Alphuebel Saas Fee at half term - any experiences?

[Ragusa]

Wondering if any of you wise skiing mums can give me some advice?

We have the possibility of going to the Hotel Alphuebel in Saas Fee for Feb half term.... have read lots of positive reviews here but a few cryptic mentions here and there of it being 'busy' and frantic during holiday periods. Has anyone been at Feb half term and, if so, how was it if you don't mind me asking? I am thinking particularly of the kid's club, which our two (3 and 5) would be using most days.....

Also, how did you find it being reliant on the electric milk float shuttle? We would need to get one child to the ski school for 9.15, and another for 10 am, then we need to collect one child from the ski school and accompany him to the milk float (!) taxi at 11am, the next child at 1 pm. Are we going to be forever coming and going?! is it worth all the hassle??

My other main concern is that I am crap with altitude. Saas fee is fairly high and I'm worried we'll be knackered/ headachy all week!

TIA for any guidance.

[LIZS]

The altitude at resort level isntl too bad and you can ski at different levels up the mountain if it affects you to go to 3000m. We used to go at half term , not been for many years and it was busy , with European as well as British children. The crèche room isn't that big and it is mixed ages. The resort itself will also be busy. Book ski lessons well ahead and especially if you need a good English speaking instructor. Fewer over 5's will be in the club in the mornings as they tend to be in skischool. tbh you may want to avoid as many to-ing and fro-ings but the alternative to the electro is a 15 minute walk. Not sure why your lessons are so staggered , ds did 3 hours am from 5 with younger ones for an hour and half in pm . Presumably you don't plan to ski yourselves as frankly you won't have time to go anywhere in between!

[Ragusa]

Oh I was so hoping you would see the message and reply - thanks so much. I saw you'd posted previously about this hotel/ resort.

I think given what you've said it's probably a no-go for us, then. I suspected resprt would be busy and you've kind of confirmed that - not a surprise as it's well-known in the UK.

All the ski school could offer was 1.5 hours in the morning for our little one (he's onyl 3) starting at 930 and ending at 11. Our oldest one's offering was 3 hours in the morning beginning at 10 and ending at 1 pm - hence the staggered times. We definitely DO want to ski as a couple so I don't think it's going to work, is it?!

[Ragusa]

Other option is Gargellen in Austria, hotel near the lifts. Think that will suit us better, as it's a smaller (village-wise) resort and even if we have to to-and-fro, it won't be quite as disruptive.

[LIZS]

oh and it depends what you mean by busy . I'm surprised there are still rooms available as many families re-book a year ahead and it is usually full for February. Deposits are due about now though so maybe they've had a cancellation. Although we have loved staying there many times if we went now we'd probably stay at the Waldesruh, its sister hotel, as dc are older and it is right by the skischool/lifts. You get bussed over for the evening entertainments at the Alphuebel.

[LIZS]

I wouldn't want a 3yo skiing at 9:30 , too chilly, snow is hard and a rush to get him ready. They normally have their lessons around 1:30. Why not forget him skiing and just take him out to play in the afternoons when it is warmer or book a shorter private session.

[Ragusa]

I hate that morning rush to ski school, it was bad enough with one and now we have two to get ready. All good points, thanks. I think we need to keep looking..... for somewhere that does really short afternoon lessons for the 3 year old (he is really keen, wants to do everything big sis does although when he experiences the reality, he might change his mind ;))

I hate any kind of busy, and we usually pick completely out of the way resorts but there are more constraints when you're going with really little kids (as you'll know!).

[Ragusa]

Decided against in the end and plumped for Gargellen in the Montafon.

Thanks for your advice, LIZS :)