Back from Crystal 2000, Courchevel

[iluvcake]

Returned back yesterday after a superb week with Esprit. Have posted in the reviews section also.

The slopes are not the best at the moment, they desperately need some snow. Quite a few icy and bare patches in places but it didn't stop us having a great time. The ski area is amazing, the best I have been to in years.

The Esprit staff in the hotel were lovely, great with the kids, friendly and helpful. The hotel itself was perfectly comfortable although a tiny bit tired and I think could have done with a bit of a revamp. It's in a great ski in-ski out position right on the slopes but a bit of a trek from the main town.

Although I got used to the hotel set-up, personally, I've realised my preference is for a chalet and I'm not sure I would return here unless with a bigger group of friends. Other guests were friendly enough when you spoke to them but tended to stick to their own friends. Couples on their own were sat together at dinner so they all got to know each other. We were only with one other set of friends so we were sat with them all week which was fine but we all said that we would have liked a bigger table a couple of times during the week.

Thanks - very useful - glad you had good time- the location of that chalethotel lokks fantastic!
I am anxiously looking at snow reports for Courchevell as we are going at the weekend and it does look rather sparse.....

MrsGB, there were several people (reps, the man in hotel ski shop) with weather predictions whilst we were there-ranging from snow in the middle of the month/end of the month.

Courchevel.net is predicting at change in the weather at the weekend. So fingers X you will have some fresh snow...!

Iluvcake

Have now exchanged so many messages with you on skiing threads!

If you want the skiing of Courcheval ,with child care but in chalet then try La Tania. We went with Family Friendly Skiing in January and they were brilliant. The only reason we are not going back in December 2011 is because they don't have their changeover day on the Fri or Sat before Christmas.

Stayed in Chaelt Abigail which was ski in /out at the bottom of a red run which you ski down to the cable car (our 6 year old could do it). La Tania is lower at 1350 so if snow is poor then runs down to La Tania may be a bit ropey - but you could always cable car down ( we've never done this in our 4 visits to La Tania). Has all the advantages of Courcheval without the higher price.

FFS offer airport transfers but you book your own flights or self drive.

The ESF have a Piou Piou area for beginners. There is also a great ski school called NewGeneration which we used for our DS aged 6 who was skiing for the 2nd year.

Thanks Suzy! I haven't heard of that company so will check them out.

Luckily, we didn't spend too much money as we didn't really need to but be warned, a round of four hot chocolates will not give you much change from 20euros!

A little tip for a good place to eat-"Bel Air" at the top of the Arondiaz gondola in 1650 has a cafe which is fairly new and apparantly is the cheapest(but quality) place to eat-toasted sandwiches etc for less than 10euros-and their giant choc chip cookies are famous and only 2euros. We ended up in the restaurant but I would have just preferred a sandwich (and a cookie!)