Esprit ski school or local Saas Fee one?

[thedollyridesout]

Going to Saas Fee with Esprit in a few weeks with DD(8) and DS(6). Both of them are new to skiing.

I was wondering whether or not to use the local ski school so that the DC could experience more of the culture of the area.

Does anyone have any experience of either the Esprit one (which I'm assuming is patronised by all of the same people that you travel with/eat with) or the local ski school in Saas Fee?

I'm not sure which one to go with so I would really appreciate some advice. I too am a novice skier. DH seems to think he'll have me skiing in a day .

But how did YOUR skiing go, TheDolly????

Did you DH teach you, or did you get lessons?

Pray, so tell us all the gory details

ooh yes please, what did you think of it all?

DH taught me - he was so sweet and patient and kind, v.v. encouraging. I didn't fall at all so I'm guessing that he taught me how to snow plow effectively . I only skied a max. of 2 hrs per day and for 4/6 days due to my shocking lack of fitness (and ill fitting boots which needed to be replaced on day 2). By the end of the week I reached my goal of skiing down from the top of the blue (with a bit of red or so the children informed me) on the right hand side at the bottom of the valley (otherwise known as the nursery slopes ).

The children skied for the whole week and were up the mountain on the last day - they are now ready for reds. DH reckoned I was a day behind them so I guess I did OK. I loved it and will make sure that I am fitter next time. We plan to go to a snow dome type of place between times.

We met some really nice people: fellow travellers, Esprit staff and residents of Saas Fee included.

All in all a great family holiday (but I'm glad we left the little one at home).

Next time I will have private lessons as the step from the nursery slopes to going up the mountain is huge in my mind.

Sorry for the lack of gory details and thanks again for all the advice.

Excellent progress - well done! (And you sound like you have a very unusual patient and kind DH!

Sounds like you're hooked - it will become an obsession you know!

We're off to France next week - can't wait!

Have a great time .