Planning a season

So, our second season skiing I want to plan ahead rather than do everything last minute (as I am currently!).

We're off to Megeve again mid December, went to St Foy le Tarentaise as well last year but didn't really enjoy it as much.

Late season at Zermatt (based on recommendations last year that we didn't take up) as it's high up and our ski instructor from Megeve teaches there at that time.

Mid season in the February half term I'm not sure though, we'll be driving so preferably not too far from Calais, but accomodation that can be walking distance to the nursery slopes for the kids. I've heard Chamonix requires a fair amount of moving about. We dropped in at Les Arcs last year which looked good but seemed to cater more for single adults and teenagers than young families.

Suggestions?

How many hours drive from Calais do you consider to be reasonable, without stressing the young family?

That's a good question(!). I guess I'll know better in two weeks time.

Working of these estimes I'm thinking Chamonix or Morzine depending how much hard work it is once we're there.

Calais - Alpe D'Huez - 8 hrs 30 mins
Calais - Chamonix - 7 hrs 49 mins
Calais - Courchevel 1850 - 8 hrs 52 mins
Calais - La Plagne - 9 hrs 16 mins
Calais - Les Deux Alpes - 8 hrs 37 mins
Calais - Meribel - 8 hrs 46 mins
Calais - Morzine - 7 hrs 57 mins
Calais - Tignes - 9 hrs 20 mins
Calais - Val D'Isere - 9 hrs 22 mins

That is good info.It certainly allows you to drive through Germany into Austria within the same timeframe. perhaps a little longer. AA routefinder confirms.
That gives you more options.
Next stage is to define your family ability needs. Then you can consult the back inside leaf of Inghams catalogue and list resorts that match your needs.
Thatts the stage that I would start my cost spreadsheet, (total cost)

What about Le Grand Bornand? At just over 8 hours from Calais this is one of the nearest resorts. Stay up at Chinaillon where there's easy access to the slopes rather than in the main village. Or, consider La Clusaz, even shorter drive and a great ski area but slightly more difficult to find accommodation quite so close to the slopes. There's a fantastic debutants ski area jardin d'enfants at the top of the Beauregard gondola.

tin pot wrote:

Mid season in the February half term I'm not sure though, we'll be driving so preferably not too far from Calais, but accomodation that can be walking distance to the nursery slopes for the kids. I've heard Chamonix requires a fair amount of moving about. We dropped in at Les Arcs last year which looked good but seemed to cater more for single adults and teenagers than young families.

Suggestions?

If you're driving it really has to be France. You can reach Serre Chevalier in 9 hours from Calais, I did it myself last year. Or you've got Puy St Vincent just round the corner, or Montgenevre on the Italian border another 20 minutes further on from Serre Che.

Alpe d'Huez and Les 2 Alpes are also an hour nearer than Serre Che. All with good altitude and varied skiing.

As for Austria, I've looked into it before and generally its quite a lot longer to get there. Dave Mac is right inasmuch as you can REACH Austria in around 10 hours, but add on time to get to various resorts onto that and you're looking at almost half as long again as going to France. Its a no brainer.

Seefeld 10 hours