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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

Best resort with other things to do? Canada or Europe pls any recommendations?

12 replies

spottedinthewilds · 09/12/2023 08:40

We are thinking of going skiing next Christmas. We don't really mind whether its Europe or Canada.

Our criteria is -
Lots of beginner slopes
Lots of other things to do in the area, even it its maybe close to a city, or that there is tobogganing, sledging etc.
Ski school
Swimming
Skating etc.

Out 13 year old daughter will learn to ski. Myself and my husband will pootle down some easy slopes (plenty of ski experience but feeling a little old and creaky now). We would like to not spend all day skiing but be able to go off and do other activities.

We will go for 2 weeks.

Any recommendations would be very much appreciated.

OP posts:

LIZS · 09/12/2023 08:59

Two weeks is a long time and most ski-schools do five or six consecutive day blocks unless you have private lessons. Zell am See/Kaprun has access to glacier slopes as well as train to Salzburg. SaasFee or Engelberg if you have a Swiss budget.

Original poster

spottedinthewilds · 09/12/2023 09:05

Thanks. I was thinking that she could have ski lessons for the first week or so and then be able to join us on the easy slopes. I know 2 weeks is a long time and maybe we will look at 10/11 days instead. Was thinking maybe Canada or USA maybe better as more to explore maybe.

I did 2 weeks at Mont Tremblant about 15 years ago and it was lovely, but i'm not sure if there is enough to keep us all entertained there again. It was fine for us as a couple, but to keep a 13 year old entertained too might be tricky.

I don't have a Swiss budget for sure.

OP posts:

Havanananana · 09/12/2023 10:59

Zell am See is a good choice - easily accessible from Salzburg by train or Postbus, and 40 mins by train from Kitzbuhel if you fancy a day trip there.

Nearby Saalbach-Hinterglemm has better slopes, and also has all of the activities that you list, and is just a short bus ride from Zell am See. Many hotels and apartment blocks have swimming pools, saunas and "wellness" spas.

Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Zell am See, Leogang and Fieberbrunn are all covered by the same ski pass, so there are plenty of areas to explore. Most are linked by blue runs.

If your daughter does a week in ski school, you'll probably be struggling to keep up with her in week 2! Enjoy the time with her on the slopes while you can. Once she's 15-16 with a few weeks under her belt she'll be off and away and won't want to poodle about with the "oldies" 😁

[If you don't have a "Swiss" budget, then Canada is also likely to be out of reach. I really like Whistler, but the price of the lift ticket, ski hire and lessons there is now eye-watering]

Pandaandpurple · 09/12/2023 11:02

You could try Levi, Finland - would be expensive for two weeks but as well as downhill skiing there is cross country, reindeer and huskies, snowmobiling, northern lights spotting…

Original poster

spottedinthewilds · 09/12/2023 12:52

Havanananana · 09/12/2023 10:59

Zell am See is a good choice - easily accessible from Salzburg by train or Postbus, and 40 mins by train from Kitzbuhel if you fancy a day trip there.

Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Zell am See, Leogang and Fieberbrunn are all covered by the same ski pass, so there are plenty of areas to explore. Most are linked by blue runs.

[If you don't have a "Swiss" budget, then Canada is also likely to be out of reach. I really like Whistler, but the price of the lift ticket, ski hire and lessons there is now eye-watering]

Thanks for the great info, I'll look into the resorts you mentioned.

I've not looked at the cost of the ski/passes/lessons etc for Canada but thought the cost of flights and accommodation was OK, so thanks for the heads up.

Budget probably 10k for 3 of us.

OP posts:

Original poster

spottedinthewilds · 09/12/2023 12:54

Pandaandpurple · 09/12/2023 11:02

You could try Levi, Finland - would be expensive for two weeks but as well as downhill skiing there is cross country, reindeer and huskies, snowmobiling, northern lights spotting…

I really really like this idea! Just returned from Iceland which we adore but have spent many weeks there and feel we have done most of it now.

OP posts:

madaboutmad · 09/12/2023 12:56

10 k wouldn’t cover whistler for 2 weeks. Prices have shot up - we did 2 weeks at Easter.

gotomomo · 09/12/2023 13:00

Grouse mountain is near Vancouver, main issue apart from flight costs is altitude, same goes for whistler, too low really for Christmas.

Most cheaper resorts in Europe have the same issues for Christmas, season is only just getting going. Later in the season Germany is a good option for lower budgets but Christmas season isn't good

Radiatorvalves · 10/12/2023 19:03

At Christmas it may be absolutely glacial in Canada. A skiing holiday is always going to be on the chilly side in December, but -30 tales have put me off.

SJW58 · 12/12/2023 10:39

Have a look at Innsbruck in Austria. It's a city so lots to see and do, with its own ski resorts on the outskirts of the city. There is also some bigger resorts within an hours drive. it'll be Christmas so there will be Christmas markets open as well which will be lovely.

ChilliPB · 13/12/2023 09:37

We’re going to Banff and Lake Louise this winter coming - there’s lots of downhill skiing, but also cross country, ice skating on the frozen lakes, snow shoeing etc. There are natural hot springs in Banff which we’ll definitely visit too.

We’ve not been before but part of the appeal for us is the non-skiing stuff.

Amc44 · 30/12/2023 10:18

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

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