 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
I would say your best bets are Val d'Isere and Courchevel as they both offer so much variety, huge amounts of terrain and pretty villages. Courchevel 1650 will definitely be cheaper than Val d'Isere so you are more likely to get a great deal there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Simplyyourholidays, thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
For your level of experience I really think you can do a lot better than Val d'Isere. Going somewhere you know is comforting, but other resorts are certainly nicer for what you want. I'd even prefer Tignes over Val.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
foxtrotzulu, yep that's what I've been told offline by a few of my skiing mates but others on here obviously don't agree!
I'm keeping it as an option as I know at least one of the group is very keen but certainly taking everything into account!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Quote: |
others on here obviously don't agree!
|
the thing is, you've done Val D'Isere as beginners, and enjoyed yourselves, downloading in a gondola. One problem is that some people, who don't ski well, nonetheless feel it is an insult to their manhood to download in a gondola and the alternatives are generally difficult and discouraging. It is nice, though, to be somewhere where there is a manageable way down to the village from all around and personally I think there are a host of much more attractive villages than Val D'Isere - but if you really liked what Val D'I had to offer you might find other places a bit quiet and provincial.  I've only spent odd days in Val D'I (my son worked there for a season - and loved it - and I visited him there a few times) and personally found it most peculiar that practically everyone I spoke to, or heard on the street, seemed to be British. I also found the village a bit dark in mid winter, with precipitous mountains all around, and far, far, too expensive. The slopes, even in quiet times of year, were busier than I am used to. But some people absolutely love it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
you're right pam w, the main problem of course is that at the moment we don't have any other points of reference - so maybe it's time to find some!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I learned in Meribel and enjoyed it, but I think Val d'Isere is great for beginners. It has a particularly good nursery slope at village level, complete with varied gradient and a chairlift to practise on - as well as plenty of gentle cruising higher up. Downloading is easy, too. The only flaw is unreliable piste classification, but ski school will help there.
Talking of which, the best lessons I've ever had in Europe were in Val - only Ski Esprit in Whistler have been better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pam w, I think you expressed it perfectly. It's not a massive exaggeration to say that I only REALLY learned to love skiing when I stopped going to to Val. The Face de Bellevarde, Solaise bumps, and the mis-labelled icy,crowded runs home all haunt me to this day. Mind you, most of this was a few years back before the French admitted that piste grooming wasn't just for wimpy americans.
Curzonian, Trust us, and try somewhere else. There's a whole range of mountains out there.
ajrduff, Val maybe great for complete beginners, but it really isn't (wasn't) that great for anyone in the 2-6 week experience bracket.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
foxtrotzulu, yep I pretty much agree with you it seems silly to go back so soon!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I must admit that although I enjoyed Val last week, I wasn't nearly as enamoured 4 years (and 9 skiing weeks) ago when we first visited. I spent a lot of that fortnight in pain and bricking it - toughest ski trip I've ever been on. With hindsight I'd have enjoyed it a lot more if I'd swallowed my ego and downloaded instead of trying to ski home every day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
blimey, skiing home was never even on our radar last year, mind you, we were slow learners...
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Curzonian wrote: |
| blimey, skiing home was never even on our radar last year, mind you, we were slow learners... |
But you were in your first week, right? I was in my sixth. Face was shut throughout our visit for the FIS world championships, so the only way home was Santons. I could get down that and Piste M. but it was never fun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Curzonian, Almost anywhere else and it wouldn't have occurred to you NOT to ski home each day. Well, after the first 2-3 days anyway. That's absolutely the reason I hated Val until I had a lot more experience. With all the crowds rocketing down that gun barrel of a run I'm not sure I'd particularly enjoy it even now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
ajrduff, ah I see, yep it was first week
foxtrotzulu, aha right, would be excellent to be able to ski back home (to the bar) - hopefully that'll be the case this time!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Quote: |
With all the crowds rocketing down that gun barrel of a run I'm not sure I'd particularly enjoy it even now.
|
the perfect reason to take the gondola - which is what I do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
| With all the crowds rocketing down that gun barrel of a run I'm not sure I'd particularly enjoy it even now. |
I actually think Face is easier. It's steep, but at least it's wide, and because it's black fewer people brave it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Ok - we're booked and it's Sauze. I was starting to get a bit nervous with lots of things getting booked up pretty quickly and i think we got a pretty good deal. Sauze has been recommended by a few people (including a work colleague who i discovered is also a fellow  ), is generally a little cheaper and has good transfers (and our flight times mean an extra half day's skiing which is a bonus) - now can't wait.
Having spent a silly amount of time looking at different resorts it has become very apparent that there are hundreds of places I'd like to visit over the next few years!
Will put a TR up on return, thanks for the advice and help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
foxtrotzulu, ha, you should have left that up a bit longer and got me worried!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
My two children have been with Evolution2 ski school in Tignes / Val D'Isere for the last 3 years. Can't recommend them highly enough and definitely worth a look for either adult group or private lessons if you are in the area.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
