Does anyone have any advice on family skiing locations. I won't use the word 'cheap' as I know that word doesn't exist in the South of France but a reasonable priced area for first timers at skiing and snowboarding within 2 hours of Nice? I have a 7, 9 & 16 year old. There is so much information on the internet, I'm drowning in it. Many thanks

For beginners I'd suggest you have some time out at La Colmiane - which is a small resort and well priced - usually open around Christmas - also great snow shoeing, cross country and ski mountaineering.

Enjoy

Liz

You need to avoid the big ski stations as these will be the most expensive. Try smaller stations like Greolieres le Neige; La Colmiane etc but as these are lower stations you have to make sure there has been a good snow fall! Also if you ski outside school holidays you'll find it cheaper but I guess with school age children you are tied to the holidays. If you have a car; a good idea for accommodation would be to stay "outside" the ski station and drive in every day; for example stay in Guillaumes and drive 11 kms each day up to Valberg; you could pack a picnic with a thermos or two of hot soup and that way you could save on restaurant and sandwich shop bills. You will miss the "night life" but quite honestly after a day skiing a nice time with a book or in front of the tv is quite welcoming in the evening after a nice hot shower and pulling on something comfortable; nothing beats your slippers after those hard snow boots!