Where to go for Christmas?

adding my two penneth worth. I've got a family room available in a chalet i'm going to which is a double bed and a mezz floor with two singles.

it's available for 9 days over Xmas (or seven if you want but no change in price) There's a garden out front which means sledging and snowmen! plus there's a skating rink and it's a very family oreiented resort. ski school is good - can vouch for this as was on it last year!

okay - it's in Les Gets though. Shock horror - only 1200m!! so here's the general thoughts on altitude (COLD) versus precipitation levels (the stuff that falls out of the sky)

"Altitude is however not the only important factor. Some areas like the Grand Massif or Mont-Blanc Val d’Arly benefit from a microclimate because of their close proximity to Europe’s highest peak, Mont-Blanc. These areas have a much more reliable snow record than other resorts at the same altitude or even than some higher-up.

Other important factors for good snow are North-facing slopes as whatever cover their get will simply last longer. What lies below the snow cover is also of importance: a few centimetres will be enough to ski on pasture whereas more will be required to cover a rocky surface. Finally resorts that have snow cannons to cover the lower slopes (generally the nursery slopes) offer a good guarantee. These will normally run at night from early December to top-up on natural snow cover. Above all what is important is to check the hard facts as in the end the snow history over a period of time is the only reliable indicator"

Also - review of Les Gets on ifyouski.com

Why take a skiing holiday in Les Gets?
650km of piste
Good snow record
Good for beginners
Great for families
Excellent ski school

microclimates in this context are a complete myth, just rubbish made up by tourist offices and holiday companies and repeated too often when people don't understand the geography of the alpes.

Les Gets is around 40km from Mt Blanc, no closer than 60 or other ski stations including, for example, Verbier or La Plagne. There's no reason whatsoever to assume being 40km from mt blanc confers fantastic snowfalls, in fact, try doing the reverse, name say a dozen ski stations in the french/swiss/italian alpes that are further than 40 or 50 km from a 4000m peak.

This myth perpetuates in part because most people don't get out between ski stations hiking or touring and are confused by where roads and tunnels are as to the actual distances between places.

I'm not a meteorologist but I'm not even sure the use of the term microclimate is anything like correct in this context either.

Kaprun in austria is looking good for snow already,i have to also go with austria,i have been to both countries several times and its just easier in austria less attitude and always good fun.

Avoriaz is a favorite with my family both my girls now 15 and 12 enjoyed the french ski school. I have found childrens ski school in some resort very poorly run with large groups and kids in tears. There is a choice of childrens ski schools in Avoriaz but we have always found the ESF is good with English spoken. The resort is traffic free with a large floodlit area in the village for sledging thats very popular at night. The beginners area has got snow canons so is well covered. We spent Christmas there in 2004 the snow was perfect and we are going back this Christmas got a good deal with Neilsons less than £1000 for a studio flights and transfare for the 4 of us just ask if you want any info about skiing with kids.

Heh.. this is pretty interesting thread. Lots of different opinions. It's like music. If you ask people what type of music is the best, you end up with a good debate :)

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Where ever you will go, I wish you very good skiing and a wonderful holiday!

One of the other threads was asking about Livigno in Italy. Although it's a long way (4 hours+) from the airport its remoteness means it's less crowded, especially at the weekend or if lower resort conditions are poor. The big benefits are it's got an excellent series of graded learner slopes, very friendly Italian instructors, and a special tax status that makes it cheap. It's also high. The shops and restaurants are fine as well. But we had to get a 3.30am coach back and the 4 hour transit can be tiring.

Tignes is to skiing what Ian Dowie is to football.

Tony_H wrote:Tignes is to skiing what Ian Dowie is to football.

useless??? I'd heard Tignes was quite good for skiing, while Ian Dowie.................... :twisted: