Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

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.

Flip

Original poster

Puy St Vincent

15 replies

elsmummy · 23/01/2009 16:32

Thinking of going to Puy St Vincent in March
for 1st Family Ski Trip, Have kids age 7,6 and 3. I ski but partner doesnt.
Also dont speak a word of french, so bit worried about the language barrier!!
Has anyone been to Puy, does anyone have any
advise on this resort?

OP posts:

PuzzleRocks · 23/01/2009 18:13

Bumping for you.

happywomble · 23/01/2009 18:23

Are you planning to go with Snowbizz? We went to Puy with them last year and found them very good. They have a very good set up for children learning to ski.

I noticed one of the Snowbizz nannies didn't know a word of french and she seemed to get by.I have a french degree so enjoyed using my rusty french most of the time!

We liked the resort. Seemed fine for intermediate skiiers and beginners. Not a huge ski area but the prices reflect this.

We went by train.

Please let me know if you need further advice.

happywomble · 23/01/2009 18:25

Ps. I'm not sure if it is a great resort for a non skier - could you persuade your partner to take skiing lessons?!

Original poster

elsmummy · 23/01/2009 18:28

Yes, they will all be in Ski School.
We are planning on driving there, any idea what the journey is like by road? Thks

OP posts:

happywomble · 23/01/2009 19:20

We went by train so not sure what the drive is like. Other people drove when were there. The advantage of going by train or driving is that you can arrange to get there in time to pick up your skis etc on the evening of your arrival and settle in rather than having to rush down and queue at the ski shop before ski school. If you drive you can also stock up on food en route to avoid paying high prices in resort.

Are you going with Snowbizz? I would definitely recommend going with them if you are thinking of this resort. Our children really enjoyed their lessons and made good progress. Snow Bizz also offer babysitting etc. and generally look after you. The apartments they have are right at the bottom of the piste..couldn't be more convenient.

We went mid March last year and the snow was good.

Original poster

elsmummy · 23/01/2009 19:35

Yes I have been looking at snowbizz, been looking at lots trying to find a resort / hotel that meets all of our requirments.
Narrowed it down to Belle Plagne and Puy St Vincent.
Read some worrying reviews for Belle Plagne, but nothing but good reviews for Puy!.
I think Puy could be the one for us.
Thanks for some good info and advise.

OP posts:

TheRealMrsJohnSimm · 23/01/2009 20:36

elsmummy - the worrying reviews for Belle Plagne - were they on here? Or elsewhere?

Original poster

elsmummy · 23/01/2009 20:46

Some were on here, but just on one hotel,
Deux Domaines, with Esprit.
I have read a couple of others elsewhere saying that there are steep steps for the little ones to walk up on their way to Ski School, but just in reference to the above Hotel. Maybe that its our first holiday
skiing and only I can Ski, also my kids have never been skiing and my youngest is just 3!.
So trying to find somewhere thats going to be really easy, with not much walking in ski boot involved.
Had also read that the slopes at Belle plagne are mostly blue but no green, which is no good for us.

OP posts:

TheRealMrsJohnSimm · 23/01/2009 20:53

No green . So where the feck are me and DC's going to learn then??? Surely you don't get started straight onto blues? I am sure I have read that there are green runs. Wouldn't have chosen the place otherwise.

Have also read about steep steps etc. My DCs are 8 and 4 (almost 5) and DH will go along and help them on way to their classes as I will be in ski school too (I know the nannies assist but tis always good to lend extra pair of hands ime).

We are booked in to Deux Domaines in a week's time. Based on Stripey's comments on another thread I rang Esprit today to enquire about security issues at the hotel. They are chasing it up with the hotel and coming back to me on Monday.

happywomble · 24/01/2009 09:32

Having been to both resorts I can reassure you that they are both good for beginners/intermediates.

I think choosing between Esprit and Snowbizz depends on ones budget, transport and accommodation needs.

As most of OPs family are beginners they don't need a huge resort with an expensive lift pass as they will not be able to make good use of the lift pass. Esprit only offers transport by air and catered accommodation. Therefore if you want self drive /self catering they are a less attractive option. If you want catered by air they are probably a good option.

We really enjoyed our holiday with Snowbizz. The children were well looked after, nannies were lovely and very dedicated, and the cost was reasonable. They have many families who come back year after year. The accommodation at Puy is clean and pleasant but does not have a pool etc. Puy has a couple of good restaurants but doesn't have much nightlife.

We liked our holiday with Snowbizz so much we considered booking with them again for this year but they were booked a year ago for school hols. They had more availability in term time.

Mrs JS - I'm sure you will have a lovely time in La Plagne. I have seen the hotel you are staying at in the Esprit brochure and it looks nice. Hope they are able to sort the security out for you.

snorkle · 24/01/2009 12:27

Went to Puy years ago & it was generally very good setup and enjoyable. But, one of the nannys was really, really unhelpful and unpleasant. I guess it could happen anywhere - that was the only complaint we had.

jtbgogogo · 27/01/2009 13:34

hi, we got back from Puy on 11th. It was an absolutely fantastic first skiing holiday with the family. Me and DH both ski but DDs 7 and 5 don't. The Ski School teachers were first class and the children couldn't wait to get there. A whole week without a single whinge or whine. The kids club was just what the children wanted. Basic, but lots of fun. The nannies were young, friendly and the most helpful i've ever come across. Yes the resort is small, but it's cosy and feels secure. At home I struggle to send them to the end of the shopping aisle in Tescos without a panic - over there they could play on sledges, do the small green runs at the bottom of the mountain with an element of freedom! DH is a seasoned skiier, but even he admitted that there was plenty for him to do that kept him amused. 90% of the faces by the end of day one you recognise. The resort restaurants were friendly and not pricey at all. The supermarket was the most expensive place. Overall a fantastic week, and yep, we've booked for next year already.

mumof2222222222222222boys · 30/01/2009 14:04

I don't know Puy, but DH had a good day's skiing there last year. We have a holiday house not too far away, and usually drive there. It is a long drive, but manageable (we have 2 DSs 4,2). We driven the distance in one day (if you get overnight ferry from Portsmouth), but usually we go from Calais (becuase of cost), and stop at a B&B half way down. There is a fab one we use at Avallon which is roughly half way down. Will post details if you are interested.

We nearly spent a day at Puy at Christmas - looked ideal from the green run perspective. We are both good skiers, but DS1 is only just learning.

Original poster

elsmummy · 03/02/2009 12:52

mumof2222222222222222boys

Please could you give me details of the B&B at Avallon, we have now booked with Snowbizz
and arriving on March 8th.

Many Thanks

OP posts:

mumof2222222222222222boys · 03/02/2009 14:07

See other thread!

Flip