Sociable skiing with teen ?

[rookiemere]

Hi we had a great ski trip this year but DH isn't a huge skiing fan so says he doesn't want to go next year. DS has just turned 12 and I'd really like to go with him next year as we both enjoy it, but think we might be a bit bored on our own.
Any chalets or tour companies we could go with that would have a bit of a social atmosphere for a teen - also ideally a bit of group skiing as DS is getting too good for me?
Unfortunately in the Feb school holidays, so ideally one that didn't cost megabucks would be good but probably impossible !.

I wonder if club med would do it?

Look at Colletts based in the Dolomites. Also, if your DH doesnt like skiing they also organise snow shoeing etc trips as activities for non skiers. Chalet or chalet hotel. Guided skiing available. We went with our teens one Feb halfterm - they both skied with the 'fast' group, lots of other teens, we skied with the 'slower' group - more coffee stops and admiring the scenery!

Very sociable dinners in the evening with family groups mixing together, so adult and younger person conversations, in-house bar etc

Be warned, they get lots of repeat bookings, so you need to book early for next year!

We went with Balkan holidays and they do a ski school package for 4 hours a day, so my 13 year old was able to meet other teens of the same ability. He loved it and is keen to go again.

rabbits I was going to suggest the same! But probably sold out for next feb...try Neil son they also go to the Dolomites and do hosted days out.

Oh goodie - some responses !

Don'tcallme - I had a look at club med, but the only Scottish departure they had was looking at £13k for the week which is about £10k higher than my budget.

Am going to have a look at Colletts and Balkan holidays and then Neilson.

13k! WTF. We are going with them and paying 4300 at Easter next year. Might be the time we're going isn't popular or something

That's for all 4 of us

Its feb half term prices dontcallme. we had an amazing week in Montgenevre at Easter - fab sc apartment , empty pistes, great flights for less than 1.5k for travel and transport for the 3 of us. Same holiday Feb half term in same accomodation coming out about 3.5k.

But Colletts - if they have availability - doesn't look too eye wateringly pricey at all. Also easyjet flights not released yet so if I get up at the crack of dawn I may be able to do it not too pricily.

Pull an all nighter

Agh - got really excited about Colletts - they have availability and the price isn't too bad at all.
However they say that under 18s need to have a parent or guardian in their ski group which means i'd need to ski with DS and that wouldn't be fun for either me if I was in the fast group or DS if he was in the slow group .

Oh, that rule from Colletts might be new - when we went, our two, who were 15 and 17 at the time (IIRC) were allowed to go in one group whilst myself and DH went in the other.

The definition of 'fast' and 'slow' does vary depending on who is there that week, and their abilities. I don't think the fast group were very fast, but they did more reds and blacks than the slow group who tended to stick to blues and reds and just be rather more leisurely.

Interesting I’d not come across that rule before and have definitely seen teens go off independently...I don’t blame them tbh - they aren’t instructors and it’s a big ask to take responsibility for someone else’s child. FWIW there aren’t that many black runs in the sella Ronda, the reds are lovely and my favourite run is a gorgeous long blue (and I ski in the fast group)...

I phoned them up to check and its a definite thing. However they said I might be able to persuade someone else in the group to be responsible for him. He's not a risk taking skiier and is sensibly competent.

Because of that I'm a bit undecided - am also thinking we coukd do Morzine instead so he could go into New Gen teens ski instead.

I've not actually discussed this with DS at all yet - he may well not want to go skiing with his not so good DM anyway

Did you check availability??? I know Colletts normally fully booked aver a year in advance for peak times...might make the decision for you!

I was going to suggest lessons. In Tignes there's a great freerider academy and I'm sure others do that.

Outside of France guided skiing seems more common.

Petra - I did check availability and they have a room available and not too expensive either.
However have spoken to DS and he seems reluctant to go away for a full week, so I'm rethinking the idea and pricing up going away for 4 nights to Morzine where he could do ski school most of the day.

Come to Colletts...it’s great! How old is ds?

Pressed send too early....I believe ski school will do full days in peak season...

Baqueira Beret do part weeks

Interski?

I priced up Basquiet don'tcallme and it's coming in pretty pricey unfortunately as it does look fab.

DS is 12. I think Colletts would be fab, but as he seems a bit non-plussed about it and as there may be an additional expense of lessons, I'm just not sure. We're planning to go to NZ next Easter so ideally, I'd be able to put off booking until I know how much those flights will be - unfortunately if I don't get the Easyjet flights the minute they come out, it becomes fairly prohibitive cost wise. Mind you as the Colletts flights are to Venice they may not be as much if I wait.

Some fantastic ideas. Colletts is definitely on my radar if not for next year then definitely another time.

Thank you all.

Have pm’d you!