Congratulation To Chalet Ski

Our congratulations to Chalet Ski who launched at the Metro Snow last week and certainly caught our eye with their video presentation of the chalets that they offer, and apparently claim was just the tip of the ice berg. I also should commend them on the site, and although there was when I tested it a one or two minor teething problems, generally it worked well and certainly has a great look and feel. A good start to a difficult journey I'm sure for them in what is an already highly competitive market place with many established players.

Family Chalets

October sees the launch of a new site dedicated to family friendly ski resorts and genuine family friendly ski chalets. The latter means that only chalets offering truly family focused offerings, services, and amenities will be listed which will be great news for family skiers who are often sold the family ski concept at the time of buying, only to find later on that there is little 'family focus' in the delivery.

We'll let you know once we hear when the site will actually launch later this Autumn.

Family Chalet

Why is it that the best places are always sold out when you have finally made up your mind! This week, and I know it's a little late to book, we sat down with our children to pick our holiday. At 6 and 7 the idea of a site seeing tour isn't getting their vote and including them now in the selection means it more likely to involve exotic swimming pools that curve for miles, slides, and a tennis court (yes they already enjoy their tennis - children really are growing up fast). So having looked for what seemed a lifetime, great debates, and coming to a consensus (well sort of), we call to book.  But yes you've probably guessed it, their sold out, what about our second choice, no, our third, fourth? I guess you've got the picture, even if as yet we haven't got our holiday!

So having learnt our own lesson, you may wish not to follow our last minute disappointment and start looking for that special family chalet. Otherwise you may just find that you favourite chalet has gone, and if our summer hotel list is anything to go by, there are only so many family chalets someone can take!

Ski Half Term - Why Mum Makes The Booking!

Already Dad will have probably been scouring the websites and the ski magazines to whittle down to the top three selections for the ski half term 2011 holiday. So, mum and the small children will now be faced with the choice of a a week's heli-skiing in Russia, ski touring the Haute Route between Chamonix and Zermatt, or skiing in Alaska!!!

At which point mum will of course take control, finding out about the best family ski resorts, the creche and ski school facilities, how far the chalet is from the slopes, the children's lessons, the facilities the chalet provides, children's menus, children's entertainment, ski school drop-off and collection, and of course just for dad, how many black runs and couloirs there are, even though she's fully aware that he won't ski anything more than the gentle red!

Yes Mother's, as the car industry has discovered sometime ago, you are certainly the main target audience for family focused ski holidays, and more in more as skiing becomes less male dominated, a significant decision maker overall in the ski industry full stop, probably because you choose the resorts that the boys really want to go, rather than the heli-skiing trip they tell their mates they wanted to go on!!

Ski In Ski Out

Well its been far too long since i last blogged due to various reasons but nevertheless here I am again. This 'weeks' blog focuses on ski in ski out and what makes a great family ski holiday as a consequence. Firstly however let me deal with the definition, as some chalets who use the ski in ski out label are found miles from the piste and this in my opinion is just wrong! Ski in ski out to me should mean that it is right next to the piste and that you can ski to a main lift station, ad therefore back again at the end of the day.

So definition out of the way, what makes a ski in ski out properties such great family chalets, if at all? Well I think this question is a simple one, and its total convenience. Yes it is nice to see skiers skiing by your chalet, but the real benefit is taking away the trauma of loading up the gear in to a bus, or walking down difficult paths, only to find as you put your equipment on, Jonny has forgotten a glove or two!

Season Comes To An End

This weekend the ski season finally came to an end even in the high altitude resorts and on reflection another great season with resorts such as Chamonix still reporting good snow depths despite the weekend closure. We'll nevertheless keep blogging ready for next season.

Easter Ski Deals

The great snow conditions this year certainly put paid to many peoples hopes of getting a later Easter ski deal as the late demand fueled an increase rather than a decrease. This is I guess the risk regarding the Easter ski holidays when trying to get a late deal. Particularly if you are a family ski group, our advice if you are looking for a great ski deal for Easter is book early. Operators like to have 'bookings in the bag' so enquire early when the real Easter ski deals get done.

