Recommendations for ski virgins

Hi all

I appreciate there are countless other threads, probably asking the same question I am but I just can't seem to make them help me!

I'm hoping to take my family on their first ski holiday, probably during February 2010 (avoiding the ridiculously expensive half term though). The wife and both kids (aged 10 & 6) have never skiied before (I'll probably give them a taster at an Xscape) and I haven't been for over 10 years myself.

I've been looking at what seems like a million websites, trying to make a decent educated decision but there's just too much to choose from. Ultimately, you can't beat someone's recommendation based on their experiences, hence where you guys come in!

I had narrowed it down to Arinsal, Soldeu or Passo Tonale. It's not a decision bourne completely out of cost but I'm aware that I don't want to pay a fortune in case the wife doesn't like it. However, I'm coming more and more to the idea that the money is now not as important as finding a resort where the ski tuition is excellent and somewhere where the kids will find other like minded kids. I guess my initial choice of Soldeu or Arinsal seems like the best idea then!

Any input most welcome & appreciated...

Ta

Coop

Interesting. Andorra has an erratic snow record in comparison to much of the Alps. I have not been there, but I would suggest you consider Pila in Italy, or Cervinia too. Livigno is also a good place for beginners, as are Ellmau and Filzmoos in Austria.
In France, Alpe d'Huez is perfect for beginners as there are lots of green slopes right close to the village, and the snow record is excellent as its high up. Flaine is also good for learning.
Montgenevre is also a great place to learn to ski, as is Saas Fe in Switzerland.

You ought to be able to find something suitable from that list.
If you want alpine charm, nice villages, proper apres ski, look no further than Austria or Switzerland.
Italy is often reasonably priced off the slopes and the food is good. I tend to leave France as lower options, but I have skied Montgenevre and its nice, and links into the Milky Way in Italy for days out when standards allow! I am also going to Alpe d'Huez in Jan 2010 as it has a lot to offer for all levels.
Personally, I prefer Austria from the resorts I have been to.

Hi Coop,
I have no idea what Arinsal, Soldeu or Passo Tonale are like. However, the answer is quite simple - it's Niederau in Austria :lol:.

I've never been there myself, but I know other people who have, and it's meant to be great for beginners and intermediates, and even some experienced people like going there. There are plenty of Niederau supporters here to give you more info.

I wouldn't take them anywhere too high because those resorts are a bit scary - very cold and sometimes very windy and no trees, so there's nothing to focus on and all the slopes look much more frightening if you're a beginner.

Also, somewhere with other kinds of activities, like ice-skating, ski-doos, swimming pools etc. might be a good idea in case they decide they don't like ski-ing, or the weather is too bad. I have been on 2 ski holidays which both had one day on which we couldn't ski because of the weather.

It might also be a good idea to think of places the schools take kids to. My daughter's school took them to Geilo in Norway (expensive) and St Johann (cheap). When they went to St Johann there was supposed to be no good snow anywhere, and I thought they'd all have an awful time, but apparently the beginners slopes were fine. I suppose they covered them in artificial snow.

If you want them to come with you on future ski holidays you need to make sure they have lots of fun, and don't get frightened or bored. So I think you're doing the right thing in thinking very hard about where to take them. And I'm not sure you can expect a 6 year old to ski all day, so you will have to think about that as well. They might get very tired and cranky, or they might want to ski all day.

I'd also think of somewhere with short transfers to the resort, especially if you have someone in the family who gets car sick or is easily bored in coaches. I find the mountain roads very sick-making - all tight bends. I can't stand more than about 1 1/2 hours without feeling like I'm dying.

I hope you find a suitable resort and have a great holiday,

Ally

I would say avoid Andorra. Other than that you will love it 8)

Pablo Escobar wrote:I would say avoid Andorra. Other than that you will love it 8)

Andorra, I have been twice in winter both times great snow, I don't know where the avoid Andorra comes from the place is fine 8)

Also I love Livigno but unless you get your accommodation right be prepared for walks and crowded buses !!!! 8)

Ian Wickham wrote:

Pablo Escobar wrote:I would say avoid Andorra. Other than that you will love it 8)

Andorra, I have been twice in winter both times great snow, I don't know where the avoid Andorra comes from the place is fine 8)

Also I love Livigno but unless you get your accommodation right be prepared for walks and crowded buses !!!! 8)

It comes from long lift lines at at weekends, terrain with lots of flat spots and no real variety, unreliable snow conditions (this year excluded, I am pretty sure they have had one of the best on record) and don't even get me started on the villages themselves. There are better places to go, the attraction of Andorra originally was that it was so cheap it made a very easy option for a first ski holiday or folks without much cash to throw about but now it ain't even that cheap. I fail to see the attraction.

Long transfer too.

Pablo Escobar wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

Pablo Escobar wrote:I would say avoid Andorra. Other than that you will love it 8)

Andorra, I have been twice in winter both times great snow, I don't know where the avoid Andorra comes from the place is fine 8)

Also I love Livigno but unless you get your accommodation right be prepared for walks and crowded buses !!!! 8)

It comes from long lift lines at at weekends, terrain with lots of flat spots and no real variety, unreliable snow conditions (this year excluded, I am pretty sure they have had one of the best on record) and don't even get me started on the villages themselves. There are better places to go, the attraction of Andorra originally was that it was so cheap it made a very easy option for a first ski holiday or folks without much cash to throw about but now it ain't even that cheap. I fail to see the attraction.

Long transfer too.

Good English speaking ski schools, I have not seen too many flat spots in Pas or Soldeu, granted pas village is not good on eye but there are worse but Soldeu is built of pleasant Andorran stone..... good lift system, good standard of hotels, if you arrive on Sunday most of your skiing is done mid week or at Quiet times have you actually been to Andorra Pablo ????

Yes I have been :roll: Of course I have been otherwise I wouldn't be able to give an opinion on the place! We were very lucky with the snow in February, it rained the last day, I would never discount somewhere on the grounds of weather but a good snow record is a must. My father hated it too.

Andorra gets a load of bad press and IME, rightfully so. There are safer bets for your first skiing holiday.