Resort for family of beginners

Mate has asked me where he should take his family skiing in 2013....

I'll need to have a chat to him about whether he wants traditional Alpine village, places where he can do things other than ski etc., but in the meantime I thought I'd ask you lot to see what you thought.

Four complete beginners, mum (not too sporty as far as I know), dad (used to be sporty), 10 year old daughter and 6 year old lad.

No fixed dates, but are planning to take kids out of school, so I was thinking late Jan-early Feb (not February holiday season or early March, although I appreciate that holiday season varies with resort)

Probably go with a TO. Budget not too limited, so was thinking hotel, possibly all inclusive.

Resorts I have heard good things about for beginners are Soldeu (but is snow reliable?), Wengen (hear your wallet scream...), Flaine, Risoul, La Plagne, Alpe D'Huez, Cervinia. Bit of a French bias, I know.

Any other ideas?

Any resorts really geared-up for beginners?

Cheers

depends on the budget...i like Andorra for beginners..lots of English instructors and a good inclusive ski package and on top of that its affordable

Does it have to be Alps? If not would be well worth considering finland or sweden, great english speaking ski schools, an all round winter holiday experience off slopes as well, yes it is colder but hey your skiing, layer up! OH took his kids to Sweden last month, they loved it! Some very good deals available via the usual T.Os, we have used Neilson as many 2for1s on kids hire/lift passes. Beer not much differant in price to the alps these days tho spirits another matter!

Niederau

I would reccomend Alpe D'Huez as the immediate area arround the village has some fantastic runs for beginners. If they want the alpine look the Os en Oisans feeds in to the same ski area and is really nice (No cars allowed typical village).

But as Dave said Andorra is know for catering towards the beginner with easy runs etc.

Niederau - Austria.
Westendorf - Austria
Arinsal - Andorra
Ski Welt area of Austria is good for beginners.

The first two have hotels in the village near the ski slopes and gondolas up to higher slopes for building ocnfidene or just to see the views.

Arinsal is a gondola up from the village to an easy ski area, and you can rent a locker at the top to keep all your stuff in so you can leave it there safe at the end of the day and then amble around the village and the shops at the end of the day.

Again depends what you want to do!

Beginners ...
All inclusive ...
Hotel .....
French bias?

I wonder if one of the Club Med places may be worth a look.

All the food anyone could possibly eat.
Ski lessons included
Lift pass included
Ski and boot hire in-house
Kids well looked after
Most have pools etc

OldAndy wrote:Beginners ...
All inclusive ...
Hotel .....
French bias?

I wonder if one of the Club Med places may be worth a look.

All the food anyone could possibly eat.
Ski lessons included
Lift pass included
Ski and boot hire in-house
Kids well looked after
Most have pools etc

That, my friend, is a very good shout.
I did Club Med in St Moritz last year and would recommend it in terms of value for money if you use lessons and hotel facilities. As you say, pool etc.

Be careful with choice of resorts though, maybe Les Arcs would be ideal for this lot?