Feb half term- ski resort in Europe but with alternative activities nearby?

[anneyc]

We have taken the kids to De Kempervennen Centre Parcs in Holland for the last 2 years - it has a snow dome so has been great for the kids to learn to ski, and then enjoy all the other benefits of a Centre Parc holiday. They are now ready to hit some real slopes but still want to have the option of other activities, anyone know of any resorts that can offer this sort of thing? The kids are now 9, 11 and 13, they particularly enjoy cycling and swimming. Thanks in advance!

Just back from a week in Norway - flew with Ryanair from Edinburgh to Oslo, night at Thon Astoria, in v central location in great family room with fab breakfast, at beginning and end, hired a car and had 5 nights in Trysil 3h north. Highly recommend - all in - flights, car hire, accomodation, passes, kit hire £2000 for 4 in Feb half term. Food is outrageously expensive, but we knew this and had menu planned for the week and took most food with us and bought duty free on way out. Milk about £2/litre, bread £4/ loaf. Lots of skiing in Trysil - good variety for beginners and intermediates with a few blacks - I wimped out of run 75. It was quite cold but bearable. Accomodation was fantastic - large 2nd floor apartment with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and large well equipped living/dining/kitchen, sauna and covered parking - ideal for 2 families. Ski in/ski out and balcony looking towards slopes. Apart from chairlifts there wasn't much queuing, most lifts are Tbar or button. Would go back especially for price and would look to stay 7 nights in resort and get bus from Oslo, 24h sightseeing there is prob enough.

Eve, let me know how you find it, a friend of mine from work and his family came this year too, and my daughter's friend from school and her family and they both really enjoyed it. We had a fantastic week, I was totally exhausted by day three !! I'd love to hear what it's like at Easter - I think you will have nicer weather but that's normal a bit later in the season. Which area have you booked, we stayed in Lindvallen but everything is reasonably close. We've had a bit of a disaster because dh is a teacher in Hampshire, and the children are at school in Surrey, and their half terms don't match next year - our next holiday is under threat (or it is for dh at least !!)

It's amazing, staying in hogfjallet in an apartment. Ski slopes next door but been to different ones every day so far. A car is essential.

It's so polite, busy but no more than a 5 min wait for busiest lifts. We are finding prices really reasonable, the instructors are fantastic, everyone is so polite and helpful.

Will definitely be back! I need to ski more, I had flu 2 weeks before we left and can barely manage s green run, so lots of hot chocolate and watching kids for me.

The only downside was the Norwegian air 9hr delay from w
Gatwick :-(

.....and I do want a clothing drier! Have been googling to see can I get one in England & the boys are planning on building a sauna in the garage when we get home!

We also like the self catering facilities, each resort area has a massive heated room with a bank of microwaves that you can come sit in and heat up lunch.

Feel that here they are not trying to squeeze out every penny from you.

Eve, only just revisited this thread - glad you had a good week in Salen, we really enjoy it there and perfect for the children. We were disappointed to see that next year my husband (teacher) and children have different half term holidays (Surrey and Hampshire) so we are going to struggle to ski. I can't take time off work at Easter and Christmas is ultra manic. So I have to decide whether to just take the children and leave my husband at home !!

Glad I checked back in on this thread. Thanks for the updated.., 2018 plans!