Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Ski and snowboarding

For ski chat, join the Mumsnet Ski forum. Check out our guide to the best resorts in Europe and our family ski holiday packing list.

finding a chalet for a group - help me mumsnet!

11 replies

unfitmummy · 15/12/2010 15:41

i know i'm early, but we're thinking about booking a chalet for a group of us to go skiing in february half term 2012. we have never been on a ski-ing hoilday before so we need to get a better idea of cost so that everyone can decide if they are coming or not! what we want is a chalet that will hold all of us, which is catered, with childcare during the day to look after the kids (all age 6 and under) and ski-ing lessons for the kids age 4-6 and some of the adults! none of the adults are advanced skiers so we don't need anywhere with advanced runs. we will probably spend the afternoons sledging etc (and i would love to find somewhere to do husky sledging too!) i'm hoping the wise mumsnetters can come to my rescue and point me in the direction of which countries/resort or companies i should be looking at. and yes, the cheaper the better as times are hard - but we do want a nice holiday so it's a balance! help!

OP posts:
deste · 28/12/2010 15:58

St Foy is a great little resort, there are plenty companies but dont know about childcare because we dont need any.

Suzy100 · 06/02/2011 12:23

Hi Unfitmummy

Do you really need to go at half term - it is usually the most expensive and busiest week of the season. Unless you are restricted to school hols by your adult jobs then I would consider taking the children out of school while they are still so young.
We have done this for the last 5 years although sadly from next year we are restricted to school hols as DS starts secondary school.
However, as we can't face half term yet we have booked the week before Christmas which does fall in the school hols. Ski Esprit are doing 16-23 December and Si Beat 17-24 Dec. Both companies do their own childcare and as long as you pick a high resort then snow will hopefully be ok ( no guarantee of course).
Both companies go to La Rosiere (1800) & Les Arcs (1600 I think) which are good family resorts.
We are off to Courcheval 1850 with Esprit - the base cost is £519 per adult compared to £1239 per adult at half term! Plus, as it is a low season week the child discounts are bigger too ( our 4 year old is travelling free apart from the flight supplement).
Happy hunting

tulpe · 06/02/2011 18:53

Second vote for Esprit. We have just returned from our 4th trip (today) with them in Les Arcs 2000. Previously been to both Belle Plagne and Obergurgl with them.

I think Esprit is a great starter company for those who have never been on a ski holiday before. They can organise everything for you and the childcare set up is great. Having said that, DH is v experienced skier and I am (finally) an intermediate but as youngest DS is 6, we find Esprit are just too convenient to pass up :)

If you can wait for a late deal then there are some real bargains to be had.

iluvcake · 07/02/2011 11:25

I got back yesterday tulpe! Not nice to come back to such grey weatherSad. How was the snow in Les Arcs?

unfitmummy, I second Esprit(just got back from our third holiday with them) although I know there are quite a few similar companies-ski beat, ski famille, the family ski company and they all do similar all-in ski deals. Everything is taken care of.

I would recommend La Rosiere if you haven't been before. A great place to learn with some nice gentle slopes and a great choice of chalets.

AnotherSurreyMum · 07/02/2011 13:36

Ski Famille in Les Gets were great - had a great week there.
We've skiied with Esprit for 5 years too, and they were fine, but better for very little children (Under 8) I'd say.

Ski Famille seemed a tad more upmarket and nicer Smile

I'd second the 'don't go in Half Term' comment - we did it once - NEVER again - it's miserable - SOOOOOOOO busy.
It's absolutely the busiest week of the year, and queues were bad etc etc

iloverainbows · 08/02/2011 16:56

We have skied with Ski Beat and Ski Famille. Ski Beat were fabulous in La Rosiere, Ski Famille was absolutely awful at the chalet we had in Les Gets. Not just the chalet itself but the chalet host (for example there wasn't even soap in the bathrooms and the hot water didn't work properly!). Be very careful when you are booking. For cost however half term is one of the most expensive weeks and as other posters have said, very very busy. How about the first week of Jan, even if you have to take your children out of school for a bit it is a lot cheaper.

Legacy · 08/02/2011 17:26

ilove - which chalet were you in at Les Gets?

We went to Chalet Majorie and had a fab time a couple of years ago...

I think the cheaper chalets are a bit more pokey and noisier though?

Suzy100 · 09/02/2011 14:38

Hi Tulpe

How was Obergurgyl ?

We are staying in Chalet Verwall with Espirt this Easter. Normally go to a bigger resort but with Easter so late thought we would go high.

Look forward to your comments - thanks

duncdy · 21/02/2011 09:27

obergurgl was great at xmas - loads of snow, dont miss the night skiing and on the hosts night off get to Nederhutte EARLY, its great fun and they will skidoo you back for free. The village itself is pretty poor for food.

say Hi from Eddie to Grant in childcare - he still talks about him!

Suzy100 · 27/02/2011 16:42

Thanks duncdy. Will try to pass on Eddie's message. Assume you went with Esprit ?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page