Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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.

Original poster

First time skiing- where and when?

19 replies

WhatLizzyDid · 29/12/2016 22:06

Hi

I'm currently looking at booking a skiing holiday for me, DH and DS (nearly 7). None of us have ever been skiing before but have always wanted to go. Where would you recommend for beginners? When should we go? We live in the U.K. So preferably Europe and I work in education so it would have to be out of term time.

I would be really grateful for your thoughts x

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatLizzyDid · 29/12/2016 22:07

PS. DH and I have done one morning lesson at an indoor ski slope.

OP posts:
EvaSthlm · 31/12/2016 14:41

I hate it when it's steep downhill skiing and, partially therefore, have never been to the Alps. But if you don't necessarily want to go to the Alps (which might the easier choice) you could check out Sälen, there will be a lot of Swedes and Danes there though.... www.skistar.com/en/Salen/About-Salen/
Here's a pic where you can see the people skiing now, today: webbkameror.se/skidkameror/salen/index.php

I relearned how to ski at 40+ (I had been skiing as a child but stopped when I was about 12 years old when I outgrew my skis).

EvaSthlm · 31/12/2016 14:45

Sorry for all the spelling mistakes, I spotted them once I had posted the reply ... :)

jo164 · 31/12/2016 17:42

If you have to go at Easter (like me) then I would also recommend Scandinavia. We ski in levi, Finland which is great for beginners and intermediate skiers or like me, someone who would rather ski with my family now rather than hit the black runs! You would have to do it all independently as package deals from UK don't go that late into season. Easy to do though. Some good resorts in Norway and Sweden as well. We like Levi as although you have to change planes in Helsinki, it's a 15 min transfer at the other end. Great snow right through until May. Standard of accommodation also very high.

conserveisposhforjam · 31/12/2016 17:45

You need to make sure there is snow (!) So I would go France and go high (over 1500m minimum)

And if you can afford it I'd go with club med because they take care of absolutely everything so you won't need to faff around with lift passes / lessons etc. And the food is fucking brilliant which is the main point of skiing actually

LIZS · 31/12/2016 17:50

Choose a resort with plenty of other facilities so you can do other activities if snow is dire, white out, slushy in afternoons or just for a change. If traditional scenery is important to you then Austria might suit and English is widely spoken . Aim high if late in season but as beginners you don't need vast kilometres of terrain.

Original poster
WhatLizzyDid · 01/01/2017 12:02

Thank you so, so much for your replies! I feel I have lots to go on Smile I do like the sound of Salen or Levi.
The higher the better and make sure there is other stuff to do! Thanks again Smile and Happy New Year!

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatLizzyDid · 01/01/2017 12:14

Oooh I'm getting carried away looking at club med now!

OP posts:
conserveisposhforjam · 01/01/2017 18:39

:) The one in wengen is beautiful and if you don't enjoy the skiing you can go down into the valley and do spring walks...

LIZS · 01/01/2017 19:46

Snow very hit and miss in Wengen sadly though. If none in the village, as at present, it is a scrum onto the trains or cablecar to access nursery slopes. Great once you've found your skilegs and conditions are good though.

conserveisposhforjam · 01/01/2017 19:52

Yeah I'm rather ignoring my own advice there. ..

So beautiful though. Austria and Switzerland are gorgeous. But France is high :)

superram · 01/01/2017 19:54

I like Andorra as it's cheap. Been in a package but also independently drove from Barcelona. Pas de la casa is a party place but soldeu and arinsal are great.

lapsedorienteerer · 01/01/2017 19:55

Austria......no question

conserveisposhforjam · 01/01/2017 20:15

All low though. Will be a v shit skiing holiday if there's no snow!

trixymalixy · 01/01/2017 20:26

Need to go high, so somewhere like Tignes or val d'isere at that time of year so there will be snow . I'd also recommend going with someone like esprit or crystal who have childcare for your first time skiing with kids as they'll sort everything out for you.

LIZS · 01/01/2017 20:27

Saas Fee is higher and picturesque if budget will stretch to Swiss prices. Longer transfer unless you can fly to Sion. Alpe d'Huez is not terribly attractive for non skiers, like many French resorts above treeline.

LIZS · 01/01/2017 20:28

Sorry wrong thread!

Buttercupsandaisies · 02/01/2017 17:33

Andorra is ok - we go in 6 weeks but our hotel is keeping us posted on Facebook and people are skiing fine and have been for weeks now

EvaSthlm · 02/01/2017 18:57

I might have gone to Austria too, had it not been so far away from where I am. That's why I end up skiing in Scandinavia (I'm already here).

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread