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I absolutely would not go to the US for a first skiing holiday from Europe. It's a long way, it's expensive, the jet lag is a killer (on the way back, especially if you're going for a week), and they don't have the same atmosphere as the European resorts.
Get lessons before you go, ideally to the point of being able to make stem turns (start in a snowplough, finish parallel) as it'll make skiing when you're out there much less tiring, and open up more possibilities for trips to mountain restaurants for lunches etc.
Snow at the beginning of the season is variable. To be honest as a beginner you don't really want loads of snowfall whilst you're out there, because it makes the skiing harder. Also at the beginning of the season the weather can be cold and miserable, later on it's more likely that you'll get some bluebird sunny days. However later in the season (March/April) the snow can become heavier and slushy, which is harder work to ski in.
As a beginner you don't need a big resort, you'll be happy enough with a few easy runs in a smaller resort. Generally as long as the snow is good, I'd choose Austria over France. It's cheaper, generally friendlier, more atmospheric, and the piste grading is easier. There are French resorts that have "green" runs that would be red in Austria, and "blues" that would be black. Val d'Isere for example. Austrian apres ski is better than French apres ski too.
If you've got the money, ski-in ski-out with an easy run to the easy slopes is ideal. Even a short walk is better than getting on a crowded ski bus which is a PITA if you're not used to carrying ski gear around with you whilst walking in ski boots. It's worth hiring ski lockers near the lift station/ski school meeting point, these may come free if you hire from a shop that's in the vicinity.
As a beginner I'd go for half day group lessons in the morning. It forces you to get out of bed and gets you out on the slopes. It's also great for meeting other people that you might want to ski with.
Go with a package deal. If you don't need child care then I think about 4-6 weeks in advance is probably the best time to book. I'd also try and go somewhere that's a relatively short transfer from the airport.
Haven’t quite read all of the other entries but here is my two penny worth having skied in many places over the years:
If you’re after decent snow I’d avoid Easter and go for higher resorts in the Alps although Austria and Italy would be equally good options.
Pretty much all of the bigger French resorts have decent beginner areas - there really isn’t a larger resort that doesn’t cater for it.
In terms of an enjoyable holiday I would say that a decent catered chalet can’t be beaten, ideally with a proper chef rather than kids learning how to cook. You can’t really beat a lovely breakfast, heavy day out skiing then freshly cooked cakes when you get back followed by dinner and loads of wine, a quick break and then cheese and port before relaxing, going to bed and starting all over again the next day!
No real need to do a whole package as flights to Geneva or Chambery are cheap, plenty of decent chalet companies that you can book catered chalets with and they will happily organise lift passes, equipment and lessons if you want them to. Ski in / ski out is nice if you can get it.
As others have said some time doing the basics in the UK at an indoor centre might improve your enjoyment. Once you’re out there I’d aim for small group or private lessons if you can.
Going to Utah this year for the first time - hoping for the famous Utah powder but I’ll miss the catered chalets of the alps, which America just don’t do at all.
I'll add Sweden to the list. Vemdalen has proved to be a fantastic place for our family to learn and it's not as costly as people assume. Granted the slopes aren't massive but there is plenty of interest, the pass covers 4 areas which all feel different. Skistar.com has lots of accommodation to suit all budgets too. We flew to Ostersund, hired a car and drove ourselves about the place. Self-catering was the way forward and with a 16yo in tow you won't be out to party so the cost of drinks isn't an issue really (buy a bottle in duty free). All the slopes have BBQs lit at lunch time and there are warming huts with hot water points/microwaves etc so lunches are easy and cheap to do yourself. No lift queues.
Pretty much everything worth saying has been said, but if you can avoid using Chambery as your airport i would do that. It's a tiny little thing that isnt designed for the volume of traffic it gets so it can be pretty miserable at the end of the holiday when you're tired, you've been up since 5, and you just want something to eat and somewhere to sit down!
So, is this the new STW 2023/24 ski thread?
