Skiing Holiday - July ‘25
Discussion
All, it’s my son’s 18th birthday at the end of next July. We’d like to go skiing (family of 4). Question is, where’s a good place to go, and are there likely to be any decent deals nearer the time? We were looking at Zermatt - thought we could have 3 days skiing and then do some walking too. It’s very expensive (unsurprisingly). I was wondering if somewhere like Sweden or Norway might be good, but a bit cheaper, but from what I’ve seen the scenery isn’t as great as, say, the Alps. A long time ago my wife and I went snowboarding in Whistler in summer, which was fantastic, but obviously that’s even more expensive. Any ideas or advice appreciated. Thanks.
BTW three of us will need lessons, and we’re planning to do those here before we go - if that makes any difference.
BTW three of us will need lessons, and we’re planning to do those here before we go - if that makes any difference.
The only downhill skiing available is likely glacier skiing in very high resorts. It could be a bit of a hoot. It could be s
t. It will certainly be a faff to get up there if you are valley based. If you're not experienced skiers, the snow quality will be 'interesting'. AFAIK people don't head off to Chile and Argentina until later.
18 in July 2025 so presumably A levels the following year. I'd seriously consider a winter trip in the 24/25 season and suck up the expense of half term. If you forget summer skiing for the birthday trip then you have the whole of the Alps for sightseeing, walking, via ferrata, maybe a hut to hut walking trip, which gives you a massive range of options from Annecy in the west to Slovenia in the east with lovely areas like the Dolomites and Sudtyrol in between.
t. It will certainly be a faff to get up there if you are valley based. If you're not experienced skiers, the snow quality will be 'interesting'. AFAIK people don't head off to Chile and Argentina until later.18 in July 2025 so presumably A levels the following year. I'd seriously consider a winter trip in the 24/25 season and suck up the expense of half term. If you forget summer skiing for the birthday trip then you have the whole of the Alps for sightseeing, walking, via ferrata, maybe a hut to hut walking trip, which gives you a massive range of options from Annecy in the west to Slovenia in the east with lovely areas like the Dolomites and Sudtyrol in between.
Thanks both - useful information that we will consider carefully.
A-levels this year, which is why we wanted to do something a bit special before he (sort of hopefully) leaves for university. We went to Switzerland a few years ago (Pilatus area) just for a day while passing through. That was brilliant - maybe hire some bikes and do some routes somewhere instead. I went to Courchevel snowboarding back in February 2001, and broke my nose on day 1 - the snow (what there was of it) was actually ice. It was the first time off a dry or indoor slope, so I hear your warnings about glaciers!
A-levels this year, which is why we wanted to do something a bit special before he (sort of hopefully) leaves for university. We went to Switzerland a few years ago (Pilatus area) just for a day while passing through. That was brilliant - maybe hire some bikes and do some routes somewhere instead. I went to Courchevel snowboarding back in February 2001, and broke my nose on day 1 - the snow (what there was of it) was actually ice. It was the first time off a dry or indoor slope, so I hear your warnings about glaciers!
dr_gn said:
All, it’s my son’s 18th birthday at the end of next July. We’d like to go skiing (family of 4). Question is, where’s a good place to go, and are there likely to be any decent deals nearer the time? We were looking at Zermatt - thought we could have 3 days skiing and then do some walking too. It’s very expensive (unsurprisingly). I was wondering if somewhere like Sweden or Norway might be good, but a bit cheaper, but from what I’ve seen the scenery isn’t as great as, say, the Alps. A long time ago my wife and I went snowboarding in Whistler in summer, which was fantastic, but obviously that’s even more expensive. Any ideas or advice appreciated. Thanks.
BTW three of us will need lessons, and we’re planning to do those here before we go - if that makes any difference.
I was in in Les Deux Alpes in June this year mountain biking and there were lots of ski teams in the resort using the glacier for practice.BTW three of us will need lessons, and we’re planning to do those here before we go - if that makes any difference.
I really can't imagine it's great for beginners and doubt it would provide interesting skiing, plus the resort feels very different to the ski season and is much much quieter. Plus I doubt there'll be any ski schools offering lessons.
Couldn't you wait until the Christmas holidays when he's back from Uni - with uni holidays being different to school holidays you may get away with not paying the holiday tax.
Or just don't go skiing - a holiday in Morzine or Saalbach with lots of mountain biking, lake swimming, mountain walks and sitting in the sun is good fun.
TownIdiot said:
Can definitely recommend the Alps during the summer for biking and hiking etc. the same with Norway. It's a great country to explore
In terms of skiing I don't think there's anywhere in Europe they would work for a family of beginners.
Completely agree. European glacier skiing isn't really a "fun family holiday". In July you'd need to look at places like New Zealand.In terms of skiing I don't think there's anywhere in Europe they would work for a family of beginners.
Maybe book something in for this European winter or next (when he is 18) e.g. Christmas in the Alps is a wonderful family experience.
I have a left-field suggestion, which initially you might not like, but I think it is worth considering....
A friend of mine recently took his teenage son for a week in Snow World in the Netherlands.
It has 5 slopes - the longest is around 400m, which sounds short, but is much longer than the slope at Hemel Snow Dome where I go regularly. And there is also a snowpark area so your son can practise going over jumps. I think this is the perfect area to improve technique.
My friend said it was also pretty empty when he went in the summer.
There is a hotel on-site which my friend said was inexpensive. And, in addition to skiing, there is also climbing and other activities all on-site.
I think it could be a perfect trip for a teenager, and would be an easy to drive too, as well as being good value.
https://www.snowworld.com/landgraaf/en
A friend of mine recently took his teenage son for a week in Snow World in the Netherlands.
It has 5 slopes - the longest is around 400m, which sounds short, but is much longer than the slope at Hemel Snow Dome where I go regularly. And there is also a snowpark area so your son can practise going over jumps. I think this is the perfect area to improve technique.
My friend said it was also pretty empty when he went in the summer.
There is a hotel on-site which my friend said was inexpensive. And, in addition to skiing, there is also climbing and other activities all on-site.
I think it could be a perfect trip for a teenager, and would be an easy to drive too, as well as being good value.
https://www.snowworld.com/landgraaf/en
Done a few trips to both Australia and New Zealand for summer sking trips. My advice would be don’t bother with Australia, resorts are not that good and snow quality can be variable. New Zealand on the other hand is brilliant. Based in Queenstown there are half a dozen different fields accessible with a shortish drive. Cardrona is a firm family favorite of ours. It’s just so laid back and chilled, good runs and an excellent play park, the half pipe is superb. Lots of Japanese boarders but never too busy.
I really fancy South America for skiing next summer, it’s somewhere I’ve never been.
I really fancy South America for skiing next summer, it’s somewhere I’ve never been.
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