 Poster: A snowHead
|
My son, late 20s, who's about to leave the army has asked me to go skiing with him in the 2nd or 3rd week in March before he starts his new job.
It's been a while (maybe 10 years) since I skied and I'm approaching 60. I guess I was intermediate but a bit of a wet blanket on ice, moguls and steep slopes!!
He wants some challenging runs although I expect he's no more than an intermediate as well.
The complication, if it is one, is that I live in Tenerife and he'll be leaving from the UK.
Hes found a site for Andorra which arranges everything bar the flight and has a pickup from Barcelona which would suit us both.
So!
Is Andorra going to be 'good' enough for 2 intermediates and which resort is best. Is there likely to be snow around 2n week in March?
Are there better places to go?
We're not bothered about mad apres ski but would like a place where you can get a pint or late into the night.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Andorra should be great for 2 intermediates, just don't let him talk you into going to Pas  I've been in late March and the snow was very Spring ish. Conditions in the morning were good and a bit porridge like in the afternoon, but that was a lovely sunny week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Depends which area you go to. ValNord area is good, but lacking in more challenging runs. I still love it. Grandvalira area offers more of a challenge. More steeps, more moguls, more nappies needed. Either one should have decent snow in early March.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| musher wrote: |
| Andorra should be great for 2 intermediates, just don't let him talk you into going to Pas I've been in late March and the snow was very Spring ish. Conditions in the morning were good and a bit porridge like in the afternoon, but that was a lovely sunny week. |
Cheers musher. He's found a deal for Arinsal which sounds ideal and dirt cheap. However I have no idea what it's like. Is Arisnal ok for intermediates as well?
Is Pas, Pas de la Casa?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Thornyhill wrote: |
| Depends which area you go to. ValNord area is good, but lacking in more challenging runs. I still love it. Grandvalira area offers more of a challenge. More steeps, more moguls, more nappies needed. Either one should have decent snow in early March. |
Thanks Thornyhill - I'll look it up but is the Grandvalira the same as going to Soldeu
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Another question - as it's been a number of years since I've been I've lost all of my ski gear. I'm not talking about skis and boots but jackets, salopettes, gloves etc. Can I hire these at all in the resort be it Andorra, France, Italy etc etc
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Soldeu is part of the ski area Grandvalira, it's nice and central has some night life. As to hiring clothes, I haven't seen anywhere in Soldeu that does, at that time of year the weather is normally pretty warm, so I normally ski with a 'shell' top and and then have one or two layers on underneath that. There are not any particularly cheap clothes there so it may be that your son could get you them in the UK and take them out for your.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grandvalira is the area that includes Soldeu and Pas de la Casa (all linked by same lift pass). Vallnord is the area which includes Arinsal. Grandvalira has more runs but both are probably fine for intermediates. Check for yourself here:
http://www.piste-maps.co.uk/Andorra
I think Andorra has had relatively good snow this season hasn't it compared with some other countries so should be fine in March.
Regarding clothing I'm guessing Tenerife is more geared up for surf wear than cheap ski clothing?  .
Maybe try and get your son to get you some gear in UK from Aldi, Sports Direct, Decathlon etc if he can fit it in his luggage?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Soldeu is great for intermediates, it's mostly easy skiing but you can find the odd black if you fancy more of a challenge. It's a small and fairly quiet village but has an Irish pub and other bars for a bit of aprés. The Sports Hermitage hotel is very expensive but has a cheaper sister hotel across the road that is still very nice, there are lots of cheaper options too and self catering if you don't mind cooking. There's a cracking shop down the road in El Tartar (Caves Manacor) that sells everything from air pistols to cheese, worth the visit even if you don't buy anything.
Never heard of being able to hire clothes in a resort, as mentioned Aldi, Decathlon, Go Outdoors etc will get you kitted out fairly cheaply. All you really need is a waterproof jacket (which you may already have), salopettes and proper ski socks. It's worth shelling out a bit for decent gloves (leather & Gore-tex) as a bad pair can ruin your day if they get wet. Don't bother with goggles if you already have sunglasses.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SkiTsar wrote: |
| It's worth shelling out a bit for decent gloves (leather & Gore-tex) as a bad pair can ruin your day if they get wet. Don't bother with goggles if you already have sunglasses. |
I'd have to disagree there. I don't think an expensive pair of leather Gore-Tex gloves are necessary for standard holiday piste skiing. So long as they'r comfortable and water resistant they should be fine. On the other-hand I think a decent pair of double-lens goggles is important. Sunglasses are no good in bad weather. Also might want to consider a helmet. I got one in Aldi for a tenner the other week and its really light and comfortable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| SlipnSlide wrote: |
| I'd have to disagree there. I don't think an expensive pair of leather Gore-Tex gloves are necessary for standard holiday piste skiing. |
Only mentioned this because the thread reminded me of a day years ago in Grandvalira when my cheap gloves got wet on a very cold windy day, it was agony and I was almost panicking. These were sold as "ski gloves" but were terrible for the job. The set of circumstances on that day are pretty rare but you really don't want to go through that experience.
| Quote: |
| So long as they'r comfortable and water resistant they should be fine |
This is the key point, they must be waterproof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ryetee wrote: |
I don't like wearing goggles or sunglasses so will go commando!
In general can I hire a helmet? |
You really should wear some eye protection particularly if its sunny.
Most ski hire shops will hire helmets if you can't find one in Decathlon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| SlipnSlide wrote: |
| ryetee wrote: |
I don't like wearing goggles or sunglasses so will go commando!
In general can I hire a helmet? |
You really should wear some eye protection particularly if its sunny.
Most ski hire shops will hire helmets if you can't find one in Decathlon. |
Thanks especially re eye protection
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| ryetee wrote: |
| SlipnSlide wrote: |
| ryetee wrote: |
I don't like wearing goggles or sunglasses so will go commando!
In general can I hire a helmet? |
You really should wear some eye protection particularly if its sunny.
Most ski hire shops will hire helmets if you can't find one in Decathlon. |
Thanks especially re eye protection |
Yep - I'm sure you've heard of snow-blindness!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Tom Doc wrote: |
| ryetee wrote: |
| SlipnSlide wrote: |
| ryetee wrote: |
I don't like wearing goggles or sunglasses so will go commando!
In general can I hire a helmet? |
You really should wear some eye protection particularly if its sunny.
Most ski hire shops will hire helmets if you can't find one in Decathlon. |
Thanks especially re eye protection |
Yep - I'm sure you've heard of snow-blindness! |
Yep but I've never really worn googles or sun glasses in the 20 odd times I've bee skiing. Just don't agree with me!
Only times I used to put them on was if it was snowing and then again the flakes hitting the goggles made me blink like a mad man.
Best things I ever used was a pair of sunglasses without lenses (I'm not making this up). The flakes hit the frames but never went into my eyes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
