First Time Skiing ( almost)

Planning a family skiing holiday for the first time for week 28/3 - 4/4/09 approx. Basically all beginners ( 2 adults and an 11 year old). Would prefer Italy. Where would you recommend? Looking for good place for beginners, picturesque , few good restaurants and good chance of snow . Not bothered about about apres - ski as long as a good food and a nice glass of wine available at the end of the day!

After an evening on the internet seems better to just book a flight, hire a car and sort out hotels, ski school and equipment hire ourselves. Does that seem reasonable given its our first skiing holiday or would it be better just to go for the package option? Other than flights,would we need to book everything in advance at that time of year?

Any advice gratefully received! Looking forward to it but there's so much choice - difficult to know where to start...

Catriona

Have a look at Folgarida in the Dolomites - Equity/Rocket Ski go there if you want to do a package. Small and friendly village and a cheaper option than neighbouring Madonna di Campiglio. Absolutely great for beginners, mountain scenery, reasonably priced mountain/village food, etc. but quiet at night!

I skied in La Thuile the other day and it looked absolutely excellent, only a few quick runs but I fully intend to make a visit again in the future. Plenty wide open blue/greens and it was eerily quiet-->good thing!! Lots of chairs accessing Green/Blue(probably Green at other resorts) runs and a gentle progression to the reds etc. Novelty of skiing into France at the end of the week once you have improved a little!

I haven't skied in italy but really like the look of cervinia, as a few people would vouch for on here.

on our first skiing holiday we did the package and preferred being led as we didn't have a clue, it made life much less stressful even if it was slightly more expensive. Since then, we're more inclined to book aspects ourselves (varying from holiday to holiday) which does make it cheaper but that's only because we now have some idea of what we're doing/want.

if you're confident, go for it. if not, book a package this time and do your own thing the next time (and next time and next time...).

good luck and enjoy :thumbup:

We (2 adults, 11 year old and 9 year old) are off for the first time that week. (I'm so excited!!) After a lot of internet research we have chosen Val Cenis - ideal for beginners (longest green run in Europe and lots of beginner runs all the way up the mountain), not much apres ski so fine for a family, and not so sophisticated so not so expensive! Not many UK agents go there, it seems the French keep it to themselves. We are only paying £800ish for the four of us for a package. Google it and check out the reviews!

As you are first time skiers I would, personally, say it is easier for you to book a package holiday and have it all done for you and then you are not having to worry when you get to resort about how to sort out lift passes, ski school and equipment as it is all done for you.

As for where to go in Italy..... Passo Tonale is a fantastic place for beginners however it is not a picturesque resort by any stretch of the imagination.
Cervinia is a great resort and where I learnt to ski however I was with a group and the majority were great skiers so when I wasn't in ski school they came out with me and this helped me improve loads but I'm not sure this would be such a great resort for a full group of beginners only.

I've never been to La Thuile however have heard good reports about it and know a few people who have learnt to ski there...

Catriona;
if this is your 1st time I personnaly would go with a TO , there is quite a lot to get sorted initially such as passes, kit hire, blah blah blah that its nice to have it all done by someone else ; also , dependant on deals available it can be cheaper as well. Also, would recommend at least 1/2 board accomodation.......last thing you need after a day on the slopes is to worry about sorting evening dinner out.
If you are going to DiY it & hire a car , make sure you have winter tyres & chains as you may need these as you get higher.
Before you go would also recommend you take some lessons at a slope in the UK, it gives you the basics & will get you up on to the mountain quicker on holiday.
JennyR;
Val cenis is brilliant , especially for beginners. Your correct on that green run, it goes for ages & does make the thighs burn if you are still on snowplough level. Who are you booking with as £800 sounds cheap......must be peak retreats or snow trex. I went there with 'Snowcoach' who were very good ( excellent food, loads of it & great company......staff good as well). Limited apres but very very good value . May be going back there myself this season.
Any q's, please ask

Agree with RossF. Had a week in La Thuile over New Year. Excellent for beginners - wide, gentle slopes and mainly chairlifts and a gondola - not many drags. My wife is a beginner and even she managed to get over to France one day. Would thoroughly recommend it. Enough to do for Intermediates as well.
Town quite small. Most accommodation is self catering and restaurants sometimes get quite full - need to book. We stayed half board at the Planibel hotel - pretty good there.