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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

Teens want to go skiing

27 replies

theoldhasgone · 22/01/2023 13:47

We are looking ahead to December 2023. Our teenagers (who will be nearly 17 & 19 then) would love to go skiing. Although DH and I have been skiing / snowboarding several times in the States and Canada when we were younger, we have both had chronic fatigue for years now and can't tolerate a lot of exertion. That plus the pandemic means we have never taken them skiing and they have never been skiing with school. We'd love to give them this experience, we just need to make it work.

DS is sporty and picks things up quickly, but not socially confident. DD is very anxious and not even slightly sporty, but wants to try. One of us would probably attend at least one or two lessons with them til they get the hang of it but DH and I can't be out all day or anything.

I'm looking for recommendations for friendly resorts (in Europe) that might be suitable for us, and what to look out for, including likelihood of snow. We don't want to embarrass the kids since lots of people their age have been skiing all their lives. Thank you in advance, you knowledgeable people.

OP posts:

Mamoun · 22/01/2023 13:50

Pralognan La Vanoise

Small family resort with lots of easy slopes.
Lots of beginners and no horde of 20 something zooming down!

Cheaper too as relatively small but perfect to begin with. Lots of nice walks too.

AreOttersJustWetCats · 22/01/2023 13:53

December isn't a good month for reliable conditions in the Alps. Any reason why early 2024 wouldn't be possible?

Also - I've never seen a parent attend ski school with their child, so not sure whether that will work!

Otherwise, I'd look at the ski towns which have more about them than just the resort. E.g. swimming pools, spas etc. The purpose built resorts wouldn't have much for your DH and you to do while the kids ski.

babyyodaxmas · 22/01/2023 13:55

I'd go Austria, possibly Sallbach or Zell am See, loads to do for non skiers and excellent ski school.

FlounderingFruitcake · 22/01/2023 14:05

A big high altitude resort will give you guys non ski things to do and be as snow sure as you can get for Europe. In France maybe Tignes, Val d’Isere, Val Thorens, Avoriaz could be worth a look. I don’t have Austria/Italy recommendations but I’m sure other people will!

I’d book the teens into a week of beginner lessons preferably with an English ski school and at their ages they’ll no doubt pick it up quickly- it’s not embarrassingly late to learn at all, plenty of people start much older. Don’t accompany them to their lessons, people don’t even do that with their 5YOs so that would be a bit cringe! Unless you mean that you’d plan to share a private instructor? Although private lessons wouldn’t be my first choice when you’re more experienced but they have a lot more stamina- it’ll be a bit of miss match not to mention very expensive.

Also, if you have one nearby then a few lessons for the teens at an indoor snow centre are worth their weight in gold to get a feel for the equipment and learn the basics.

Original poster

theoldhasgone · 22/01/2023 14:13

This is all great advice. Thanks so much. Just thinking Dec becuase one will be at school and one at uni, so finding a 'slot' won't be easy except for Christmas hols.

OP posts:

Haus1234 · 22/01/2023 14:16

Could you pay for them to go in their uni ski trips? Apologies if I’m getting the wrong idea here but it doesn’t sound like you or your partner will enjoy this holiday much.

DistrictCommissioner · 22/01/2023 14:20

We’ve done two ski holidays with kids & both times have just booked private lessons for me & the kids - I was a 37 year old beginner. ESF charge the same price for a group of 3-5 people. I can’t compare it to having booked 4 lots of group lessons for us but it’s been a very effective way for us.

ForeverWeBlend · 22/01/2023 14:22

December is usually not good for skiing- so book the highest resort you can. Something like alpe d'huez. Book the DC into ski school for the week. They'll make friends, be able to ski all day, be taught properly and it will take the pressure off you.

HoisttheMainSail · 22/01/2023 14:46

I would go to high up in Austria and get private group lessons. But actually group lessons may be OK as well.

I found the Austria. Ski schools much nicer than the French - sorry for the massive generalisation! In
my experience they were a lot more fun and kinder to beginners. Also the Austrian apres ski is great fun.

StaringAtTheWater · 22/01/2023 17:37

In December pick somewhere high for the best chance of good snow.

ESF (the French ski school) can be a bit mixed in terms of instructor enthusiasm and quality! If you want your children to have the best chance of enjoying it, you might want to consider one of the smaller ski schools like New Generation or Oxygene (check on their websites what resorts they cover)

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 22/01/2023 19:23

How about squeezing a trip to centre parcs in Holland (kempervennen) which has an indoor ski slope with real snow and kit to hire. Quite reasonable, you can relax and they can see if it's for them? We love it there for a holiday anyway

NameOchangeO1 · 23/01/2023 06:29

Seconding the Austrian suggestion. The three times I've skied before Christmas have all been in Austria and the snow has been good; some years they do have to make snow but if you go high up they start the season quite early. The ski school in Obergurgl for example runs group classes for adult beginners if that's what you would all prefer. Otherwise they'll arrange a private lesson for you.

