Anyone off skiing with Esprit on 16th March?

[Gameboy]

Us.

Les Arcs.

Can't wait....

(Is there any snow?)

[louise66]

yes! but to st anton! a bit apprehensive though ...

[Gameboy]

Why apprehensive louise?

[louise66]

just read of some majorly bad recent experiences on mumsnet, notably inept staff and poor hygiene leading to possible food poisoning. I know people are often more likely to report bad ones but still makes you wonder.. Also just wondering how ds's will cope in ski school and nursery.

[Gameboy]

Oh - don't be put off! This is our fifth consecutive year with Esprit in five different resorts.
We've NEVER had any food/hygiene problems. Our kids have always seemed safe and happy and we've always come back feeling like we've had a great, relaxing time.

On one occasion (last year) we were kept awake by noisy chalet staff, and when we complained the next day it was all immediately dealt with.

Seriously, you'll have a great time. How old are your DSs? (And where are you flying from? )

[louise66]

hi gameboy, we're flying from manchester a week on sunday. Must admit I am starting to look forward to it a bit, partly because it will give me a bit of time to myself. Ds 2 is 9 mths, just about weaned him off breastfeeding, so up until recently it seemed as if he'd been permanently and surgically attached to me ! Ds 1 is 5, had some lessons at local dry slope so hopefully will be quite well prepared Tbh I'm not that bothered about skiing/boarding every day, it will just be nice to relax and read a book, have a coffee, for a couple of hours.Hopefully it might also prepare ds2 for my impending return to work and him going to nursery at home..
Have you been to Les Arc before ? It's the only resort we've been back to twice.

[Gameboy]

Haven't stayed at Les Arcs before, but we were at Peisey last year and liked it when we skied over, so decided to go there this year. we're staying at 2000 though, so I expect will be a bit out of the main resort. I've no idea how easy it will be for us to get down to 1950 for evenings etc?

[tinselfairy]

just got back from Les Gets with esprit - food fantastic, chalet people lovely. Best bit was childcare for the 3-5yearsolds in our group - all did really well skiing - stopping and turning by end of week, and had "adventures" with the childcare team when not skiing - couldn't drag them away from snow club

[louise66]

Gameboy, if I remember rightly there is a bus serving all the different villages but not sure how often it runs. We stayed in 1950 year before last and ds1 was in creche at 2000... well, for one day anyway but that's a different story. We quite easily got the bus up there and takes justa couple of mins. Arc 1950 is very villagey and quaint, looked like there were lots of bars and restaurants, also less exposed and cold tbh.

[wilbur]

We're off to Tignes with Esprit on 30th March. Been with them once before - had a great time - accommodation was a little spartan (but we were in the cheap seats) but kids clubs and skiing was fab, staff were lovely and food was very good for adults and children. V much looking forward to hols, even though I think another MNer went to the place we're staying and hated it. Ah well.

[andiem]

we're off to meribel on the 16th where are you flying from gameboy? we are gatwick chambery might see you in check in

[Crunchie]

andiem PLEASE PLEASE report back I want to know what the Meribel hotel is like. I am planning for next year !!

[Gameboy]

OK - Reporting back...

We had a FABBBBBEROONEY time

Loads of fresh snow
Kids both improved SO MUCH in ski lessons, and are now skiing with us ( or faster )
Chalet staff were FANTASTIC, as was food
Lovely other families in chalet
No real problems with transfers/ flights etc apart from Chambery being a crap airport, but we knew that..

I want to go back..... NOW!

[andiem]

we're back too

chalet hotel very nice good location right on the piste but a good half hour walk from meribel centre so not good if you like a mooch round the shops after skiing or have a young baby as I do and fancy a walk with them buses were very busy and a bit nightmarish with pram

food excellent
childcare staff excellent
rooms nicest we've been in
fantastic snow and skiing

BUT
same as last chalethotel we stayed in with esprit vomiting bug went round like wildfire my lo was sick in the night twice and the staff were not that helpful did not change vomy sheets or towels even though asked at 8 in the morning and asked if they could wash baby's sleeping bag gave it in at 8 am got it back at 10pm when he had been in bed for 3 hours not very family friendly
not sure we will go in a chalethotel with them again as this is the second time it has happened and the staff hand hygiene must play a part in it as my lo was the only one in the nursery this week and my ds1 did not get it so the staff must have passed it on to him from other children or the toys are not cleaned properly
it's a shame as we like esprit so we are thinking of a chalet next year less kids and hopefully less possibility of contamination

[Crunchie]

andiem, we hae 2 kids, 7 and 9 (nearly 8/10 next year) so the distance from shops not an issue piste location great. Vomiting bug would be an issue, but I couldn't blame esprit as you just never know where it may come from tbh.

Just one last question, do you know where the lessons go from? The kids will be having lessons and lunch, we will pick them up afterwards (hence piste side location is fab for us)

[andiem]

crunchie the lessons are directly opposite the hotel so perfect for that ds1 (7) did lessons and lunch and you pick up from the hotel which is at a convenient place on the piste there is an esf and lift pass office there
tbh if it wasn't for our two vomiting years we would go back but I think we are going to go for a smaller chalet next year

there is a lovely restaurant just before the hotel on the piste it is called le coeur cristal gorgeous food try to go there for lunch if you can it is off a green slope to the rond point which is where the hotel is
we went twice also yeti hotel next to alba very good lunch too

[Crunchie]

brilliant thanks. We wre due to go there this year, had booked for 20th Jan when DH got a job starting 21st!! Therefore had to change booking fo Vald'isere and the 13th. Still fancied Meribel. You have answered the things I neeed and we will book for 11th Jan next year!!