Please recommend a ski destination, 3DC aged 11, 7 and 2

[NewbieOnHolidays]

we fancy a week (in France probably, by Austria could be an option maybe?).
The plan is to drive there and do self catering in a basic accommodation. I don’t do skiing and will be entertaining 2yo. 11yo and 7yo can do 2h skiing lessons a day and maybe spend some time with DH skiing.
ideally we want everything close by, a swimming pool is a must, maybe some hot springs pool in driving distance for a day trip, some non skiing entertainment/tourist attractions and something for me to do with 2yo as I guess the LO will be bored there (maybe a village with shops?).
where would you go? Thinking of 23rd December-2 Jan dates.
Are places like this exist?
many thanks

If you are driving you could go almost anywhere. Most French and Austrian resorts are within 14 hours of Calais, but with small children you might want to split the journey into two legs. Even northern Italy is within range if you do this.

The biggest challenge will be finding somewhere to stay. Good quality, reasonably-priced self-catering accommodation sells out months in advance, particularly for Christmas/New Year. You could look at a company like Sunweb, or the various tourist office websites for the resorts to see what is available.

@Havanananana thank you, yes, found sunweb already and some cheap options there. I’m just not sure if need a big resort with lots of extras like ice skating, Christmas decorations, etc. but it would have too crowdy, noisy. Or maybe a smaller off beaten path place would have big enough slopes and we could enjoy nice and quiet nature, but worried about ski school/English speaking instructors availability in small places

Has anyone in the family skied before? If not, or not much, then a smaller, cheaper resort would work.

Many apartments complexes have a pool, which is great for entertaining the kids off the slope. Places like Pierre et Vacances, or MMV.

Resorts worth looking at are Les Carroz, Les Saisies, La Clusaz. All well set up for families, short drive from Calais and are not too big, busy or expensive.

Your 2yo will be happy with a snowy walk to grab a hot chocolate, sledging (you can hire/buy cheaply in resort) and swimming. Older kids will be busy skiing in the day and will be tired in the evening. A pool is good, plus bowling alley/ice rink type activities a couple of evenings. Take a few travel games for the evenings. You can often borrow/hire games from the apartment reception, or hire a fondue or raclette set.

Worth looking on the snowheads forum for further suggestions.

Don't worry about English-speaking instructors in Austria - almost all speak English (and kids are great at playing "follow-the-leader").

Yet again I'll post this link:

>www.mumsnet.com/Talk/skiing/3893018-First-time-skiing-how-does-it-work
and the post from @TeetotalKoala about 9 posts down.

You’d be much better going at Easter if you can with this family set up. Personally I think Christmas is the worst time for learners and certainly for the 2 yo. It’s not snow sure, its cold, days are short and evenings dark, it’s super busy, you want to try to create a festive atmosphere which isn’t always a big deal in many European resorts. You could look at Les Menuires or Avoriaz if you’re set on it!

@Havanananana

I love that you always refer back to that post and my post (I've since NCed). It makes me smile everytime. Thank you.

OP, I stand by my Rauris recommendation. It was recommended to us as somewhere great for families and beginners. And it delivered.

There's a couple of apartment complexes that have pools. Carpe Solem is directly on the slopes and Schönblick Mountain Resort and Spa is over the road, closer to the centre of town. There's also Hotel Alpina which is further from the main lift, but only a 2 minute drive away.

Two terrific ski schools in resort, an accessible nursery slope area where local families also sled with little ones, and there's a 2km long toboggan run if you're feeling daring. You can get the chair lift directly up to it. You hire the toboggans from a superb pub/restaurant there. Perfectly fine for your 2 year old to do the run with you.

Ski schools meet at one of the mountain pubs at lunchtime so once your children progress up the mountain it would be possible to take your youngest on the lift to meet them up there and have lunch/play in the snow. One of them has a climbing frame which provided entertainment for my two. My two are pictured at it below.

We'll be there ourselves over Christmas and there is still accommodation available on Booking.com at both CS and SMR&S, though any cheap deals have now passed by.