Europe resort recommendations

A snowHead

Hi all,

Looking at booking our second ski trip here, after taking the forums advice last winter we booked LDA and loved it. Now we've all got the urge to go again and are after a new resort for this years trip.

Bit of background;
We'll be a pair of couples aged 22-25, last year was our first time and some picked it up a lot quicker than others, as such will be needing slopes that cater for all. Apres will be quite a big part of the trip I'd imagine so somewhere that will offer a lively apes scene for young Brits is a must. We're looking at doing 7 nights around the start of Feb, hopefully a place that doesn't't have school holidays coinciding with our trip would be great.

Other than that we're very open to where we go in Europe, obviously the cheaper/more accessible/better snow reliability are all big pluses.

Thanks a lot

Sam

A snowHead

I guess best avoid France in Feb for school holidays. Almost anywhere ought to have decent snow. You have a world of options!
One idea that might suit you is Sauze d'Oulx in Italy

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First week of February shouldn’t be too bad for crowds in France. That said sampling Austria might be a good thing.
The more knowledgeable than I on here may have better ideas but a good balance between decent skiing, rowdy apres and relatively affordability might be Mayrhofen.

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First week of February isn't school holidays in France. Austria might indeed be better for "apray". Make sure you get good lessons - letting the near beginners shuffle round on their own getting discouraged is not a recipe for a good holiday, however easy the slopes!

Personally, ski-convenience would be a top criterion - absolutely no question of hiking far in ski boots carrying skis, nor of getting on and off crowded busses.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Thanks a lot for the replies. Will definitely be having a look at Austria in particular Mayrhofen. Anyone with any other Austria suggestions?

Take your comments on board Pam, will be going for ski in ski out if possible.

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As second timers it does seem the opportunity to try one of the other skiing countries (though as @pam w says, the first week of Feb avoids the school holiday crowds in France this year). But ski in-ski out is not as common outside France.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@samsto, sorry. I missed the ski in ski out bit. That is harder to find in Austria although you will find some accommodation near a gondola that will quickly whisk you up to the skiing. There’ll also be some great bars near the gondola stations. Many of the resorts will be great fun but some that will especially appeal to young people may be St Anton, Saalbach, and Solden. (They won’t be cheap though).
If skin in ski out is a definite priority just look at one of the big French resorts like Tignes, La Plagne, Meribel etc.

After all it is free

In Austria do check Saalbach. A variety of pistes plus apres on the mountain till 15+ and in the afternoon in the village.
Saalbach forum here will have all the specific answers.
Other good option is SkiWelt, we had lovely apres near the bottom station of Brixen and Westendorf has lovely views and pleasant blues and reds.
St. Anton has indeed the best apres spots bove the village (till late) and at the bottom but not many beginner friendly pistes.
Lech, on the other side of Arlberg, is perfectly groomed but more expensive and basically only one posh Apres place (Krone)

Isn’t Ischgl the Austrian go to choice for nice pistes (vs Arlberg for off piste) and pumping après?

Val Thorens or Val d’Isere in France both have great skiing and good apres scene.

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@BobinCH, true but IMO Mooserwirt above the village gives a much better experience then what Ischgl can offer on the streets.
There's sheer pleasure in the last descent at 19 plus towards the village lights and then a night cup (or more) at Murmel.
OTOH, Saalbach folks have a detailed list of plenty of apres spots on the slopes and in the village, one needs a master degree or a season to fully enjoy the area Razz

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

@samsto, some of your criteria are a bit at odds.

France is generally great for ski in ski out but not so for apres. Are we to assume you found LDA a little tame? Although as mentioned Val D and Val T with their Folie Douce's n'all might work.

Snow wise and price wise first week of Feb should be great anywhere. Still very much Winter though so skiing below the treeline would be handy.

snow reports

Obergurgl might work for ski in ski out but sole apres ski I can think of is Niederhutte which is fun but used to close at 16.
Solden in the same skipass and bus network has Fire and Ice for apres in town, with an option for more expensive accommodation on the mountain

@Layne, the OP said they loved LDA - just looking for somewhere new for the next trip. Some people don't like going to the same place twice!

You know it makes sense.

@samsto, Try Kitzbuhel, not seen any apes there though....

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@samsto,
Book through a "yoof" specialist such as Wasteland or Action Outdoors.

A snowHead

I have no specific resort to recommend as I’m not a beginner. That said, I think the OP will do best by dropping the ski-in/ski-out requirement. That would free up considerable money to get a better quality lodging in whichever resort they choose to go to. Or allow the group to consider resorts with better snow and/or better apres but are a bit on the “expensive” side. Heck, the saving on lodging may also means more beer too! Smile

After all, these are 20 something youngsters. What’s a few steps on ski boots?

A snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

1. Saalbach
2. Ischgl
3. Bansko
4. St Anton
5. Verbier

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@samsto, Ischgl or Saalbach Hinterglemm. St Anton has the best apres & the best skiing (or the Arlberg does) but it might not be ideal for a second ski trip, there are not so many straight forward pistes. The other two places are probably better for your profile as skiers.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

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“ will be going for ski in ski out if possible.”

Saalbach has plenty of ski-in ski-out, or slopeside, or ski convenient accommodation, with pistes descending to the village centre from all directions (three blues, a red, and a black). Look for accommodation in the upper part of the village, near the Kohlmaisbahn or Bernkogelbahn lifts (where the rumbustious après-ski is also mainly to be found).

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

“ will be going for ski in ski out if possible.”

Saalbach has plenty of ski-in ski-out, or slopeside, or ski convenient accommodation, with pistes descending to the village centre from all directions (three blues, a red, and a black). Look for accommodation in the upper part of the village, near the Kohlmaisbahn or Bernkogelbahn lifts.

After all it is free

Val Thorens will be awesome for your group. First week of Feb will be Ok from crowd point of view and you can find good not too expensive apartments there. Also, I think, this valley has one of the best views.

At your level of skiing, La Plagne should be great, but it doesn't really fill the apres requirements.
The Sella Ronda part of the Dolomites is good for progressing, stay in Val gardena for a more lively village.
Saalbach is good.
Ischgl has good skiing (no ski in ski out) and loud apres, but it's mostly German people in their 40's or 50's so not a good fit.
Can't go much wrong with Val Thorens or Tignes