Saas fee 7 April?

[hotfudge]

Am keen to book first family skiing holiday, got heart set on hotel annahof in saas fee with esprit but the only week I can get from my airport of choice is 7 April. Is this a good time or too late in season, with risk of little or no snow? Have dcs 6, 4, and 1 so keen to get the right resort and set up. Any alternative suggestions? Was also pondering new year but too early in season, thus too cold?

It is late in the season , we've been lucky there late season, even ahvign fresh snow falls and sun, but the last couple of years have been bad snowwise by then and even Saas Fee has suffered, so it would be a risk. The nursery slopes are at village level and they may limit the amount kept open to the main "home" piste assuming it hasn't turned to slush at the bottom and melted away. There aren't really nursery slopes higher up for complete beginners although with the altitude the pistes higher up are usually in good condition and not icy. Higher sunny nursery slopes can be found over in Saas Grund, a bus and gondola ride away.

Days at New Year are short and Saas Fee doesn't get much sun as it is a sheltered bowl so could be very cold for lo's and novices. At least that hotel is very closeby if they need to warm up. Check the lesson times for 4 yr olds as Skischool used to do under 5's in the afternoons for 1.5 hours in the Snowgarden and 5+ for 3 hours in the mornings although Esprit may have a different arrangement whereby your older dc could be together.

Thanks LIZS. Have another option to go 9 feb to hotel alphubel with crystal. Hotel doesn't like quite so nice or as well located but the date is better. Decisions decisions!

That sounds better tbh. Alphuebel is fine, food basic but hearty and entertainment laid on. We've been many times summer and winter, families return year after year - think the Esprit one is overrated tbh ! They include childcare and transport to the slopes/skischool by electric bus. Ask for a family room which has an adjoining room for the dc. Half term is normally busy in the resort especially if it coincides with Swiss ones, so book skischool ahead, but you may be lucky.

We always ski at Christmas or New year time and don't rally worry about the short days. It just means that it becomes more magical earlier on and the kids love wandering round in the dark with all the ski resort lights.

We are going to Saas Fee at Christmas with Esprit so will be able to let you know the set up and the resort after that. It's probably the last time with them as the kids are older and can ski. Mine have been going since they were 3 and don't mind the cold as long as they are wrapped up and not standing around for too long.

Have fun whatever you do.

Thank both! All booked up now in alphubel in February. Very excited!

Saas fee is VERY cold so take thermals, inner gloves, neck warmers etc