Family Ski trip Dec 13 help please

Hi everyone this is my first post and am looking for some help please.

We are two families who fancy taking the children skiing between Christmas and New Year next.
Please could help by recommending any resorts you feel would suit, I post a little background below.
Two husbands have both skied before be it a good few years ago, but their priority this time is giving the kids and mums chance. They would like a few challenging runs but that is not top of list.
Children's ages 7,8 and two x 14yrs. Only one fourteen has done ski with school before.
One mum never been, up for it though and one mum been twice before but wasn't very good and is happy to potter about on the nursery runs with kids or venture up to blue runs.
Would like a resort that has lots going on other than skiing such as tobogan rides, ice skating, swimming pool (either at accommodation or in resort). As it will be over the festive season would like that Christmassy feel and hopefully accommendation that perhaps has a gala night or alternatively somewhere we can take the children to celebrate. Not worried about shopping but perhaps a few shops to have a browse but would like some nice restaurants.
Sorry if this is a big ask. Our budget is not huge but likewise we don't mind paying a bit more to get the right resort. Not overly worried about country as long as it has everything we need. Flighting from London.
Thank you in advance for any advice.

http://www.folgarida.co.uk/index.html

Check out these guys. We've been with them twice. We liked Folgarida but it might not tick all your boxes re stuff going on other than skiing. There is the option to go ice- skating in the afternoon (mums and kids might be glad of the rest) and I think all the 4* hotels have swimming pools (Caminetto certainly has). If you feel the need for a little more action/distraction, they also do holidays in neighbouring, upmarket Madonna di Campiglio (but be prepared to pay a 25-30% premium to stay in a similar hotel :shock: .

There,I've started the ball rolling. Prepare yourselves for loads of advice on this one :D .

Welcome Sharky

The time of year that you want its not going to be "cheap" anywhere but you know that!

If budget isn't huge then Switzerland is certainly out and some parts of France too (the mega resorts are more expensive but probably a waste based upon the amount of skiing you want)

Flying from London gives you every option so I'd asy look at Austria and Italy first (Bulgaria not snow sure at any time and certainly not early season, Andorra not the ideal choice for families - generalizations I know).

Folgarida always gets good ink for this (never been myself so don't know) but there are lots of options. Do you perhaps have any German or Italian language skills between you that may point you in one direction more than another?

Hi thank you for the replies so far, Will check out flogarida , unfortunately we don't have any language skills to speak off! Our budget I would guess is around one thousand each plus the hire of equipment, ski passes and spends. I realise depending on type of accommodation be it self catering or hard board this may change. Does that seem an ok budget to a half decent resort for that time of year. Thank you, I have tried researching but finding it a minefield!! Keen to give the kids the chance of experiencing skiing

Sharky. Bear in mind that the prices on the web-site include lift pass and ski hire. Transport is not included in the headline price but they will sort you out with BA flights (Gatwick-Verona) for about £100 per person return. The only other stuff you need to budget for would be ski-school, lunch on the mountain and evening drinks. I thought it was great value considering the quality of the ski area, the hotels and the instruction. You could 'scrat' around for ages looking for a late deal. You'd probably find something a little cheaper but it could be a whole lot nastier too. For a first-time family group this lot certainly take out the stress and uncertainty. Good luck :thumbup:.

Saas Fee ticks all the boxes.

Sledging from Hannig during the day and on Thursday evenings, there is an ice skating rink close to the ski lifts at the top of the village and a 25m swimming pool together with a children's pool and slide at the Bielen leisure centre.

The village dates back to the middle ages and is set in a spectacular location surrounded by thirteen 4000m peaks. There are enough shops and some pretty good restaurants, the Waldhotel Fletschhorn restaurant is excellent.

The Inghams brochure price for HB in the **** Hotel Glacier for the week beginning 22.12.12 was £1019 pp

Thanks for the replies.

I will continue my research. I'm not looking to book a last minute at all. If we are going we want it booked with deposit down knowing we are going somewhere half decent.

Thanks again

S

Would also look at Seefeld in Austria. Seems to tick all your boxes, but not getting many mentions from people on here.

We love it!