first timer advice! best ski resort christmas

dubgirl15

Hi hoping to go sking for a week from the 21st December. Myself and my husband have never been skiing before and looking for suggestions for a nice resort and hotel recommendations.

thanks

Fattes

Aim High it is a bit early in the season snow should be ok in most places but I would be looking at a resort with a minimum ski lift / Run heights in the range of 1,500 to 2,500 Meters +

Zell Em Zee Grand hotel there is a Glacier close by so you will be guaranteed skiing, hotel itself is on a lake and very nice.

Zermatt: High snow sure, romantic but EXPENSIVE & very disjointed.

Saas Fee High snowsure, really romantic pure picture postcard, but again a bit pricey, Dom hotel, or Sweizer Hoff.

You could get a really good deal with Highlife in one of their chalets in France for that week as it is before the peak season.

Get lessons before you go in either the SKi Club or the Ski centre it will stand to both of you and make the trip more enjoyable. If you need anything at all just ask.

dubgirl15

Fattes wrote: »

Aim High it is a bit early in the season snow should be ok in most places but I would be looking at a resort with a minimum ski lift / Run heights in the range of 1,500 to 2,500 Meters +

Zell Em Zee Grand hotel there is a Glacier close by so you will be guaranteed skiing, hotel itself is on a lake and very nice.

Zermatt: High snow sure, romantic but EXPENSIVE & very disjointed.

Saas Fee High snowsure, really romantic pure picture postcard, but again a bit pricey, Dom hotel, or Sweizer Hoff.

You could get a really good deal with Highlife in one of their chalets in France for that week as it is before the peak season.

Get lessons before you go in either the SKi Club or the Ski centre it will stand to both of you and make the trip more enjoyable. If you need anything at all just ask.

Thanks for your reply, would you recommend booking alone or through an agent?

Fattes

dubgirl15: For a firs timer i would nearly always say go through an agent, but there are easy ways to do it on your own especially for Switzerland and Austria.

For the Swiss resorts, you can fly to Zurich or Geneva and get a Swiss transfer ticket from SBB (rail company to the resort). Then just picking the right hotel etc. Ski Rental etc can be organized very easy through Google or the hotel you are staying in, cheapest stuff will do.

In Austria a lot of hotels will include a transfer from the airport if its Innsbruck or Salzburg.

This is a great spot on Direct Ski, A bit pricey but a great hotel in a super location and a great resort.

http://www.directski.com/ski/austria/mayrhofen/fun_and_spa_hotel_strass

dubgirl15

Thanks a million for your help Fattes. I have looked up the places you have suggested and really like the look of Saas Fee. There are quite cheap flights to both Geneva and Zurich. Any tips for hotels there? also is it an expensive resort to eat and drink? would it be better to go half board? also how do I arrange ski/boot hire and lift pass and ski school?

thanks again

juke

Can't comment on Saas Fee.

Food wise, I now always go half board - but it's really a personal choice, and depending on the hotel/accommodation you opt for, will be hit or miss.

For me, it's just easier - because after a day's skiing, the last think I feel like doing is donning my outdoor gear again and going out looking for a restaurant for dinner. That's just me - you may just stay out, after the apres ski

If you don't opt for half board, don't forget they'll celebrate Christmas on the 24th, not the 25th like us, so you'll need to take that into account - a lot, if not all restaurants will need to be booked in advance.

dubgirl15

juke wrote: »

Can't comment on Saas Fee.

Food wise, I now always go half board - but it's really a personal choice, and depending on the hotel/accommodation you opt for, will be hit or miss.

For me, it's just easier - because after a day's skiing, the last think I feel like doing is donning my outdoor gear again and going out looking for a restaurant for dinner. That's just me - you may just stay out, after the apres ski

If you don't opt for half board, don't forget they'll celebrate Christmas on the 24th, not the 25th like us, so you'll need to take that into account - a lot, if not all restaurants will need to be booked in advance.

Thanks juke, any particular resorts with good half board options you would recommend?

juke

Well - I'm a big fan of Austria, and have only been to Andorra otherwise.

I see Zell am See suggested below. I've stayed at the Grand (picture perfect) and at the Waldhof. Both were very good, I preferred the Waldhof - smaller, family run hotel - would suit me more for Christmas. I particularly liked the 'after-ski snack' served c 4-5.30, but then I am always hungry :pac:

Otherwise - can vouch for Obertauern (V snow sure), both the Steiner and Gamsleiten (again family run, lovely at Christmas, and I'll probably be there for the 10th time next season )

Hopefully others here have advice for you on other countries.