Weekend Ski Resort - Drive from the UK

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richardxjr said:

I've driven. Load car with food and self cater to save proper money. Flaine is good for beginners and easy to drive to and get around once there. I'd avoid half term purely because (everywhere) will be packed, and only go at short notice when conditions are assured.

If you're heading to Flaine I'd highly recommend stopping 25 mins earlier and staying in Les Carroz instead. Might be a touch pricier, but it's a lovely French village/resort.

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deanogtv said:

I'm a keen to get my kids and missus into skiing as I'm boarded for many years.

Over the next few months I plan to take the kids for a few lessons at the dry slopes with the aim of doing a long weekend towards the end of the session, early march, somewhere in Europe.

I'd like to know a half decent, begineer resort within a decent drive from the UK. I plan to do around 4/5 days and will be on a limited budget so if one country is cheaper than the rest that would be ideal.
If anyone can also recommend cheapish accomodation that would also help.

Look forward to your comments

Driving for a short break doesn’t make financial sense unless your heading to Scotland-although depending on your location in the UK there may not be a massive amount difference in the driving distance/time.

Briefly Scotland can be great, it can also be cloudy, windy, raining, and have poor snow cover you really can’t say too far in advance what conditions will be like. Although in my experience March is as good of a time as any. On a good day it really is as good as anywhere IMO.

I’ve not been myself, and nothing I hear makes me want to go as an experienced skier but Bulgaria might be the place to look at as it seems to be more than adequate for those who are on a budget in particular. There are allot of things which are pretty fixed price when you go skiing that are hard to get discounted-lift pass, gear hire you can shop around but it won’t vary massively. It’s also hard(er) to get accommodation for less than a week-you may end up paying the equivalent of a week regardless.

You may consider staying in town close by to several resorts, Innsbruck and Bourg St Maurice spring to mind. Bourg has a bubble going up to Les Arc from memory.

Final option to consider. I do some instructing for a company called Interski. They specialise in coach trips to the Aosta valley. The coach isn’t too bad but it’s pretty damm close to all inclusive when you get there. Accommodation, breakfast, vouchers for lunch on the hill, evening meal. All gear hire (including clothing if required, and lessons (usually from people like myself from the UK-so native English speakers) included in the price.

If the coach doesn’t appeal you have the option to fly. In summary I’d save until I could a week without trying to do it on the cheap.