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Ski and snowboarding

For ski chat, join the Mumsnet Ski forum. Check out our guide to the best resorts in Europe and our family ski holiday packing list.

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Original poster

Are we mad to book with Esprit????

51 replies

Lipstickmum · 25/10/2007 18:53

We're a family of 4 who went on our first ski holiday earlier this year, to Val d'Isere with Mark Warner. It was a brilliant holiday, we went for 2 weeks and had very leisurely ski-ing. I had never ski-ed before but dp can ski well. At the time our children were 3.8 and 18 months, so they were just in the creche (we decided not to sign dd1 up for lessons, although she did potter on the nursery slopes a couple of times with her dad)

This years holiday we are just going for a week and need creche facilities but are very keen for dd1 to start lessons, be familiar with ski's. I've read lots of threads and got a good idea of the companies people like etc. I think the one that will suit us is Esprit, but I've heard a range of reviews from great things to terrible stories of food poisoning etc. etc

The main reason I want to go for Esprit having looked at MW, Ski Famille and various others, is that I really want dd to be taught by a native English speaker. Esprit seem to be the only company who use English instructors, most of the others use the various companies based at the resort. While I was ski-ing, I observed quite a few ski groups with young English children and instructors without English as a first language and wasn't that impressed with what I saw a few times. I think when she's older it wont be such a big deal, but I want to try and get her first ski sessions as right as possible.

Also, lots of other companies seem to only take them a bit older and I don't want to do 1:1 tuition that seems a bit intense for 4 years old and I'm pretty sure she wouldn't like it!

Anyway, any tips or re-assurance welcome. happy ski-ing everyone

OP posts:

mamafraise · 30/10/2007 10:20

We went with Esprit last year and are undecided as to who to go with this year. We found the childcare excellent. Unfortunately we chose a pretty ropey property. My long complaint about the Terril Blanc in Tignes was almost totally ignored by Esprit. They clearly have a team geared up to dealing with complaints.

If we were to go again, I would ask for much more information about the room and hotel/chalet. I would also complain strongly to the rep in resort if things were not up to scratch.

We've been looking at the Alphubel aswell! Maybe going to a small privately owned property will provide better service.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 30/10/2007 14:18

Mamafraise, I've stayed at Terril Blanc in Tignes - what did you not like?

crunchie · 30/10/2007 19:26

AAAAAH I have had to change my skiing booking

We had booked Chalet Alba in Meribel with Esprit for 20th Jan, BUR DH has found out he may have a job starting on 21st Jan. SO we have change dit to 13th Jan in Val D'isere. Ducs de Savoie chalet hotel

Anyone been??

666uk · 30/10/2007 22:55

well i have just booked for la rosiere feb half term staying in the ferm d'elsa and yeah the prices are high but my 3 and 6 are booked into ski school

mamafraise · 31/10/2007 13:51

StripeyKSS - it was awful! The rooms were sold as refurbished, and clearly hadn't been. Actually, I don't even know when they had last been cleaned! The beds had collapsed, had filthy valences and not one sheet or duvet fitted any bed in the room. The balcony door didn't open, so we were stifled. A bathroom socket was hanging off the wall as was the shower attachment. The sink wouldn't drain. etc. etc. etc.

We were told they could do nothing about the door until I threw my toys and said we wanted to be moved - couldn't do, busy week. Miraculously a locksmith was found and the door was opened.

In the main reception, bar and restaurant was a pervading smell of drains all week. The staff wore filthy uniforms and frankly the Manageress had no desire to manage.

When I complained to the company they disregarded all of my valid complaints, focussing only on the balcony door, and gave me a refund of the balcony supplement!!

I was not after financial reimbursement - merely an understanding that our holiday accommodation was sub standard.

I am still angry and upset about it now!

Loopymumsy · 31/10/2007 14:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 31/10/2007 14:43

Sounds awful Mamafraise - it was nice when we stayed there. Just goes to show how different staff can make a difference (it was a manager there when we were there so must have changed).

mamafraise · 31/10/2007 16:23

What was interesting was that some of the other guests had been with Mark Warner previously and said there was little difference. I would expect much, much more for the extra grand!

If they could get it right at the Terrible Blanc they would do well as the location is second to none. Five minute easy walk to the slopes and the most amazing views.

Original poster

Lipstickmum · 02/11/2007 20:44

Ooh Mamafraise, sounds hellish! Our accommodation early this year with MW wasn't amazing, but not as bad as yours sounds and we did have a lovely time.
Crunchie, I have never been to the D de S chalet hotel, in Val, but we did stay in Val with MW in January. I enjoyed the resort, it was big and had stuff to do if you weren't into ski-ing all day. The slopes were good for us too, it was my first ski holiday, but by week 2 I felt confident to be on the blue runs and even a couple of reds if required!
By the way, we have booked... I'm apprehensive about saying where and with whom because someone is bound to come along and say it's terrible, and it's too late now!!

