Skiing Feb/March.Book now?
Discussion
This might be worth a look. I stayed here years ago with a number of first time skiers, it worked well.
It’s not a pretty resort, but the hotel is on the slope and the mountains are good. Italy offers good value too.
https://www.crystalski.co.uk/ski-holidays/bookacco...
Crystal are very good, one thing people forget when making their own ski package is if the weather is bad on the airport transfer day, it’s the tour companies responsibility.
I have had more than one occasion where the aircraft was delayed whilst we were stuck in traffic. EasyJet will not wait for you!
Hope you have a great time.
It’s not a pretty resort, but the hotel is on the slope and the mountains are good. Italy offers good value too.
https://www.crystalski.co.uk/ski-holidays/bookacco...
Crystal are very good, one thing people forget when making their own ski package is if the weather is bad on the airport transfer day, it’s the tour companies responsibility.
I have had more than one occasion where the aircraft was delayed whilst we were stuck in traffic. EasyJet will not wait for you!
Hope you have a great time.
Given the 12 year old daughter I'm guessing you'll be limited to school holidays, which means Christms/New Year, Feb. half term, or Easter.
Christmas/New Year - Both fall quite nicely this year, quieter than half term and similar to Easter. Can make for a very postcard Christmas - but also cause arguments as you can't visit all the relatives as you normally do. Tradition states that the snow isn't as good/reliable but head high in France or east into Austria and you should be fine - and recent years Dec. has been better than Feb for snow! Prices higher than the rest of Dec/Jan but cheaper than Feb. half term.
Feb half term - The classic family window as it's in the middle of the season...but also means every skier with children between 1 and 18 is going over the same 2 or 3 week period making it busy, so longer lift queues, etc. Tradition states it can be very cold but you get the best snow - but this Feb in Morzine the overnight LOW was +6C! Prices top out over Feb. half term so the most expenesive time to go.
Easter - Can be good/can be bad, mainly due to it moving about so much! Next year's quite well placed though, being the end of March rather than the end of April so well within the core ski season for most resorts. Again tradition says it's warm and sunny, which is nice in the mornings but make the snow wet and slushy in the afternoons...so what we had back at Feb half term this year! Without the draw of either a white Christmas or 'the best snow conditions' Easter tends to be the cheapest and quietest school holiday window - and, especially eastward in Austria can see some very good snowfall (many Austrian resorts are open into May).
For a first trip I'd probably do a package, just because there's enough stuff to worry about the first time you go skiing getting someone else to sort out a chunk of it and have a rep in resort to help with any questions/issues just takes a bit of pressure off. Following years, or if you need to keep a lid on costs I'd DIY (driving is generally the cheapest, unless you're sat there the second EasyJet, etc release the flights each year).
As for when to book, like most things depends how much you know what you want/how much you don't care about.
- If you know what you want, where you want to go and especially if you want to go there Feb half term - Book the Monday you get back from the previous year's half term trip.
- If you don't care about where/what accomodation/etc - Leave it late as there are almost always late deals.
- Otherwise - Book it now, especially if you go DIY as most things only tend to get more expensive or more limited in choice. Also worth booking ski school as soon as you know when/where you're going as these can and do fill up and run out of places peak weeks.
Christmas/New Year - Both fall quite nicely this year, quieter than half term and similar to Easter. Can make for a very postcard Christmas - but also cause arguments as you can't visit all the relatives as you normally do. Tradition states that the snow isn't as good/reliable but head high in France or east into Austria and you should be fine - and recent years Dec. has been better than Feb for snow! Prices higher than the rest of Dec/Jan but cheaper than Feb. half term.
Feb half term - The classic family window as it's in the middle of the season...but also means every skier with children between 1 and 18 is going over the same 2 or 3 week period making it busy, so longer lift queues, etc. Tradition states it can be very cold but you get the best snow - but this Feb in Morzine the overnight LOW was +6C! Prices top out over Feb. half term so the most expenesive time to go.
Easter - Can be good/can be bad, mainly due to it moving about so much! Next year's quite well placed though, being the end of March rather than the end of April so well within the core ski season for most resorts. Again tradition says it's warm and sunny, which is nice in the mornings but make the snow wet and slushy in the afternoons...so what we had back at Feb half term this year! Without the draw of either a white Christmas or 'the best snow conditions' Easter tends to be the cheapest and quietest school holiday window - and, especially eastward in Austria can see some very good snowfall (many Austrian resorts are open into May).
