Ski/snow holiday

[shivbo2014]

I was hoping for some advice, please! We are thinking of booking to go to Morzine in February half term. I have never been skiing, nor have the kids partner went about 20 years ago. I don't really want to put the kids in a ski school all week. I wanted to spend the time as a family, maybe doing other activities. I'm not sure what, though? Sledging, husky rides, that kind of thing, maybe? I have absolutely no clue about these kinds of holidays. I'm a lie on a sun lounger for 2 weeks in Greece, kind of holidayer usually. I was thinking of booking some family lessons at Hemel Hempstead snow centre and see how we go but is there an option of skiing a bit and doing other activities in Morzine or is there anywhere else anyone could recommend. We do want it to be a ski resort as my partner would definitely like to sk and the kids, and I would want to try as well. Sorry for the rambling. I'm just feeling totally clueless!

I’m not sure if you’ve booked already but if not can I suggest you look at Lapland?

I haven’t been but am looking at it for Feb half term, there are ski resorts there, they are pretty small and unchallenging compared with the Alps but perfect for beginners and people who want to dip in and out.

Also plenty of other activities like huskies whereas Alpine ski resorts are much more limited on other activities (if you’re lucky there’s a pool and an ice rink).

I have been to Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz a few times. We are going to Avoriaz over new year. It’s a lovely area. My favourite of the three is Les Gets. There is a lovely children’s ski area through an Indian village with Wigwams and obstacles. My children love it. Both my husband and I could ski pre children (me not so well) and we booked 2 hrs lessons a day each morning for 5 days with a private ESF instructor. We have done this several times since, it’s also good to get to know a few runs you feel happy doing. My youngest was 5 when she started and didn’t have any issues with the private lessons rather than ski school. The only is thing now I have to let them go off with the instructor as they are skiing blacks which I will never do!

Also Feb half term 2024 is going to be crazy busy in the Alps because every skiing European nation has school holidays at the same time (usually at least one of the Germans or Italians or Parisians are out of sync with us)

Agree with others. The current plan sounds like a crazy expensive and busy way to have a few soggy hours playing in the snow or seeking out a deeply average but completely packed swimming pool! If you arent convinced, I’d wait until the kids are 6+ then go all in for skiing mornings daily. Perhaps start at Easter when days are warmer, prices lower and many Europeans have hung up their skis for the season. You won’t regret it!

Thanks so much for the Lapland reccomendation. That actually looks like a really good option! Skiing seems to be less of the focus but we can give it a go and the rest of the time we can do the other snow activities!

Levi seems to be the main ski resort and ski lessons are 1.5 hours in the morning I think so plenty of time for other stuff. I warn you though it is cold!!

Oh and I agree with pp that if you want a more ski focused/Alps holiday then first week of Easter hols is the way to go with kids, it’s less busy, sunnier and cheaper than Feb half term. But pick somewhere high and with a good snow record - not Morzine.

A Kinderhotel in an Austrian ski resort at Easter would be a good option. These hotels are geared towards families with children and have heaps of activities and childcare offerings. Easter in 2024 falls very early, so is not the risk that it would be if it fell at the end of April when good snow cover would be less certain.

Given the choice, for a first holiday I'd choose Easter over half-term (which will be expensive and crowded) and choose Austria over France - or look at Norway or Sweden, both of which are also very focussed on families and kids.