once Again Resort advice or suggestions

A snowHead

So, after season is before season Eh oh!

and I’ve already started planning for next winter—more precisely for the week from 2nd to 9th January 2027.

I know that there are no school ski holidays in France during that week, and generally speaking, France could be the best destination. However, if everything goes according to plan, my wife would like to try skiing again after her operation, physiotherapy etc etc, and i noticed that she was not really excited with the crowds we saw generally in France especially in Avoriaz (even during the Easter Holidays).
Also—and this is probably very important—my kids need a place where the instructors speak reasonably good German.
They are already reached Silver and Gold level in ESF, but they don’t speak any French at all, and only my son speaks a little English (at least for now). Ok It’s actually impressive that they’ve reached this level without strong language skills Laughing

however, at this stage I’ve noticed that communication becomes much more important. An instructor in Avoriaz told me the same this April: it’s really difficult to explain certain things, such how to carve more agressive, or other technique aspects, that would help them progress further in this level when there is a language barrier.

So I’m looking for a resort that is not too expensive (e.g. Zermatt or St. Moritz are out of the question) and not as overcrowded as places like Avoriaz or Ischgl (this is especially important for my wife). At the same time, it should offer instructors who speak adequate German for the kids, as well as a good mix of slopes: easy runs for my wife, progression terrain for the kids, and a few easily accessible black slopes for me (one is enought i think)

I’m currently considering South Tyrol or Switzerland (Austria is out of the question). More specifically, options like Carezza (i know its really small), or somewhere in Val di Fassa, or possibly the 4 Vallées— but with accommodation in Nendaz or Veysonnaz . My idea is that Carezza will be relative relaxed, Val di Fassa (avoiding Sella Ronda) will be also in this way, and Verbier might be a crowd magnet like Avoriaz in PDS, so staying in Nendaz or Veysonnaz could offer reliable snow, fewer crowds, and suitable slopes for my wife, more challenging terrain for me, and German-speaking instructors for the kids (i know the speak French but i suppose they could speak also better Germans as in France)

Another point that makes me consider the 4 Vallées is the pricing: a 6-day ski pass for the kids in the Dolomites costs almost the same as the year pass for kids in the 4 Vallées, and at least now i can find Accommodation in the same prices as Carezza or Canazei. Another plus for 4 Vallées and Switzerland is that they have somethling like ESF Badges (Blue/Red Prince-King-Star etc), and this was the first question from the kids as i mentioned going somewehere outside France. They want somethling like this....
I have in mind some other resorts in Switzerland, like Sörenberg (i suppose nobody knows it) but i am not sure about snow reliability.

Any opinions / experiences about these above? never been there (only in Val di Fassa but this was in 2010)

PS Austria is not an option for me for personally reasons. ...even if i love this country, a week in summer is enough. So please i do not want to open a discussion for this.

A snowHead

Why not lean in to the German side of Switzerland more? Jungfrau lift passes seem to be in a similar ball park? I'm sure there are other resorts that would suit over there too.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

I’m not convinced Nendaz would be quieter than Verbier (which has better key access lifts) but both should work well for that week and German speaking instructors shouldn’t be a problem. Veysonnaz would probably be quieter but much further from the decent skiing. The Tortin blue (very easy) and Plan de Fou red (long and fast) from Siviez are both excellent runs. If ambiance / après are not a priority then Siviez itself could be an option

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@afterski, indeed, but most of the accommodation i find in Nendaz/Veysonnaz are in walking distance from the lifts, and i do not know how to move in Jungfrau in order to avoid the crowds. My thinking is that the majority of the people in Thyon/Nendaz/Veysonnaz who do not have kids in the ski school, will try to reach Verbier , so staying back i/we will enjoy some more relaxed skiing. Plus the season pass for the kids.

If not Verbier in Switzerland i will probably consider something like Aletsch Arena.

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@BobinCH, Apres is not a priority. I have also Siviez in mind, but i have to check it for the ski schools etc.
Is there a bus service between Nendaz/Siviez?