For a first trip I'd probably do a package, just because there's enough stuff to worry about the first time you go skiing getting someone else to sort out a chunk of it and have a rep in resort to help with any questions/issues just takes a bit of pressure off. Following years, or if you need to keep a lid on costs I'd DIY (driving is generally the cheapest, unless you're sat there the second EasyJet, etc release the flights each year).
As for when to book, like most things depends how much you know what you want/how much you don't care about.
- If you know what you want, where you want to go and especially if you want to go there Feb half term - Book the Monday you get back from the previous year's half term trip.
- If you don't care about where/what accomodation/etc - Leave it late as there are almost always late deals.
- Otherwise - Book it now, especially if you go DIY as most things only tend to get more expensive or more limited in choice. Also worth booking ski school as soon as you know when/where you're going as these can and do fill up and run out of places peak weeks.
If you want everything sorted for you have a look at
https://www.espritski.com/
Used them a few times in the past with our kids and couldn’t fault them.
If you are all beginners I’d go to
https://www.espritski.com/family-ski-destinations/...
https://www.espritski.com/
Used them a few times in the past with our kids and couldn’t fault them.
If you are all beginners I’d go to
https://www.espritski.com/family-ski-destinations/...
Definitely crack on, I’m taking my son for his first ski holiday, started looking about two months ago, faffed around for two weeks and options were disappearing fast so booked a package to Andorra in March with Crystal (I cannot do feb half term due to work).
As you chose scheduled BA flights got early out and late back.
You can save a few quid booking separately but I’ve gone for the easy option this time. Also as we’re staying half board and the lift passes includes lunch it’s one less thing to worry about.
Ski school for him is morning only so we can ski together in the afternoon.
He’s also done a course of lessons at Milton Keynes (and the local dry ski slope) so I know he likes it. You might want to think about this for you and family…
As you chose scheduled BA flights got early out and late back.
You can save a few quid booking separately but I’ve gone for the easy option this time. Also as we’re staying half board and the lift passes includes lunch it’s one less thing to worry about.
Ski school for him is morning only so we can ski together in the afternoon.
He’s also done a course of lessons at Milton Keynes (and the local dry ski slope) so I know he likes it. You might want to think about this for you and family…
Edited by r159 on Wednesday 28th June 22:07
Edited by r159 on Wednesday 28th June 22:08
Edited by r159 on Wednesday 28th June 22:09
Oh, and if you've never even put ski boots on before:
1. Try to get to an indoor snowdome for a beginner lesson.
First off you'll have that first experience of putting all the kit on/carrying skis/walking in ski boots - they all take longer than you expect and, especially for children you don't want to be late to ski school on day 1 when the groups are split up as you can end up in the 'later arrivals' group rather than a 'by age/language' one.
Second you'll have an idea who loves it/doesn't mind it/hates it so can plan your days ahead, be that all/some of you skiing all day or doing 'off the mountain' activites outside ski school.
2. Pick a big resort.
Quite a simple one, if someone just doesn't get on with sliding forcing them will NOT result in a happy holiday! There's a lot to be said for smaller resorts, Oz en Oisans is brilliant for skiing families - but there's next to nothing for non-skiers, while neighbouring Alpe d'Huez just feels busy and crowded - but there's a lot of non-ski stuff you just don't find in it's little neighbour, Oz.
3. Be fussy with your boots.
The first rule of ski club is - you don't talk about ski boot fit! Or so it seems sometimes - I only found out when I bought boots from a specialist boot fitter.
a) Work in pairs to put them on, with the helper getting their hands on the plastic either side of the tongue and pulling it open, while the wearer pulls the tongue up and slides their foot in. Which will make a lot more sense when you have a boot in your hand.
b) Boots on, toes up, gently tab your heals on the ground. You're not trying to go through the floor, just get your heal in the back of the boot.
c) The clips over the top of the foot should NOT be tight, in fact you should be able to open/close them with 1 finger. They are just to stop snow going in and over tightening them will just restrict blood flow to your toes and give you cold feet.
d) The lower leg clips should be 'snug' and require a good push to open/close - but that doesn't mean trying to get them as tight as humanly possible. That will just bruise your leg and make wearing boots painful the rest of the week.
e) Stand up and you want to be able to wiggle your toes and have then just brushing the front of the boot. If you can't move your toes they are too small. If they are wiggling in free space they are too big. Next try to take a step forward - but without moving your foot. If nothing happens, that's good. However if your heal comes up inside the boot that's bad.
