'First' family ski trip - December

[Zimmerzammerbangbang]

I can see this has been asked a lot but thought I'd try again with our particular set of circumstances.

DH grew up skiing and is a good skier (but hasn't skied in the ten years we've been together so may not still be looking for blackruns). We have DD 8 and DS 6 who have never skied. I have also never skied (and have two left feet).

Can anyone recommend somewhere for the week before Christmas (looks like we're too late for Christmas week generally) this year? Looking for a catered chalet ideally and French speaking if possible. DH accepts he's probably going to need to compromise on quality of skiing for him. I'm a reluctant skier and, whilst I don't want to spend a crazy fortune, I also would like to use a company that's going to mean a smooth, low stress experience (or I'll never go again). Doesn't need to be massive luxury though. Ideally somewhere where there's something for me to do after I break my leg on day 1.

We don't need flights. Ski lessons for all (and I want one-to-one for me rather than group!).

Any thoughts really appreciated! Thanks

Oh and LondonMummy we looked at FSC but they seemed to be aimed at slightly younger children plus the age ranges for the childcare meant my two would be in separate groups which I know would make them anxious (although they'd be fine in reality!).

Check out family friendly skiing. They are a fab company, you sort your own flights so that won't be needed, but they sort everything else out for you and you're in lovely catered chalets. They have their own ski instructor who can do 1:1 lessons and is fab! :-)

Oh just read your update about booking! Hope you have a fantastic time! It will be cold in December so make sure you all have thermals, long sleeved tops, fleeces and proper ski jackets/trousers and gloves :-) Layers are ideal so you can add to or take off, nothing worse than being cold.

We have been on holiday with Esprit a few times and our experience was that they were generous with the wine so I don't think you need to bring your own booze. You do need to provide snacks for kids and there will probably be a supermarket or you could bring your own. (Avoid chocolate for small people due to mess!)

Not to Make you second guess your decision to do group lessons but after a rather unhappy experience of group lessons (not on an Esprit holiday though) I now tend to have three days worth of private lessons at the start of the week. That is quite expensive though.

As to clothes I think there are some good what to pack for skiing threads on here.
Children tend to wear thermals and then salopettes and jackets and then may be a fleece too if it's cold. If your kids are small mittens are easier than gloves. I would have spares of mittens in case they get lost and also take some slipper socks for wearing in the chalet.

Have a lovely time!

Ski Dubai do lots of offers for residents. We have been a fair bit, and I don't pay anything near that. They also do interschool ski racing early Saturday mornings for when your kids start bombing it down in a few years 😏

Shame you didn't have lessons in Ramadan when I found it the cheapest, but keep a look out for offers? There's also a ski club that meet there I think that might be able to advise?

Glad you've gone with a company the first time, even if you never do again. It'll be easier.

Are you on British Mums Dubai? Second hand stuff comes up fairly regularly on there. But basically thin thermal leggings and tops, followed by a fleece layer top only, followed by an all in one suit or ski pants and jacket. Gloves, balaclava, at least four pairs of ski socks per person, snow boots, hat. Esprit give helmets for the kids so you don't need their own yet. You might be able to get thermals and fleece tops in Kathmandu cheap, but other stuff is more ski specific.

I did esprit once on a cheap deal and went and found a loca spa for sweets and snacks.

It could be cold. It could be warm.

I've skied at Christmas and it was -25, I've also been and there's been no snow except 'slip strips'. I'd go prepared for pretty cold, as in more than just a jumper each. I'd even take a balaclava as cold children get pretty miserable.

There are loads of packing lists on here.

We've been with Esprit three times and there's masses of wine, we never bought snacks for the kids either but ours have been nursery or Spritelets except this year.

Don't forget to buy neckwarmers. I like the 'turtle fur' ones, but you may prefer another type.

I like the ones with turtle fur and a cotton section. I can then have then right up over my head. can you tell I don't like being cold

Thanks. Have been checking out the other threads now. Hopefully we can get layers and hats in Nepal next weekend and then should be heading to France later this month so can hit a decathlon.

GinandToast we're actually not in Dubai (just saying that for simplicity!) but elsewhere in the UAE so SkiDubai not actually that convenient and the Facebook groups don't seem to sell anything non-ikea furniture based here! I'll keep my eye out for deals to SkiDubai though. Thanks for the tip.

Good news on the wine front :)

Which resort are you booked for? We've been with Esprit about 7 times with kids and agree that the chalet hotel in Courchevel is pretty good and Esprit were good with the kids every trip. They're fairly generous with the wine, whichever resort you go to. The chalet hotels will also have a bar to top you up if needs be.

Are your kids booked into the kids' club with Esprit? You might want a few days in the kids' club for them, they might be tired after their lesson and they do generally fun things with kids at that age.

We stock up with mini mars bars / lindt chocs etc. before we go, everyone gets a few in their coat pocket each day to snack on during the day - there can be lots of hanging around on slopes waiting for other people (kids or adults) during lessons.

If you're hiring equipement via Esprit, they'll provide helmets for the kids for free. They used to charge a supplement for adult helmets though, I don't know if that's still the case.

Decathlon would be a good place to stock up on ski wear. You might want a mini rucksack for each kid, to pop in a snack, spare gloves/ inner gloves and the suncream (if they go along to the kids' club). Otherwise you end up carrying it all, no fun!

We're in a Chalet at Puisney-Les Arcs. We stand a risk of no snow but (a) we're right by the chair lift and (b) Esprit have promised us (orally - will follow up in writing) that they'll move us if no snow.

Kids have mini-rucsacs we can use. Our Helmets now ordered for us. DH claiming we'll be hot and not need that much extra stuff (but also referencing C&A for a place for skiwear :) ).

Youngest has just thrown a paddy about bring away for Christmas. Apparently missing dog 2's second Christmas is not acceptable

How dressed up do people tend to get in the evenings? Do I need to just throw in a pair of jeans and a top and hope I don't actively smell or is it ballgowns at sunset?

Is that Plan Peisey, just down from Les Arcs? The Esprit chalets are amazing there. I went the year they opened, or maybe the year after. Great location, great hot tubs. You can get the huge gondela vanoise express thing over to La Plagne.

Oh and you just need jeans and a top. It's ultra casual, I mean maybe a bit of Boden type casual if you fancy pushing the boat out but plenty of people in bog standard t-shirts.

I've never had to buy my own wine with Esprit and used to drink myself under the table successfully every night.

There's a cheap Spa/Sherpa type place up the road from the chalets and people tend to buy a crate of beer each at the start of the week for a few pre dinner drinks. Kids seem to have unlimited juice but nothing fizzy but again you could buy it if needed. We always gave Dd a kit Kat a day to have in her pocket in ski lessons.

Thanks. It is Plan Peisey. Hot tub was one of my criteria for the chalet 😀

Which chalet have you gone for? We had the furthest one from the road, was a pita going up the steps every morning but worth it for the view across the valley from the hot tub. And you can keep your skis and boots in the locker room at the top chalet so at least you don't have to carry them up the steps.

Another vote for Tignes/val de s

It's perfect. High up. Amazing for beginner with huge green nursary slopes but also brilliant for long tree lines blues, reds and the odd black

We went this year and it's by far the best place we've been. We generally go in February though so we can enjoy some sunshine. December skiing is bleak

Went for the one at the top, partly because of the stairs but also for the in-house childcare. Decided to push the boat out this time

I'm sure you'll have a great time.