Christmas ski holiday with children
Discussion
Consider Obergurgl in Austria, cracking little resort for beginners. Reliable opens the second weekend of November every year, due it being high and having extensive snow making. Have a look at the Bergwelt, superb hotel. It's pretty easy to book independently or Crystal Ski tend to very competitive on price for packages.
Try and get some time on one of the indoor slopes with artificial snow. Avoids spending value holiday time doing the very basics.
Try and get some time on one of the indoor slopes with artificial snow. Avoids spending value holiday time doing the very basics.
jock mcsporran said:
At Christmas I would say somewhere like Tignes or Avoriaz if you're looking at the French Alps. The last couple of years have been a bit dire at that time of year.
Tignes, yes, Avoriaz no.Tignes has accss to the glacier, Avoriaz is only 1800 meters and some of the slopes are below the village. I wouldn't do that at Xmas for the skiing, although the village IS very good for kids and caters for them with loads of activities and shows.
feef said:
Tignes, yes, Avoriaz no.
Tignes has accss to the glacier, Avoriaz is only 1800 meters and some of the slopes are below the village. I wouldn't do that at Xmas for the skiing, although the village IS very good for kids and caters for them with loads of activities and shows.
I'd actually say Avoriaz yes, Tignes no for a mix of experience and one of the points you use to argue FOR Tignes!Tignes has accss to the glacier, Avoriaz is only 1800 meters and some of the slopes are below the village. I wouldn't do that at Xmas for the skiing, although the village IS very good for kids and caters for them with loads of activities and shows.
1. Experience
I've been to the Portes du Soleil in early Jan. for the last 5 or so years, staying in Morzine. The last couple of seasons have started poorly in most French ski resorts, with Christmas/early Jan conditions basically the same. Sure skiing wasn't very good on the Morzine/Les Gets side in '14/'15 and pointless in '15/'16 but critically both years it's been fine up in Avoriaz.
Was it the best conditions ever with every slope open and in perfect conditions? No.
Were the bottoms of the bubble runs more ice-snow than fluffy snow and turn slushy in the afternoons? Yes.
BUT
Were the higher slopes fine? Yes.
Were all the nursery and usual beginner blue runs around the village fine? Yes.
Were there any days when you couldn't ski due to conditions? No.
Did it spoil the holiday? No.
2. Tignes no?
I'd say no to Tignes BECAUSE it has a glacier. Off the back of 2 poor season starts a lot of the "it must be snow sure"/"it must be over 10,000m"/etc skiers will be booking Tignes, because it has a glacier. Others will be holding fire and booking last-minute, picking Tignes if it's another poor season start, because it has a glacier.
What all that means is Tignes will be packed, and if it is a poor start to the season all crammed on to the glacier. This is not the best conditions to learn under. Far better to go to a resort that's going to be quieter and in reality as snow-sure as it can be (if it's so warm in Avoriaz in December that they can't even make snow everyone's screwed!).
I'm booked for the PdS from Dec. 11th-18th and while I know snow in Morzine's a gamble I don't expect to have any issues skiing up in Avoriaz.
Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 19th October 12:25
a311 said:
Consider Obergurgl in Austria, cracking little resort for beginners. Reliable opens the second weekend of November every year, due it being high and having extensive snow making. Have a look at the Bergwelt, superb hotel. It's pretty easy to book independently or Crystal Ski tend to very competitive on price for packages.
Try and get some time on one of the indoor slopes with artificial snow. Avoids spending value holiday time doing the very basics.
Obergurgl is great for kids and the Bergwelt is indeed a superb hotel. It's a ski down to the lifts. It has good food and wine, a great bar and indoor and outdoor pools.Try and get some time on one of the indoor slopes with artificial snow. Avoids spending value holiday time doing the very basics.
//j17 said:
feef said:
Tignes, yes, Avoriaz no.
Tignes has accss to the glacier, Avoriaz is only 1800 meters and some of the slopes are below the village. I wouldn't do that at Xmas for the skiing, although the village IS very good for kids and caters for them with loads of activities and shows.
I'd actually say Avoriaz yes, Tignes no for a mix of experience and one of the points you use to argue FOR Tignes!Tignes has accss to the glacier, Avoriaz is only 1800 meters and some of the slopes are below the village. I wouldn't do that at Xmas for the skiing, although the village IS very good for kids and caters for them with loads of activities and shows.