Any issues with the above then don't just accept what you're given, go back to the desk in the hire shop and say what's wrong (too long/too show/too narrow/heal lifting/etc and they will just give you a different pair, usually from a different brand to try. Ski boots are like any other shoe, some are cut differently to others and even if the same size some shoes fit/some shoes don't.
1. Try to get to an indoor snowdome for a beginner lesson.
First off you'll have that first experience of putting all the kit on/carrying skis/walking in ski boots - they all take longer than you expect and, especially for children you don't want to be late to ski school on day 1 when the groups are split up as you can end up in the 'later arrivals' group rather than a 'by age/language' one.
Second you'll have an idea who loves it/doesn't mind it/hates it so can plan your days ahead, be that all/some of you skiing all day or doing 'off the mountain' activites outside ski school.
2. Pick a big resort.
Quite a simple one, if someone just doesn't get on with sliding forcing them will NOT result in a happy holiday! There's a lot to be said for smaller resorts, Oz en Oisans is brilliant for skiing families - but there's next to nothing for non-skiers, while neighbouring Alpe d'Huez just feels busy and crowded - but there's a lot of non-ski stuff you just don't find in it's little neighbour, Oz.
3. Be fussy with your boots.
The first rule of ski club is - you don't talk about ski boot fit! Or so it seems sometimes - I only found out when I bought boots from a specialist boot fitter.
a) Work in pairs to put them on, with the helper getting their hands on the plastic either side of the tongue and pulling it open, while the wearer pulls the tongue up and slides their foot in. Which will make a lot more sense when you have a boot in your hand.
b) Boots on, toes up, gently tab your heals on the ground. You're not trying to go through the floor, just get your heal in the back of the boot.
c) The clips over the top of the foot should NOT be tight, in fact you should be able to open/close them with 1 finger. They are just to stop snow going in and over tightening them will just restrict blood flow to your toes and give you cold feet.
d) The lower leg clips should be 'snug' and require a good push to open/close - but that doesn't mean trying to get them as tight as humanly possible. That will just bruise your leg and make wearing boots painful the rest of the week.
e) Stand up and you want to be able to wiggle your toes and have then just brushing the front of the boot. If you can't move your toes they are too small. If they are wiggling in free space they are too big. Next try to take a step forward - but without moving your foot. If nothing happens, that's good. However if your heal comes up inside the boot that's bad.
Any issues with the above then don't just accept what you're given, go back to the desk in the hire shop and say what's wrong (too long/too show/too narrow/heal lifting/etc and they will just give you a different pair, usually from a different brand to try. Ski boots are like any other shoe, some are cut differently to others and even if the same size some shoes fit/some shoes don't.
Loads of great advice and I would strongly second
1) Use a package - even though I do all sorts of complex DIY tours, for a simple in resort trip I use Crystal - they may do some early deals. I get inundated by them so can't keep up.
2) Half time unavoidable by the sound of it but if you are all in lessons you'll be able to take advantage of the instructors' line. In practical terms this will make it like skiing without an instructor in quieter times. The instructors are also smart at avoiding the bottlenecks that the sheep can't avoid.
3) Big resort/small resort. TBH I think there's a lot to be said for a small resort converging on a single 'front de neige'/meet up point. More likely to be populated by other beginners. Some of the final runs into the bigger resorts can be very intimidating. Look for five stars for beginners and three stars for 'experts'. A big resort will be 300km of piste; small about 100km.
4) Lessons before you go. Will really help - At least if you and the missus can get on top of organising; getting the gear on; carrying it etc. then you'll be able to help your daughter. Walking in boots and skis; skis on/skis off; simple drag lifts; learning a few turns. We took a course of 5 hour long lessons and were promoted to week 2 group on our first time on snow. Some of the Snow Dome type places have early morning sessions for kids (8am Sunday at Castleford) which can give a lot of snow time for a reasonable price.
