Just a bit more comfortable than snowbizz

[taybert]

We’ve skied with snowbizz for a few years and on the whole it works really well for us. We love the proximity and convenience of everything, we’re perfectly happy with the skiing and the kids enjoy ski school and kids club. Basically everything works really well but we just find the accommodation a bit uncomfortable. We’re happy with self catering and the size of the apartments but finding things like beds/pillows and sofas all a bit poor and the option to have an oven or grill would be a bonus.

I’m pretty happy to accept these minor inconveniences for another couple of years until the kids are a bit bigger and am hovering over the button to book again. My gut feeling is that snowbizz is good value and we’d be paying a lot more for a slight improvement in comfort, but I just wondered if I’m right about that. I don’t particularly want the added premium of catered and don’t want to be catching buses here there and everywhere with kids and ski kit.

So before I book does anyone have suggestions for good alternatives to look at?

Thanks!

Hi. Does it need to be a package and are you only going to France? I could recommend a few places nearby like Vars and Montgenevre . Would you consider Italy too?

Hi, thanks, a package just makes it all easier with lessons and childcare (children 8 and 6 next year so English ski lessons etc necessary) We like France but it’s not essential. I’ve heard bad things about slow Italian lifts but wouldn’t rule it out if a resort came recommended.

Thx for more detail.

I would recommend Hammeaux Des Airelles apartments in Montgenvre which is Southern Alps of France. A few package companies used to do not sure if they still do. Try Crystal? I know they have childcare at the apartments and at ESF and english speaking ESF instructors here.

There are some old lifts in some resorts in Italy but I would def recommend Italy for good value family ski. They also have some flashy new ones too. They love kids in Italy and really look after them.let me know if you would like some resort recommendations.

I would also recommend Montgenevre as a resort. You can book Le Hameau des Airelles (mentioned above) or Le Napoleon (even more luxurious) through Peak Retreats who are very family orientated. They also have some good luxury self catering options with pools etc in Val Cenis and La Rosiere.
We went with Snowbizz once and loved their childcare but were not so keen on PSV as a ski area and also wanted to book accommodation with a pool.

Following. We love snowbizz but feel the same as you. As does everyone we know who goes with snowbizz! Ha the holy grail would be identical to snowbizz but just slightly better accommodation.

The thing is that the accommodation isn’t so bad that I’d say I’m never staying there again, the main thing this time was being comfortable when trying to sleep, which would be managed by a couple of decent pillows! Wondering if I can squeeze some in to our luggage.

What’s montgenevre like? We drive through there and I always think it looks a bit odd, it doesn’t really feel like it’s up a mountain if you see what I mean!

Taybert - the skiing in Montgenevre is all above 1800m with much of it on north facing slopes and it has a very good snow record. The local slopes are more extensive than PSV and there is a good range of skiing for all abilities above and below the treeline. You can not really take in the full extent of the ski area driving through. It is linked to Claviere which has several long tree lined reds. You can also ski one day in the milky way (Sauze etc) but that is not practical if you have kids in ski school and we usually find that there is enough skiing in Montgenevre/Claviere to keep us happy for a week. It also has very good ski schools and is good for family apres - eg. the Monty express roller coaster and the Durancia pool complex. We have found Montgenevre less crowded and better value than the more well known resorts in the Tarentaise and there are some really good self catering options. Val Cenis which I mentioned above is more like PSV if you want a more similar resort.

Thanks that’s really helpful. Time for some more research!

It's the childcare that makes snowbizz so incredible. The evening kids clubs and the nannies that look after them before ski school. does anywhre in Montgenevre have similar?

That’s the thing I think- as far as I can see snowbizz is pretty unique in what it provides at that sort of price range. I guess the comfort in the accommodation is the price you pay. I’ve had a look at a few other places and the flights, transfers and accommodation are coming in at about the same as the cost of everything with snowbizz (which includes more childcare)

I’m happy to rebook with them, we did love it and we’re pretty tight at packing so maybe the answer is a bigger bag and a couple of pillows!

I’m definitely going to keep the other resorts in mind for when the children are a bit bigger and we don’t need as much in the way of lessons/childcare etc.

Totally agree about the pillows 😂

Like your idea of one in the suitcase though!

Compared Esprit and it was £3k more for the same week 😱 lumpy pillows it is then!