**Please Help**

[imdad]

My wife and I skied had a few ski holidays for a period of five years. This was 10 years ago! I went as a child on a regular basis and have been a few times in recent years but my wife feels like she literally wishes to start to learn again!

She is not overly bothered about skiing but would like our children (7&3) to have the chance to learn. I love it and she is probably only going as she knows I love it so much!

During February half term we’re looking at finding a place to go for four days - three days on slopes. Hopefully my daughter (7) can have a few short lessons, my son (3) can enjoy a small lesson/snow park type session with my wife being able to watch over them whilst I have a blast in the mornings. During the afternoon we plan to spend time together - either messing around on nursery slopes or off the slopes. Maybe my daughter and I could try a very easy, gentle green run or two if she can pick up some VERY basic moves....

Does a resort like this exist? Am I just being silly and should I just go on my own for a few days without family?

Some have suggested Scotland as lots to do if the weather is not great and it is poor snow but that’s the whole point - there would need to be snow!

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

It's quite hard to find short breaks in the school holidays, but Italy or Austria are more likely than France. Austria is also great for kids lessons.

My son learned in Seefeld at 3 and Zauchensee at 4. It's possible, but be prepared that the children might not like it. My daughter was not a fan at all at 3. Too slippy'. And she's a tree climbing rollercoasting daredevil normally.

We didn't book via a tour company as the prices were ridiculous.

Just find a resort where there are things to do for non-skiers and it will be fine. Don't go without them!!

My son could ski after a couple of lessons at 3 by the way. And was much better and fast than me when he was 4.

Courcheval is good for beginners and has plenty of non-skiing fun.

Alpe d'Huez would also be suitable, personally I prefer it.

Both resorts have all of the usual ski schools.

Club Med Morzine/Avoriaz. Great for kids and lots to do otherwise if they're not up for it. Also ski in/out.

Check if a resort in France does lessons for 3yr old though

Have a look at St gervais in France - very short transfer from Geneva, quiet slopes, it’s excellent

We went to Folgaria for a couple of days last Feb. It was lovely and not too cold so little ones might enjoy it more?

We really struggled last year to try and find a short break during peak times, all the accommodation had to be booked sat-sat
We ended up going for a full week, we went to les arcs which has a nice greeen nursery area and lots of lesson availability

Scotland is expensive and can be miserable if it’s windy/cold - remembering that most of the slopes are north facing (I say that as someone who loves aviemore so much I was married there). Andorra - in particular El Tartar is good fun and family friendly - and if it all gets to much, get the bus into Andorra La Vella where it will be much milder for shopping and cafes.

Are your dc quite resilient to cold OP?

I imagine Scotland had been suggested as it would be fairly straightforward to book a few days in hotel etc. The larger European resorts mainly operate on whole weeks. I have done long weekends in some of the Maritime Alp resorts - Isola 2000, La Foux D’Allos, Auron.... not sure what is there other than skiing/boarding. We went to ski and that is what we did!

Sorry, posted too soon. Scotland had very unreliable weather, and can be extremely cold! The Maritime Alps tend to be a bit warmer (you fly to Nice).

We’ve struggled to find anywhere for less than a week before but one place we’ve been to a few times is the Hotel Christiania in Les Gets. They have family rooms and do short breaks and also offer airport transfers. Admittedly, DH and I went there for ski weekends without children and haven’t tried it with, but I’m still on their email mailing list and they’re still offering short breaks. It’s a nice short transfer from Geneva Airport and a lovely resort. There are at least 2 ski schools there so worth finding out what they offer for younger children.

French resorts do ski lessons for three year olds - mine all started at 3 or 4, and 7 is the ideal age to start IMO. Agree it's hard to find a short break though - would you consider a full week?

How close are you to a snow dome? We took our 4 year old and 6 year old in January just as a bit of a try to see how they got on - the 6 year old absolutely loved it but the 4 year old not so much, as she didn’t do well in the cold (she didn’t enjoy all of the snow we had this winter as much as the eldest either!!). We will probably take them skiing next March/early April when the weather is a lot warmer but will have a few lessons at the snow dome first so they have an idea of what to do - it takes time for them to get used to putting boots and skis on etc so you may find that 3 days skiing isn’t worth it!

We went to chamonix last Feb and it was awesome. My dh can ski but me and dcs couldn't, booked lessons etc and such a great place, lots to do in afternoon or if you don't want to ski as much, dcs loved it, I am not a natural so I sat in cafe/bar most days on slopes and watched, then we all had lunch then chilled in town in afternoon. Loads of places the eat in evening and we booked air b&b so cooked a couple of nights. Expensive though but worth it. Enjoy

I think the issue would be finding a skischool willing to do shorter courses over half term, and they eill charge almost as much. Most run a full week's lessons from Sunday/Monday. Would you be prepared to pay for private lessons? Also check local holidays as Feb can be chaotic if French, Austrian , Swiss and Dutch children's winter break coincides. In your situation look at smaller , less internationally popular resorts although you may then find language more limited. For example we did do similar in Engelberg (Switzerland) one year.

Esprit do good holidays with little children.

I would aim to do a full week rather than 4 days though.

I also think you should up your expectations. I spent a morning going down greens with my 3 year old on her first trip (Courchevel). A seven year old should have no issues!

Elmau in Austria would be perfect for this.

You'd struggle to get a 4 day holiday in Feb half term, better to bite the bullet and go for a week as flights, lessons and ski hire are all set up for that length of time.

Montgenevre is a lovely resort for beginners but also has loads of intermediate skiing. Fly to Turin and either hire a car or get a transfer. We stayed at the Mmv apartments and they have an outdoor heated pool and sometimes activities like crepe making for DCs. Would recommend

If at all possible don't go over February half term. If you are only going for 4 days could you make it a long weekend. Does your son have any inset days over the winter season? You'll all have a much more pleasant time outside of the school holidays.