Family of 4 skiers (sons are 13 and 15) looking to spend the Christmas/New Year holiday in a European ski resort. If we are too late for reservations this winter, then we will go in 2011. We are all advanced skiers but I'm not looking for the most challenging slopes (or cliffs). The focus is to enjoy the holidays as a family in Europe. We have been to Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France in the summer several times but not in winter. The boys and I have not been to Italy. Our days will probably consist of skiing, dining and hanging out in the resort town. Don't need nightlife such as bars/pubs, and the guys don't like to shop. Ideally, we'd be able to catch a lift or gondola in the town and not have to travel by bus or car down the road to the slopes. Our budget is no more than $1,000 US per night for lodging. Food, lift tickets, etc. are not included in that amount. Any ideas? Many thanks!

Zell am zee might do, glacier skiing if it stays warm, lift starts in the town, bus along the valley to other slopes if you want it and a very large flat valley for ski de fond. Choice of hotels is good but you might find a villa is a good deal

Check out the Serre Chevalier ski domaine in France; it's traditional as opposed to the concrete monoliths of the purpose-built resorts. There are 12 villages along the valley, ski in, ski out; great family area.
Briancon, the main town, boasts over 300 days of sunshine per year, and its fortified old town section is charming.

www.serrechevalier.com

Thank you for the suggestions. I am off to research them.

We used to do our Family Christmas ski vacation in Kitzbuhel Austria. As I recall there was a 2 week minimum (and we toughed it out - LOL). The appeal for our family was that there was something for everyone and other resorts were easily accessed. With thewarmer Winters, I'm not sure how much snow places will have at Christmas - it would be good to ask. We used to stay at the Hotel Tiefenbrunner right in the center of town and took thehalf board pkg. - their food was always excellent... and our Labrador loved that he could join us in the dining room!

We ski in the Alps every year, usually during the first part of March. I'm assuming that you'll need to commit to going, as we must, long before you'll know what the snow conditions are. Because of that, the only resorts that we consider are those that will be snow-sure for when we're going to be there and that usually means you need to look at the altitude, with higher obviously better.

Two places that I know well and would highly recommend are Ischgl (Austria) and Cervinia (Italy). They both have a great variety of cruising terrain with long runs and good mountain restaurants. At Cervinia you have the option of getting a lift pass that will allow you to ski over the border and access the slopes at Zermatt. Ischgl has runs that cross into Switzerland as well, but there's not a similar well-known resort when you get there. Hotel Piz Tasna in Ischgl is particularly nice.

Years ago we spent 2 weeks skiiing over christmas/New year in Courmayer [without kids however] and it was great. beautiful mountains, great food both in the town and up the mountain, good skiing at higher altitudes [you take a cable car up to the slopes].

as it's italian it'll be a great place to take children.

another option would be Wengen - very pretty, gorgeous mountains , trains to get up the mountain, and no cars so child friendly.