Skiing half-term 2009: be warned - BOOK NOW!

[muffinmonster]

We have travelled with Esprit for the last three years but thought we would go independently next year at half term as they are so expensive. Have just discovered that our preferred hotel has a waiting list with 16 families on, and have emailed several others, some of which are already fully booked. We're looking at Scheffau in Austria, but apparently the situation will be the same elsewhere as UK half-term coincides with half-term in Germany and the Netherlands next year.

I assume you mean the week from Sat 14 Feb? Austria, Germany & Holland all stagger their holidays and from what I can tell that week is a holiday for half of the Dutch schools, only 2 out of 16 German provinces and 2 out of 9 Austrian provinces. Most importantly for Austria it is not the week the Vienna schools are on holiday.

We went to Hinterglemm this year with DS5.5 and I would recommend the hotel www.unterschwarzach.at/index.php?id=57&L=2

CM - impressed by your knowledge! How did ou find this out? I would like to get similar info for French school hols

I heard this over the weekend, apparently in 2009, we will all be on the same half term week, whereas at the mo the private and state schools are a bit out of synch. Think there was an article in The Times.

MrsGofG...er..Google...www.education.gouv.fr/pid184/le-calendrier-scolaire.html?dept=0&annee=4&x=12&y=9 i.e. Paris 2009 Half Term is same as UK

Was just about to start a thread when I found this. French holidays coincide with ours though theirs is spread over 2 weeks.
Have been talking to SkiBeat & they say there seems to be only one half-term week next year. Ours in London is w/c 14th Feb, is everyone elses the same?

I must be dim - checked out that link and can't see where the half term dates are mentioned!!!!!

Basically then, the whole of France is on half term 14th Feb for 2 weeks? Is that right?

According to that link, both zones A and C in France have the w/c 14th Feb in their 2 week break.

ahem......just wanted to metion that France is not the only option for European skiing.....there is great skiing (and fewer queues) elsewhere.............honestly

Merlin - Zone A 07-23 Feb, Zone B 21 Feb- 09 Mar, Zone C 14 Feb - 02 Mar.

Thanks CM for the clarification! For the last couple of years we've used a friend's apartment in France so that's why I was interested in the holidays.

May check out Bulgaria - that's meant to be cheap!!

Yeah....but it's so easy to get to France by train

Yep - although we normally drive down.

Friends have just started to let out a holiday apartment in the lovely ski resort of Leysin in Switzerland about an hour and half by train from Geneva - so still available next year! It sleeps up to six people (plus cot) in three bedrooms and is within easy reach of the ski slopes and international ski school as well as village centre with shops, restaurants etc.

If you are interested, or know anyone who might be, here are the details below.
www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/leysin/57433

It would also be a lovely place to go for a summer break, lots of walking and lake swimming!

Our DS starts school this year and am keen to book skiing for next year. Having never been in half term before wondering how awful is it with regard to crowded slopes, queues, etc and should we consider it or take him out of school if we can another week? We favour austria not france, probably with esprit. Has anyone been to Obergurgl?

I have been to Obergurgl (long time ago, very pre children) but is a a lovely ski resort and also high with a long season so you could go in the Easter holidays which is a bit cheaper than half term and hopefully alot quieter.

If anyone needs a place for half term week, we have a luxury apartment available that week in La Tzoumaz, part of the Verbier ski area, which is easy to get to and great for families. It is managed through www.4valleeschalets.co.uk (see Apartment Markattom) and is good for two families with up to 3 children each.