Skiing Operators

Specialist Reports Activity Holidays Skiing Skiing Operators Family Ski Company 

	Family Ski Company
Bank Chambers,Walwyn Road, Colwall, Malvern,WR13 6QG			MAP
tel: (01684) 540 333

Family specialists with six catered chalets ranging from apartments to en suite rooms in the village of Ardent in the Portes du Soleil ski area, a few metres from lifts. Report that they will bend over backwards to tailormake to your requirements which as standard include bespoke transfers with child seats from Geneva airport.

Non-smoking accommodation

Yes, all chalets are non-smoking.

Location of Care

In one of the chalets.

British-qualified staff

Head Activity Leader NNEB/CACHE, RGN or equivalent. Others chosen for their experience and receive on the job training to NVQ Level 2 or above as a Travel Services Child Representative.

Staff to child ratio

Variable but under 4s, 1:3 unless tiny.

Ages to qualify

From newborn to teens.

Childcare

Powder Pups creche for pre-school non-skiing children with toys, games and art and craft materials. Open 9am-4.30pm daily ex Saturdays, attendance either full or half days. Weather permitting a good amount of time is spent out of doors.
Powder Hounds from 4 years for those ready to ski, hours as for the creche but starting with 2 ½ hours' skiing in the morning, followed by lunch, with creche-based activities to entertain in the afternoon.
Powder Adventure Ski lessons six mornings plus Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon is for accomplished child skiers (ESF two-star badge or equivalent) who are taken out to explore the mountains with a member of staff.
Powderpups £265 including lunch, £155 half day, £130 with lunch. Powderhounds, £265 including ski lessons and lunch, Powder Adventures £265 including ski lessons and lunch.

Exclusive child ski lessons in English

No but Powder Adventure is exclusively for Family Ski Company children. For learning recommends lessons at the Ecole du Ski Francais with English-speaking instructors, plus own helper who also escort the children back to the chalet for lunch and afternoon care.

Babysitting

Yes, free on the cooks' night off when parents go out to eat. Arranged on request for other times.

Other

Children's meals are homemade and try to cater as far as possible for all tastes. Also provide home-prepared vegetable and fruit purees on request.
Parents can catch up with children when the creche closes over tea or coffee, freshly baked cakes and bread and jam and before the children's evening meal at 5.30pm.

Adult guide price

From £539 per person in February.

Child Offers

Discounts from 10% up to 35% for children, depending on room allocations and childcare requirements.
Infants under 24 moths are £110 per week, excluding childcare.