"Rob White" wrote in message
...
| I've stayed in a self-catering apartment and seen some others. If you
want
| to stay in a broom cupboard with a kitchenette and a shower then
that's O,
| but your on top of each other and theres notihng to do in the evening.
At
| least with a chalet you have space (OK) company (normally OK),
somebody to
| cook (normally OK) and clean (very OK). You can sort out all your own
| arrangements and go independent, but a) why bother if somebody else
will do
| it for you and b) why take the risk of cocking up as a 1st time skier
not
| really knowing where to go or what you need. I'm no great lover of
package
| deals but if you've not skiied before I'd go on one to a catered
chalet, in
| a decent but not top-notch resort. If I were you I'd see what else
you post
| brings out, and see who recommends what resorts and tour operators.

Sorry but although some apartments are not exactly spacious, there's
plenty of very reasonably priced, very roomy places to rent in some
wonderful locations. By way of example, the month of Jan in our place
costs around £300 per week all in and sleeps 8... 3 double bedrooms, one
with private balcony, huge lounge, dining area, kitchen/breakfast room,
garage, walk in private ski room. 98 sq.m. in all.

Nothing to do? Don't follow you. That depends on where the accommodation
is, not what it is. Unless having something to do means getting drunk
with fellow chalet guests of a night!

Of course if you like 'British' cuisine ( and being surrounding by
Brits ( then a chalet's fine! Each to his/her own.
Simon's suggestion of a small hotel is fair enough, at least you
actually feel you're in a foreign country! Unless it's British run of
course.

A previous post mentioned that going to a large resort might be wasted
on a group of beginners - (ie you wouldn't be able to ski the majority
of the domain) but it is possible to get reduced rate lift passes for
small parts of a domain, such as in Les Arcs - and some have a small
number of completely free runs for absolute beginners to try out before
venturing further afield. (Also, with a couple of teenagers, there'll be
more to keep them occupied)...

Take a couple of dry slope or snowdome lessons first, if you can... it
makes the first few days somewhat less painful!

Pete
http://bsm.alpesprovence.net - SNOWeSCAPE