Mid December for beginners

[2catsand2kids]

Myself, DH and two DC (aged 12 and 13) want to go skiing in mid December for four nights. Kids are complete beginners and DH and I haven’t been for 15 years. We want to go somewhere without too long a transfer, that’s likely to have snow at that time and that’s suitable for beginners. Any suggestions?

[RhubarbFairy]

Somewhere high. Which will scupper your short transfer plans unfortunately.

4 nights is also really short for beginners, you'll only get about three days skiing in, and it can take that just to get comfortable snow ploughing for beginners.

Any particular reason you want to go then?

If those dates are non-negotiable, get the DC lessons on a dry slope or in a dome beforehand and get them to a recreational standard. They'll get much more out of a short trip that way.

We're going to Cervinia over Christmas. We are staying for 4 nights but should get 4 days skiing in (as we have a late return flight on the way back). However, we can all ski (DC will be 11 and 13 in December) and we won't be using ski school on this trip, so it's just a bonus few days on the slopes.

Personally, we love Easter skiing. That would always be my recommendation for beginners if that's a possibility for you.

[AIstolemylunch]

You're pushing it mid December for snow and things being open. Week before Christmas is better if you can do it. We've been as early as 15/16th and been fine (Cervinia as well coincidentally).

[LIZS]

You are looking for resorts offering "white weeks" like Obergurgl or with glacier skiing which opens as early as end of October. Even those who have a soft opening target of early December may only open a limited area if snow permits at weekends. There may not be much available for beginners.

[2catsand2kids]

Thank you for the feedback. I’ve been looking at Montgenevre as it sounds ideal for us in terms of the slopes on offer, it opens at the start of December and having researched it seems conditions have generally been good in December. We could go for longer but I was nervous about going for too long in case the kids don’t enjoy it and to keep the cost down. If we go the week beginning December 14th the lift pass is significantly cheaper as is the accommodation (Kids break up on the 13th).

[mommyduties]

Montgenevre sounds like a decent option given your criteria of being open early December and suitable for beginners. Going that second week should give you the best chance of decent snow coverage too. And keeping it to 4 nights is wise - you can always plan a longer trip in future if the kids take to it.