Whistler or Europe at Xmas for beginners

[Meadowbreeze]

Does anyone have any advice on resorts for beginners at Xmas? We really want to go to Whistler but thinking it's probably best the little ones (4,6,6) learn first and we could go in 2 years. Some of the adults going are complete beginners and wouldn't make the most of whistler but than again there's lots there to do.
Research tells me Les Deux Alpes is nice for beginners due to upside down resort but I'm not sure of snow coverage at Xmas in Europe.

[Tiptopmountain]

Christmas is lovely in the french alps, most resorts make it really magical with Father Christmas torch lit descents and hot chocolate on the snow front. Weather can be a bit cold and you want to go somewhere snow sure. Having worked seasons, sometimes the snow doesn’t arrive until after new year down in resort (the pistes are usually ok).

Tignes/Val d’Isere are snowsure then and have lots of other lovely activities. The kids will probably be tired after morning ski school and want to warm up swimming/bowling/trampolining. Tignes is more beginner friendly than Val d’Isere.

Meribel is also beautiful at Xmas, very pretty village and lots to do outside of skiing.

Personally I would rather spend on a lovely chalet in France rather than flights to whistler while you have a lot of beginners in the group. Also save all the kids a long flight when you can have something so wonderful closer to home.

[TheVanguardSix]

Europe!
For the short flight alone.

[Havanananana]

Whistler is a great place to ski, particularly for good skiers - but it is comparatively expensive and a long way to take beginners and 3 children who are also beginners, and no, there is not really a lot to do if you're not skiing. It's also too far to go (assuming that the OP is in the UK or Ireland) for just a week - you need at least 10 days as the first 2 days are spent getting over jet lag.

Look instead at Europe. France - as above. Austria or Italy are also good with plenty of options. Look at some of the threads on here, or get over to Snowheads for some ideas.

Finally - weather at Christmas can be cold and miserable for small children - perhaps consider the end of March or early April when days are longer and the sun is warmer.

[Sunsnowsun]

I would definitely go to Europe, no jet lag, short flight or even drive. I really like Le Grand Bornand, very pretty small French resort. I can recommend at Aravis Holidays.

[Clymene]

Europe 100%. I'd go to Austria - it's prettier than a lot of the French resorts and they do Christmas better.

Also skiing in whistler can be bloody freezing.

[Clymene]

Saalbach is a super pretty Tyrolean village but there's great skiing for more experienced skiers too

[Meadowbreeze]

I hadn't realised there was replies. Thank you for the suggestions, will have a look.

[Holidayqueen1]

Hi
weve been on chalet holidays to France at Christmas a few times with a mix of beginners and intermediates. We loved La Plagne and had great snow. Tignes was also good. Have a look at snowsure resorts I. Europe with glaciers would be my advice- Val Thorens also good. Very Christmassy too with lots going on.
whistler is amazing as is banff, our son learned to ski in Banff and we had Christmas there which was lovely but we liked the chalets at Christmas more.
hope you find something!
oh lastly, esprit do fantastic family ski trips, def recommend you take a look!

[Meadowbreeze]

@Holidayqueen1 thank you! We are a bit worried about the energy situation in Europe this winter so not sure if America might be a safer bet. We really need to book asap so hopefully we'll decide by half term.

[MummaMinnie]

Hi @Meadowbreeze I don't know if you've already decided but as a long time Whistler devotee I would actually advise going to Europe for Christmas if you're a beginner and go to Whistler when you have got some experience of skiing which will help you get the most out of a trip there. Whistler has got really expensive at Christmas and the snow can be unpredictable then too.

[Meadowbreeze]

@MummaMinnie thank you! We've booked Europe :)

[NisekoWhistler]

You'll be glad of that looking at the exchange rate!!

[Meadowbreeze]

@NisekoWhistler Haha, yes. We've got full board so hopefully that'll keep costs down too. I am worried about gas and electricity rations and whether that'll impact us but hopefully it'll be ok as we're going early in the season.

[MummaMinnie]

I hope you have an amazing time! I loved my first skiing holiday and was hooked from then on.

[TabascoAddict]

Whistler will so cold, well done for booking Europe. The money you saved on the trip can be better spent on private lessons. This will make a huge difference.