Beginners in first week of April - Chamonix?

That's good to know Tony - we arrived to an abundance of snow last Christmas all powder. However Savoy was very icy, didn't really like it as a beginner although it was our last day and I managed the blue run! Found it very busy, seemed to be a lot of ski schools there and lots of pushing for the lift. Didn't get any of that at Le Tour. Looking forward to the Spring snow conditions :-)

Darcicles, hope you are not going to see someone rolling down the slope :D

can you recommend any contacts for private tutor?
i haven't bought any ski pass yet..i think i'll see how we're progressing when we get there
which hotel are you staying at?

As someone who was scared stiff in Cham on y second week ever skiing, I'd say there are plenty of better places to start. If I was handing out advice from experience, I;d say Les Gets and hook up with BASS to get you skiing - for god's sake don't book lessons with an ESF group.

There's a ton of snow everywhere so unless it gets very warm very soon you'll be fine

Ha ha - that was my husband last year, he managed a fabulous fall and I have the photograph evidence ;-). We had lessons with Evolution2 www.evolution2-chamonix.com, they were brilliant. There are a number of independent instructors listed on Chamonix.net too.

Good idea on the ski pass, we wasted a lot of money last year following poor advice. If you do go to Le Tour you won't be out of pocket, I guess if you go somewhere else it may be more appropriate to purchase one.

We are staying in a private apartment on Rue de Lyret in the town centre :-). Much easier (and cheaper) with 3 kids, pretty impossible to get a hotel room for 5 plus we have all the home comforts with the apartment.

Timeforabeer - that's a shame you had a bad experience in Cham, we all loved it, but I guess going to Le Tour made it a better experience for us. I hear what you're saying about ESF - observed far too many bad lessons with them last year.

PS Just booked a refresher private lesson for Sunday at Le Tour 12.00 - 2.00 pm for us all with Evolution 2 :-)

What hotel are you staying in?

we'll be staying at Hotel prieure!
keep me posted on how's everything going on
i'll be arriving on the following sat (6th Apr) :)
getting excited about our first skiing experience!

and thanks for the recommendation on the ski school.
i was just going to book ESF but luckily you have warned me

I will! You'll love it :-) Heavy snow for tomorrow night to top up them slopes.

Everyone,
do you think it is realistic to book an afternoon private class (2 or 3 hours) on the first day i arrive at chamonix?

my flight will arrive in geneva at 9am.
If i am going to arrange a lesson at 2pm in le tours, do you think i will be able to make it without being in a rush?