 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hello all!
Can anyone recommend a ‘secret’ resort , where I can learn to board in peace. Here’s my list of demands:
Be attractive
Be amongst spectacular scenery
Have a small ski area (40 kms would be fine)
Have a number of easy runs up at altitude (I’m going the week before Christmas)
Have comprehensive snowmaking
Have some easy runs in the trees too.
Be good value!
Have easy to book self catering accommodation
Be easily accessible by public transport, I don’t mind a long transfer, just so long as it’s simple to arrange independently.
I have a preference for Italy, and Macugnaga would fit the bill nicely, except that self catering apartments could be easier to book, and the tourist office has been ignoring my emails. A lot of Sud Tirol places seem to present themselves, except that they fall down on the public transport front.
Any ideas?
Thanks! Liam
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Hi Liam,
Have you considered Saas Fee? I reckon it fits most of your requirements. Beautiful Swiss village set in stunning scenery; ideal for beginners and intermediates; glacier skiing area means guaranteed snow at altitude; reliable Swiss public transport makes it easy to get to from Geneva or Zurich.
On the downside, being in Switzerland means it's not particularly cheap, but apart from that it sounds like it's almost exactly what you're you're looking for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Purely from my own personal experience (as opposed to what it says in various ski-guides) there is a place in Switz called Anzere, near Sion. It is reasonably high (tops about 2500m) and has a decent snow record. Nursery slopes at both resort level and top. Snowmaking on home runs but maybe only reds and blacks back to base (check that, some years since I've been). There is a modern gondola you can get back down tho. Ski area is about three-quarters red, but there are several blues as well. About 40km in total, above & below tree line.
We went self-cat but a mate booked it. You could try the usual websites for that kind of thing. I learnt to ski there, local branch of the swiss ski school were fine, had some english-speakers. We flew to Geneva, got the train to Sion, then cheated and got a lift! There is probably a bus up to Anzere I should imagine, it is not far at all.
Not the place for riotous apres but you don't seem to want that. Good scenery too.
| Quote: |
the tourist office has been ignoring my emails
|
Well, that's Italy for you! I have tried DIY to Italy before and had exactly the same problem.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Fri 2-06-06 17:31; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Funnily enough Saas Fee is the one big resort that I'm considering (and it's not even in italy!). I'll take that as a sign and consider it closer. I might be a bit more interested in Saas Grand and the other Saas whatever it's called. Have you anyone got any experience of those two?
And thanks perv for the Anzere suggestion - looks like the kind of place I have in mind, and you're right about the apres.
L
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
lrx28, I'd give Peisey, Vallandry, Nancroix a thought. It's around the west corner from Les Arcs opposite La Plagne and with a huge available area if you want it, but the area above Vallandry ticks all your boxes and if you Give Flying Squirrel a PM he runs a bar there and can organise apartments for your party (also does stunning burgers and a Snowhead beer discount)
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
lrx28, I went to a place called Melchsee-Frutt in Switzerland. It's a tiny hamlet set in a bowl at 1900m in the next valley from Engelberg with about 50km of runs. The only way in is by gondola. It's a proper hidden gem; frequented only by the Swiss (and me and my ex-pat mate  ). There's a photo of the bowl in my bit on the snowMedia zone. It's only 1.5 hrs from Zurich but you'd better speak good German...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chamrousse
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lizzard, I must call in at Chamrousse sometime on my way past.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Lizzard,
I've been eyeing up Chamrousse, does it come highly recommended? Very handy for Grenoble and I fancy trying somewhere different.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andorra, not Soldeu(busy) but el tarter next door. Nice board park, a few lifts, about 90 km of pistes if you venture further. Minibuses to lifts ( 700m)Private nusery slope to learn on in Val Incles (500m)
Cheap for most things(tax free) but not as cheap as the brochures make out.
try Stansted to Perpignon or Nice - 2 hours
Great boarding schools (award winning)
Goverment have poured millions into the area and it can make italy look Old fashioned and worn out, although ive boarded in Passo Tonale and that was good.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
lrx28, Think about the resorts that make up "Les Quatres Vallees" in Valais, Switzerland. Verbier of course is the principle resort, but there are a number of satellite resorts which all link up together. Our favourite is Nendaz which fits all your criteria check out the tourist office on www.nendaz.ch the slopes on www.telenendaz.ch and loads of self catering options on www.interhome.co.uk.
