Beginners visiting in December - need advice

Hi,

We%26#39;re 2 adults and 1 child hoping to visit the area during December - and only hubby has skied previously.

I%26#39;d like some advice on equipment /ski hire. We%26#39;re only planning on a small session sking (as an introduction) - so I don%26#39;t want to splash out on a load of gear... where is the best place to go for hire?, and what extra will we need to purchase ?

What%26#39;s the cost of ski passes or can we get some sort of beginners package?

Also, where%26#39;s the best place for novice kids and adults!.

Thanks

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I haven%26#39;t skied Chamonix - but I do ski and I have one bit of advice.

Go to all your skiing friends and borrow ski clothes, gloves, sox and underwear. If you want to buy your own, go to a real ski shop. Real ski clothes come from real ski shops and they%26#39;re what you need to be warm on the mountain. If you aren%26#39;t warm you won%26#39;t have any fun. That being said, have a great time.

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I agree with the suggestion to borrow, where possible, but make sure the gloves are top class. Especially for the child.

You can buy a pass called ChamLearner or ChamBeginner. Not sure of the cost for next season as it is not published yet.

You do not mention your child%26#39;s age but if under 10 I would advise going to one of the local specialist ski schools for kids. Eg. The Panda Club. (www.panda-club.com)

A lot of other details can be gleaned from www.chamonix.com (Tourist office).

lift passes can be bought from all the main valley lift stations or the tourist office.

Panda will do adults or try any other of the local ski schools. (I have no connection with Panda but they did a great job for 5 years with my daughter).

You will need to hire skis and boots. These cost (for an adult) about £80-£100) a week for the whole lot.

Ski insurance you either include it with your travel insurance or you can buy it there. About £3 per day from the lift station.

Accomodation, you might aldready have it if so ignore this. As you are beginners it will not really matter where you stay but the best nursery slopes are in Argentiere or La Tour, so i would stay there.

If you want a hotel or catered accomodation try the tourist board. If you want self catering in Argentiere try www.grand-roc.com. These specialise in appartments in Argentiere/La Tour. I have an apparment that is rented via this agency see www.laverte.co.uk. The web site is not finished yet but it gives you a flavour of what type of thing is available.

Have a great time.

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