Ski resort with good walking/cross country skiing for NY?Easter?

[MsMartini]

Hello, can you lovely people help find the ideal ski resort for our group of mixed ability skiers (from beginner to advanced) that also has either hiking or cross-country skiing, and that would be good at New Year or Easter next year?

We don't mind about apres, facilities etc. Prefer a small, quiet resort but main thing is the quality of the skiing/snow/other activity. Probably self catering as two families together.

We are off to Seefeld Austria at New Year. It has downhill skiing, including a particularly good beginners area in the middle of town. Plus it has fantastic cross country trails, although there is a risk of insufficient snow (on the cross country trails) at New Year. Previously we have been there in late Jan or Feb half term. There is also good 'winter walking'. It is also a very family friendly village, with lots on, and only 30 mins on the train down to Innsbruck.

Thank you! That sounds great. We only need one of winter walking and cross-country to be OK at that time of year.

Ooh I've quite fancied Seefeld as I am mainly a cross country skier. Are there any companies that do Esprit style childcare there?

Hmmm I've looked at Seefeld and there's no skiing for 3yo and our poor DD has been in ski nursery for 3 years so maybe I'll investigate when she's 4, seems a bit mean to put her in nursery again!

I've never done cross country so don't know much about it, but when we were in Puy St Vincent this year there seemed to be loads of cross country trails, and a lot of walkers too. Snowbizz is based there, their childcare was brilliant for 3-4 year olds.

I've previously rejected Puy St Vincent as it didn't have enough cross country. Less than 50km if I remember correctly which is about 2.5 days worth before you strip out the black runs.

Seefeld has had a couple of dreadful years for cross country ski conditions, but it would tick all the boxes for cross country and winter walking if the conditions are good.

Finland?

Ruka in Finland was amazing. One of my top 3 ever... there were a few pretty steep blacks, but the other activities and the setting was bloody amazing. The amount of snow could make you weep with joy and it was MUCH cheaper than France. I'd go again but the dates don't land well.

No one goes to Puy for an extensive ski area. We skied the entire area (downhill) in a couple of days.
You go for the excellent childcare/ski school, convenient, compact resort (everything is ski in/out) and comparative low cost.