Long weekend for first time teens

[phoebemcpeepee]

My OH is hoping to take our 2 teens skiing for the first time next year for a long weekend in Thursday - Monday in February as they have a 2 Inset days before half term. Is 4 nights enough? Budget isn't huge so big French resorts are out and accommodation can be pretty basic as long as it's near the slopes and clean. Any resort or accommodation recommendation? I assume flying is best for a short trip but will consider driving and can add a day for travel.

For context, DH is quite a decent skier but hasn't been for years and both dc have been indoor skiing a few times and loved it but never done the real thing. I hate skiing & finances aren't unlimited so am having a blissful weekend to myself.

Oh and the most important question, where to go for good skiing in mid feb?

The Feb school trips seem to do Italian alps for best value. All my DC went to Italy ( 3 different schools, 4 different reports).
Most of them will guarantee snow on at least some slopes.

You have chosen possibly the most expensive time of year to go. And I don’t think 4 days is enough to learn to ski properly. In a usual week long ski holiday it’s usually at the end of the week when things “click” .

A cheaper option would be to go to a ski resort and use their brilliant toboggan runs - no skill required, just a bit of bravery, and all it requires is a lift ticket as opposed to lessons, ski hire etc. Austrian resorts like Seefelden, Rauris and Zell am See are some you might look at

In fact Thurs-Mon Will only allow 3 days in the slopes as Thurs and Mon will basically be travelling. Also best check on Covid related requirements - Will kids be fully vaccinated?

Try Les Coches or Les Arcs. Nice small resort, ski in, ski out not expensive.

Mid Feb you should be fine pretty much anywhere in the Alps for snow. I wouldn't drive for a long weekend, we normally do for a week and it's okay but that's a week in resort with a day travelling either side.

I only really know anything about French resorts, would recommend you looking at some of the lower down resorts if having a huge ski area isn't a requirement - maybe Samoens or Morillon - good access to a reasonable size area and good value.

You need to look for snow sure, good beginner runs and wherever will accept their vaccine status on lifts and in restaurants. Austria and Germany seem more restrictive than France for example. Short transfer, maybe La Plagne, Les Arcs or Alpe d'Huez via Grenoble.

skizoom.com/ski-holidays-search?short_transfer=no&destiantion[]=France&departure_airport=LGW%2CLHR%2CLTN%2CSTN%2CSEN%2CLCY&departure_date=10%2F02%2F2022&number_nights=5&number_adult=1&number_child=2&child1age=12&child2age=12&child_ages[]=12&child_ages[]=12&include_flights=yes

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Vallorcine is lovely

A long weekend isn’t really enough if they don’t already ski

For a long weekend I would look into Scotland, we took ours to Cairngorm mountain when they were teens

Does depend where in the UK you live. We are in Kent, we can be in Chamonix quicker than Fort William.

Well thanks for the quick responses (& links) that's brilliant. We are hoping they can fly out early on Thursday possibly even late Wednesday so have 4 full days and will look at the suggestions

Les Gets good for beginners, easy slopes and some nice blues

Do book at least one day, or two half day private lessons, even if they have been on indoor slopes. The mountain terrain and conditions handle very differently to artificial snow and an instructor can help guide them around suitable runs and familiarise them with lifts.

Went to Acosta in Italy on a school trip as a beginner and had a great time.

*Aosta

@LIZS I think DH is planning ski school in the morning and free afternoons. unfortunately due to DH's work commitments in half term it's either long weekend or nothing and we did 3 days ski school at the big indoor snow place in Amsterdam and a couple of trips to Milton Keynes Snozone I wouldn't class them as complete beginners in that they can put skis on, get on a button lift and ski down a slope without any problem. My eldest was happily chucking himself down the top slope by day 3 so they'll be fine (skateboarders & very athletic helps - me less so hence not going !)

We are in the SE so not sure I'd want to risk the trip to Scotland as I know it's not quite as reliable snow wise. Both DC will be vaccinated by then but will check out current restrictions and make sure we have Covid cancellation insurance.

You might struggle to get a short booking during that peak period.. and will need to book v soon….

It is a bit short, but any skiing is better than no skiing.

Grand Bornand is super for beginners and a short transfer from Geneva. But flights will be pricey….

Good luck!

Look up a company called ski weekender. They specialise in Thursday to Monday weekends at a base in between Le Grand Bornand and La Clusaz and their prices include lift pass and sometimes tuition so are fairly reasonable, if there's any any availability left for those dates.

Have a look at something in the Aosta valley perhaps? For some Italian resorts you can fly to Turin and the flights don't leap like GVA. They are also sometimes prepared to offer weekends. Courmayeur might be worth looking at - not ideal for beginners but sounds like they will be on the blues pretty quickly so may be ok. I also think somewhere like Les Gets or Morzine could be an option but the weekend you've chosen might be tricky. Also Italy (last I looked) will give you a green pass with one jab, but France requires double jab or testing every 72h right now.

Just coming back to my post as I've read and been reminded that U16s are having just as much problem getting a green pass as in any other country because the issue is with the NHS app not yet working of course. To be honest, unless you fancy splashing out for Switzerland, if I had 12-16 age beginner skiers I don't think I'd bother this year. It is going to be a real pain sorting out all the covid testing . Maybe things will improve by Easter and you could book something late?