 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
I am trying to decide on resorts to visit as have started skiing this year and am hooked. So I was hoping that people may kindly post their favorite resports and why? then I can think about where I may like to go next as brochures don't always tell you what you would like to know.
Thx 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Alta. Loads of powder, little to non-existent lift lines, no language difficulties, good skiing for all abilities, friendly people, no boarders...
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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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Oh, this is so tempting...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Le Seignus: Quiet slopes and lifts, great value, and lovely people and a lovely atmoshpere.
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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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Leaving aside the obvious, of the resorts I've been to for more than a day - Soldeu, Nendaz (4V Switzerland), Les Deux Alpes and Risoul the only one I wouldn't recommend is Risoul. This is only because we went early season and there was no snow.
Soldeu I would recommend for beginners (loads of native English speaking instructors) and because (then) it was cheap. It was my first proper week skiing but there weren't many pistes that I hadn't been down by the end of it. The area has since been linked to a neighbouring resort so it's a fair size now. The nightlife was good but not too raucous. Most of the accomodation seemed to be close to the main lifts although the queues in the morning were fairly long.
Nendaz for cheaper access to the 4V (including Verbier), it's a reasonably quiet resort and easy to drive to from the UK. Second week skiers might struggle to get the best out of it as I remember a lot of the links being fairly challenging reds.
Les Deux Alpes had a combination of good choice of pistes although some of the links are a bit flat so not too good for 'boarders. It was also the most British resort that I've been to - for some people this is a plus, for others a minus. There were loads of bars but it did have a bit of a 18-30 air about it - wet T-shirt competitions in a couple of them. The town is quite stretched out so getting around on foot is a bit of a fag but there were plenty of buses.
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ben wright,
Your chalet looks nice, what is the resort like for people of our ability?
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Apologies to my fellow chalet pimps and those that object to pimping.
Sparkygirl, as long as you're comfortable on blue runs you'll have no problems. The grading is fairly forgiving so some of the red runs can easily be skied by people in their first week on skis. There are also very few people around outside the holidays and weekends so you can concentrate on what you're doing rather than worry about other people.
There are a few button lifts in the area (not many but some are at key points where there's no alternative). I've never had a problem with them but I understand that some people hate them.
Our village is quiet most of the time - except the Nice/Marseille school holidays when it's as busy as any other French resort so best avoided then - so the nightlife isn't the big draw. There are always a few of the instructors/lift workers in one of the bars and if you buy them a couple of drinks they'll probably strip and dance on the bar (the male ones).
There are 4 or 5 instructors that speak good English - these are not necessarily the ones that the ski school thinks speak good English despite us telling them numerous times who's more proficient - and private lessons are pretty cheap (EUR45 for 90 minutes for up to 4 people).
As well as our chalet, there are a couple of hotels in the village and they're fairly cheap, we've had overspill guests stay in one and they said it was fine although breakfast seemed to be served a bit late so a couple of times they came up to the chalet and ate with their friends!
We're pretty full up for next year (we can't be in France until late January/early February so are having a short season) but send me an email via the website if you'd like any more info.
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Can't say it is my favourite but a skier couldn't possibly claim to have seen the skiing world if he/she hasn't been to the 3 Vallees in the heart of the French Tarentaise.
Hit it at the right time of the season it is as good as any nice resort but none, except the Dolomites, can match the 600km piste domain or the 200 chairlifts. In off peak season it is a skiing paradise for all abilities.
Thereafter one should visit the Italian equivalent Dolomites, the Austrian Ski Welt and the Swiss Jungfrau.
Not too sure how the North America stacks up but its biggest place is in Whistler of Canada.
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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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Not that this will surprise anyone, but Wengen is my favorite resort, it may not have the most ski runs (though it does have plenty) and it certainly doesn't have the best nightlife, but for pure atmosphere I think you have to look very hard indeed to beat it
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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D G Orf, Oh my i'm sooo suprised!
