Family skiing now looking at Les Gets or Obergurghl

Have spent the pat few days searching at a place for a beginners ski trip next Feb half term. Kids are beginners and we have skied a few times but quite a few years ago. Looking for a family friendly place that can cater for us all kids are 6, 12 and 15. Have found two lovely apartments in both places just can't decide.
Slightly unsure about the reliability of The snow in Les Gets but right now it looks fantastic.
Any pros or cons of either? We are on a bit of a budget so trying to do it DIY, may drive or fly ( depending on flight prices)
Obergurghl our youngest goes free on the lift passes.
Such a hard choice, thanks in advance.
Deanne.

I skied Obergurgl for a day last March and loved it, going back in 2 weeks for another day trip from Solden.
Never skied Les Gets or the PDS because of concerns booking in advance re poor weather and insufficient snow, which has often been the case when I have been looking to go. However, at present the area looks fantastic with superb snow.

If you want guaranteed security of snow, try Obergurgl. Good skiing, you can have a day out in Solden on the lift pass too, but from what I saw the nightlife is limited and restricted pretty much to hotels. Personally I would always choose Austria over France providing the resorts in the choice were comparable. Give me Niederfu v Val d'sere and I might think differently!

The biggest 'con' of Obergurgl is eccentric piste marking, which is a real pain on poor visibility days. Otherwise, it is lovely.

I spent a week in Obergurgl last winter. Really enjoyed it there and I think it is a good place for a family ski holiday. It is popular with British families so the kids are likely to make some friends. Must say that it isn't the cheapest resort I have been to in Austria though. Lots of Bogner on display!

When LG is cranking you can't beat it for a family ski holiday; chocolate box setting, giant pine trees everywhere, lots of easy skiing, modern uplift, super restaurants and sympathetic connections from Geneva....I would recommend having a look at Hotel Cristiana, a kids paradise.
But.....At 1000m it's rather low and due to being close to lake Geneva can pick up rain when temps are warm like this year. Snow can be a problem.

Gurgls is very high, very pricey and the skiing is blander on motorway pistes above the tree line. Can get white-out. You get a snow guarantee however. That's the trade off.

If I may be bold, try googling Stuben. I was recommended this or my first family trip and it was the best advice I've ever been given ski-wise for starter family. Try the Hubertushof then compare all other available options. Affordable, very comfortable, a mix of LG and Gurgles' better aspects (and links in with St.Anton, Lech etc on same ski pass if you fancy getting away for an hour it so).

My other recommend would be Montgenevre. Fly to Turin and connect with Go-Montgenvre who will arrange the rest. Week for 5 people self catering all costs-inc €2000.

For mid-term, the TOs will fleece you :twisted:. If you are up for it, go DIY and eliminate the surcharge that the TOs apply for peak weeks. It still will not be cheap but it wont be as bad.

You have obviously identified a couple of resorts that you fancy but don't be too limited - there are any number of resorts that will meet your needs beautifully. My first step would be to price cheap flights as soon as they become available. That should be in a few weeks time (330 days before travel is the norm I think). If you can get reasonable priced flights, the rest should fall into place. Once you have flights, consider suitable resorts that you can reach from those flights and then hunt down accommodation - be creative but also be aware that many places will not even have their 2017 accommodation or prices up yet.

Keep an eye on transfers -they can add an awful lot to the price. For a family of 5, car hire is probably your best bet but might be worth checking out trains. Austria/Switzerland tend to have family friendly tickets packages.

Good luck with your search :wink:.

I can only comment on Les Gets having actually been there numerous times (unlike some of the 'commentators' above).

I can't say I have ever suffered with problems with snow when I have been - this has always been from mid-Jan onwards. When many other european resorts were suffering from lack of snow, this 'low' resort was still skiing back to the village. Having watched the ski conditions for numerous seasons after I have been Feb always looks like a good option.

Les Gets does suit a lot of requirements. Hotel Christiana (we have stayed there every time we have been), is excellent. On the side of the slopes, fantastic 5 course meal every night and service that I doubt will be beaten anywhere else (not stuffy, friendly).

Don't expect dancing on tables in the village, you won't get it - you will get a few good pubs, and most of the hotels have good bars.

I could go on, if you want more info drop me a PM

I can't comment on Obergurgl as I have not been there and it would be incorrect to opine on somewhere that I have not been.

however......get to LG - you'll love the place!! :D