OP posts:

LIZS · 02/11/2007 20:50

Go on .....

mamafraise · 03/11/2007 23:02

Go on.....

crunchie · 04/11/2007 11:07

Go on ...

newgirl · 04/11/2007 11:22

reading this with interest as would like to consider espirit and i have a 5 year old

i would add that the mw resort in austria was better than the cygnaski one so it might be a consideration - it also had a very short transfer - 1.2 hours rather than the 3 hours to val disere

the mw nannies accompanied the kids to lessons - no idea if they stay - i must find out

the instructors i had in austria were austrian and their english was exceptional and i had great teaching so i can only imagine the ones teaching the kids would be similar - although of course they all smoke!!

Original poster

Lipstickmum · 09/11/2007 19:02

Ok, we booked with Crystal going to Flaine. There was a review in the Independent on the 20th October 'Five Best Family Ski Resorts'. It sounds like a fairly concrete place, it has a very modernist, Bauhaus architectural style, but lots of children playing on the slopes and has all the other things one may need; pool, ice rink. A friend has been and described it as "ugly, but great slopes!". So, we'll see how it goes! Suffice to say I am investigating next seasons ski holiday to avoid last-minute disappointment! Now, we've booked I can't wait to go. The other plus, is that Flaine is only 1 hour from Geneva. When we went to Val, both girls were sick on the coach at the start of the 3 hour journey to the airport going home

OP posts:

LIZS · 10/11/2007 09:41

I've always fancied going there , seems fairly compact skiing wise and snow sure. Trouble is I prefer resorts with more traditional character

Original poster

Lipstickmum · 11/11/2007 19:15

I agree Lizs, something more traditional might feel nicer. I'm quite interested to see what Flaine is like as a place though. As this is only our second ski holiday, we're going to be experimenting with quite a few different resorts before we find the ones we want to keep going back to, that's half the fun!!

OP posts:

scarymamma · 03/12/2007 14:06

We've just booked our 3rd holiday with Esprit - we really like them. We always book late and get a discount. The only problem with doing that is that we've had some long trips to airports! When we've been Esprit have used the local ski school (Evolution 2 in La Rosiere). The instructors have all been locals but with a very high level of English and really good with the kids. All the chalet and child care staff have been English and our 2 have really enjoyed the childcare. The food the first time we used Esprit was superb, the 2nd time it was disappointing (it was a little overcooked and I can certainly do better myself).
The chalets aren't the height of luxury but we had everything we needed (food, wine, snow and a comfy bed!)

ladyhelen2 · 08/01/2008 12:20

Am hoping to resurect this thread as I am on the verge of booking to go the w/c 26th Jan, possibly with Espirit or with Crystal to one of their family club hotels. Anyone got any recommendations or ones to avoid? I used to work for crystal as a chalet girl (anyone want to own up to going to COurchevel in 01/02 with crystal when I worked there????)and so know the ins and out of chalets but not so club hotels when travelling with a 2.5 year old little boy!
Thanks and happy skiing if anyone just about to go.

wheelybug · 08/01/2008 12:46

Will follow this with interest. We were considering booking with esprit in March due to the fact dd could have a 'go'. However, having read around Mumsnet we have decided to leave Esprit well alone and to probably go with Skibeat who we have with before as they were great. The only downside being that dd will be too young for lessons but I don't think it is a big thing as she may have hated it anyway !
There's a huge difference when speaking to the two companies - I had to hold on for about 10 mins with Esprit, Skibeat just picked up the phone and they are all quite knowledgeable about the chalets and resorts.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 08/01/2008 14:22

I'm off with Esprit a week o Sunday to Plan Peisey. I quite like Esprit, never had a major problem with them, few niggles but I think thats the same on most holidays....

I would reccommend them. Do you want particular chalet recommendations??? If so then I think what is a good chalet one year could be not so good the next as it depends so much on the staff.

We stayed in Courcheval 1300 one year and the chalet was nice but the staff were a bit too keen on skiing and there was never any cakes at afternoon tea. So minor niggle. My favourite Esprit chalet was Mont Blanc in Montchavin. Huge big balcony/sun terrace and close to the lifts.

ladyhelen2 · 08/01/2008 16:56

I know how good staff can make or break it! I worked in Courchevel 1650. I was spoiled a bit and so am not keen on staying in 1550 or 1300 as a result. Espirit only do 1300 in Courchevel I think.
If anyone can recommend particular chalets or club hotels really based on child care in or out, closeness to slopes etc, state of repair and so on, thats what I'm looking for really I guess. Food and staff vary season to season. I just hope my guests went home happy! Most seemed to judging on the size of my tips!!!

Crunchie · 08/01/2008 21:03

If you can wait for a week or so I am off on Sunday to Val d'isere!!! Ducs de Savoie

Kids aged 6 and 8 in ski school having skied last year

ladyhelen2 · 14/01/2008 09:59

OK - have booked! We are going with Mark Warner to Les Deux Alpes to Chalet Hotel Berangere. The deal for the adults is fantastic. We are paying less than £500 for us. FOr DS who is 2.5years who we couldn't not take with us, its costing a small fortune but the decisive factor was child care availability. Anyone been? Either to that hotel or Deux Alpes?

Wonder if MW will live up to expectations.

Espirit had v little for the week of the 26th Jan and everything was flying from Gatwick which is too far for us.

Dadlooksafterkids · 29/02/2012 00:00

Were having an argument with Esprit. Does anyone out there have a copy of the preview brochure for 2012 ?

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 08/03/2012 17:10

See other thread re Esprit rip-off

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