1. Experience
I've been to the Portes du Soleil in early Jan. for the last 5 or so years, staying in Morzine. The last couple of seasons have started poorly in most French ski resorts, with Christmas/early Jan conditions basically the same. Sure skiing wasn't very good on the Morzine/Les Gets side in '14/'15 and pointless in '15/'16 but critically both years it's been fine up in Avoriaz.
Was it the best conditions ever with every slope open and in perfect conditions? No.
Were the bottoms of the bubble runs more ice-snow than fluffy snow and turn slushy in the afternoons? Yes.
BUT
Were the higher slopes fine? Yes.
Were all the nursery and usual beginner blue runs around the village fine? Yes.
Were there any days when you couldn't ski due to conditions? No.
Did it spoil the holiday? No.
2. Tignes no?
I'd say no to Tignes BECAUSE it has a glacier. Off the back of 2 poor season starts a lot of the "it must be snow sure"/"it must be over 10,000m"/etc skiers will be booking Tignes, because it has a glacier. Others will be holding fire and booking last-minute, picking Tignes if it's another poor season start, because it has a glacier.
What all that means is Tignes will be packed, and if it is a poor start to the season all crammed on to the glacier. This is not the best conditions to learn under. Far better to go to a resort that's going to be quieter and in reality as snow-sure as it can be (if it's so warm in Avoriaz in December that they can't even make snow everyone's screwed!).
I'm booked for the PdS from Dec. 11th-18th and while I know snow in Morzine's a gamble I don't expect to have any issues skiing up in Avoriaz.
Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 19th October 12:25
Zod said:
The Tignes glacier is also very dull skiing, unless you go off piste and, given it's a glacier, you really must do that only with a guide.
...and, given that the OP has a 7yo and a 10yo who are complete beginners, it not the best place to be schlepping some complete newbies up to, when all they'll really want/need is some decent green and blue runs into a village, which quick rotations onto short chairlifts, so they get maximum snowtime to practice their new skills, and minimal time standing waiting for gondolas up to a glacier. p1stonhead said:
I was in Tignes last year and the glacier was only open 1 day out of 7 due to weather so dont count on being able to get up that high.
And it takes forever to get to the top.I'm thinking of doing a boys' trip with my 10 and 7 year olds before or just after Christmas, but it won't be to Val, much though I love it. Thinking of Flims, because it's friendly, not crowded and has great food, but Switzerland is likely to scare my wallet.
Zod said:
p1stonhead said:
I was in Tignes last year and the glacier was only open 1 day out of 7 due to weather so dont count on being able to get up that high.
And it takes forever to get to the top.I'm thinking of doing a boys' trip with my 10 and 7 year olds before or just after Christmas, but it won't be to Val, much though I love it. Thinking of Flims, because it's friendly, not crowded and has great food, but Switzerland is likely to scare my wallet.
http://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=GBP&to=...
2.5 CHF in 2007 per pound, 2016=1.2
We need to be like the Swiss, they are twice as rich as us!
The_Doc said:
Zod said:
p1stonhead said:
I was in Tignes last year and the glacier was only open 1 day out of 7 due to weather so dont count on being able to get up that high.
And it takes forever to get to the top.I'm thinking of doing a boys' trip with my 10 and 7 year olds before or just after Christmas, but it won't be to Val, much though I love it. Thinking of Flims, because it's friendly, not crowded and has great food, but Switzerland is likely to scare my wallet.
http://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=GBP&to=...
2.5 CHF in 2007 per pound, 2016=1.2
We need to be like the Swiss, they are twice as rich as us!
FWIW said:
Any recommendations for resorts or tour operators?
This will seem at first glance to be a mad idea, and it may well be budget busting anyway, but have a look to see whether there are any deals to Whistler. They've already got snow. There are great restaurants, accommodation knocks the spots off the French stand-on-the-bed-to-close-the-door style of accommodation, terrain is massive and ski school is English speaking and very good and encouraging.
It was mentioned before but as novices serious consider Scandinavia.
The runs are different than the Alps but there is plenty for beginners. The quality of the snow simply can't be beaten.
Major negative is not as much on offer for experienced Alpine Skiers and the apres ski is nowhere near.
The runs are different than the Alps but there is plenty for beginners. The quality of the snow simply can't be beaten.
Major negative is not as much on offer for experienced Alpine Skiers and the apres ski is nowhere near.
//j17 said:
feef said:
Tignes, yes, Avoriaz no.
