Family skiing in Easter - where is good for teens and a non-skiier?

[Itsnotdeep]

Hi, I'm looking for a family ski trip - my children aged 9-18, varying levels of skiing (but all want black runs!) and myself - I think I won't be able to ski due to a knee injury but would like to try cross country skiing and other activities. I am NOT a spa person!

we did have Norway booked for 2 years ago, but didn't make it due to Covid. Year before that we went on a Esprit holiday which was fine, but we didn't make use of the chalet or kids club and probably don't need that again.

I don't know where to start to find somewhere. I need to be reasonably priced this year but good for teens.

Easter is late this year so you need somewhere really high. Tignes or Val Thorens could work and have good variety of pistes but not sure what there is for non skiers to do.

Okay, so you need high slopes + a nice village. You have a few options, just off the top of my head:

• Ischgl (slopes are all above 2300m, but proper village down the mountain where everyone stays)
• 4 Vallees (particularly Courchevel 1850 or Val Thorens)
• Avoriaz/Morzine/Les Gets (Avoriaz for the high slopes, Morzine or Les Gets for a nice village for you to potter in)
• Val d'Isere/Tignes

There are others too with high slopes, depending on which country is your preference. There's a list here of the highest ski resorts in the Alps: www.skiresort.info/ski-resorts/alps/sorted/mountain-altitude/

I would focus on the skiing arrangements - are you happy with your children skiing independently or do they need some sort of guide? Assuming you want something I would like for an operator who accommodates teenagers without treating them like schoolchildren - we had a good experience with Crystal in Obergurgl but it was some years ago and I’m sure things will have changed.

I'll arrange a guide for the first 3 days at least. The youngest 2 will have to do lessons, and the other 2 would also benefit from them although they're resisting. I might arrange private lessons for them together - see how that goes.

I might go with a friend who is a good skier, and he likes skiing with them.

I've been to Saas Fee in previous years and also La Rosiere, but that was when the children were younger and we did more kids clubs kind of stuff. We often go in Easter as its too expensive in Feb half term with so many children. (And I prefer it not to be icy).

We went in 2019, but I can't remember where it was. Could have been Les Arcs! (the town not the skiing - we all had alot of fun).

Courchevel and VT are in the 3 valleys and if you’re going that late make sure you have decent access to VT.

The 4V are in Switzerland (Verbier etc)

Val d’Isere gets my vote if you don’t mind the long transfer.

The 4V are in Switzerland (Verbier etc)

Okay - fine - it is still called the Trois Vallees, but there is a fourth linked valley (Orelle), which you access from VT.

I can't work out the covid restrictions for Canada for my 9 and 14 year olds. But would love to go to Whistler.

Whistler is fantastic. Can't wait to go back, but restrictions for kids still exist (I think)

Yes I think it's pretty closed at the moment. I'd love to go though....

You really need to go as high as possible. Even Val will be slushy in the afternoons at Easter. Very pretty there and you can jump on a bus and explore the area a bit if you like. They do have a great gym and indoor pool (spa too 😬)

My teen dds want to go to Val d'Isere! I'd like somewhere I can do yoga too as I won't be able to ski much, if at all.

I’m sure they have yoga in val - it’s one of the bigger towns were people actually live. The sports centre is swish and prob has classes

Have you had a look at ClubMed? We tried the one at Serre Chevalier two years ago and liked it so much we are going back in Feb. Ski school included for anyone who wants it, guiding for the more ambitious skiers. Our adult DSs, experienced skiers, loved the guiding. Fabulous food and drink, all inclusive. I am now a non skier but loved just being in the hotel, canapés in the morning, crepes cakes etc at teatime. Lovely swimming pool (indoor!).
Don’t know about cross country, but at Easter you would probably want a higher resort. Arc 2000 has a ClubMed and cross country trails.
ClubMed looks expensive but when you count the inclusions, lift pass, lessons etc, no need to pay for expensive snacks and drinks it is great value.

Most of the cross country ski routes are in and around the villages so I wouldn’t bank on them being great or even open at Easter.