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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.

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Original poster

Best resorts in French for beginners?

26 replies

MmeLindt · 10/01/2011 18:10

We really really should learn to ski since we are so close and are looking for the best place to learn to ski.

We are midway between Chamonix and Morzine - near Geneva - so could go to either area or someplace smaller.

We have two DC, 8yo and 6yo. Next year our DD will be going on a skiing holiday with the the school so I want her to be able to ski a little bit beforehand.

OP posts:

Original poster

MmeLindt · 10/01/2011 18:10

Ack. That should read French ALPS obviously.

OP posts:

natation · 10/01/2011 18:29

I wouldn't want to recommend one resort over another, there are just too many of them. Being the stingiest person on earth when it comes to spending money on our own family, it would come down to the cheapest resort nearby with a ski school easily accessible.

Use this map of ski resorts, ones marked in blue have a special "famille plus" status.

www.france-montagnes.com/massif/alpes-du-nord

Original poster

MmeLindt · 10/01/2011 18:37

The cheapest would probably be Les Brasses, but they don't have much in the way of snow right now.

Will check that out.

Would really be interested in a resort where we could drive up for the day, hire skis etc and not have to spend ages getting to the slopes.

Neighbour went to Chamonix last year and was frustrated cause she had to get a bus up to the slopes.

OP posts:

MollieO · 10/01/2011 19:25

We've just come back from Morzine. I think it is ideal for beginners. Good choice of ski lessons for all levels - lots of different companies so you aren't stuck with ESF.

MollieO · 10/01/2011 19:27

ESF beginners is in the centre of Morzine. Other companies start at the top of Pleney ski lift (bubble cable car up one slope). Very accessible.

MollieO · 10/01/2011 19:28

Would also look at Avoriaz - snow sure and easy to get around. Lots of choice for lessons too.

coffeeicing · 10/01/2011 19:31

Really would recommend NOT Chamonix valley - the bus system is dreadful and gondola up to the slopes from chamonix town is a pain. Try to get ski in/ ski out somewhere, makes a huge difference for beginners.

coffeeicing · 10/01/2011 19:36

We started off in La Rosiere which is nice for beginners. Never been but from lots of reading I think Ste Foy sounds absolutely fabulous (for beginners and beyond) but of course it may be nothing like my imaginings!

TattyCatty · 10/01/2011 19:40

Have you considered La Clusaz? It's really quite a small resort, and has a very French clientele - only 1 British tour operator went there when I worked there as a Ski Rep back in the mid 1990s. From memory, there is a nice green slope at the top end of the village close to the one and only cable car, which means that you can go up to some blue / red slopes but also do the whole mountain lunch experience without having to worry about skis / chair lits etc. I worked for a schools operator, so obviously it was a popular choice for beginners back then. About a 90 minute drive from Geneva (fond and not so fond of early morning coach transfers with excited / knackered school kids...........)

TattyCatty · 10/01/2011 19:41

Oh, and no buses - you can walk from one end of the village to the other in around 20 minutes, even in ski boots!

jade80 · 10/01/2011 19:43

Isola 2000, great for beginners, loads of gentle runs.

La Plagne has plenty of easy runs too.

natation · 10/01/2011 19:45

Chamonix Brévent-Flegere is not the best place to start skiing, but Les Houches is before Chamonix, has its own pass system and prices are very favourable to families. It is also on the larger Chamonix valley pass system called MBU Mont Blanc Unlimited. Ski school in Les Houches much cheaper than the main Chamonix ski schools, especially if you book 60 days in advance, 6 days of 2 1/2 hour lessons for 106 euro.

We looked into going to Espace Diamant which is also near to you, cheap family lift passes and ski school, it is lots of smaller resorts such as Praz sur Arly, Notre Dame de Bellecombe, Crest Vollant, so you don't even need to but a whole area pass, just one for a smaller area whilst learning.

natation · 10/01/2011 19:46

Isola 2000 and La Plagne are not exactly near to Geneva, especially if driving for the day.

SofaQueen · 10/01/2011 19:48

Les Saisies is very good for beginners, and usually has good snow as it is so high up. It is in the Espace Diamant. It is less than an hour and a half from Geneva.

jade80 · 10/01/2011 19:49

I didn't realise it was just for a day, I assumed a short break or two to practice- sorry! They aren't a million miles away so would be good for that sort of thing. Perhaps not for the day though!

sweet16 · 10/01/2011 19:49

We recently went to Ste Foy and thought it was brilliant for beginners.

maltesers · 10/01/2011 19:51

I think most places are pretty good for beginners because there is always plenty of different places where beginners can have a go and practice.

Original poster

MmeLindt · 10/01/2011 20:57

Coffeeicing
Yes, that is what our neighbour said, they spent ages looking for the right bus.

Will check out the other places, lots of info here.

Would prefer not to drive further than an hour. Chamonix area would be great as motorway driving most of the way so will look at Les Houches.

La Clusaz is only 45 mins so sounds good too. Don't think it is quite so high so not sure of snow at the moment.

OP posts:

PatriciaHolm · 11/01/2011 09:52

We love St Foy, but it's 2.5 hours from Geneva, so a weekend trip not a day! Worth bearing in mind though as it's very family friendly and never gets ridiculously busy.

VivaLeBeaver · 13/01/2011 12:25

Morzine has good beginenrs areas at the top of the cable car. I learnt to snowboard at Morzine.

neverknowinglyunderdressed · 13/01/2011 19:54

I would not recommend Chamonix for beginners, from what i can remember, lots of bussing about, so not that convenient. Flaine is always recommended for families, and would be better for beginners, as long as the architecture doesn't bother you! Bit grim for me. But short transfer and kids can do all day ski school with ESF which can include them being taken for lunch in a restaurant, which means you can ski further afield if you wish. Cant comment on Morzine as havent been there.

VivaLeBeaver · 14/01/2011 11:25

If you go to Chamonix you can drive up to the top of the valley past Chamonix itself, only another 10minutes, I think its called Le Tour? You can park there close to the bottom of the cable car and there are good nursery slopes there, not as steep as in Chamonix itself. Don't know if there's ski hire there though.

tiredemma · 14/01/2011 11:28

Morzine is perfect for beginners.

juststrudel · 14/01/2011 11:46

MmeLindt - helloooo

You MUST do it this year - we are so glad we did and are going to Austria for the Carneval break this year.

My main piece of advice would be to rent the equipment for the season, although you are a bit late now (we were which is why we ended up buying) but it's worth a try. There are a couple of places in Ville-la-grande or try the sports shop at La Praille. If you are going for the day it's a faff every time sorting out hiring. The Genevois hire their equipment in September!

Anyway, I have a friend here who has just come back from Morzine the whole family were beginners and they all loved it.

Bonne chance!

tulpe · 18/01/2011 14:58

Thollon Les Memises is not far from Geneva (usually takes us an hour). Very low key, small resort and more french than english there. Probably about as far away as possible from the "pretty ski resort" images but it has everything you need. It is relatively low alp but if you check snow reports beforehand it would be a good place to try for a day trip.

The village is small and you simply take the cable car up to the ski area. There is a cafe at the top but most of the restaurants are down in the village. Alternatively, you are only 20 mins from Evian, which would be my choice for dinner en route to home.

I learnt to ski there :) And am biased as to its charm since FIL lives in the next village along!

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