Tignes has accss to the glacier, Avoriaz is only 1800 meters and some of the slopes are below the village. I wouldn't do that at Xmas for the skiing, although the village IS very good for kids and caters for them with loads of activities and shows.
I'd actually say Avoriaz yes, Tignes no for a mix of experience and one of the points you use to argue FOR Tignes!Tignes has accss to the glacier, Avoriaz is only 1800 meters and some of the slopes are below the village. I wouldn't do that at Xmas for the skiing, although the village IS very good for kids and caters for them with loads of activities and shows.
1. Experience
I've been to the Portes du Soleil in early Jan. for the last 5 or so years, staying in Morzine. The last couple of seasons have started poorly in most French ski resorts, with Christmas/early Jan conditions basically the same. Sure skiing wasn't very good on the Morzine/Les Gets side in '14/'15 and pointless in '15/'16 but critically both years it's been fine up in Avoriaz.
15/16 wasn't much better with access restricted and lift-pass sales limited to a first-come-first-serve basis until after Xmas.
feef said:
//j17 said:
feef said:
Tignes, yes, Avoriaz no.
Tignes has accss to the glacier, Avoriaz is only 1800 meters and some of the slopes are below the village. I wouldn't do that at Xmas for the skiing, although the village IS very good for kids and caters for them with loads of activities and shows.
I'd actually say Avoriaz yes, Tignes no for a mix of experience and one of the points you use to argue FOR Tignes!Tignes has accss to the glacier, Avoriaz is only 1800 meters and some of the slopes are below the village. I wouldn't do that at Xmas for the skiing, although the village IS very good for kids and caters for them with loads of activities and shows.
1. Experience
I've been to the Portes du Soleil in early Jan. for the last 5 or so years, staying in Morzine. The last couple of seasons have started poorly in most French ski resorts, with Christmas/early Jan conditions basically the same. Sure skiing wasn't very good on the Morzine/Les Gets side in '14/'15 and pointless in '15/'16 but critically both years it's been fine up in Avoriaz.
15/16 wasn't much better with access restricted and lift-pass sales limited to a first-come-first-serve basis until after Xmas.
The good thing about Avoriaz at Christmas is that it's very kid friendly and a decent firework display when Santa comes to visit. It's also quite easy to get to and one of the quickest high resorts from the UK if you're driving.
jock mcsporran said:
feef said:
//j17 said:
feef said:
Tignes, yes, Avoriaz no.
Tignes has accss to the glacier, Avoriaz is only 1800 meters and some of the slopes are below the village. I wouldn't do that at Xmas for the skiing, although the village IS very good for kids and caters for them with loads of activities and shows.
I'd actually say Avoriaz yes, Tignes no for a mix of experience and one of the points you use to argue FOR Tignes!Tignes has accss to the glacier, Avoriaz is only 1800 meters and some of the slopes are below the village. I wouldn't do that at Xmas for the skiing, although the village IS very good for kids and caters for them with loads of activities and shows.
1. Experience
I've been to the Portes du Soleil in early Jan. for the last 5 or so years, staying in Morzine. The last couple of seasons have started poorly in most French ski resorts, with Christmas/early Jan conditions basically the same. Sure skiing wasn't very good on the Morzine/Les Gets side in '14/'15 and pointless in '15/'16 but critically both years it's been fine up in Avoriaz.
15/16 wasn't much better with access restricted and lift-pass sales limited to a first-come-first-serve basis until after Xmas.
The good thing about Avoriaz at Christmas is that it's very kid friendly and a decent firework display when Santa comes to visit. It's also quite easy to get to and one of the quickest high resorts from the UK if you're driving.
I agree that it's accessible as a destination to drive to, and it is great for kids, that's why I've been taking my boy there to the Village des Enfants for the last 3 years
feef said:
jock mcsporran said:
feef said:
early Jan, yes, Xmas no. Especially 14/15 when it was still green on most slopes except up Arare until the 27th December when I arrived, when it snowed solid for three days, but there still wasn't a good base for another week or so.
15/16 wasn't much better with access restricted and lift-pass sales limited to a first-come-first-serve basis until after Xmas.
