Recommendations for ski virgins

Coop wrote:It's a bewildering choice really. One minute I've convinced myself Niederau is where we are going and the next minute I'm considering Flaine or Alpe D'Heux!

But Niederau it is...going to book it on Monday so it's one less thing to worry about.

You know what though, I haven't been skiing for over 10 years and I can't believe how much the cost has gone up.

Yes, trips now cost more, and there are prices hikes compared to last year as well. The French resorts listed in your post, are radically different to Niederau, so be quite certain what features you want from your chosen resort before you hand over the money. Don't be worried about spending time now making sure it's the right one.

bandit wrote:

Coop wrote:It's a bewildering choice really. One minute I've convinced myself Niederau is where we are going and the next minute I'm considering Flaine or Alpe D'Heux!

But Niederau it is...going to book it on Monday so it's one less thing to worry about.

You know what though, I haven't been skiing for over 10 years and I can't believe how much the cost has gone up.

Yes, trips now cost more, and there are prices hikes compared to last year as well. The French resorts listed in your post, are radically different to Niederau, so be quite certain what features you want from your chosen resort before you hand over the money. Don't be worried about spending time now making sure it's the right one.

I'm very certain about what I want from the resort. It's got to be children friendly, it's got to have excellent ski schools and the kids need to feel comfortable and not overwhelmed. A decent amount of non-ski activities would also be a bonus. The wife is also very keen on going to a Tyrolean village.

At the end of the day, all resorts are a risk if never visited before. Who's to say that I would enjoy Flaine more than Nierderau unless I visit and experience both?

Anyway...I'm really looking forward to it and the kids are very excited. The wife is non-plussed but she's hard to please *ahem-ahem* )

Coop wrote:It's a bewildering choice really. One minute I've convinced myself Niederau is where we are going and the next minute I'm considering Flaine or Alpe D'Heux!

But Niederau it is...going to book it on Monday so it's one less thing to worry about.

You know what though, I haven't been skiing for over 10 years and I can't believe how much the cost has gone up.

Through Neilson we got 7 days at Alpenland in Neiderau 16 - 23 Jan for £1190 which is for 2 adults and 1 5 year old, it also includes a lift pass for myself. My wife has back surgery on monday so not sure whether she will ski or not and my son will get free lift pass cos he is under 6. We are booking ski school there which is 145 euros each for 24 hours of lessons (to make sure we get the "Reds" ski school as Neilsons didnt know which ski school they used) and getting ski hire from skiset as it works out cheaper for us.
Only downer is flight from manchester at 6 in morning as we live in midlands.

We went there this year and it is very good for kids. I was all for trying a diff resort but my wife wants to learn there providing her back is better.

Have fun

Some good info there basketcase. I think it's reinforced my decision.

I'm going to book one of those first time ski packages for the wife and kids. This includes ski school for 24 hours(not sure which school though), lift pass, slopeside ski storage and ski hire. All for £250 for adults & £200 for children.

Maybe I'd get a better deal by booking individually at resort but I just can't be bothered with the hassle too be honest. I would like to insist on the Red Ski School but we'll see how it goes.

The January prices are better than Feb prices but it's impossible for me to go then.

Coop,
I have a friend who is a stockbroker, and he says 'don't backtrade'. I think one can apply this to life in general, including decisions about ski resorts.

The important thing is to make a decision, because otherwise it's a sure thing you won't get any ski-ing at all - good, bad or indifferent.

And then learn from your decision for next year. But don't waste time and energy wondering what would have happened had you gone somewhere else.

I don't regret going to Bulgaria, even though it had it's downside. For example, I think it really helped my younger daughter five years later when she was studying Russia and communism for her GCSE history, because she had been to a post communist country and seen some of the after effects of communism for herself. I think suffering a small amount of hardship on holiday can be educational for children.

Ally

Decide what you want from your ski holiday, Price and country are always a good place to start, how much piste bashing do you require, kids if handled correctly will take to skiing in no time.
Once you have started on the basics select a dozen or so resorts and slowly cross them off one by one,
until your left with France or Switzerland which is much more friendly. 8)

Actually, in my limited experience (2 in Austria and 3 in France), the Austrians were much more friendly.

And the Austrian resorts were much prettier too. We went into a mountain restaurant in Val Thorens, and it was just like a motorway service station - all modern self service and sort of plastic looking and a terrible price. Whereas the Austrian ones we were in were proper log huts with wooden tables, and even wooden platters, and the food was much nicer.

Ally

AllyG wrote:Actually, in my limited experience (2 in Austria and 3 in France), the Austrians were much more friendly.

And the Austrian resorts were much prettier too. We went into a mountain restaurant in Val Thorens, and it was just like a motorway service station - all modern self service and sort of plastic looking and a terrible price. Whereas the Austrian ones we were in were proper log huts with wooden tables, and even wooden platters, and the food was much nicer.

Ally

If you choose to ski in a purpose built resort catering for the masses that is what you will find, my point mainly is to find a resort which is suitable to you you have to do a bit of homework not just taking the recommendations of the TO's :twisted: or even the guy's on this site they can recommend on their experiences but they will not understands the needs of individual people. In my limited experience of 1 in Austria (Summer), 19 in Italy, 23 France, 1 in Spain, 2 in Andorra and 1 in Switzerland these are estimates of course as I couldn't be bothered on checking too closely ....The league table for friendliness is such.....

1. France
2. Italy
3. Andorra
4. Austria
5. Switzerland

This is based on family holidays over a number of years you will note that Austria is not bottom as previously spoken about I have had some good experiences in Austria.
Switzerland do not deserve to be bottom they are only there due to being very efficient and because of that their warmth does not come through.
TO's will tell you anything for a sale as you will find out they will seldom deliver you might not agree with
my statements but the quality of accommodation I have booked independently have all been excellent I cannot say the same for the TO's.
I'm now being nagged to get ready to go out, rightly so, Tat Ta... 8) 8) 8) 8)