Family of 5; Novice skiers; Looking to go for Christmas 2011. I haven't got a clue so any help gratefully received.

[montysorry]

Title says it really.
Me, DH and 3kids looking to go away next Christmas. DH very keen to try skiing as he gets the P taken out of him a bit at work for not having skied before.
Kids will be 8, 6 and 4.

I have no idea where to look and I'm quite anxious as I hate stressful holidays. Kids will need ski school I guess and we will both need lessons.

No idea what sort of accomodation we should be looking at. I would like to avoid somewhere trendy where all the experienced skiers go. My ideal (though I'm sure this is unrealistic) is somewhere pretty much geared towards beginners.

Do I need ski in/out? I'm not even sure what that means and what the benefits of it are.
Do I take the children to lessons then go to mine or is that too easy?

I'd rather be right in the thick of it as my idea of holiday hell is having to drag everything to a set point then wait for transfers etc.

Also, I'd like things to do other than ski and somewhere that would be very child orientated for Christmas rather than a party atmosphere.

Sorry for so many questions, I have looked in the archives but they just left me more confused than ever.

have just thought - see if you can afford powder byrne - they are rather posh but apparantly (as i cannot justify the money) fabulous.
they will really take care of you!

Other thing to bear in mind, is that you may well meet really nice people in the chalet.

We went to St Anton at the end of the season about 10 years ago and had an amazing week. Mind you the weather was somewhat snowy - didn't see St Anton once! We skied with the other people in the chalet, and are still very friendly with one couple 10 years on (god parents to DS2).

try here

this is zell am see - have a look at the other austrian resorts too.

Not looking to advertise but if you like the sound of self-catering you could consider renting our apartment in Serre Chevalier! It sleeps 6 in 3 rooms - much cheaper than lots of ski resorts and a very beginner friendly place. Easy 4 min walk to lifts and good choice of restaurants. We could help you with sorting lessons etc if you wanted.

Check out resort and apartment here If you are interested or have any questions please CAT me

Another idea, ski2 in Champuluc Italy. They are a small british company. they run there own childcare ski school etc and operate out of hotels so eating together shouldnt be an issue. We havent been with them but I have heard great things. www.familyskiholiday.co.uk. I have spoken to them on the phone and they were very helpful but fully booked for when we wanted. I believe the prices they quote seem alot but are fully inclusive except flights. so include all the ski passes, lesson and hire + childcare but dont quote me on that . And airport transfers

Thanks everyone, lots of good ideas and advice!

Can I ask; Is it likely that a chalet will be noisy if you're early to bed? And would our kids be disturbing other guests if they were running around at 6am. Unfortunately, even on hols I've never managed to get them to sleep any later and so DH and I have just sort of adjusted. I just wouldn't want it all to be awkward if everyone else was happy for their kids to be up running around and having fun at 10pm but then got annoyed that mine where up doing the same at 6am. We have for years tried to encourage (esp on hols) staying up later to see if it leads to sleeping later in mornings but to no avail.

I'm starting to worry that I'm too uptight for the whole thing. My 3 have never been in any kind of childcare, never even had a sitter. Nor have we ever used kids clubs on hol so it's all a bit alien to me. How many times would we have to go before we can all spend the days together?

Maybe this is your answer.

Esprit childcare and ski school
Small family friendly beginners resort
Near the slopes
No-one else to worry about disturbing at night
Meals together

Ski accommodation can be noisy. I don't think you could do full days all together for the next two to three holidays.

Thank you Nettee, that's great! I will definitely ring and enquire about that one. The resort seems a good one for beginners too as trawling through the archives it seems that those who can ski well aren't so keen.

Just need to get my head around having an almost separate holiday from the kids. Thing is, the Y6 ski trip at school is a big thing and I really don't want DS to be the only one not to have done it before.

Thanks again!

It doesn't have to be that separate. Apart from the time in lessons, which is usually just mornings, you can whisk them out of childcare and off for lunch or a gondola ride or whatever whenever you want to. You will probably be skiing with the older ones in the afternoons towards the end of the week.

chaletlepanoramic.fr/index.php?lang=uk
There is this place in la Rosiere opposite the local ski school, looks like basic furnished self-catering apartments with the added bonus of swimming pool, sauna and ideal location. I'm a big fan of being near the slopes and ski school if you want it, with children they get tired carrying their skis and the last think you need is to have to carry several pairs of skis.

Friends from school, Put their kids in ski school in the mornings, then met them for lunch. for the first 3 days they didnt bother with skiing in the afternoon but intstead went swimming etc. From Day 4 they skied together in the afternoon so it worked for them. My brother on the other hand found his youngest almost 4 bailed out of lessons and had no childcare so SIL and brothers skiing was cutailed as they had to look after Dn. They did a day each, It also meant they never skied together

Monty - you might also want to check out Chalet Oskar in Selva Val Gardena. Offered through Esprit as single family chalet.

Sorry - can't work out links on stoopid iPad :o