 Poster: A snowHead
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Looking at easy to intermediate runs but essentially somewhere that should have good snow that time of year...
Budget is really £1K per person including lift pass
Transfer within 2.5 hours ideally
Looked at Passo Tonale but someone mentioned that the ski area is a bit boring?
I've been looking around but starting to confuse myself now 
Would prefer tour op as it's just my son and I
Also, have seen some good deals at Les Duex Alpes...has anyone got any thoughts on this resort?
TIA
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Haven't been there yet.
Can;t speak about the prices but Solden should be perfect, you have amazing pistes that go all the way from above the glaciers to the city. Even if there won't be enough to reach the city by ski, it will still be great till Gigijoch.
Same with Les Arcs.
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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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@rachiem, just about everywhere will have good snow then, and in France, the vacances scolaire will be finished. Ideal week. To advise as to which of thousands of resorts would suit you best it would help to know a bit more about what you like. In particular, what sort of accommodation and social ambiance. And will you and/or your son be taking lessons?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I assumed it would be the end of the skiing season then?
A few reports I'd read said that the slopes had been closed by then...Bardonecchia being one of them?
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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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Have a look at alp d’huez nice mix of terrain and high enough peaks to be snowy in March!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Was in Les Arcs that time last year and snow was great all the way down to 1600 onwards. We stayed in 1950 but I loved the 1800 tree lined runs most. YMMV but for us (family of 4) it was great
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@rachiem, The skiing season in Europe finishes end of April, even the start of May in some resorts. Mid March is pretty much high season and IMHO just about the best time to go.
As others have said the half term holidays will have just finished so the slopes will be quieting down, snow depth will be at a maximum, the evenings gettiing a little longer and the temperatures moderating.
For easy/intermediate runs my suggestion would be La Plagne. Personaly I would take Alpe d'Huez over les 2 Alpes but that is a purely pesonal choice based on not much. As you say there are so mamny resorts and the choice is truely confusing: Do you value the convienince of doorstep skiing over going cheeper and getting a bus every morning (a nightmare with children) do you want raucous nightlife or a few quiet drinks in the evening. To lots of skiers these are binary choices. However to make a meaningful suggestion a bit more information would be useful such as how old is your son, is child care necessary, are you thinking of hiring equipment, how do you want to travel (drive, train, fly etc) is your budget catered or self catered etc.
May I humbly suggest buying a second hand copy of Where to Ski and Snowboard and use that for your research. It is a book I relied on a lot in the past.
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My son is actually 19 but this is only his second trip
It will be my 6th. I’m favouring the gentle slopes these days too!
Quite happy for a quiet laid back atmosphere but do like to meet now people too.
Les2alpes was a choice as Crystal are offering 2for1 on the ski lifts and as I’m paying for the holiday it’s quite a saving.
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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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| Quote: |
Quite happy for a quiet laid back atmosphere but do like to meet now people too.
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Sounds like one of the bigger catered chalets would be ideal for you (and they are found mostly in France). If you and your son can share a room you should be able to get some good value last-minute bargains for that week (but not yet!).
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I would have thought at that time that any resort should have decent snow ( though these days you never know  ). However if you want to maximise your options, go somewhere with nearby accessible glacier, of which there are several. I usually go Austria that time of year, favour Mayrhofen area (Hintertux glacier) but there's also several other options, Austria, Italy and others.
Or, if you can self-book, and depending where you fly from, that can be a lovely time of year for Finland and probably the other neighbouring countries, low altitude, loads of snow, generally easy runs.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Can't go wrong with going high. Val Thorens is always great
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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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@rachiem, which airport can you fly to? That will determine what resorts you could get to easily? If Geneva, then the world is your oyster. You may want to look at chalets - it would tick the socialising aspect ... at that time of year I wouldn’t be too concerned about lack of snow as long as you head relatively high. La Tania may be a good bet for you - nice little place with lots of chalets (and apartments) that gives you access to the biggest playground in the world - the 3Vs. As @johnE says get yourself a copy of WTSAS - invaluable.
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| johnE wrote: |
@rachiem, The skiing season in Europe finishes end of April, even the start of May in some resorts. Mid March is pretty much high season and IMHO just about the best time to go.
