Esprit in Austria

[mckenzie]

DH and I have skied mainly in France before we became parents and once with PFB. We are now planning our first family ski trip with both DCs (who will then be 5 and 8). We've decided on Esprit based on friend's recommendations and reading posts on good old Mumsnet and now must decide on resort. Austria has been recommended as being better value. We're looking at first week of Easter hols so weather conditions need to be considered. Are there any resorts that you guys would recommend or indeed advise us to steer clear of?

TIA

For Easter I'd go as high as possible - which probably means in Esprit terms that you're looking at Obergurgl. Their chalets are quite well located for the nursery slopes if your dc's will be beginners, and right by the ski bus stop too for access to the main lifts (you can pretty well ski home too, if you finish the day on the Obergurgl side of the area, albeit the last bit home's a bit flat and might be rather a slog if it's slushy).

thanks Lunarsea. Have you stayed at either of the Esprit chalets in Obergurgl?

We've stayed at the Alpenblume - which also houses the nursery, hence the reason we chose that one. The other one (Verwall?) is marginally nearer to the nursery slopes, and has the snow club (and cocoa club in the evenings which yours might make use of) so staying there it saves having to get them togged up to cross the road.

thanks LunarSea. Would you go again?

mckenzie - I'm not overkeen on the Esprit no kids around in the evenings thing - especially if you've got one who isn't old enough for the cocoa club, but won't easily just settle down to sleep that early and accept being left alone in the room. It can mean you end up eating in shifts while one of you at a time has to go and sit with them.

It wasn't a problem at the Alpenblume as they didn't object to the kids just playing/watching DVDs in the adjacent lounge, but some of the Esprit chalets seem to be stricter about it - last year in France dh and I never got to actually have dinner together becasue of it. Probably less of an issue for you though if both of yours are that bit older.

We have stayed in Verwall. TBH, I wasn't crazy about the standard of accommodation. Was in desperate need of an overhaul. However, DH and DCs (who are distinctly less fussy than me!) didn't mind it too much.

The lounge (or "snug" as they call it at Verwall) is absolutely tiny. If I hadnt have known all the other families I may have felt a little awkward about going in there as there just wasn't enough space and seating for all residents. The dining room is ok. There was a sauna in the basement and the Snow Club was run from Verwall too.

Location is great. 10 minutes walk from centre of Obergurgl. I think 20 minutes (or possibly less) by bus to Hochgurgl (which is the better place for skiing, imo). Bus stops virtually outside the chalet. Ski hire place 10m from chalet. Lots of restaurants in immediate vicinity.

My youngest DS wasn't able to go to Cocoa Club (which is down in the basement, iirc) and we had lots of tears about him being left in our room without his older brother. In the end, we put the younger kids together in the same room and let them chat, watch DVD before putting them to bed properly at around 9pm. However, our entire group had taken over the chalet so not sure how that would work if you were with other families that you didn't know.

I too dislike the "no children" rule at dinner. I think it's a shame actually. I would like to eat with DCs on at least a few nights during our holiday.

so is the 'no children at dinner' rule an Esprit rule or a rule just at some chalets do you know? We like eating with the children, especially if we've not been together so much during the day - it would be our time to catch up. I need to call Esprit perhaps - I cant keep pestering you guys with all my questions

I think it's an Esprit rule - unless you book the whole chalet and they presumably then fit in with what you want.

oh dear, my first experience of Ski Esprit hasn't been great! I've just spoken to a young lady who really sounded as though she'd rather be doing anything else than speak to me about ski holidays!!!

McKenzie - I spoke to a young lady like that at Esprit too a few weeks ago when I got a quote from them. Thankfully, most of the time, I have had a very positive experience and certainly the lady who helped me with the final booking was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

The "no children at dinner" is definitely an Esprit rule. Don't think it makes much difference even if you hire the entire chalet. We did that with several other families at Verwall and the children still didn't join us (altho I'm not certain all of my friends would have been keen anyway ). Personally, I'm like you McKenzie and I want to have the evening to catch up with my children

I think it depends on a) the ages of the children, and b) the behaviour of the children!

We have skied with Esprit several times and the children, when they were the ages of yours, were allowed to be in the lounge area while we ate dinner, provided they were quietly occupied - playing a game or watching a movie. On one occasion however there was a loud, boisterous child charging about, so ALL the children were asked to leave/ go to Coco club.
A smaller chalet is likely to be more flexible. However tehy will not be able to be flexible about the kids eating at the same time as the adults, since kid's tea is at 5.30 p.m.

If you go with Esprit ask what the ages of any other children already booked into the chalet are - it helps if theya re simialr ages.

Why not book direct with a hotel and arrange your own travel. You'll get a much higher standard of accommodation, many have playrooms & kids clubs and the added bonus of an indoor pool & spa. Austrians generally take their children to dinner and most hotels serve a special children's menu.

thats for the replies. We fancied Esprit because the children want to learn to ski and we have been assured by friends who go with them every year that the english speaking instructors and the assistance in getting the children to and from ski school is invaluable. Also, DH and I have been skiing once before with DS where we just booked an apartment and so had to arrange all the ski stuff ourselves and it wasn't worth the effort for the amount of skiing Dh and I ended up doing.

I'll call Esprit again tomorrow i think and hope for a more friendly staff member and ask more direct questions about the chalet we have in mind.

Thanks again for all your input.

the 'no-eating with children' rule is the main reason we didn't book esprit. there are several other 'family chalet' operators but most of them seem to have similar rules. we ended up going with snowbizz, so we could eat with the kids, and have good childcare/ski lessons(but will be reporting back after holiday). they do a self catered or catered option (hotel opposite flats) which suits us very nicely, as eating isn't the main part of our holidays. you might want to check them out too?

thanks greygirl - i shall check out Snowbizz too