School holiday starts February 10 and becomes a nightmare from the 17th: http://vacances-scolaires.education/

Ski school: https://www.esf-uk.co.uk/

Getting transport at the same time as your lodging is your greatest challenge. Getting transport includes any transfer booking too.

You need a package deal, transport & lodging, if that is possible to find. Decide on your transport destinations first and be ready to book that while surfing other websites for lodging then commit to both simultaneously. Go in the first week of February if you can..

Back in the day, I used to use this site: http://www.lastminute.com/holidays/french-alps.html

But there are others... https://www.skiweekends.com/ski-breaks/dates-and-prices/latest-offers/last-minute-ski-holidays

As far as ski resorts go in the Alps, there are three types usually. The first one has been built fast in the 60s, with awful gigantic concrete buildings. That would be Tignes, Les Arcs, Les Menuires, Le Corbier etc... Then there are the ski resorts that have been built to mirror the local architecture, only bigger, with giant chalets like Méribel, Courchevel, Val d'Isère. I prefer those ones, you don't feel like you're in a concrete tourist factory. The third kind is a resort added to an already existing village. Places like La Grave for example. Villard de Lans, Serre Chevalier, Chamonix.

Up to you to decide what you prefer. Already existing villages are lower in elevation than the concrete resorts, which are all very high, guaranteeing snow. But I always have an uneasy feeling going to those, it's a machine, not the beautiful pristine mountain you expect.

hI

In Google, enter "stations de ski pour débutants", or "les meilleures stations de ski pour débutants".

(Ski resorts for beginners/ the best ski resorts for beginners). You will have plenty of ideas, even if it's in french, the name of the resort is easy to find.

For beginners, have a look at skiing in Vercors or Chartreuse. Those are mountain ranges that are relatively easy, they're quite low for the Alps (2500 m max), not as steep as Vanoise, Chamonix/Mont Blanc or Ecrins. They're also great regions to explore, it hasn't been taken over by gigantic ski resorts, it still feels authentic, family friendly. Plenty of farmers left so great cheese as well. For a mix of culture, food, scenery and easy skiing I would choose somewhere in Vercors. If you want chalets/lodges, you have a better chance of finding one in this area as well. They're not as popular as the big ski resorts because in December there is less snow, and they have less slopes of course, but that means there's room to breathe.

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate your kind help.

your answers gave me a set of few questions:

Now I prefer the resorts built on already existing villages that are on a lower elevation. Chamonix for example. I have looked up hotels such as Auberge du Bois Prin and it seems quite nice. However, nothing is mentioned in the reviews about skiing other than it is 10 minutes away from the lifts. Are there any courses offered in the lower villages? If so how would I reach them?

I looked up the ESF courses and it seems as if it is on a separate location. How would I know if they are connected via the lifts? I am totally new to a winter holiday and I need a lot of help.

Is using the lifts as simple as buying a pass and waiting in line to be at the right destination?

Do the lifts get crowded?

How early should I be at the lifts to avoid being late for the appointments?

Are there any hikes or other activities offered in the authentic villages?

What about the Ski gears are they offered for rent through the skiing schools?

I will definitely try to avoid the vacation season and book my stay in the first week of February.

Sorry about bombarding you with questions I still have many to go.

I really appreciate your help

>Now I prefer the resorts built on already existing villages that are on a lower elevation. Chamonix for example. I have looked up hotels such as Auberge du Bois Prin and it seems quite nice. However, nothing is mentioned in the reviews about skiing other than it is 10 minutes away from the lifts. Are there any courses offered in the lower villages? If so how would I reach them?<

Hotels don't usually offer ski-ing courses (except very high end places catering to Russian oligarchs). The problem with low-elevation resorts is that you may not have snow in the village itself. Walking 10 minutes to the lifts in ski-boots is a PITA. At the end of the day, all these villages (even the traditional ones) have been massively transformed by the ski boom post-war. For example, Courchevel 1850 may look pretty with its multiple wooden chalets, but in 1947 the "village" consisted of one wooden cowshed (now long gone).

Chamonix is not great for beginners because the beginners slopes are a long way from the centre of town. If you want "traditional" try Megeve or else you could try Courchevel 1350 (saint-Bon) whose heart is a traditional village but is linked by lifts to the higher slopes of Courchevel 1850 etc. ESF etc will meet you at the ski lifts - you need to get there yourself with your skis, poles, boots, ski-suit, gloves, helmet and goggles - you don't want to be walking a long way with that lot. If you do use Courchevel there is a ski-hire place right by the lifts at 1850 where (if you hire from them) you can leave your boots, helmet, skis and poles when you're not using them - Jean Blanc Sports.

Maybe others can advise if similar is available in Megeve.

Ski clothes, gloves and apres-ski boots you will need to bring yourself

You can buy a lift pass online from the different resorts - as a beginner you won't need access to the whole ski area - just the green and blue and red runs.

There's more advice on this website:

https://www.skiclub.co.uk/info-and-advice

Can't help you on Chamonix, it's never where I went as it's too far from Grenoble. But I know the town has public transport, and hotels usually have shuttles to the ski slopes. Usually you test your ski gear the first day, at a shop, and they bring it to your hotel (unless the hotel rents its own gear), where they have lockers for your gear. I'm not an expert on skiing as I usually hike (snowshoe) in winter. Skiing is too expensive for me.

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