As others have said the half term holidays will have just finished so the slopes will be quieting down, snow depth will be at a maximum, the evenings gettiing a little longer and the temperatures moderating.
For easy/intermediate runs my suggestion would be La Plagne. Personaly I would take Alpe d'Huez over les 2 Alpes but that is a purely pesonal choice based on not much. As you say there are so mamny resorts and the choice is truely confusing: Do you value the convienince of doorstep skiing over going cheeper and getting a bus every morning (a nightmare with children) do you want raucous nightlife or a few quiet drinks in the evening. To lots of skiers these are binary choices. However to make a meaningful suggestion a bit more information would be useful such as how old is your son, is child care necessary, are you thinking of hiring equipment, how do you want to travel (drive, train, fly etc) is your budget catered or self catered etc.
May I humbly suggest buying a second hand copy of Where to Ski and Snowboard and use that for your research. It is a book I relied on a lot in the past. |
This book? https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B01FGJ8AQA/ref=tmm_pap_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1515887588&sr=8-3&tag=amz07b-21
WTF are those prices all about?
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks for all the advice...We are 15 minutes from LGW so we prefer to use that airport.
I'm going to take a look at the Austrian resorts next. It looks more expensive but the skiing may be more to our liking (scenic with nice gentle runs) and the villages look pretty. I learnt to ski in Mayrhofen years ago and hated the gondola but I hear that this has been upgraded now
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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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@rachiem, take a look at Alpbach, only 45 mins from Innsbruck, very pretty village, nice ski area and linked to next area so plenty of skiing for everyone.
I find Austria cheaper than France, and a lot better in terms of food on the mountain etc. Plus they know what Apres is!! although Alpbach is quiet. if you want a party town then you'll need to head to St Anton, Ischgl or Saalbach 
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Poster: A snowHead
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you can go almost anywhere in europe on that budget. Probably catered as 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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I know i wrote it before, but my austrian choice would be Solden. The view, the pistes,
the food.
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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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@rachiem, a nice article on Jasna in today's Sunday Times (but then it would have to be, the local tourist paid for the trip) but it made me think; you could also look at the Eastern European resorts.
Just a thought on Austria, My wife and son, then about the same age as your son, went to Austria a couple years and discovered that the Austrian idea of single beds was actually a double bed, euphemistically known as an "Austrian twin". My son, galantly, decided he would sleep on the floor rather than share a bed with his mum. Check before you book. I'm not saying don't do it, but check first.
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Why has noone mention Val d'Isere/Tignes? Snowsure until well into Ap ril.A bit further on the transfer but the Tarentaise is well worth it. As it is just 2 of you a last minute catered chalet deal would be possible leaving plenty of change from the £1000.
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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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Thank you all....yes, I'm definitely going to leave it until last minute...well 2 weeks to 10 days before. If the snow is good, I'm thinking Austria. I did read about the twin beds and we decided that with a lot of pillows we could manage 
My second choice would be France in a catered chalet and I'm sure that last minute we will get one of those options.
Failing that I've told my son I'm packing for the Caribbean!
Really appreciate everyones input
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Don't believe anyone who tells you that only Austria has scenic skiing and gentle runs! Or that mid March is end of season.
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| Mr.Egg wrote: |
| you can go almost anywhere in europe on that budget. Probably catered as well |
Exactly that and as there are only two of you I'd be tempted to wait till the last minute, see where the best conditions are and grab a bargain. Even better that you are so close to LGW, most of the cheapest deals fly from there.
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Scenic with nice easy runs, it's got to be the Dolomites, especially the Sella Ronda area. Scenery to die for, lovely easy cruising blues and reds with some hard blacks thrown in. Reasonable on mountain prices and good choice of flights to Innsbruck (1.5 hour transfer) or Venice Marco Polo (3 hour transfer with option of day in Venice depending on flight times)
Have just got back from a 2 week break in the area and loved every minute (so much going again in March)
Also, nearly 95% of runs are covered by snow cannons so skiing always available even in bad snow cover
Most major tour operators go there so a good choice and solo carriers ie EasyJet fly direct from Gatwick and other airports
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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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Yes, got to agree with that - the Dolomites provides the most stunning mountain scenery!
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