A Hassle-Free Ski Experience
Okay, so for the past couple of years we have been taking our children skiing on a relatively low budget (if such a thing exists on a skiing holiday). We have driven to Austria and Switzerland in the past two years and our four wonderful children have learned to ski.
Normally we stay a short walk or drive from the main lift and Emma and I are normally tasked with carrying skis, boots, poles, snacks and water.
I work with Mark Warner holidays a lot and they offer a wide variety of destinations and activities to suit all ages. Towards the end of March, I was extremely lucky to be offered a trip on a 3-day educational trip to the French resort of Mottaret, near Meribel. So, let me take you through the hassle-free experience...
1) Flight to Grenoble on their own chartered aircraft - on-time and superb check in service. 2) On arrival at Grenoble, collect luggage and on a transfer bus to resort in under 25 minutes. 3) Transfer on comfortable Mini-Coach, met at the bottom of mountain by two VW Caravelle's to take us to the Tarentaise hotel. Transfer time less than 2hrs. 4) Check in at Tarentaise and rooms ready. 5) Skis and boots collected from their basement, excellent service and honestly, the best boots I have ever worn!
All this was before lunchtime!
Now, the hotel is what I would call a 'grower,' why? My first impressions were that the décor and furnishings were a little dated. However, once in you feel at ease, relaxed and the staff are superb. The hotel is run by a wonderful manager and her team make you feel at home straight away. The rooms are clean and the beds extremely comfortable and I would highly recommend a room with a slope view as it doesn't get better than that!
Food is excellent, a great choice for evening meals, breakfast consists of hot choices plus your continental options too. Afternoon tea is served from 4pm and I can highly recommend the Bakewell cake! On top of all this there is a Tea and Coffee drink station available all day free of charge.
Location - going back to the hassle-free holiday - ski in/out couldn't be any better than this, especially as it joins to a green run, so you can immediately re-discover your ski legs if it's been a while.
Now for the little ones, Mark Warner offer superb childrens facilities and its why my clients love them so much. The staff are second to none and their approach is so caring and you can tell they love what they do. For those ready for ski school, the nannies will escort and collect them from their lessons and provide them with lunch back at the hotel. The ski school companies used are hand picked and not the 'cram' them all in style approach that some of the larger companies use. In the evening the children can have their 'tea' before their parents and again there is always a great selection including some fresh vegetables too! There is also offer a baby listening service too.
Finally, the resort. Mottaret which is linked to the Trois Vallees and above Meribel is wonderful. I would highly recommend it and I'm planning on taking my family there next year. A brilliant mix of runs to suit all abilities, lovely choice of bars and restaurants and Meribel is just a short ski or bus ride away. Rond Point is brilliant for Apres and I can recommend a late night drink at Doran's too in Meribel.
If you are interested in a ski holiday for 2018 please feel free to get in touch.
To see my video of the trip please click on the link https://www.facebook.com/AlexBuckleTravelGuru/videos/1239625406133692/