Latest posts for the topic "european kids half term 2010"

european kids half term 2010

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:57:45 GMT

Hi there

I am just planning ahead, trying to look at the best time to go skiing that avoids both uk and european kids half term. I have found out when our kids are off school (Feb 15 - 19 2010) but was wondering if anyone knew when either France or Austria have their half term? I think we fancy La Plagne for next year. But just thinking about it, that could change by tomorrow lol

Re:european kids half term 2010

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:06:46 GMT

First or second week in Jan avoids any school holidays and is the cheapest time to go. Never ever had a problem with conditions that time of year either.

Re:european kids half term 2010

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:51:58 GMT

Hi,
I found this on the internet. It gives holiday dates for next year as well, if you scroll down,

Ally

http://about-france.com/school-holidays.htm

Re:european kids half term 2010

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:11:14 GMT

Have looked at French holidays - complicated :shock:
Basically, you have to allow not just for school holidays in the immediate area of the alps, but people taking holidays from the likes of Paris who might take their hols in the alps as well.
So write off all dates between 6 Feb and 7 March. :roll:

I think I'll take Tony's advice and go 1st or 2nd week in Jan :lol:

We usually meet loads of Dutch people wherever we go in Austria, so I wonder when their half term is?

Allie

Re:european kids half term 2010

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:14:49 GMT

Actually, I've just thought of something. Given my total loathing of crowds of any sort AND queueing (spelling?) maybe skiing isn't for me - though if I gave up I'd have to leave this forum as well :( as Mr Admin won't let us post about anything that's not ski-related...

Re:european kids half term 2010

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:44:13 GMT

Allie,
Don't give up ski-ing just because of the crowds - I'm sure you can find somewhere less crowded.

Here is something to help with the Dutch holidays, although it's not totally comprehensive and doesn't include all the 2010 holidays. This year, the Feb half-term holiday was the same for the Dutch as us - there were several Dutch families ski-ing in our lessons.

Ally

http://hollandsouth.angloinfo.com/information/24/schoolhols.asp

Re:european kids half term 2010

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:01:06 GMT

acarr wrote:Have looked at French holidays - complicated :shock:
Basically, you have to allow not just for school holidays in the immediate area of the alps, but people taking holidays from the likes of Paris who might take their hols in the alps as well.
So write off all dates between 6 Feb and 7 March. :roll:

I think I'll take Tony's advice and go 1st or 2nd week in Jan :lol:

We usually meet loads of Dutch people wherever we go in Austria, so I wonder when their half term is?

Allie

I have never queued anywhere longer than a couple of minutes in early Jan, and that includes Mayrhofen and St Anton, both very popular and generally busy resorts. Its the perfect time of year to go.

Re:european kids half term 2010

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:05:27 GMT

Tony, is the snow ok at that time of year?

Re:european kids half term 2010

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:11:28 GMT

acarr wrote:Tony, is the snow ok at that time of year?

Never ever been a problem, but thats because I have always been careful with my selection. I always tend to go to higher resorts anyway to make sure there will be skiing if the weather isnt great.
Past experience has told me that Jan is quite a cold month, and therefore it is likely to snow lower down, although thats not always the case of course. I have found that the early season snow falls in December make a good base to ski on in Jan, and generally the weather has mostly been clear and sunny when we have been just after new year. It was very cold in St Anton, minus 12 in the village at midday, and minus 45 up the mountain at night, but that only helps preserve the snow of course.

I am no expert on conditions, weather, snowbases etc, but what I would say is pick somewhere with decent altitude skiing, ie above 1800m and you should be fine. Some of my best weeks skiing have been in early Jan, including St Anton this year.

Re:european kids half term 2010

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:02:01 GMT

I went to Austria in the last week of Jan last year to avoid the various european half term holidays, there was no problem with the snow but I picked the week an Irish radio station was having their ski tour in the resort and everywhere was absolutely packed, including the ski schools and lifts with Irish teens and twenty somethings. A lot of beer was drunk but not a lot of skiing done.
So you never can tell