Rainydayparade · 23/01/2023 06:57

If you’re concerned enough to want to attend lessons with them then I would book private lessons and leave them to it. Where we are, in Tignes, EVO 2 run discounted private lunchtime lessons which we’ve had a lot of success with. They are only 90 mins and in between group lessons so cheaper than normal. We’ve had a few beginner friends stay with us and they’ve all done really well with the shorter, personalised lessons and then practicing either side of it.

We’ve had 5 different friends be complete beginners and everyone has been confidently skiing blues in 3 days this way and not stuck on group lessons for half a day skiing to the slowest person.

For December you would need a high resort like Tignes/ Val Thorens to guarantee good snow. Also look for non skiing activities that you might enjoy if only skiing for a little bit. Also good pedestrian access to restaurants on the mountain to meet up with skiers and still get a lovely mountain lunch.

picklesandtea · 23/01/2023 07:03

Look at Levi in Finland. Guaranteed snow but will be cold. Lots of beginner slopes and plenty to do other than skiing. Vastly cheaper than Alps

GradNonFashinista · 23/01/2023 07:08

You might be better off at Easter, end of march if that’s a possibility. Certainly from a snow point of view. I’ve often skied in France end of March and as long as you pick a high resort you’d be ok. I’ve skied in Tignes, val d’isere, chamonix (bit slushy in the afternoons), Les arcs and Courchevel at end of March.

depending on your budget though be aware there can be a massive difference between resorts for prices. Not just for lift passes but also for food if you’re eating out at lunch. We tend to go for a catered chalet as money wise it works out cheaper.

Havanananana · 23/01/2023 19:57

Saalbach has an excellent snow record for Christmas. Even this year, when there was not too much snow around, the snow-making capabilities made sure that there was plenty of skiing to be had. In Austria, altitude is less important than snow making, and Austrian meadows only need a few cm of snow to be skiable, whereas the higher resorts in Austria and France have rocky terrain that requires a much deeper snow cover.

There is no point attending any of the ski lessons with the teenagers. Whether you choose groups or a private lesson (they can share a private lesson for the same price) your presence will be a distraction for both the kids and the instructor. Almost instructors in Austria speak excellent English.

If you are close to an indoor ski centre in the UK, it might be worth doing a "ski in a day" course before committing to a full holiday. £150 or so spent in Milton Keynes, Hemel or Castleford might be worthwhile - it will either give the kids a head start and confirm that they like it, or if it goes the other way and they hate it, you've saved £4,000.

LIZS · 23/01/2023 20:00

If you can afford it Engelberg is a relatively small pretty village with non ski activities, but has a glacier so snow sure. The weekend before Christmas it hosts the ski jumping event.

Divebar2021 · 23/01/2023 20:07

The ski schools I’ve done in Austria were morning and afternoon while France was morning only. Not sure how universal this is. The Austrian system made it a bit difficult for me to meet my group of friends who would have otherwise met me in the afternoon. Don’t assume they all operate the same way and think what will work for your family…. I was in my 30’s by the way.

Original poster

theoldhasgone · 24/01/2023 15:17

Thanks so much all. I have booked them in for lessons at a dry slope over Easter. We'll see after that!

OP posts:

WinterMermaid987 · 24/01/2023 15:24

It go for Easter or late March tbh then if you’re not skiing it’s lovely sitting in warm sunshine enjoying drink at the slopes longer days or taking a gondola up for the view. Some resorts have music festivals like rock the pistes at Avoriaz in March. December is cold and short days not much fun for a non-skier.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 29/01/2023 17:12

What’s your budget?
one of the higher altitude club meds could work well for you - lessons are included so your dc can learn together, but there’s also walks, yoga, indoor pools etc for your and your DH.
this Christmas went on sale last week though so prices will already be going up.

Radiatorvalves · 08/02/2023 18:54

I’d aim for first week of Easter hols…will be fab. They will probably need a full week of morning lessons. You could join them a bit in the afternoon. Enjoy!

skilikeagirl · 09/02/2023 09:21

I learned in my 30s, there is no shame not skiing as a child! They will pick it up fast.
Unless you have other reasons I would book your trip at Easter. It is not popular with the French for example who are much fussier when they go, so generally a bit quieter assuming you can get the lessons. I am not sure a dry slope (difficult and painful to fall on) plus a Christmas trip (icy, dark and with few resorts truly snow sure) is the best introduction to skiing.

May09Bump · 09/02/2023 09:42

Avoriaz, France is great - has a community pool (a bit like center parcs). Sledding is great there too. We use Evolution2 for lessons - we do mostly private and they have always been kind / understanding with my children. It's a good starter experience - we ski in February, have done Christmas also but snow can be temperamental then.

I would book some UK indoor SKI lessons first to make sure they like it, and if they do maybe some more approaching your holiday. Dependent on how active your teens are - maybe build in more exercise a couple of months before the holiday to increase stamina.

For you / your husband plenty of seating next to the slopes and restaurants with balconies. They have lots of horse sleds to help you round the village if needed and escalators up to the top rows of accommodation - but you are probably best booking closer to town.

OsmiumPhazer · 20/02/2023 18:03

I am in my mid fifties and tried skiing for the first time last year, and went again this year. In regards to the ages of the beginners groups no one really cares, there were twenty somethings and older in my group, and everyone tends to support each other I find.

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