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@turms2, not sure what your budget is but Club Med in St M was offering all in for 4, inc lessons, pass, food and drink (inc restaurant mountains) for 7.5kchf in the February holidays so perhaps there are some January deals to be had?

After all it is free

The sole (blue) run back down into Nendaz is not particularly pleasant. It is steep and gets very busy at the bottom. If your wife is happy downloading, then consider Nendaz. If she wants to ski back down, I personally would avoid it.

@Nadenoodlee, ok, thats above our Budget but i will check out the prices for Jan.

@Sonmi451, i do not think she will try something more than blue or easy reds for this week. Downloading its not a problem at all. Before the inury well groomed Blacks was not a problem, but now definitely not. At least for the start.

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If you're considering Tyrol/Dolomites then my sense was that Alta Badia (Corvara, Colfosco, etc) was the gentlest of the four main resorts on the Sella Ronda. Loads of blues off the circuit, as well as easy access for you to Arabba for harder stuff?

Alternatively, I remember the slopes at the far end of the valley radiating from Selva (the Alpe De Siuisi) area being very mellow. I guess you'd stay in Ortisei, which is easy on a bus to Selva and beyond for more interesting stuff?

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I would consider Kronplatz, though I accept your lift pass price concerns may work against it. Runs of all level from the top, some of the best I have ever tried and most lifts lead back up to the same spot. Always feels very family oriented at the top. Not outrageously expensive and I assume would fit the language requirement.

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@gendal, I’m also looking at Alta Badia, but I think it will be more crowded than the other options I mentioned (Carezza or Val di Fassa). Alpe di Siusi is also an option, but it’s too expensive. I’m trying to find something lower down, near the gondola, but so far without success.

@toyah807, the language requirement fits perfectly. I really like Kronplatz—I’ve been there a couple of times many years ago, so i also make a small research there. But as you mentioned, the lift pass prices are again a concern.

I know that prices are generally very high in Austria and South Tyrol, and honestly, I would really like to go back to the Dolomites. However, when I realize that for almost the same money I can buy a season pass for the kids in the 4 Vallées, it makes the decision difficult for me. And, at least until now, i can find Appartments in Nendaz etc., practically in walking distance from the lifts, and that makes the decision more difficult.

Couple of bits that might help.

Ive have done a couple of ski trips in the 2nd week of January (Les Menuires in the 3 Valleys and Avoriaz) and the slopes were pretty quiet - although this would have been the week after the one you propose..

Les Menuires was particualry cheap for accomodation in Jan, perhaps because its such a family orientated resort. Offset the lift pass price..

CheckYeti.com is a generic private/group ski lesson search engine and allows you to filter by languages spoken - so you can search for german speaking instructors in Avoriaz for example. Couple of limitations though: You can only search for current season (people wont have posted next years availability yet) so this wont be much help until say Nov 26. and you have to select each resort before filtering by language - you cant set language and see what resorts it spits out... https://www.checkyeti.com

You know it makes sense.

@AliAfro, the week after , lets say 9th till 16th the prices are really lower as the week i have to go
I know CheckYeti.com
But until know didnt help with the Language matter. But i will check for a couple resorts in France , before i book something elsewhere.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@turms2, Canazei has only one lift out of the village (as does Campitello) - both of which take you on to the 'ronda'. Alba has two options ; one to the Ronda and the other to Ciampac
How about Pozza di Fassa if you want to avoid the Ronda? - German is spoken but is a third language after Ladin and Italian

A snowHead

Have you considered buying a MagicPass? That would give you unlimited skiing in German speaking resorts like Saas Fee and Leukerbad in the Rhone valley, also Meiringen, Melchsee plus lots of smaller ones in the Bern/Lucerne region.

A snowHead

Aletsch Arena or Laax/ Flims? Or Disentis which is on the Andermatt/ Sedrun/ Disentis pass. We stay at the Catrina Resort. Great apartments with wonderful pool and restaurants & COOP on site. They speak german that sounds like Italian to me and Romantsch (good luck!)

