Skiing in Feb 2017 with a 1.5 yr old- recommendations please

dinneenp

hi,
I'm looking to go skiing/winter snow break with family in Feb next year. We'll have a 9 yr old, 7 yr old and 1.5 yr old & my wife. I'm the only one who has skied before.

Could anyone give some recommendations please? We're in the west of Ireland, probably have to fly from Dublin but that's no issue. Or maybe Shannon or Knock fly to/close to some resorts.

Ideally we'd go for 5 nights, but it's flexible.
- I've read of nice family friendly hotels, chalets etc. Don't mind if we're in a hotel or chalet. Hotel could be better as some have warm pool, meals etc. Unless chalets are 'joined' onto a hotel and you can use facilities etc.

- Country/resort- I don't care where, want somewhere nice (obviously).

- Kids will go to skiing school, my wife & I will probably do only a light bit of skiing due to the baby. My wife would need skiing school too & not that much fun skiing no your own. We haven't really though about leaving our baby in a creche yet, I'm open to it.

Thanks in advance,
patrick.

Fattes

Patrick,
Austria is your answer! Good quality family set ups with half or full day ski school options for the 9 & 7 year old. Excellent child care via, creche, kids clubs or nannies for the 1.5 year old.

Some general advice, considering the number of little people, the fact that your wife is new to skiing. Everything that makes your life easier will be a big benefit, so Austrian hotel is the way to go.

A lot of Austrian 3/4* hotels do buffert style dinner service, and have good facilities like, kids rooms, pools, and other activities. Resorts like Saalbach would be well worth looking at due to its set up and size, it will make life easier with kids.

The 1.5 year old wont ski bar a few outings on plastic novelty skis between, you or your wifes legs! Just something to keep in mind.

If you are going peak weeks (school holidays) you will probably have to take a 7 day package, Sat to Sat, with a TO as bookings outside of that with Austrian hotels in peak weeks is difficult.

Good luck

dinneenp

Thanks Fattes,
Much appreciated. There's so many locations it's hard to know where to begin. I phoned Crystalski and for
7 nights, 18th Feb flying out (school break), Zell Am Zee 4 star hotel 2 bed apt, 1/2 board with 6 days skiing for the kids with passes, ski school....€7,078!!!
It's €5,856 a week later.

I think I'll look at http://reisen.tchibo.de, a German shop that do holidays too. They always have great value hotels and holidays.
At a v. quick glance they have 5 nights in Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, Austria, 4 star, 1/2 board with 3 days ski pass for €1876.

But if anyone else has tips for specific resorts please pass them on.
Thanks.
Patrick.

Fattes

dinneenp wrote: »

Thanks Fattes,
Much appreciated. There's so many locations it's hard to know where to begin. I phoned Crystalski and for
7 nights, 18th Feb flying out (school break), Zell Am Zee 4 star hotel 2 bed apt, 1/2 board with 6 days skiing for the kids with passes, ski school....€7,078!!!
It's €5,856 a week later.

I think I'll look at http://reisen.tchibo.de, a German shop that do holidays too. They always have great value hotels and holidays.
At a v. quick glance they have 5 nights in Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, Austria, 4 star, 1/2 board with 3 days ski pass for €1876.

But if anyone else has tips for specific resorts please pass them on.
Thanks.
Patrick.

Patrick the problem with Alpbachtal and most of the Ski Juwel, is altitude and snow sure skiing, hence the cheaper prices, most of the skiing is below 1,500 with some parts of the valley having their skiing below 1,000 meters.

Topflight are expensive, I find generally direct ski, and Crystal much better, ultimately do it yourself is nearly always cheaper.

hawkwind23

Those prices are too expensive, ridiculous really!

I would source flights on skyscanner etc then apartment on AirBnB/Homeaway etc , moneysupermarket for car hire

Then once you get a resort etc you should find rental shops with prices online or lessons etc included like a bundle for hire and lessons.

Factor in lift pass prices and you have the DIY option price , thats normally going to be cheapest but in your position its worth pricing up because you can gauge the price against package.

Personally if the package was only a bit dearer id jump at it with the family and ages but pricing up the DIY route first gives you an idea of value.

I personally didnt like Bulgaria but there is an agent here does it from £499 all inclusive in Feb

https://www.travel-solutions.co.uk/balkan-ski/

olaola

Westendorf is VERY family orientated - quite a few Irish too. Looks like a good spot for the wee ones.
Or you could do a chalet in France with childcare included?