Poster: A snowHead
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hey guys!!! im 17 years old and a pretty much ski whatever slope i feel like. this february my parents and i will be taking a ski trip to europe and they are letting me decide where we go!!! i want a place where there are other people my age to meet and go out with and i wouldnt mind practicing a language (french or german). i also want to drink a bit since i will be of legal age!! any good places you can steer me towards?? thanks bunches!!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi rammstein258, welcome to snowHeads !
Les 2 Alpes isn't often put forward as a suggestion here, but it's one of my favourites, and it's got pretty much everything for first time visitors to France.
It's a big resort, with a sizeable expat English-speaking community if your French isn't up to the task! It's not as expensive, or 'stuck up', as some of the classical Savoie resorts further north. One of the friendliest places I know. For anyone after a bit of culture, it's a mix of new and old - the far end of the resort is a real 'village', with some great restaurants. Mixed in with that is as much night life as you can handle.
As for the ski area, not the biggest but plenty to do with around 140 miles of groomed runs, plenty of varied terrain, 7,000 feet of vertical, and a glacier. One of the best snowparks around, including a great skier/boardercross.
I've had a fantastic time each visit. Ideal for families with younger kids too, there's so much to do away from the slopes.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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rammstein258, welcome to snowHeads
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rammstein258, I'd like to make a prophecy. Sometime in the next 24 hours, you'll receive a recommendation from a Snowhead called DG Orf that you go to the Jungfrau region of Switzerland (he might cover his tracks by calling it Murren, Wengen, Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen). He may be absolutely right, but he'd give the same answer if you asked him where you could buy the best artificial Rolex in the Alps.
I'd suggest that you play on the differences between European and American skiing. Most US resorts are relatively small with a limited vertical drop, so I'd go for a place that connects to a huge ski area with some gigantic thigh-burning mega-runs; the Espace-Killey and the Three Valleys would meet this criteria.
The trouble is that most resorts of this kind have an international tourist culture. You might be hard pushed to find anyone willing to speak French or German - they'll all be trying to practice their English on you.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Quote: |
so I'd go for a place that connects to a huge ski area with some gigantic thigh-burning mega-runs; the Espace-Killey and the Three Valleys would meet this criteria. |
Or of course 'Paradiski' (Les Arcs/La Plagne)
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The trouble is that most resorts of this kind have an international tourist culture. You might be hard pushed to find anyone willing to speak French or German - they'll all be trying to practice their English on you. |
Most French only practice their English under extreme coercion!
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Jonny Jones, I think this might be the one time when DG Orf doesn't make that suggestion!!
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PG,
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Most French only practice their English under extreme coercion
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As a regular visit to France, I've always found that to be true in the past. But I've seen a marked attitute change over the past few years, especially amongst younger people in the big tourist destinations - the Cote d'azur, Paris, the Alps. Perhaps they just can't bear to hear me torturing their beautiful language, but whenever I address someone in French, they answer me in English.
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Jonny Jones, Ah, but to the real Frenchman, some parts of Paris, the Boulevard des Anglais and Méribel don't count as France - they're occupied territory!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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C'mon Nadenoodlee - as a snowHead in good standing, probably the closest to teens in age and of course a well-known party animal, we need your suggestions...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I'd recommend Kitzbuhel for nightlife. The only thing lacking is challenging skiing which is limited to a few runs for advanced skiers whilst the rest is intermediate, although the area is well linked so you can put some miles in every day. Go in February as the resort isn't that high but it should be fine peak season for snow. Or St Anton for both skiing and nightlife.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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ill be sure to check these out!! thanks again for your help and ill tell ya how it turns out!
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Well I went to Pas de la casa in Andorra when I was 17, with 2 other 17 year olds and my 14 year old cousin and we had a great time! Always loads of young people, really friendly fun resort, huge ski area and amazing nightlife, if you're parents are easy going you should have a great time!
and Kuwait_Ian, im getting old im 22 and a month on friday -I went to a "school disco" night in the local cheesey club last night and felt old!!
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You know it makes sense.
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Val D'Isere is a great place for nightlife. Awesome skiing too.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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if rammstein258 is looking for his first drinks&skiis Bulgaria would be challenge. you can go to Borovetz, Pamporovo or Bansko where the best prises for little money. thats for sure the cheapest in Europe. you can also practise your English there www.banskotravel.com
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Poster: A snowHead
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Soelden might be worth considering. It attracts a young crowd--especially on weekends. That crowd tends to be heavily German but the UK is also well-represented. Additionally, most German kids speak decent English. And the skiing is great.
Soelden has more affordable accomodations than Ischgl or Arlberg, and that's the reason I suspect it attracts a younger crowd.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Soll used to be great for night life, I have many happy memories of the Austrian night club bar prices increasing on the hourI. Back then I was young enough not to care. Its low altitude however can mean its snow cover is uncertain at times.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Val D'Isere. Dick's T-Bar. Need I say more?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Only 2 resorts in the Alps that meet the criteria, if you're going to ski anywhere in Europe for the first time, Chamonix and St Anton. Both great party towns and both with the most awesome un-american skiing. Nuff said.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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David@traxvax, Its only when I read your post that I correctly understand the topic. Thanks David. Also echo your reply.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'd second what JohnnyC says about VD, but Dick's?? If you want to have a wild time (not so much my kind of thing any more) maybe Victors/Bananas/LPD on saisonnaires-day-off...
Chamonix is definitely another option (stay in Chamonix Sud for a younger crowd - plenty of s/c as well and good access to the aiguille).
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