Family Chalet - Family Ski Resort

One of the best family ski resorts also has one of the Alps best family ski chalets. Luxury catered Chalet Prarion is set over three floors in the the Chamonix Valley and includes a large Games Room, great for Dad's with its full sized pool table, and a Wii and home cinema with a 50" flat screen TV on the basement, cinema projection on the main floor, and outside a very large luxury jacuzzi that is sunken into the south facing terrace (bring you relatives a they could probably move into the jacuzzi). All six bedrooms are en-suite and you get four staff too (professional chef, chalet host, driver, and a children's entertainer).

As for the resort, oneof the best family ski resorts in the Alps. Situated in the ski area of Les Houches in the Chamonix Valley, the gentle slopes at the top of the Prarion, the magic carpet, dedicated beginners chair, nd the superb family orientated ski school make this the perfect combination for one of the best family ski holidays you probably ever experience.

Ski In Ski Out

Personally speaking, if you are going on a family ski holiday I want my chalet close to the piste, and ideally ski in ski out. Family skiing should be a pleasure and this doesn't mean struggling with children, their equipment, plus their clothing, as well yourselves with your skis and poles downs icy paths or slippery roads which has obvious inherent dangers.

In which case you need a catered chalet or luxury catered chalet that is close to the ski lifts, the slopes, and the preferred ski school, or ideally a ski in ski out property where you and the family can just put your skis on, and ski from the door. But just a small warning when booking a ski in ski out chalet, before booking, just ask the operator what they mean by ski in ski out as one or two claim such, when they are some way away in reality and are certainly not family friendly ski in ski out if you are skiing between chalet gardens and roads in the case of spurious claimants!

Ski in ski out should mean in my opinion that it is right next to the piste, ideally a blue piste, and for family ski holidays located conveniently to the ski school.

New Year Ski

So Christmas Day is finished, the games have been opened, played with, and discarded, so what's next! You could go and see Aunt Mavis for the last turkey leg, or alternatively jump on a plane on Boxing Day, and get some early skiing in!

This year many ski operators have switched the changeover day from the Saturday, the day Christmas Day and NewYear falls this year to the Sunday. Therefore the Christmas ski week starts on Sunday 19th December 2010 with the New Year week commencing on the 26th December 2010 (and ending on the 2nd January 2011). So for a New Year ski you can make best use of the Christmas holidays have a fabulous ski New Years Eve 2011 celebration, ski on New Years Day, before departing on the Sunday!

Luxury Ski Resorts - Family Ski

I am often asked what my favourite luxury ski resorts are. Well this question is quite easy and in alphabetical order they are:

1. Chamonix
2. St Anton
3. Whistler

So that's the easy one done! But what would be my top luxury ski resorts from a family ski perspective. This of course will change the evaluation criteria as I'm looking for different wants. Firstly, not ski schools where they are yanking children's arms off and screaming hysterically at them as I saw in Les Arcs! So I am going to judge this on family friendly skiing, ski chalets and value for money, altitude and its snow sure record, and the family ski reputation of the resort which includes the ski school (well that will count Les Arcs out then - not that it would get in to the luxury ski resort bracket anyway(!)). So Here we go:

1. Meribel - family friendly unlike its Three Valleys neighbour Courchevel and a lot cheaper, and not so high as Val Thorens which at 2,300m is not being ideal for younger children.
2. Val d'Isere - whilst it might struggle on the VFM, its skiing, stunning village, it has to be on the list. 
3. Verbier - Whilst it nearly lost out to Chamonix on price, Chamonix lost out on links and ease of access. Yes Les Houches is great for families, but in comparison Verbier has the Savoleyres!

Family Chalet

If you are looking for a great family chalet, Chalet Prarion is a great ski in ski out chalet in the Chamonix Valley that has a fantastic reputation as one of the best family ski chalets in Europe. Situated right next to the piste, it has six en-suite bedrooms, a Games Room, centre piece log fire, a superb fitted kitchen where the professional chef prepares traditional French cuisine, a cosy living room with oak and leather furniture, and a grand old oak dining table to sit all the family ski holiday group around.

Outside, this family chalet has a large garden that joins the piste, yet remains private through the subtle landscaping of the terrain and plantation. Being south facing on a plateau, it is prone to beautiful sunny days south the large sun terrace comes in particularly useful, as does the sunken hydro therapy hot tub that allows the parents in the family ski group to relax those aching muscles, whilst the children play pool, Wii, or watch their favourite movies in the Games Room.

Easter Ski

With the ski season in the twilight weeks, many family ski groups will now be turning their attentions to the Easter ski weeks next week and the first week of April. Easter ski weeks are often the best family ski weeks to ski as they combine skiing with relaxation. The end of March generally sees great snow, but warm sunny ski days. Therefore the Easter ski week allows family skiing to be the perfect combination, out on the slopes first thing in the morning, and as the slopes soften in the afternoon, a chance for the parents to grab a well earned beer, or glass of wine whilst the younger family ski members play in the snow. Alternatively, after a mornings Easter skiing, in the pretty resorts, a chance for some sight seeing or relaxing in the garden of your luxury catered chalet.

Ski Half Term

Well it seems the February half term ski holiday was a real success. The snow was great and the sunshine shone more than it has for the rest of the season! Here in Chamonix we had a beautiful family staying with us and its weeks like this that make running a family ski chalet worth the effort. A big thank you therefore to the Cassidy family, young and old, for making the ski half term week a special one.

Also over the half term ski week was our friends Andrew and Becky with their four children, along with Becky's sister and their family. It seems a long time since Andrew came to stay as a guest, before spending a ski season here with work and later being joined in the spring by all the family. This is one of the great things about running a luxury catered chalet for families, you really do meet special people and make some great friendships.

My husband Mark actually managed to get out a couple of days as well and the three Dad's of Mark, Andrew, and Gregg were able to give their eldest children (Henry - 11, James - 10, and Victoria - 7) a family ski lesson in the off piste and moguls. Well apparently that was the intent,  but the children were asking how they were meant to be receiving tuition when the parents were always so far behind!

Luxury Catered Chalets Chamonix

Despite the economic downturn, more and more family ski groups seem to be opting for a luxury chalet for their family ski holiday, and why not. Family life in our view is special, but nevertheless hardwork and therefore if you a going away on holiday, why shouldn't you put your feet up for a week (skiing aside that is) and be pampered for a week?

I guess being parents ourselves, and having been ourselves to luxury family ski chalets, we probably understand your requirement a little more than many of the other operators who have not experienced the family skiing vacation. That isn't to say all family ski holidays should or are the same, that we have a stronger foundation to build and ensure your family ski holiday, really is a luxury ski holiday. So whilst our luxury catered chalet Chamonix has the added avantage of being ski in ski out, has six luxury en-suite bedrooms, a Games Room with DVD's games, Wii, home cinema, and a full sized pool table, and we have a luxury hydro therapy hot tub, high definition cinema projection, etc, etc, we recognise that for family ski groups luxury catered chalet holidays need to be a little more, like helping the children get ready in the morning, buckling boots, making sure they arrive at ski school, etc.

I guess in a nutshell, what our customer love about our luxury catered chalet here in Chamonix, is not just the ski in ski out location, but the personal, caring touch!

Ski Christmas

Is the ski half term ski break really enough when it comes to ski holidays? If the answer is no, then what about a ski Christmas chalet holiday? The great thing about a ski Christmas holiday, contrary to what many first think, is that if you choose a great luxury catered chalet, is the whole family can come, even Grandma! You might question whether Grandma, and Grandpa of course, really can come on a holiday, but our experience is that they love coming away with the family, the chance to spend a week with the grandchildren, and just watch them ski.

Again, if you choose a luxury ski chalet, you need not worry about missing the Christmas tree and Christmas decorations, or the traditional Christmas dinner and Christmas pudding, it'll just be there waiting for you, when you want, and without the washing up afterwards!!

New Year Ski

Lets face it, you can never have too much time on the slopes, and if you have one or two budding Bode Miller's in the family, one family ski holiday a year just isn't probably going to be enough! So, unless you are going to take the children out of school, then as well as the 'obligatory' ski half term week, the choice is either the ski Christmas, the ski New Year week, or both!