Chambery is even worse when there’s a storm and flights start getting delayed.
So, is this the new STW 2023/24 ski thread?
Feels wrong to start it this way, and the capn' needs to start it to be 'official'.
Yep, avoid Chambery at all costs. I’d rather fly in to Geneva and take the longer drive thank you.
We took our kids skiing for the first time this Easter. Drove to Samoens, they had a week with ESF which they loved, and they progressed well. Nice town, slopes far quieter than I'm used to. Accommodation about half the February cost. I think we had one crappy day weather wise but good apart from that. Recommended.
Big fan of Easter skiing. Especially with young kids. Long days, steady weather. Recent years, great snow. Cheaper and quieter too.
Not a fan of flying, if I’m honest.
Last year we drove out twice. About 13 hours Door to door (Bristol to Vanoise area)
I also flew once to GVA and train to Zermatt, 9 hours you couldn’t do it any quicker, everything went exactly to schedule. The difference in time for me isn’t worth the hassle of flying. The Zermatt trip was a bunch of mates for 4 days so driving would have been a hassle for that trip but for a family it makes great sense to drive. Obvs some resorts are closer to GVA so journey times do vary.
the capn’ needs to start it to be ‘official’.
You might wait a while, he's not posting on here and hasn't in a few years
April/Easter skiing in general is great. Went to Val D’Isere at the end of April this year and conditions were pretty much perfect. Resort level snow was mush so wouldn’t have tried to learn down there but up on Solaise was great. This was up on the Val glacier.
My first skiing holiday was at Les Deux Alpes - I thought it was great for beginners. Big open green area and quite a few easy blues. Even got decent lessons from ESF. Had a couple of lessons at Tamworth before we went which was a good idea.
My last skiing holiday was at Courchevel at Christmas 2010 - daughter was doing a season as a chalet host there. Mrs Onewheel did her ACL so we've never been again. Snow was just OK, I think, but there was pretty much nothing until the week before we arrived.
as others have said, resort is unimportant given what you've described. although the bigger the resrt the bigger the hills and the bigger views.
but the two key things i woudl say is
a) get to one of the 'learn to ski in a day' type sessions. Manchester, tamworth, Hemel etc. Quite reasonably priced in the summer. Your enjoyment will be multiplied by getting the basics nailed here before heading to the big hills. Getting these lessons means you'll have more confidence earlier in the week and therefore enjoy more of your time there on the bigger slopes.
b) choose who you go with carefully. You need to make sure you take someone who has a similar ability, temperament, and attitude so you van have fun together on similar slopes pushing each other. the more of you at the same ability the better. this applies regardless of your level but ensures you are spending time with other fun people rather than being worried about holding people up etc.
Another massive fan of late season skiing here too.
Slush is great fun for carving on.
Also a big fan of Les Deux Alpes, only thing it's missing is the atmosphere of a pretty ski village.
For progression a week with the Warren Smith Ski Academy is a must and his videos/books are then a handy reminder.
Warrens content is good. I’ve done one of his uk talks on biomechanics.
Basically most things people get caught up on as an intermediate have a root in a lack of motion or flexibility on one side or another.
His vids on YT are good examples.
Kramer that might be the first and last time I’ve heard someone slush…but each to their own I guess!
Yep. Good fun a bit of late season corn. They are still skiing on it in parts of the US!
Starting look at this a little more now and went to the Crystal website for the all-inclusive booking. It's kinda pricey for Feb half-term (five of us) so should I maybe look there for inspiration then book independently? As a newbie is the package of a familiar and established skier going to be worth it? They don't include kit or passes either....££££
Easter as mentioned doesn't look a great deal cheaper but I'm super anxious of booking the wrong place, wrong time and it being a wash (slush) out.
Also, trying to look at ski-in/ski-out as suggested.
Kramer that might be the first and last time I’ve heard someone slush…but each to their own I guess!
@andylc it's not known as poor man's powder for nothing.
@rockhopper70 no matter what you do it's going to be expensive for those weeks.