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We went to Grindelwald the equivalent week to the one you are looking at in 2025. Slopes were very quiet, quite a few visitors to the area don’t ski. Some good blue runs back to Grindelwald and over at First and a long run down to Wengen. Prices were no more than in Portes de Soleil on the slopes. We used the train to Kleine Scheideg a lot as we were staying right by the station. Didn’t use ski school so can’t advise on that.

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@albob, i think Pozza di Fassa ist also in Val die Fassa Puzzled

@BoardieK, well yes but i decided to leave the one season later since the Easter ar too late and IT will be perfect for April im Saas Fee. Furthermore i had some Angebots for working as an instructor in Germany (only weekends) and i will buy also a discounted pass there for me and the Kids so for next season

@Nadenoodlee, yes Aletsch Arena is ma second Option in Switzerland...and i habe also disentis im my mimd because of the Reka Village

@somborneski, thats interesting. Thanks. Especially this anout the prices i noticed It also in the Swiss Side of PDS...

@ski3, nice...indeed because of the season Pass for the Kids Nendaz stay top in the list

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@turms2, "...i think Pizza di Fassa ist also in Val die Fassa .."
Yes -- but seperate from the 'Sella Ronda', so much quieter and is linked to Carezza by bus

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I should mention that I’m looking for something either close to the lifts or very quickly accessible by bus. With two kids, I don’t really want to be driving back and forth and dealing with parking all the time anymore. In that respect, I’ve been a bit spoiled by France.

That said, except Nendaz/Veysonnaz , Vigo di Fassa currently looks ideal for the Dolomites. Of course, the ski area is small, but that’s more than enough for us, at least for this week (because of my wife). Have been there before, and it was really nice
And if we want more variety, we can quickly head over to the other side towards Buffauer or Canazei and then to Passo Pordoi, etc., and ski around there a bit. It might get a bit boring for the kids, but I’ve read that the ski school also includes excursions in its group lessons – I assume in the direction of the Sella Ronda, but not the full circuit ??

The kids have never been to Italy before, only once to Livigno – but Livigno is not part of the Dolomites, and that makes a big difference. I’m tempted to take them on the Sella Ronda once.

After all it is free

Flims / Laax - Rocks Resort apartments in Laax is ski in ski out. they also have demand driven flex pricing so lift passes will be cheaper that week
Arosa

If you are averse to Austria, South Tyrol might also not be ideal NehNeh

What about Arosa Lenzerheide?

Good and varied terrain.
High elevation & snow sure
Kids ski school has 7 different levels (https://www.skischule-arosa.ch/onlinebuchung/skikurse/article/kinder-ganztags/)
German speaking
Quite easy to drive to from most places in Germany

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@t44tomo, Flims/Laax – and especially the Rocks Resort – are extremely expensive and unfortunately out of my budget. I checked the prices for ski lessons, and they are over 500 CHF for one child.

And @ski_free,yes, I know Arosa Lenzerheide, but based on my experience it also gets quite crowded during school holidays.

Why should I avoid South Tyrol?
I don’t really want to go to Austria—not because of the prices or because it’s always overcrowded, but for other reasons that aren’t relevant to this discussion. It’s more about how some people there perceive tourists from Germany. But that’s another story.

Also, Arosa/Lenzerheide or LAAX are not that easy to ski “against the flow.”
For example, in Portes du Soleil, depending on where you stay, you can avoid the crowds, if you avoid going to Avoriaz.. Or in the Dolomites if you generally avoid the Sella Ronda. In the 4 Vallées as well, if you head in the opposite direction from Verbier. At least that my thought. In LAAX or Arosa Lenzerheide, there’s not really something comparable, in my opinion.

Another important point for choosing the Dolomites is the excellent slope preparation (is 4V also good? or at least better als France?) . That would make it much easier for my wife to return to skiing. I know it’s partly psychological, but at her last doctor’s appointment, the advice was: “When you go back to skiing, make sure the conditions are as good as possible.”