So for family ski groups, where do you ski New Year if the New Years celebration is only one small part of the family ski holiday. Well being early in the season the usual rules apply in respect of skiing high, and therefore the likes of Chamonix, Courchevel, Meribel, Val d'Isere, Verbier, and Zermatt have to get a mention. But being a family ski holiday, you might not necessarily want to pay the peak week prices, in peak resorts, where you aren't really going to get the full value that couples and singles will get in respect of the 'heavy' celebrations. So why not search out the cheaper options to the main resort, the obvious options for the Espace d'Killy network, is Tignes as an alternative, or for the Three valleys, Val Thorens. But in Verbier Tzoumaz offers a great alternative, as does Les Houches in Chamonix, or La Tania in the Three Valleys.

And if you shop around and book early, your probably find that the New Year ski holiday doesn't have to be too expensive!

Luxury Catered Chalets

Sometimes it seems that you can't always have your cake and eat it. For example, do you go for the family ski chalet or the luxury catered chalet option? Well why not have both? For the ski half term week at Chamonix Exclusive we welcomed a beautiful family who had skied with one of the well known family ski company's but after a bad experience decided to try something different. Whilst they had found the child care to be excellent, the standard of their catered chalet was described by them as a 'Health Hazard', resulting in last years ski half term holiday being a 'wash out' if you excuse the pun! By all accounts the sinks were smeared with marks that were unimaginable in terms of what they actually were, as was some of the other worktops. There was also just one host for 10 people who was also the chef!!

Contrast last year to this where they not only stayed at a true luxury catered chalet, and one that is ski in ski out (a feature loved by the children), they also got great child supervision with 5 staff supporting their family ski holiday through the week, and most importantly, dealing with people that really do care! As a result, they won't be using a branded 'family ski company', they will instead be booking again with a luxury catered chalet, that is truly family friendly, and is also similarly priced.

The moral behind this post, you can have your cake and it if you choose wisely and avoid exaggerated branding. Don't pay more, avoid 'specialists' who employ teenagers that don't care, and have a luxury chalet that is also a great family ski chalet!

Family Friendly Ski

This ski half term week we really are lucky to have some really wonderful guests, Grandma, Granddad, Mum and Dad, and their six children. When you have such wonderful family guests it really does make you wake up with a smile, and in many respects give even more just because they deserve it.

To be honest we certainly always seem to blessed with wonderful guests and I guess that may well reflect the luxury catered chalet market we are in, or the fact that we are lucky as we do hear some contrary stories? Who knows I guess. But with our family ski reviews (all guests come to think of it - family or otherwise) waxing lyrical about our service, and being half term ski week, we thought in our Chamonix Exclusive Blog that we would give away our secrets. So click here on 'Family Friendly Ski' to read our ten most important and fingers crossed, in years to come we all may be able to enjoy family friendly skiing holidays!!

Family Ski Chamonix

Skiing this weekend in Chamonix it is undoubtably a great weekend to be out with the family and ski with our children. We have had a great deal of snow fall over the last 24 hours and as a result on piste it is the perfect soft snow and off piste deep powder. As a family we can't help get excited at the prospect of getting out to ski powder and although Josh and Victoria are only 5 and 7 respectively, they are a lot easier to get to ski club when it is a powder ski day. Well that is after Mark has dug out his car from the bank that he managed to get stuck in this morning despite it being 4 wheel drive! No need to go on about it too much as his penance was missing first ski tracks whilst being towed out!

Getting back to the children, here in Les Houches, Chamonix, we can't speak highly enough of the ESF Les Houches ski school who really are a family friendly ski school. Their patience is immense and professionalism unquestionable. And they are also kind enough to drop the children back at our accommodation which neighbours ski in ski out Chalet Prarion.

Its not just ESF Ski School Les Houches that is great, the ski area of Les Houches, Chamonix is also very good for ski family holidays as it has a great beginner area and some great blue and red pistes that won't frighten Mum, well not too much anyway!