I would disagree with your comments on 14/15 in Avoriaz. Yes, it wasn't great and lift passes were restricted as every man and their dog wanted to get up to Avoriaz but there wasn't a day when we couldn't get on the slopes. The main issue was either getting across to the Swiss side (lack of snow) or down the Proclou (busy as hell with everybody coming up from Morzine), avoid them and it was ok. My son was in his 2nd week of skiing with the ski school and had a great time. We were there for Christmas week and left on the Saturday morning that had everyone stuck in snow when they didn't have chains or winter tyres. 15/16 wasn't much better with access restricted and lift-pass sales limited to a first-come-first-serve basis until after Xmas.
The good thing about Avoriaz at Christmas is that it's very kid friendly and a decent firework display when Santa comes to visit. It's also quite easy to get to and one of the quickest high resorts from the UK if you're driving.
I agree that it's accessible as a destination to drive to, and it is great for kids, that's why I've been taking my boy there to the Village des Enfants for the last 3 years
Arare was fine, Fornet, Choucas, Mossette, Brochoux and Prolays were all skiable, but not down to Ardent. Chavanette was too steep for the snow cover on the back side so was blocked off. Chaux Fleurie and down into Plaine Drainse was adequate at the start of the week but deteriorated.
I think you are thinking of the week before the school holidays when, yes, only Arare was open.
Considering the lack of snow in the run up to Christmas I would say Avoriaz done a pretty good job of using what it had.
jock mcsporran said:
It wasn't just Arare. Proclou was skiable, just busy at the lift to get back up. Super Morzine was no go.
Arare was fine, Fornet, Choucas, Mossette, Brochoux and Prolays were all skiable, but not down to Ardent. Chavanette was too steep for the snow cover on the back side so was blocked off. Chaux Fleurie and down into Plaine Drainse was adequate at the start of the week but deteriorated.
I think you are thinking of the week before the school holidays when, yes, only Arare was open.
Considering the lack of snow in the run up to Christmas I would say Avoriaz done a pretty good job of using what it had.
Quite possibly, but it's often touch-and-go at that time of year, and 1 week can make all the differenceArare was fine, Fornet, Choucas, Mossette, Brochoux and Prolays were all skiable, but not down to Ardent. Chavanette was too steep for the snow cover on the back side so was blocked off. Chaux Fleurie and down into Plaine Drainse was adequate at the start of the week but deteriorated.
I think you are thinking of the week before the school holidays when, yes, only Arare was open.
Considering the lack of snow in the run up to Christmas I would say Avoriaz done a pretty good job of using what it had.
jock mcsporran said:
feef said:
jock mcsporran said:
feef said:
early Jan, yes, Xmas no. Especially 14/15 when it was still green on most slopes except up Arare until the 27th December when I arrived, when it snowed solid for three days, but there still wasn't a good base for another week or so.
15/16 wasn't much better with access restricted and lift-pass sales limited to a first-come-first-serve basis until after Xmas.
I would disagree with your comments on 14/15 in Avoriaz. Yes, it wasn't great and lift passes were restricted as every man and their dog wanted to get up to Avoriaz but there wasn't a day when we couldn't get on the slopes. The main issue was either getting across to the Swiss side (lack of snow) or down the Proclou (busy as hell with everybody coming up from Morzine), avoid them and it was ok. My son was in his 2nd week of skiing with the ski school and had a great time. We were there for Christmas week and left on the Saturday morning that had everyone stuck in snow when they didn't have chains or winter tyres. 15/16 wasn't much better with access restricted and lift-pass sales limited to a first-come-first-serve basis until after Xmas.
The good thing about Avoriaz at Christmas is that it's very kid friendly and a decent firework display when Santa comes to visit. It's also quite easy to get to and one of the quickest high resorts from the UK if you're driving.
I agree that it's accessible as a destination to drive to, and it is great for kids, that's why I've been taking my boy there to the Village des Enfants for the last 3 years
Arare was fine, Fornet, Choucas, Mossette, Brochoux and Prolays were all skiable, but not down to Ardent. Chavanette was too steep for the snow cover on the back side so was blocked off. Chaux Fleurie and down into Plaine Drainse was adequate at the start of the week but deteriorated.
I think you are thinking of the week before the school holidays when, yes, only Arare was open.
Considering the lack of snow in the run up to Christmas I would say Avoriaz done a pretty good job of using what it had.
They own out there and see it as either a nice hols in the mountains OR the most amazing skiing on deserted slopes.
They also do 2 weeks in Feb, and usually all of March, but the inheritance isn't going to spend itself
Xmas and New year is a gamble, plain and simple
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff