First time ski as group

[jamtoast12]

Hi

Looking for some basic advice and information regarding booking a ski holiday for our family! Dh and I have skied before but before the kids. We are basically looking for a good value package but I've no idea how much a package costs so don't know if I'm being overcharged etc when I'm researching! Here's my wish list!

Cabin catered for 6 adults and 6 kids all over 5yrs old
We want relatively short transfers of hour or two max
Cheap ski hire and lift passes etc
Ski school mornings only for kids and none for adults

Don't need any other childcare etc as the idea is for kids to ski school mornings whilst we ski and then for us to spend the afternoons together as a family doing sledging, swimming, possible snowmobiles etc depending on resort facilities

So just after some operator recommendations and idea of a good cost? We are all planning to take the kids out of school for a week (and schools happy for us to do so too) so don't need half term anything.

When is best to book for January 2015?

Thanks for any help!

[jamtoast12]

Bump?

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

I can't say about anything specific I'm afraid, but in terms of keeping costs down be careful about lift passes.

Some resorts charge from age 5, others not until age 7 or 8.

I would look for an independent catered chalet that fits your group size. I've found some good ones through Chalets Direct Solutions Room - just post your requirements and chalet owners get back to you.

For a definate group, I would book as early as possible, and get your flights booked as soon as they're available.

[IWishICouldThinkOfAFabName]

Take a look at Ski magic and Family Friendly skiing - both in La Tania in 3 vallees. They provide in house child care (ski school collection, lunch and afternoon care for 5 days) which is cheaper than Mark warner or esprit and skiing all day is a tough call for kids aged under 8 years. But you don't have to have childcare if you don't need it.

We have used both companies in the past and would highly recommend them. They can provide airport transfers in thier own mini buses but you book your own flights. Closest airport is Chambery but you get more flights going into Geneva.
Having done airport transfers in large coaches with the bigger ski companies, a mini bus it much quicker as you go straight from airport to chalet rather than dropping others off.
The other option is to drive ( eurotunnel) or get the train from St.Pancras to Moutiers ( 25 min transfer from tain station to LA Tania).

There are two excellent ski schools in La Tania - British run New Generation and French run Magic in Motion. Both have a max of 8 children in a class.

Lift passes are free only to age 4 and under but there is a free drag lift in La tania so if your children are beginners then you won't need to buy a lift pass for their first few days anyway as the free drag will be enough.

We now have an apartment near Meribel and have arranged for a 5% discount with both New Gen and Magic in Motion for our guests. The discount can be used in Meribel, La Tania or Courcheval. So if you end up in La Tania or 3V please PM me for code. Most companies will offer to book lessons for you but keep the 5-10% commission from the ski school.
We give 5% to our guests and then receive a 5% 'commission' for each booking we have recommended which we use towards our own kids ski lessons the following year. A win-win.

Good kids ski school and child care are the two things that are vital to a good family ski holiday and worth spending money on. If your kids are happy then everything else works well.

[user1499027802]

Ski magic have new owners. Went with them this year and it was terrible, if you are after a budget week in a tired chalet go for it. We stay in Chalet Clementine.....you can't swing a cat in it. The host was great - went above and beyond to ensure everyone was ok, but the chef (her boyfriend) couldn't give a toss, he was just there for a p*ss up.