Out of the 2 resorts I been to (Jungfrau and l'Espace killy) i'll pick Jungfrau any time. Pure skiing may be better in l'espace killy, but it sure is NOT 'le plus bel espace de ski du monde'
Slopeside restaurants, toilet facilities, average lift quality (I don't like non-detachables that hit the back of your knees like a baseballbat at all, nor the oens without footrests (those volkl allstars + boots weigh too much to let them hang for 20 minutes it takes on some of those damn slow long lifts)!) are miles ahead in the jungfrau region.
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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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ben wright,
No objection to the pimping in response to a direct question. Although it would definitely be a breach of ethics (see elsewhere) if you and sparkygirl turned out to be connected 
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Sparkygirl, My personal favourite is Morzine. It's a fun town, plenty pf bars etc. and it's nearly in the heart of the Portes du Soleil - one of the largest linked ski areas in the world. For a beginner it's fine (most places are to be honest) and as you get more adventurous there's an amazing amount of skiing. Also a dead easy transfer from Geneva.
Check it out at Ultimate-Ski.com
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well my usual response is Les Gets / Morzine (similar to David Murdoch, ). Plenty to interest most skiers and easy trips to Avoriaz etc if you stay in Morzine. The short transfer time is a really big plus for me and with so many airports now having Geneva flights it is accessible from most of the UK.
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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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Les Arcs, and Schladming I think. Both somewhat similar - pretty big in terms of kms, with lots of hills and villages so you feel like you are travelling, fast lifts, not too busy and all runs suitable for intermediates that like to get some speed up.
I also enjoyed pas/soldeu (great easy, rewarding terrain) and three valleys (done all three now, great sense of travel, good skiing to be had and unlimited scope).
Didn't enjoy Serre Chevalier (too many drags), Alpe D Huez (too busy, and bizarelly limited for it's claimed milage), La Plagne (too flat, too busy), Portes du Soleil (too low for good snow, links are a faff, busy lifts), LesDeuxAlpes(slopes too easy or too hard, and getting around is a pain)
Off the top of my head I can't think where else I've been!
HTH, aj xx
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I think Saas Fee. Only been there twice - and I would have trouble dragging my regular ski buddy back there. But it has great charm, there is a lovely laid-back atmosphere to it, Plenty of slopes to ski for a week (more if you go touring). And you can ski Zermatt for a day out.
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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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La Rosiere - Its just a lovely friendly place with IMHO some lovely skiing. I felt appreciated there.
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Zermatt. Like a picture postcard, great nightlife, fantastic cruisey skiing;. Cheap beer! 
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Serre Chevalier. I just like the slopes there & the easily accessible off piste.
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I have to say La Rosiere, we liked it so much we bought a chalet there. I believe, it really has something for everyone, it's a great family resort, it has one of the best snow records in the Alps, it's south facing and sunny with magnificant views and because it's thought of primarily as a family resort the off-piste doesn't get tracked out in a matter of hours. One of the top three off-piste descents in the world, the Ruitor Glacier, a 20km route, is accessable from La Rosiere. The best value lift pass in the Alps, some superb restuarants both on and off the slopes, a very friendly village and not too expensive, well that's what our guests tell us.
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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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€480 for a family pass including 2 kids under 18 and 150 kms of skiing in 2 countries - Robbery
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Quite 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Sparkygirl, have you got an idea of price or distance or duration
Soldeu has already been mentioned and it is a good resort for beginners, with very good instruction, we've been 3 times and you can read reviews on this site
http://www.geocities.com/daggers_jones/
The only other resort we've been to is Whistler, very different bu great fun (though pricey)
You might want to consider the issue of price too.
large tour operators work well for the first few times you go as they tend to deal with the more familar / larger resorts, but the price can varry a lot so shop around and check the small print on what is covered etc.
