what is the best ski resort for young kids?

[sylar]

DH is desperate to go skiing. DCs will be five and three. I've never been and neither have the DSs. DH is very good.

Any recommendations and can someone tell me reaslistically how much it will end up costing us. We would want to fly (not too far since travelling with the boys is hell)and would need some childcare and then ski school for me and the boys, plus we would need to hire equipment.

There are several good stations around Geneva. My personal favourite with small kids would be Megeve. It's not a high mountain (so not so cold, and easy on kids' ears), access is very easy (10 mins off the highway), there are lots of easy slopes, and the best of all, a lovely kids' club called Piou-Piou. Oh and the village is lovely, as well.

I would budget £3-4k for a mid price week , allowing for lift passes, lessons, childcare, ski hire etc. You may be able to diy cheaper especially if you drive but a package has convenience and sociability for first timers and it depends on the exchange rate as to which may be cheaper at the time. Some resorts offer under 6's free lift passes (not that they usually need a full one anyway) and with packages you may get off peak weeks with extras such as ski hire thrown in. Go for a short transfer with accommodation near the nursery slopes and other things to do in resort or accommodation (Kinderhotels and Kidshotels tend to rate well for that)

I have just come back from southern alps with Dss 5 and 3 and had a fantastic time. First time with them in ski school (2.5 hours a day). We skied in Les Orres (2 hours from Marseilles airport. Considerably cheaper than more well known resorts - but if you are all beginners you don't need somewhere big! I suspect that if you go for a smaller resort, the prices will be considerably less than the £3-4k estimated above.

We go independently, but flights are about £400, car hire, £300, lift passes for 2 x adults just over £100 each for 6 days, not sure about ski hire, but check out Sport 2000 on line.

By the way, both DH and I are good skiers, but a resort with about 90km of piste is more than ample when you have children to deal with! Outside of ski school times that is.

And PS there is a Piou Piou club (where DS (3) skied) and we used Ski Ozone for DS (5).