Finally in terms of family ski chalets to stop out, ours aside, their is other great family ski chalets such as Chalet Annabelle run by Mike and Jude at Breathe and Believe who really do care and are great with families and young children. But if ski in ski out is the families ski holiday choice, the number one ski chalet has to be Chalet Prarion.

Ski Half Term Holidays - A Light Hearted View From a Mum

With just over 10 days to go before the half term ski holidays, here's a light hearted view of the preparation and stereo typical roles that develop both prior to and on the first day of the family ski holiday for the ski half term skiing break:

So, its nearly time to go, the family ski half term holiday break is in sight, the excitement is building, the best family ski chalet has been booked months in advance, Mum has already booked the ski lessons and lift passes, and its just a case of the whole family packing the cases, all hands on deck and it will be done in a day.

Well probably not! The children will be firstly playing on the Nintendo, and then there's Dad, who will of course be surveying the net; researching the best off-piste runs in the resort, particularly important for skiing the afternoon with the 3 year old who is just learning to ski, then there's the piste that Hans Klammer won the World Cup on in 2002, and not forgetting the useful information on the number of pistes you can ski, how many black runs need to be ticked off, and the all famous 'Wall' that you need to ski by 10 o'clock on day one!

So from the above, I think it's safe to assume that it will be poor Mum who will probably be packing most items, checking what fits and doesn't, replacing old with new, and totally oblivious to the rest of the family, making sure no one's forgotten, everybody gets to the airport, passports are at hand, and all clothing is packed!

So the family have finally arrived t the chalet, and the first evening Mum will have unpacked the clothing, and laid it out ready for a controlled start, all of course unbeknown to Dad who's telling the whole party about last year's steep and deep over a glass or three of the local wine!

Then there's the morning, after a year's wait, the half term ski holiday really is about to start, Dad will have that look that only too much wine the night before can give you, although having been warned by Mum about his potential excess the night before, Dad will be of course try and disguise this by trying to look sprightly! Despite the sore head, he will however have managed to have checked his ski's about twenty times that morning, the edges tested and admired by the tip of his calibrated thumb, and the other father's will have seen him lift his perfectly waxed trophy, sorry skis, in front of them half a dozen times (yes darling they do look smooth and shiny), all in between discussing continuously today's ski itinerary over breakfast!

And after breakfast, as the children exit smoothly from the chalet, Dad will now be asking Mother what all the fuss was about prior to departure and arrival in the resort! Arriving at the ski school, Dad will without doubt need to take control, now claiming total responsibility for their on time arrival, Dad's last cup of coffee, the final surveying of the piste map (whilst Mum got the children ready) obviously making the difference!

But looking on the bright side Mother's, after all the Father's planning of the routes and pistes you are going to ski on day one, at least you can ski with the confidence that you won't get lost until the second run, and it will be only 5 out of 6 days that you find yourself the wrong side of the mountain with just five minutes to collect the children from ski school!!

Happy half term ski holidays!

Family Ski Checklist

With just two weeks to go before the family packs their suitcases for the annual ski half term holiday, I thought it might be useful to put together a family ski checklist. For the younger ones, the first thing to make sure is the:

•  Child car seats

Sounds obvious this one and yes at Chamonix Exclusive we supply them for all ages, but it surprising how many operators don't provide them, so you might want to check before you arrive and if necessary bring your own. Personally speaking hear, if the operator doesn't provide them, you may also want to question how child friendly they really are!

Ski Half Term - Arriving At The Airport

• Warm Coat
• Fleece
• Snow boots
• Warm Hat
• Sunglasses

With half term skiing being a February arrival it will probably mean temperatures down to, or below freezing, exposed flesh can quickly lead to discomfort, distressed children or worse! Left handy at all times therefore should be a warm coat, a fleece, hat and some gloves - especially as on arrival at the resort they are likely to dive straight into the snow! The ski half term week always also seems to bring the snow, so the shiny party shoes are far from ideal! Sounds obvious, but you might be surprised by what we sometimes see at airports. The snow boots on the checklist don't have to be expensive ones either, something warm with a good sole, or instead of snow boots a pair of walking boots are generally ideal (except after a big snowfall - unless waterproof).

