 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello Snowheads!
My colleague is looking for a skiing holiday and the good thing is, money is not an issue. They are a couple with no children, would like a pretty resort with guaranteed snow, and are not expert skiers. Preferably not too long a transfer time and preferably fully catered etc.
Could anyone recommend some resorts or even better, a hotel or chalet that will blow them away?
Thanks in advance,
Mirjam
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Mirjam, have a look at La Rosiere, for chalets that will blow them away go to www.morealps.com and view the galleries. We have a chalet in La Rosiere and we're real fans of the area, More Alps is my son's company, he has 5 chalets in the village, offers superb food and terrific service, including ski-hosting and transfers in their own mini-buses.
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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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Mirjam, you will see David L has a conflict of interest which he has disclosed. La Ros is highly thought of as a resort for families to go to. There may be other more suitable resorts. If they are not brilliant skiers and want a short transfer to a scenic town - I might suggest Megeve.
As regards snow-sure status - what time of year are they planning to go? If very early or very late this usually means go high - which does not always reconcile with prettiness of resorts.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Lech?
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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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1. Zermatt;
2. St Moritz;
3. Lech;
4. Cortina;
5. Courchevel 1850.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Whitegold, short transfer to Zermatt?
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Iscghl - Austria (not sure on spelling)
Lech - Austira
Les Gets - France (I thought it was a very pretty resort and is pretty quiet)
Austria can be a bit of an odd one, the villages are far prettier than most French villages as they don't tend to be dominated by the big apartment blocks but I find the skiing prettier in France. I'm off to Nendaz in late Jan and will let you know how that is.
As stoatsbrother, says, when they are going will make a fairly big difference to where is best.
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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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Thanks everyone, Zermatt does look nice! I am not sure when they are going but I have passed on your recommendations and if I find out when they are going I will be back to harrass you some more.
Mirjam
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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anotherproblem, what can be prettier than skiing at Lech and Zurs?
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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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Obergurgl/hochgurgl - about 90 mins transfer time, village very small but pretty, snow absolutely guarenteed, nothing that could be classed as outstandingly easy or difficult, ideal for intermediates of any standard. £800 a person should see them in the lap of luxury in a hotel with spa and outdoor pool, theres a few to choose from and there are cheaper options too.
Absolutely guarenteed snow but this is the problem - as mentioned the further up you go, the uglier the ski-ing scenery gets, and the higher the chances of whiteouts. Obergurgl does have some gorgeous tree covered runs, but it can't be more than 15%. Hochgurgl has one or two runs with some tree cover, but it does have an outstanding piece of architecture (a restaurant i think) at its peak, with a viewing platform (not for the faint hearted) from which you can see into 3 countries - it has a lift acces and two runs down, one of which is probably the hardest on the hill and the other easy but crowded. The lifts have very few queues (save for the connecting gondola) and are all very modern, and the restaurants and bars on the slopes are a fair bit better than in France for a cheaper price - and you get free schnapps in most if you dance!
Soelden is down the road in case of whiteouts for an extra 10 (i think) Euros covered in the pass, and has more lower skiing (I cant remember how much, its only been ideal conditions when Ive been there). Don't get many kids about as theres so few beginner slopes and you have to drive through Soelden to get there from Germany, which as a town offers more for kids than up in the gurgls. Most hotels offer 'ski in/ski out' but this is often along a flat. English very widely spoken, apart from it seems in ski school - i had a days boarding tuition in German, which wasn't a problem for me but there was no indication of this until I actually met the instructor! Soelden is the opposite language wise however, with very few barmen, hoteliers etc that speak English.
I think it would suit what your looking for very well, although it is a pretty 'niche' resort!
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achilles, St Anton  Nothing as pretty as the Mooserwirt coming into sight!
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You know it makes sense.
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Courchevel, or anywhere with http://leski.com/- a british company that does it really well. From Chambery, the transfer is less than 2 hours. La Tania might suit even, as it is between Meribel and Courchevel. Just go for the newer chalets and you / your friends wil not be disappointed. Am now on my 3rd trip with them and getting a 10% discount plus champagne in room on arrival (always goes down well 
Skiing in the area is intermediate heaven - Courchevel itself probably one of the best served for lifts. If they need lessons, the New Generation ski school there is also British with international instructors - again rock solid. I've gone from an overweight 55 yr old beginner to reasonably fit 57 yr old level 5 skier (red / black runs) in 2 seasons with their help.
A longer term ski pal (why didn't he persuade me sooner!) named his house Meribel - but also speaks highly of Zermatt.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Does anyone honestly consider Courchevel pretty? 
Personal preference for the OP would be Lech.
Murren is very nice as well
Zermatt I agree is attractive though those who want to be pampered may be put off by the spread out nature of the resort. I guess if staying in a luxury hotel the hotel transport service will usually work well.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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beanie1, for exclusive use, that is scarily expensive! Nice though....
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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anotherproblem, before Branson bought it it was run as a small hotel for a season or two. I met a few people who worked there, was very nice then, but I think it was more rustic than the full on luxury it is now!
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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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Hmm. What sort of money are they thinking of spending. The likes of Le Ski and Scott Dunn are towards the top end of the mass market but way, way, way, cheaper than the specialist luxury chalets.
Of the places I know I'd agree with stoatsbrother that Megeve is worth a look. Sophisticated resort - none of the nouveau riche rubbish you get in Courchevel 1850. Ideal for people who have the money to spend and want to eat really well but are not into dancing on tables in their ski boots or getting off their faces in apres ski bars. Well groomed, non-scary, skiing. But pricey. Not much more than an hour from Geneva (though probably longer on a busy transfer day. If they want to do France, make sure they avoid the four weeks of the French holidays from 7 Feb.
Megeve has some exceptionally beautiful chalets.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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bertie bassett, I want to go 
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Mirjam, what are you - their PA?
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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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| Mirjam wrote: |
| Thanks everyone, Zermatt does look nice! I am not sure when they are going but I have passed on your recommendations and if I find out when they are going I will be back to harrass you some more. |
Beginner skiing is quite limited at Zermatt - and the best beginner pistes are near the top of the mountain (on and around the glacier) which can be shut when the weather closes in. You can also find yourself carrying skis around a lot, which beginners find awkward and tiring. And, as stoatsbrother said, it's a long transfer (3-4 hours). It's a fabulous place, and great for more experienced skiers, but I'd go along with stoaty and pam w with their recommendation of Megève.
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If money really is no object then Zurs am Arlberg for the hotels (Zurserhof, Lorunser) or Lech for easier pistes and prettier. Plenty of private instructors on hand too.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Actually, a new BASS ski school has just opened in Megeve this season, run by Derek and Shona Tate (who run BASS BASS Chamonix) and Will Roberts. So there would also be very good instruction available there. It is a lovely resort.
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