 Poster: A snowHead
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| Lilaclou wrote: |
| @BlueSky, I’ve been chatting to my 14 yo who has been skiing for a week with school. She’s said she thinks there won’t be enough blue runs for her and might get bored. I don’t think she’s right but thought I’d ask? I know there are only a few blues and more reds, but I think she’ll progress onto some of the reds during the week (she did a few when she went with school). Are there some reds that are perhaps a little easier? If so, she’ll be happy with that I think. I don’t want a large resort as it will be too overwhelming for me and 10 yr old, so I think I need to prioritise that this time around. |
Looking at the piste map I can see what your daughter is worried about, but please reassure her that there is more than enough skiing for her level for a week. There are some really quite challenging blues (as mentioned above) in addition to the nice easy ones, and then reds that range from incredibly easy (would be a blue apart from one narrow steeper section) to what used to be the steepest red run in Europe (red 3). Not to mention the possibility of a black run if she gets on particularly well and snow conditions are good. And the snow park, and loads of little forest paths that are great fun, etc etc etc. By the middle of her second week I'd expect her to easily progress onto reds and possibly beyond by the end of the week, so she definitely won't be limited to only the blues. Put it this way - aside from teaching there, I've spent the majority of 4-5 seasons skiing there, and there are still bits I haven't fully explored. And it's not like you get bored of a run just because you've skied it once. She'll be fine. Go for it!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If she's in ski school for a week (which I'd say is vital), the instructor will make sure they cover the right ground. If a 14 year old who has done one week on a school trip is "bored" with skiing in Pila, then she's bored with life.
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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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We had another chat at bedtime, I think she’s been talking to some friends at school and they’ve said to her ‘France is better, go there instead, it’s too small’. We’ve talked about how they’re much more experienced skiers (and more financially set up!) than we are and she agrees it is a good plan for us and our circumstances. I know she’ll be fine, just a shame the friends have made her doubt things!
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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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Good for you, @Lilaclou. You've made a great choice and hopefully she'll have a ball. Booking ski lessons with whichever ski school Crystal is using might give her a better chance of having other kids from the group, perhaps same hotel.
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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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| Lilaclou wrote: |
| We had another chat at bedtime, I think she’s been talking to some friends at school and they’ve said to her ‘France is better, go there instead, it’s too small’. We’ve talked about how they’re much more experienced skiers (and more financially set up!) than we are and she agrees it is a good plan for us and our circumstances. I know she’ll be fine, just a shame the friends have made her doubt things! |
She'll have the last laugh sending pictures of her sumptuous bargain lunches and sub $2 coffees whist her friends in France and munching on a dry ham baguettes.
Pila is a super "little" resort and feels a lot bigger than it is. Ideal for beginners, improvers and good skiers alike. There are plenty of route options off each lift. You don't have the "if want to get over to this part I have to ski that shitty icy steep bit" that you get with some resorts. Plus is you are in different lesson groups etc its fairly straight forward to meet up after and find stuff you're all happy with skiing.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@BlueSky, I don't think the fun little forest paths will be on the agenda...off piste and no insurance
@Lilaclou, I think you've made a great call. 14 year old who know everything eh?
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| Lilaclou wrote: |
| ... she’s been talking to some friends at school and they’ve said to her ‘France is better, go there instead'.... |
Clearly potential recruits to Snowheads! This forum often sees people answer a query about a resort by suggesting somewhere else entirely.
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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
@BlueSky, I don't think the fun little forest paths will be on the agenda...off piste and no insurance
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pisted / marked tracks actually so all fine. quite a lot of tree lined skiing in Pila.
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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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Exactly.
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| Lilaclou wrote: |
| We had another chat at bedtime, I think she’s been talking to some friends at school and they’ve said to her ‘France is better, go there instead, it’s too small’. We’ve talked about how they’re much more experienced skiers (and more financially set up!) than we are and she agrees it is a good plan for us and our circumstances. I know she’ll be fine, just a shame the friends have made her doubt things! |
There's also no fun in going to a massive resort, seeing mile upon mile of mega runs up above you whilst you're stuck in ski school learning the basics and getting a few smaller runs in (which are so knackering when you're learning).
A small resort is a great shout. It'll be more than big enough to get the bug......THEN it gets expensive (although at least you've kids to sell to fund your upcoming addiction  )
EDIT: Not that Pila looks that small. There looks plenty to keep even reasonably decent skiers entertained for a week if the snow is decent.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Yes I’m not sure about the snow situation. There looks to be some snow arriving this week, and all looks fine currently. I’m just not clued up about whether that means there will still be enough decent stuff there in 3 weeks (I know nobody knows the answer to what the weather will bring!) but I’m thinking it’s north facing which should help?
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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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Sure it'll be fine for beginner stuff. You're not going to be hard carving or doing steep stuff. So long as it's white you'll be good.
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@paulhinch, yep all we need is some snow, nothing fancy!
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You know it makes sense.
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There's some good skiing in Pila, not by any means just "beginner stuff". It's impossible to know what snow will be like anywhere in 3 weeks, but Pila has a good record. And it's ideal to be in ski school, as instructors will find the best places.
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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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@Lilaclou, you'll be fine snow wise. There was very little new snow for the whole of Feb and March when we were there, and we were still skiing most of the runs above the gondola at the end of March. As @Origen says, your instructors will know the best spots.
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Poster: A snowHead
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It might get busier from the Thursday, for example the school holidays of Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont start that day.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Lilaclou wrote: |
| Yes I’m not sure about the snow situation. There looks to be some snow arriving this week, and all looks fine currently. I’m just not clued up about whether that means there will still be enough decent stuff there in 3 weeks (I know nobody knows the answer to what the weather will bring!) but I’m thinking it’s north facing which should help? |
There's about a metre or so of snow forecast for the Aosta valley this weekend, which is a big dump by any standard (and way more than is forecast for a lot of the french resort you can point out to daughters friends!), on top of what has already fallen earlier this week. Most of Pila's skiing is over 2000m and faces north, so even it is snows no further, which is unlikely, its going to be pretty decent skiing conditions anyway, baring some very unlikely heatwave / melting event.
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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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Appreciate v much everyone’s help and advice on this thread. I’ve now booked, Pila staying at Etoile de Neige. Hoping we can get good enough to actually ski back to the hotel without issue! I’ll let everyone know how we get on!
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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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Appreciate v much everyone’s help and advice on this thread. I’ve now booked, Pila staying at Etoile de Neige. Hoping we can get good enough to actually ski back to the hotel without issue! I’ll let everyone know how we get on!
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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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@Lilaclou, not sure how I missed this thread when you first posted but can I only agree with what others have said: I think you've chosen the perfect resort for you and your daughter. Plus there's currently tonnes of snow, which should set it up perfectly for your trip. (I was there around the same time as @ElzP and as she said, the pistes were great despite a very dry winter that year.)
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FAQ
