieve an all round successful ski holiday

[sjc23]

First ever thread ever ever.
I have a 12 year old son and a 4 year old daughter, whats the best way to achieve an all round successful ski holiday (confused)
We have been on Mark Warner ski hols with our son but never taken our daughter. Is Mark warner still one of the preferred choice with small children or is there any one else who is similar and does the same type style hol. We have to go term time and MW hols are steep for these few weeks. Wwould appreciate any top tips
sjc

First ever thread ever ever.
I have a 12 year old son and a 4 year old daughter, whats the best way to achieve an all round successful ski holiday (confused)
We have been on Mark Warner ski hols with our son but never taken our daughter. Is Mark warner still one of the preferred choice with small children or is there any one else who is similar and does the same type style hol. We have to go term time and MW hols are steep for these few weeks. Would appreciate any top tips
sjc

I suppose it depends on your budget and what facilities you are after as to where you look for your holiday.

Mark Warner is extremely expensive, if you are looking for a cheaper type of holiday where you are still looked after in English, Snowbizz gets good reviews, it only operates in one resort, Puy St Vincent, but great advatages there is ski-in-out, child care and lessons and lifts all within metres.

Or you could just go native and save yourself a few quid and still have a great time. In France for example, French families favour self-catering apartments, child care is a combination of ski school and local creche facilities. The Peak Retreats website is a great source of information on resort facilities and prices, but only covers France.

If you are driving, then northern French Alps or western areas of Austria or Switzerland are nearest to the UK. If you are flying, some resorts have transfers of 3 hours. Train to the French Alps is a great idea and can be quicker than flying to some resorts.

I would be cautious in your expectations of your 4 year old - plan not to ski 100%(or have childcare option available) of the time yourself and go for a resort with other activities on offer to enjoy together. If she really takes to skiing you get a nice surprise but aren't disappointed or frustrated if not.

We Have often been with Esprit, They often have special offers. Also tried Crystal. They have a Whizz kids programme, We used to find it was good for the kids to have ski school with supervised lunch. Which gave us a long mornings ski. Then ski with the kids in the afternoon but often stopped earlier than pre kids for a swim or what ever. I like chalets with the kids and they always like the cakes at the end of the day!!

Three words: Family Ski Company.

Have a look. They're great.