Happy hunting!! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
December? Better go high then, snow can be patchy in December. The higher you go, the less trees. If they are not major issue and you want guaranteed snow, litterally on the doorstep, try Val Thorens
IMHO:
Be attractive - Not 'pretty' but good enough!
Be amongst spectacular scenery - WOW
Have a small ski area (40 kms would be fine) - Itself is relatively small but bigger than some, BUT does give access to the 3 Valleys, huge!
Have a number of easy runs up at altitude (I’m going the week before Christmas) - Definately snow on the ground. resort level is 2300m.
Have comprehensive snowmaking - rarely needed, also glacier with guaranteed snow cover
Have some easy runs in the trees too. Few trees at resort level, but you can ski down lower where there are.
Be good value! - Yes for guaranteed snow
Have easy to book self catering accommodation - lots of appartments
Be easily accessible by public transport, I don’t mind a long transfer, just so long as it’s simple to arrange independently. - EuroStar \ snow train to close, Moutiers.
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you're going the week before Christmas you will have no problem finding accommodation at the last minute. Why not wait until you know where the best snow is and then decide where to go? Last season the early season snow in France was not as good as some Austrian (and Swiss?) resorts: leaving it until last minute to book will give you the chance to head to the best snow.
If you do want to book ahead, I'd say that finding a resort which has high altitude skiing is a wise choice. As Masque suggested, the Les Arcs resort offers something for most of your criteria. It's very easy to get to on public transport (direct train service from London), has a good range of high altitude and tree-lined skiing, with good artificial snow-making coverage, wide choice of self-catering and chalet accommodation, a good Brit-run ski school in Vallandry, etc. The only thing it doesn't have is a small ski domain!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Saas Grund is a good alternative to Saas Fee. The ski area at Saas Grund is quite small....but adequate for a beginner, and is over 3000m at the top. There is also a regulular bus upto Saas Fee should you want to/need to use the glacier.
Saas Almagel is the other village in the area, and would be my last choice of the three.....but then the day I skied there was really bad conditions, so that may have tainted my view.
I haven't self-catered at Saas Grund, but have stayed in several hotels there.....if you want any info then just ask!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
lrx28,
Livigno in Italy
130km piste
Snowboard friendly
Good Value
Excellent snow record (1800m-2800m)
Downside is 4-5 hr transfer (but worth it)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Macunaga fits the bill perfectly.We stayed there a few years ago at the Cima Jazzi (sp?) apts which were to a vg standard.
The other option worth considering, if budget is not a consideration is Obergurgl, this has approx 110km of piste but is attractive & an excellent resort for beginners.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sat 3-06-06 19:15; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Monte Rosa area in Italy?
Also try Flims-Laax in Switzerland. It's not especially secret but has a glacier, and when we were there the piste map marked all traverses as such so boarders could ignore them. Loads and loads of self-catering bookable through the tourist office.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Not sure how snow sure they will be early season but may be worth looking at Puy St Vincent or Alpe des Grand Serre - both have very reasonably sized ski areas but will definately not be busy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
lrx28, Have you got this book? It gives loads of v accurate info and has tables at the front listing resorts that match various requirments. Might be worth a look - and you can get the cost of it back if you book through Ski Solutions / ifyouski.com. I have bought 2005 and 2006 and not paid for either of them!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Even though Peter Hardy does a great job advertising this place I thought I'd add my 2pennith! Vaujany - very pretty village which has linked runs to alpe d'huez which is far less pretty! The pistes are really pretty - lots of trees, village quiet and very typically Alpine. Just over an hour from Grenoble. I' sure the tourist office can help you on the accommodation front. Worth a look at this place!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
