skiing

[sandy771]

Never been before but looking to go with some friends. We need a catered chalet that sleeps 16 each room with ensuite and want to fly from exeter/bristol, pool, sauna etc a bonus. We will have beginners to very experienced and about 15 years old and up.

Switzerland/france/italy/germany are all on the cards

Never look for this sort of holiday so suggestions of where to start, reputable companies, recommendations welcome.

[stevelup]

I have a colleague who is a proper ski-nut - goes four or five times a year. I'll ask him if you like?

[sandy771]

Thanks Steve. I am sure the others in the group who have been before will find something but dont want to leave all the donkey work of finding a possible chalet to them.

[TheKentishFledgling]

I'd be looking for an independently run chalet (or maybe a small company, with maybe two or three chalets) rather than a big company. The whole thing will have a much more "family" feel to it and you'll be made to feel very welcome.

When are you thinking of going?

Are you set on flying? In a big group like that I would seriously think about the train from London - will take you right into the Alps, meaning a very short transfer time and I think is generally a much more civilised way of travelling. But obv your call.

[sandy771]

Train would be a pita as we are coming from Cornwall. Looking at Christmas/New Year.

[stevelup]

Hi

Here's what the man said:-

Ha well they’ve just about covered all bases (with the exception of Germany….do they mean Austria!)

For that number of mixed bag of abilities, I would recommend any of the big tour operators like Crystal, Neilson, Inghams (or Mark Warner for more luxury options i.e. the catered chalets often come with sauna) and if you go onto their websites you can usually enter the various criteria mentioned below and recommendations will be offered up

Once you’ve whittled down your search I’ll happily offer my opinion if I’m familiar with the resort etc

In a nutshell, because you're a mixed ability group, you're better off with a package deal because they will better look after the less experienced members of the group - the experts can of course go off and do their own thing.

[sandy771]

Thanks Steve - we'll start whittling

[TheKentishFledgling]

Hi

Here's what the man said:-

Ha well they’ve just about covered all bases (with the exception of Germany….do they mean Austria!)

For that number of mixed bag of abilities, I would recommend any of the big tour operators like Crystal, Neilson, Inghams (or Mark Warner for more luxury options i.e. the catered chalets often come with sauna) and if you go onto their websites you can usually enter the various criteria mentioned below and recommendations will be offered up

Once you’ve whittled down your search I’ll happily offer my opinion if I’m familiar with the resort etc

In a nutshell, because you're a mixed ability group, you're better off with a package deal because they will better look after the less experienced members of the group - the experts can off course go off and do their own thing.

I'd be looking at doing this differently. Find a chalet, and let the chalet owners take care of lift passes, bookings for lessons etc. The decent skiers will be able to sort themselves out and advise the others.

Chalet owner will sort out transfers to / from airport, meaning all you need to do is find flights.

To be honest, for the kinda of moolah you'll be paying for that sort of chalet (let's say eight en suite rooms), at that time of year, the owners will be bending over backwards to help you and make life easy for you.

As I said earlier, you will have a MUCH more enjoyable time in something family run than with Crystal etc.

I'd talk to the experienced skiers in the group, and see if they have any preference about location - they'll be the ones getting out and about on the mountains most and will likely know the kind of thing they want. I doubt they'll take you to one of the less beginner friendly resorts. Settle on a location and then start finding a chalet based around that.

[rustle]

So which one are you, sandy?

Dopey
Sneezey
Happy
Sleepy
Grumpy
Bashful
or
Doc

[mo0g]

Most resorts cater for mixed abilities, so going with a tour operator makes no difference in that respect.

I would first focus on the resort - find one that is either large enough to have plenty of runs of various difficulty, or which is within striking distance of other resorts - so people have the option of hiring a car/van and going off to find something more suitable for their needs.

Once you have found a resort, then you can use a tour operator for the whole shebang, but I always prefer to find my own accomodation. Just do a google search for resort (or country) + catered chalet, and you will find independant providers. You can still use a tour operator for the flights etc if you wanted.

For the number of people you are suggesting, my first instinct would be US/Canada - I have been to new hampshire and we had the choice of 7 mountains/resorts to ski, all within an hours drive of where we stayed, including the one in the town we stayed, and including the home resort of Bode Miller (Bretton Woods). Being on the east coast the flight wasnt too long either.

[mo0g]

I'd be looking at doing this differently. Find a chalet, and let the chalet owners take care of lift passes, bookings for lessons etc. The decent skiers will be able to sort themselves out and advise the others.

I'd talk to the experienced skiers in the group, and see if they have any preference about location - they'll be the ones getting out and about on the mountains most and will likely know the kind of thing they want. I doubt they'll take you to one of the less beginner friendly resorts. Settle on a location and then start finding a chalet based around that.

This was posted whilst I was composing mine - it seems we agree.

And just to add to my New Hampshire recommendation, when we were looking the all-in prices were almost as good as europe, plus the slopes were relatively quiet with no attitude. I board and wife skis, and the mountains/resorts were all suitable for both and all abilities. Exchange rate is pretty good now too!

[Barcli]

Sandy,
i am not sure of your "background " but a work buddie who was ex Navy ( portland) Sea King pinger - gave up the UK ratrace and had a chalet built on French/Swiss border in Contamines - sleeps about 25 in total - gourmet meals - This is now him and his wifes "work" ( Think he may still fly for easyjet/Geneva)
maybe you know him ..... Chris H ?
Maybe it would suit ?
google Chalet Chavateux ( I think) - Les Contamines
good luck

[sandy771]

Thanks Barcli

http://www.skicontamines.com/en/luxury-chalet.html

Googled it and it sleeps 14 - if that is the one so no good, otherwise it might have done the job.

Portland wasn't a pinger base but they did have Seaking SAR there for a while.

[Barcli]

ok sorry not big enough - perhaps he wasnt a pinger - memory - age , and all that

[masterofnone]

Sandy, an old school mate of mine has a big chalet (actually, it might be two) in Morillon, which is part of the Grand Massif ski area in France. You can check it or at http://www.alpsinstyle.com.

I visited him in Feb-it's very nice, situated on a great ski area, its also supposed to be amazingly good paragliding territory. One of the main pluses of that area in general is that it is only approx a 1 hour transfer from Geneva.