someone please tell me which week to book in 2009 for France which will be least busy / enough snow

[barbamama]

I can't work it out.

Going with 4 yr old not yet at school so don't have to go in our half term.

Hurting my head trying to work it out.

If you can avoid half term its much much cheaper. You don't say whether your 4yold skis or not or how well. If you go later it will be warmer for beginner or slow skiers. If you go earlier there will be more snow and better for experienced. Feb is the best time for snow in general. If you go somewhere high more likely to get snow. We have been to Flaine, fantastic for beginners, and Val Thorens, best place ever, absolutely loads of snow, very high so best chance of snow, millions of runs, good for beginners and experts. Try to do ski in ski out so not carrying skis with 4yold or getting on bus!
Enjoy

thanks that is very helpful. The 4 year old has never skied before - he is actually 3 will be 4 at Xmas. I am intermediate but haven't skied for a few years and dp is a complete novice too! Also have a baby so may need childcare, but thinking of taking my mother for this rather than kids club. Could a 4 year old be skiing already? Wow? I thought 4 was the earliest they woul;d take them in ski school?

So am thinking maybe last week of Feb since we can pretty much go anytime?

Any more tips welcome.

Check when french half term is - it usually end of Feb and therefore busy. Beginning of March tends to be a good time - warmer but usually lots of snow and not too busy.

4 year olds can learn to ski no probs - some companies take them from 3.

We went to La Rosiere this year - a quietish resort, v. child friendly - good for novices/intermediates.

I agree beginning of March still usually has good snow, cheaper hols and a little warmer. They can go on ski school at 3, are usually in Kindergarten, at 4 might even be out on the beginner slopes by the end of the week!! Are you booking it through a company or yourself?

not sure - again can do either. Really rusty as I haven't been for years and when I went I lived in Switzerland so went for days or weekends so not really sure how to book a package holiday as such. I think I would rather book accom and flights separately maybe. Also not sure about staying in a chalet with other people have never met - does this work out? Can you stay in a hotel/appartment on your own?

Don't want somewhere too quiet as kidding myself we will still be up for the apres ski and as dp has never been would like a trad-looking picture postcard ski resort type place.

Hmmm hmmmm keep the tips coming - I am hoping to get it booked by end of June (is this about right?)

I'd avoid Feb. So either end of Jan or beginning of March. March would be a bit warmer, but still good snow. Jan often a bit cheaper.

My dd started skiing at 3. She was skiing red runs when she was 5. Your ds will have a fun time I'm sure.

so much depends on your budget if you look online you'll start to get an idea how much things cost. With small children we prefer to go to an apartment (just for our family- can get them for up to 8 people in most places) as you have so much freedom in terms of feeding the kids/sleeping etc when you want and all resorts have plenty of places to eat out as well. Definitely you can book the ds in ski school with ESF they are great and its a good idea to get them started at that age they are fearless. We've been to La Rosiere too but it can suffer from lack of snow in March. Still think Val Thorens is the best all-round resort I've been to (and I've been ski-ing regularly for 25 years - good for all standards) Try Leisure directions website have enormous range of apts then you can book your flights yourself. Admire you being up for the apres ski my dh and I were in bed by 8.30pm most nights after ski-ing all day with our dcs!(too old....)

March is usually best for good snow and avoiding the crowds. Early march is least risky snow-wise, but late march is fine if you go higher.

Cheapest weeks (and quietest) are early January. But can be cold.

Kids can start very young: ds1 and ds2 both started by on about their first birthday. This is ds2 skiing on his first birthday - we did try him a few months earlier but his legs weren't strong enough to support him. But you won't find ski-schools willing to take them until they are at least 3.

Mrs LSG that is amazing, bless him, he was loving it!! Could he already walk? What were you pulling him on? It makes a lot of sense, my 9mo is stands as if he is snow ploughing already so I guess it would be natural for him!

Thanks for all the advice, I think we will definitely get an appt for flexibility - don't really want to have to be back at a set time for dinner etc. I am thinking first week of March sounds good now - esp for the children in terms of the cold.

Budget is pretty flexible - good first ski holiday with children, clean accomodation, nice resort are the most important things. It has taken me 15 years (yes 15 years!!) to persuade dp that skiing is a fun idea for a holiday so I do not want to risk it being the first and last time!

Will look at Val Thorens now, great to get recommendation from others in a similar situation. The apres ski is, of course, theoretical. I just like to think there will be bars and clubs there just in case ........

We went mid March with Snowbizz (have posted review on Mumsnet). Their set up would be ideal for a baby and 4 yr old. They have their own ski school and creche (creche run by English nannies). Unfortunately they only go to one resort, puy st vincent, but they do have good self catering accommodation right by the slopes and creche. Would recommend googling their website. However, nightlife is limited in this resort - restaurants plus some entertainment such as quiz nights etc. run by Snowbizz. Our 3 yr old skiied for the first time and loved it. This company is excellent and prices reasonable if you can avoid school hols.

Just to add a different view of Snowbizz - we were very disappointed with their ski lessons for 3-4 year olds. Instructor/nanny ratio was nothing like advertised and the (French) instructors were not good at all with the little ones.

Just recalling the whole experience still makes me feel cross - I'll stop now before I go into a full scale rant!

barbamama, He was just beginning to walk. Being a good walker is actually a bad idea when trying them on skis the first time - as they want to walk, not slide!

What we've using is a kid-ski Kiddie Ski Bar. They do a whole range of kid-aids for very young children learning to ski. Not in the UK: we bought ours in a st from Applerise Sports in the US.

We used the same set of equipment with ds1, and he's now (age 6) slalom racing at national level - just back from a 2 days racing at Pontypool.

[And it's MrLsg (what? a man on mumsnet!! whatever next)]

Sorry MrLSG misread it.

Actually I must get my eyes tested as I originally thought you were Mrs LSD which i thought was brave for a parenting board ....

MrLSG - just seen your post about your ds salamon racing at national level and wondering if you could give us some advice.

My dd is 7 now but last year when she was 6 she was skiing reds confidently and did some blacks by the end of the week. The ESF instructor said she had a lot of potential - now maybe they say that to everyone but she really enjoys it. At the back of my mind I do think we ought to get her skiing more often. Is your ds in a club, or do you take him to your local dry ski slope??

We went to kaprun 2nd week of march with esprit and a four year old and there was poor snow at village/nursery slope level but kaprun is very low village - on mountain snow was great. Chalet with this kind of company is great for kids who are only children and little as they meet other kids their age very easily over breakfast/dinner/lessons are in that group only. We also found it good company as none of our friends ski. Our two gripes were the fact that the 4 year olds have lessons pm and he was very very tired by then after playing all morning. Try to have lessons am, they say its so young kids don't get the worst of the cold but in march thats less of a problem. The other gripe was the food in the chalet rather not enough for big husband and also bit variable in standard. Chalet also made it easy to have dinner and check on him every 15 mins, as its so small. He loved it.