look for good instruction ratings in independent books not the brichures (the where to ski guides are pretty good and snowheads is fantastic for feedback)
If there is a group you might be able to get a group discount. are you going on your own or is there a group?
hope this helps
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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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My favourite might be Ischgl after Christmas
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I've spent most of my time in the larger French resorts despite attempts to persuade my companions to do DIY holidays. My 2 favourites are Courcheval and Espace Killy. If you have just started skiing Courchevel is a fantastic resort with loads of accessible skiing. Espace Killy and Val d'sere may be better when you've a couple more weeks under your belt. Always wanted to go to Les Arcs/ Vallandry and there are lots of resorts in Austria and Switzerland i WANT TO vISIT BEFORE i GO ACROSS aTLANTIC
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You know it makes sense.
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Sparkygirl, Favourite resort ? Haven't really got one. As long as there is some white stuff, some runs of the right standard that are not too trying to get to...then that's all really....
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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La Plagne (only) Family pass is €638. Thats a lot of Euros to spend time on more crowded piste. Dont frget the higher costs of lessons, gear, hire, food etc etc
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Nope, I do not know Ben Wright!
I am just very interested in different resorts and accommodation etc as it is all new to me.
Thanks for replies, very helpful as every time I look at a brochure I decide that I want to go somewhere else, they all look good.
Looking forward to my next trip.
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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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I apologise to Ben Wright and sparkygirl if anyone has interpreted my comments as an accusation. The original response was supposed to be lighthearted as it was I who had recently used the term chalet-pimping but then I remembered seeing farcial conversations in the past on a forum where a poster effectively asked themsleves questions as an inelegant way around agreed anti-spam conventions. Sorry for confusing things.
For what its worth all-time favourite resort probably Mt Baker. Would I spend a season there? - probably not.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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fatbob, I'm quite enjoying being seen as a pimp. Perhaps I'll get mo' respec.
I've seen a couple of prime examples in other threads today, one was transparent enough to make me chuckle.
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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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my favorite of all time is Lake Louise, but i couldn't move there as i couldn't get enough points, so i moved to my next fav resort which is Serre Chevalier.
I absoluteyly hate les 2 alpes, if ever there was an uglyer crapper resort i've not been to it! yet i still find myself there at least once per winter season and once per summer season, but only due to free lift passes.
Also Alpes d'huez is awesome, great offpiste and piste riding.
I
I also love the little known onex like Creveux and Pelvous, well worth a visit if your up the Serre Chevalier or Vars way (a short drive from either)
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| ben wright wrote: |
fatbob, I'm quite enjoying being seen as a pimp. Perhaps I'll get mo' respec.
I've seen a couple of prime examples in other threads today, one was transparent enough to make me chuckle. |
Whichever ones could you mean
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| ajhainey wrote: |
Didn't enjoy Serre Chevalier (too many drags),
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Due to 3 spanking brand new high spead chair lifts, there are no longer masses of drags to use.
But if me as a snowboarder can do every single one of the drags in serre che they should cause absolutely no problem for a skier, infact come to think of it despite being the crappest skier you will probably ever see on piste i've done nearly all the drags on ski's too.
They are very very easy!
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I am sorry guys, but my favourite resort is the same as snowangel's, yes, Serre Chevalier. I know I have an apartment there, but I bought it there because it was already my favourite resort. And I agree about the drag lifts, far fewer of them now.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Thu 13-07-06 20:17; edited 1 time in total
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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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I don't think I have a favourite resort:
Westendorf I like because it's pretty, friendly and Austrian.
Val Thorens I like because there's just so much ski-ing to be done, and I always meet a few snowHeads there.
Val Cenis I like because of the pancakes and the elephants.
Obergurgl I like because it's friendly, Austrian and full of Brits who booked private instructors for the whole week 
Saas Fee I like because it's a really spectacular location.
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Zermatt...I could just spend all day in a mountain restaurant admiring the view.......okay, so I did that!!!
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FAQ