5)
The only thing I think I'd add for a beginner who has a 12 year old daughter - I'm assuming you're both unlikely to see 30 again. Have a cold eyed look at your fitness. Any lack of strength, flexibility and aerobic fitness will reduce your abilty to enjoy/learn and increase the risk of injury. Also weight - a stone either way can make a huge difference.
1) Use a package - even though I do all sorts of complex DIY tours, for a simple in resort trip I use Crystal - they may do some early deals. I get inundated by them so can't keep up.
2) Half time unavoidable by the sound of it but if you are all in lessons you'll be able to take advantage of the instructors' line. In practical terms this will make it like skiing without an instructor in quieter times. The instructors are also smart at avoiding the bottlenecks that the sheep can't avoid.
3) Big resort/small resort. TBH I think there's a lot to be said for a small resort converging on a single 'front de neige'/meet up point. More likely to be populated by other beginners. Some of the final runs into the bigger resorts can be very intimidating. Look for five stars for beginners and three stars for 'experts'. A big resort will be 300km of piste; small about 100km.
4) Lessons before you go. Will really help - At least if you and the missus can get on top of organising; getting the gear on; carrying it etc. then you'll be able to help your daughter. Walking in boots and skis; skis on/skis off; simple drag lifts; learning a few turns. We took a course of 5 hour long lessons and were promoted to week 2 group on our first time on snow. Some of the Snow Dome type places have early morning sessions for kids (8am Sunday at Castleford) which can give a lot of snow time for a reasonable price.
5)
//j17 said:
Bootfitting advice
Spot on. Take your time - if you can get to the hire place on Saturday evening you'll be less pushed for time.The only thing I think I'd add for a beginner who has a 12 year old daughter - I'm assuming you're both unlikely to see 30 again. Have a cold eyed look at your fitness. Any lack of strength, flexibility and aerobic fitness will reduce your abilty to enjoy/learn and increase the risk of injury. Also weight - a stone either way can make a huge difference.
Edited by oddman on Friday 30th June 10:08
oddman said:
A big resort will be 300km of piste; small about 100km.
Of which as a first timer you'll probably use about 5km of, so don't worry about number/length of pistes at any resort you're considering.oddman said:
//j17 said:
Bootfitting advice
Spot on. Take your time - if you can get to the hire place on Saturday evening you'll be less pushed for time.Also don't think ski/boot hire is a one shot deal. Hire boots are almost guaranteed to not be actually comfortable if the fit is anywhere even close to correct - but if you find they hurt/rub/slop/etc don't think twice about popping back to the hire shop and asking to swap to a different pair. Just like lift 'queues' reserved British politeness is rarely your friend when skiing
oddman said:
Any lack of strength, flexibility and aerobic fitness will reduce your abilty to enjoy/learn and increase the risk of injury. Also weight - a stone either way can make a huge difference.
A lot of skiing is in the quads and ankle flex so a good (free/at home) general pre-trip exercise is to stand with your back/heals against a wall and slide your back as far down as you can WITHOUT lifting your heals - and hold it there. Most people will quickly feel the pull in their shins but you'll also be tensing your quads, which will help build stamina.The other one as a beginner is you [u]will[/u] spend a lot of time falling (in fact you want to falls as early as possible so you realise it doesn't really hurt/break anything/kill you and you stop being afraid of falling), which means a lot of getting up. Children, with their generally high strength to weight ratios find this easy. Adults are not generally so blessed which means using your arms to push yourself up, so a bit of upper body/arm strength work won't hurt. Again something as simple (and again free/at home) press-ups will do.
One thing you haven't asked about (but I'm on a very dull conference call so will amuse myself by covering) is what to take.
1) Skiing is NOT a fashion show (at least not off the slopes) so don't worry about packing "going out" clothes for the evenings. Go out to a restaurant and most people will be either wearing jeans/t-shirts or sometimes still in ski gear.
2) DO buy quality ski socks, but don't buy too many. One pair will easilly go 2 days so 3 pairs do the week. Also your feet should just be foot/single ski sock/boot. Try to add extra socks to fill boot space/try to keep feet warm and you can expect blisters at the end of the day.
3) Buy quality base layers, but again not too many. Other options are available and other people swear by them but I'd always go merino wool. Again merino tops will go 2 days without smelling/bottoms 3.
4) Lots of thin layers are better than single, thick one. You can just add a t-shirt/fleece/etc if it's cold - and won't be roasting in a -23C jacket if it turns out to be +10!
