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Original poster

Andorra with children.

10 replies

Lukethe3 · 27/11/2012 14:32

Hi. I am trying to book our very first skiing holiday ever. I'm looking at Andorra but don't understand about the kids options. I have a 1and 4 year old. The ski school children's lessons seem to begin at 6. The snow club for my 4yo says they have to have skis and boots- so I assume they are taught to ski??
It also says that you cannot prebook the kids clubs- you have to turn up on day 1 and chance it. What is the likelihood of me not being able to secure them a place? Thanks, from an excited but clueless ski virgin.

OP posts:
narmada · 27/11/2012 14:36

sounds like not a very good setup to me.
You really need to be able yo prebook lessons and childcare. What operator is it with?
Have you thought about a specialist family operator or somewhere really set up for families?

4 year old should be able. to start skiing provided he or sge is willing but this will only be for max 2 hours per day so you will need some other firm of wrspsround care.

Original poster
Lukethe3 · 27/11/2012 14:49

I was trying to self book to save money. I got a quote from Neilson but I'd still have to arrange my own baby care.

OP posts:
narmada · 27/11/2012 14:50

are you also beginners? dont be put off ski hols with kids - it is fab fun just takes a bit of careful planning!

narmada · 27/11/2012 14:51

sorry for typo agogo. on my phone .

Original poster
Lukethe3 · 27/11/2012 15:54

We are all beginners! Better late than never...

OP posts:
narmada · 27/11/2012 18:32

ooh how exciting! it is a great sport, you will love it.

There are a couple of family operators that are at the more reasonable end of things particularly if you are not tied to school hols. Snowbizz go to Puy St Vincent - small french resort, goid for brginners, provide childcare and intro skiing for your 4 yr old.

Ski magic in la tania are also reasonable by skiing standards.

Dont know much about andorra so apologies for going off topic.

FannyBazaar · 27/11/2012 20:39

We're off to Arinsal in Andorra this winter, my DS is 7. He started when he had just turned 4 in Pamporovo in Bulgaria it was a ski kindergarten sort of set up where they have an indoor base and go out for an hour or so in the morning and again in the afternoon. The skiing was completely optional and my DS was not that interested so only did a couple of times on that trip, he was more interested in making snowmen and riding snow bikes. There were one or two other kids in the ski kindergarten who were more interested so their parents took them out for private lessons or to ski with them for some of the time.

Pamporovo was a very good beginners resort and very cheap, especially outside of the school holidays. We went in March on the next to last week and struck it lucky with masses of snow. I used to book ski holidays direct but sometimes the operators have very good deals. The cheapest times are often the week before Christmas, first week of January (after schools go back) and end of season.

My DS did proper ski school in Austria at 5 (nearly 6) for the first time, they may start them from 4 in Austria, worth checking. In Austria IME the ski school is morning AND afternoon for the whole week. For the little ones who are just beginning there are lots of other activities too, singing songs, making snowmen and rides on a skidoo/snow train. I have never seen any child in ski school looking cold and whingey, they seem to be well prepared for the age groups they specify.

mamhaf · 27/11/2012 20:52

We went to Soldeu several times when DC were very small, dd2 spent two holidays at the kindergarten and joined ski school the following year, aged 5.

They are 20 and 16 now, so this was a while ago.

We did it cheaply by not going with tour operators. I vaguely remember turning up on the day, and it was fine, just a bit chaotic that first day.

It's a great place for a family holiday - the ski school is excellent.

In the kindergarten they do a little bit of ski- ing in an enclosed area and a combination of indoor and outdoor play.

I can't remember the opening hours, but it was daytime, not starting at 6pm. You should be able to phone and ask - there were lots of native English speakers there.

Have fun! Both my dc are brilliant ski-ers now.

mamhaf · 28/11/2012 07:48

Doh! You mean age 6 for ski school, not 6pm!

We persuaded them to take dd2 at 5 because she had already done 2 weeks in ski kindergarten.

I suggest your 4 year old starts off in the kindergarten - they do start to learn to ski there.

SoldeInvierno · 28/11/2012 20:57

When DS was little we always went to Austria with Neilson. I think they started them at 4. He's 9 now and he's a great skier.

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