Getting Out On The Slopes - The real Start To The Half Term Ski Holiday

So, we have successfully managed the arrival, the good operators will have prior to your departure sorted your ski passes, ski lessons and anything else that you need, otherwise this needs to be done as soon as you arrive (or by yourself before you depart using the web) as being half term, ski lessons may not be easy to book on the day! So assuming this has all been done, the morning has arrived, where do you start, firstly 30 minutes before you think you need to! Whatever time you think you need to get up for breakfast, we find another 30 minutes are typically needed if ski school is involved!

And now for the children's ski checklist, half term is a layering week, as February generally brings cold mornings and warm afternoons, so make sure you pack:

• Thermal base layers (Long John's and vest)
• Thin Mid Layers
• Ski Socks
• Fleeces
• Snood / Turtle Neck
• Waterproof salopettes
• Waterproof jacket
• Good quality mittens or glove
• Goggles
• Ski helmet (or make sure you can hire in resort)
• Sun protection (high factor)
• Lip protection (high factor)

And just before you set off to ski school:

• Snack bar(s)
• Lift pass
• Ski school ticket
• Identification
• Skis or Snowboard
• Boots
• Poles

Complete? Now of course nyou can send them off comfortable to have a great ski day - the best way to spend the half term ski holiday!

Family Skiing - Cooking Great Food For Children

The benefits of being a mother I guess, is that it allows us to develop a menu with the luxury ski chalet's chef that really is suitable for children in family ski holiday groups.

There are three main rules that we always deploy:

1. Ingredients must be fresh
2. As appealing to our younger guests as the luxury chalet cuisine served to our older guests
3. Provide our younger guests with a health balanced diet

The menu planning therefore typically reflects great 'homely' dishes that your Great Aunt would have produced, presented to the high standard that you expect from one of your favourite family ski chalets! Fish cakes made from choice pieces of fish, home made shepherds pie made with fresh minced steak, carrots, and a delicious sauce, and then topped with a light and creamy potato puree, and home made beef burgers, made fresh with lean chunks of steak, and garnished with salad.

Desserts also reflect the healthy mix whenever possible, sometimes a little indulgent, but on other days full of fruit made the way children like it, ensuring they get their much needed vitamins.

Ski Clothing - Advise For Adults As Well As Family Ski Groups

Regular visitors to my Family Ski blog may have read the article on children's ski clothing. We have now adapted this blog entry on our Chamonix Exclusive Blog for adults as we have found a number of clients have asked for such information, and not just family ski holiday groups.

If any other bloggers or sites would like to use my advice, or the advice given on the Chamonix Exclusive luxury ski chalet blog, they may do so provided the relevant site is credited and linked accordingly. If you require the correct link address, please email me accordingly.

Enjoy a great ski holiday with friends and family ski members, and stay warm!!

Never Anytime For Blogging During The School Holidays!

Well a Happy New Year to you all and I hope you have had a great Christmas!

I know it has been a while since I last posted so my apology for this. On Monday, here in France, the children finally went back to school so this really has been the first chance to try and type something. Running a chalet and balancing two demanding children at the same time, does mean that this can take a back seat, and something that other ski mums might understand?

I guess my circumstance is not that different to the family ski groups that regularly visit our chalet. In today's day and age, few of us just have the children to look after, which is a full time job in itself, and most have a 'second' role! I guess this is why we try so hard to make things easier for family ski groups, starting with the initial contact and pre-ski vacation contact. When you book with us, we like to take some of the effort out, and this means helping you plan, and us dealing with family ski rental, family ski lessons, and any nanny or creche facilities. Having been operating for some time, what might be difficult for you, is now easily accessible through our network of partners.

On arrival we take a similar approach, ensuring we are on hand to assist with transport to ski school and similar needs, buckling bolts and any other things we can help out with.

Getting late, I better draw this to a close, but most importantly, and what makes us a great family ski company (our guestbook confirms this), is that we care and as parents ourselves, understand you need some 'time-off'.