5) Skiing isn't exactly cheap, especially the first time - but neither should it require a second mortgage. Start talking about going skiing and friends/co-workers will come out of the woodwork and be a good source of old but perfectly servicable kit - especially out-grown childrens stuff that's only been worn for 1 week for your daughter. If you are buying new there's really nothing wrong with Decathlon's cheap stuff and you'll see plenty for people wearing it on the slopes. Is the the last word in quality/style/brand name? No. Is a £70 Decathlon jacket as good as a £600 Sentinel one? Well you'd kind of hope not - but the Sentinel jacket's never going to be 10x better! Also if you have a really good quality waterproof jacket it will be perfectly fine for skiing. 99% of features in ski jackets are just marketing.
6) Two areas that a worth spending money on, if you have to, are goggles and gloves (mits for people with cold hands), in both cases "function over form". Nothing worse than a pair of gloves/goggles that just don't fit comfortably.
1) Skiing is NOT a fashion show (at least not off the slopes) so don't worry about packing "going out" clothes for the evenings. Go out to a restaurant and most people will be either wearing jeans/t-shirts or sometimes still in ski gear.
2) DO buy quality ski socks, but don't buy too many. One pair will easilly go 2 days so 3 pairs do the week. Also your feet should just be foot/single ski sock/boot. Try to add extra socks to fill boot space/try to keep feet warm and you can expect blisters at the end of the day.
3) Buy quality base layers, but again not too many. Other options are available and other people swear by them but I'd always go merino wool. Again merino tops will go 2 days without smelling/bottoms 3.
4) Lots of thin layers are better than single, thick one. You can just add a t-shirt/fleece/etc if it's cold - and won't be roasting in a -23C jacket if it turns out to be +10!
5) Skiing isn't exactly cheap, especially the first time - but neither should it require a second mortgage. Start talking about going skiing and friends/co-workers will come out of the woodwork and be a good source of old but perfectly servicable kit - especially out-grown childrens stuff that's only been worn for 1 week for your daughter. If you are buying new there's really nothing wrong with Decathlon's cheap stuff and you'll see plenty for people wearing it on the slopes. Is the the last word in quality/style/brand name? No. Is a £70 Decathlon jacket as good as a £600 Sentinel one? Well you'd kind of hope not - but the Sentinel jacket's never going to be 10x better! Also if you have a really good quality waterproof jacket it will be perfectly fine for skiing. 99% of features in ski jackets are just marketing.
6) Two areas that a worth spending money on, if you have to, are goggles and gloves (mits for people with cold hands), in both cases "function over form". Nothing worse than a pair of gloves/goggles that just don't fit comfortably.
I'd recommend skiing in Norway, especially at Feb half term when everywhere else is mega expensive and crowded.
Their resorts are much smaller (and cheaper), and are perfect for beginners. And the instructors will probably speak better English than you. Meanwhile in France, all you will likely hear in your ski lesson is "ben-ze-knees".
Their resorts are much smaller (and cheaper), and are perfect for beginners. And the instructors will probably speak better English than you. Meanwhile in France, all you will likely hear in your ski lesson is "ben-ze-knees".
swamp said:
Meanwhile in France, all you will likely hear in your ski lesson is "ben-ze-knees".
To a degree true - but then THE most common issue with beginner/intermediate skiers technique is a lack of bending at the knee and skiing too upright Hell I'm at the level where I go on a guided off piste week every year and one of our guides fumbled in his pocket before producing a Playmobile man and telling 2 of us saying "You ski like this. Bend your knees!". In our defence it WAS at the end of a day where whey'd beasted us with walks/20min, single direction side steps/the huge, long, knee deep powder field and tree run that took us to so we we're just wrecked
Edited by //j17 on Friday 30th June 17:33
I’d also agree with the others here to have a couple of taster lessons at a local dry slope or indoor slope. You’ll get used to putting boots on, clipping in to the bindings.
Unless you’re a natural you will fall. You need to learn how to get back up.
Skiing is a fantastic sport, have lots of fun and enjoy yourself. I can’t get enough of it.
Unless you’re a natural you will fall. You need to learn how to get back up.
Skiing is a fantastic sport, have lots of fun and enjoy yourself. I can’t get enough of it.
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