That’s why she now wants to go somewhere that is as little crowded as possible (she knows thats not possible), but still offers very well-groomed slopes. That’s exactly why the Dolomites are currently at the top3 of my list.

btw in Fassa Tal, i am not really sure if the Instructors also German speak. I suppose i have to concentrate in Sout Tirol and not Trentino, otherwise better in Switzerland.

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Avoiding South Tyrol was a little more tongue in cheek since it is culturally and linguistically effectively Austria (well Tyrol). But I suppose they have a lower aversion to Piefkes there Smile

. That being said I haven't encountered any notable anti-German sentiment when visiting Austria.

In general while 2nd to 9th of Jan is school holidays in parts of Germany, pretty much all of Europe is back in school (at least in 2027). And the Alps tend to get crowded out more by the Dutch, Brits and French. I think Germans are to frugal to spend up on ski holidays compared to other nationalities.

For Dolomites Drei Zinnen could also be an option. It being a smaller resort and should be quieter. Never been myself but since watching this video I have been quite tempted to give it a visit (http://youtube.com/v/CYxVuys6ws8)

On another note, in general I think skiing has become much more expensive in many locations (especially Dolomites) and I do think the price delta to expensive Swiss resorts has narrowed. So you could take a look if you can find reasonably priced accommodation in places like St Moritz or Zermatt before ruling them out. St Mortiz Ski school might be 500 Euros, but in the Dolomites you are looking at 450ish in many places. So while cheaper the delta is much smaller than it used to be.

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@turms2, Valmorel has a German ski school and ticks all of your boxes. Even got great untracked offpiste.

@Tristero, i know. Just check it out. But the prices for 2026/2027 are not on line till now

btw i am one from the few boarders, who does not interested for powder.
Carving and some ground trips (and i have to learn switch)

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

I think I’ll go for Vigo di Fassa. I just got an offer for an apartment near the lift (practically ski-in/ski-out) at a price that is impossible to ignore for this week.

I know it’s not a huge ski area, but it’s perfect for this occasion. Some blue runs for my wife plus a private instructor for a smooth return, a couple of black runs for me, and the ski school has some German-speaking instructors, including one native German speaker (I think I’ll book private lessons for the kids this time).

On the other hand, for a bit more adventure, we can always take the bus to the other side (the “Volcano slope” Eh oh!

), or go a little further to Campitello and head deeper into the Sella Ronda “adventure”.

There are also thermal baths in Pozza and Canazei, plus espresso and pizza = almost quarantee for Success.

Eh oh!

“Maybe I’ll make an exception for this week and have a couple of Peroni… bringing back memories of Ventimiglia and my Interrail trip in 1995

A snowHead

A snowHead

I’ve requested quite a few offers, and what I’ve noticed is that the difference between Fassa Valley and Val Gardena is huge.

For an apartment from January 2nd to 9th in Fassa Valley, you can find something for around €1,000 to €1,400, whereas in Val Gardena prices are over €2,000.

What’s even more surprising is that apartment prices in Val Gardena are almost the same as hotel prices with half board in Fassa Valley.

But regardless of that—who is willing to pay €2,500 or more just for an apartment? I could understand it if we were talking about an aparthotel with wellness facilities and services, but just for a regular apartment? And not even truly ski-in/ski-out.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

You or I might not like that price, but apparently some are totally fine with it, or they wouldn't be able to charge that price.

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@TOLOCOMAN, indeed , as long as there are people willing to pay for this, then why not. I would probably do the same if I were the owner.

However, I sent a general inquiry to the tourist office and received some replies that didn’t really make sense to me. I avoid asking when i see too much "high image".

I just can’t get to the point of paying, for example, 4,900 euros for an apartment. Maybe 2,000 to 2,500 euros (around 300–350 per night) feels reasonable, given the prestige of Selva. But prices like 880 pro Tag??

But as I said: as long as there are people who pay for it, why not.

I will go with the 850 Euro for a week in Vigo di Fassa. wink

Help!!

once Again Resort advice or suggestions

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