Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Mar 2010
- Posts
- 4,137
Hi guys, long post. Thinking of skiing in Alps in Easter, would welcome input on Resort, Travel & Ski school.
Previously we have always gone skiing in Whistler, as I have family there, however when I was looking at flights this year they are more than double what we have paid in the past, and it is now too expensive for us to consider.
We are therefore looking at going to the Alps in first week of April. As it has been years since I have skied in Europe I would like some tips.
I was thinking of heading to Val Thorens, but would welcome other suggestions for April.
With a view to reducing air miles and costs I am planning to get the ferry and drive. Rough calculations suggest that it will cost about £500 in petrol + 150-200 in ferry cost. Any Does that sound about right?
When we have driven to France previously, we have gone via Newhaven as it is very near to my parents. I have been spooked by tales of massive delays at Dover – is this something to be concerned about? Is Eurotunnel a worthwhile improvement over ferry?
I will be driving a rear-wheel-drive BMW 335. I assume that the roads shouldn’t be that bad in April, but is there anything I need to do to be prepared for driving in the alps? I think that the snow chains are only a requirement up to the end of March, but I assume it would be sensible to buy some. If I was doing the same trip at Christmas, would my car be fine as long as it is fitted with chains?
Finally I would like some advice about skiing lessons. I wont be having lessons. My children (10 &13) are reasonably confident, and ski Canadian blacks. My wife learning as an adult is still not a confident skier, she has a few weeks skiing but I would stay is still a beginner who prefers greens and some blues. Part of the appeal of Whistler has been the quality of the lessons. They all really enjoyed the lessons in Canada, they were in small groups with English speaking instructors. What is you experience of the French ski school system? I have some concerns, it seems that the groups can be quite large? Are the lessons mainly in French? I was thinking of using one of the British ski schools, Do any of you have any experience of them?
Previously we have always gone skiing in Whistler, as I have family there, however when I was looking at flights this year they are more than double what we have paid in the past, and it is now too expensive for us to consider.
We are therefore looking at going to the Alps in first week of April. As it has been years since I have skied in Europe I would like some tips.
I was thinking of heading to Val Thorens, but would welcome other suggestions for April.
With a view to reducing air miles and costs I am planning to get the ferry and drive. Rough calculations suggest that it will cost about £500 in petrol + 150-200 in ferry cost. Any Does that sound about right?
When we have driven to France previously, we have gone via Newhaven as it is very near to my parents. I have been spooked by tales of massive delays at Dover – is this something to be concerned about? Is Eurotunnel a worthwhile improvement over ferry?
I will be driving a rear-wheel-drive BMW 335. I assume that the roads shouldn’t be that bad in April, but is there anything I need to do to be prepared for driving in the alps? I think that the snow chains are only a requirement up to the end of March, but I assume it would be sensible to buy some. If I was doing the same trip at Christmas, would my car be fine as long as it is fitted with chains?
Finally I would like some advice about skiing lessons. I wont be having lessons. My children (10 &13) are reasonably confident, and ski Canadian blacks. My wife learning as an adult is still not a confident skier, she has a few weeks skiing but I would stay is still a beginner who prefers greens and some blues. Part of the appeal of Whistler has been the quality of the lessons. They all really enjoyed the lessons in Canada, they were in small groups with English speaking instructors. What is you experience of the French ski school system? I have some concerns, it seems that the groups can be quite large? Are the lessons mainly in French? I was thinking of using one of the British ski schools, Do any of you have any experience of them?
