Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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.

Where fits the bill?! Help!

8 replies

User65412 · 16/09/2023 21:52

Looking for advice. DH and I have only been once, to Tignes on a group holiday. Since then we've had 2 DC and are absolutely itching to go.
DC are 2 and 1
Grandparents don't ski and are coming to do childcare so needs to plenty to do. Another couple without kids might come as well, also beginners.
Not keen on lots of transport, looking for ski in/out maybe? Or do we not need this?
The one time we went we had a catered chalet and it was amazing. Do we need this or not? I'm struggling to imagine 2 little ones in a hotel...is an appartment best?
We are still beginners I guess though DH can do blacks. I prefer blues and easy reds.
Where do we go?!
Thanks

OP posts:
NegativeCreeep · 16/09/2023 22:31

Morzine or Avoriaz

RhubarbFairy · 20/09/2023 22:44

Ski in/ski out often isn't great for complete beginners as it's naturally on a slope.

We stayed here over Christmas week last year.

www.booking.com/Share-nQjGuZ

Rauris is a dinky resort, but it is good for beginners and intermediates. The link is an aparthotel, so self-contained apartments (our 2 bed one was huge), but all the facilities of the hotel, so restaurant, swimming pool, child-free spa. It's in a lovely little town. There's not loads else to do, but at that age, I imagine the children's days will be filled with sledging on nursery slope, lunch, nap, swimming. The nursery slope is directly next door and free to access by anyone.

The mountain is very accessible to non-skiers, I skied past many a dog walker. So if the grandparents felt up to it, they could get the gondola up to the 'middle station' (first stop) and either meet you at the pub there for lunch, or walk along a lovely,fairly flat blue, to the next pub. They could then get the chair lift down from there and have a flat walk back to the hotel. Or if they were feeling adventurous, they could take the toboggan run down.

You won't need any transport at all once in resort. We got the train from Salzburg and then the local bus from the train station, but a taxi back to the station on our return. It's just over an hour on the train, or about a 90-minute drive. Once you're there, the slope and gondola are literally on the doorstep. The pool and spa look out over the nursery slope.

It's not huge, but it's very pretty, and the charm of the traditional Austrian town might well suit your non-skier requirements. However, if you enjoyed Tignes, then it might be too small for you.

Alternatively, Les Arcs. Though I can't comment on accommodation other than in 1800. The skiing is absolutely perfect for you, and an email today told me that Arc 1950 is celebrating its 20th anniversary this coming season, so there's loads of things planned there. However, your non-skiers may feel a bit trapped if you stay there. 1800 has more going on and a big public pool, but it's still very much a French mega resort, so I'm not sure how well it's set up for non-skiers. Staying in 1600 would give easy access for the funicular back down to Bourg.

letmesailletmesail · 20/09/2023 23:13

To my mind, 6 people going on a ski holiday but just two skiing seems crazy. Could you just go for a long weekend and leave the grandparents at home with the DC?

ididntthough · 21/09/2023 01:33

Second Avoriaz, get an apartment with a pool at amara or similar? Or Morzine has a lovely town.
I do agree the two toddlers and grandparents in tow sounds like a lot of hard work. But I admit I have never seen the appeal of a snow holiday without skis on!
I would also consider your return to skiing alongside the need for some proper lessons, it could be risky as an adult learner to be straight into reds and particularly blacks in France with only a week experience a few years back. so I agree ski in ski out might not always suit.

User65412 · 21/09/2023 08:58

Thanks so much everyone. We actually do go for lessons every couple of months at the snowdome as we just love it so much!
Appreciate what you're all saying about ski in/out - I hadn't thought it might to too tricky as the one in tignes was great.
There definitely is the option to leave the kids, but if we do that we'd only be able to go for a short break. But open to suggestions on this too! That was our original plan but grandparents expressed how much they'd love to come for a snowy holiday. They are very active, loving hiking in all weathers with the kids etc. They are both recently retired and just want to experience the ski vibe without having to learn to ski!
So, any suggestions for a 4 night break for a couple of beginner skiers? Not complete beginners but I think as we've only been once we still come under that category!

OP posts:
User65412 · 21/09/2023 09:00

@ididntthough great point, thank you! We will definitely get some lessons out there and absolutely will not be heading for any blacks 😬

OP posts:
Lemonyfuckit · 21/09/2023 09:04

Was also going to suggest Morzine or Avoriaz, massive ski area, Avoriaz very snow-sure, and also lots to do for the non-skiers (Morzine better than Avoriaz in that respect as down the mountain). Much as I love ski in/ski out when skiing, it's probably not the best for the non-skiers in your group though, makes it a bit trickier for the grandparents getting out and about with the children.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread