 Poster: A snowHead
|
Morning all
I have been over the older threads but thought I’d start a new one as things can change etc.
Looking at a week in Feb half term. We have flights to Turin and looking at the options. Flirted with Sauze but feel tempted by Montarosa.
I think Alagna is too far a transfer for us so we’ve narrowed down to the above resorts. We have 8 and 9 year olds in tow. Reading other reviews, many think the better skiing is Alagna, best location (middle) is Gressoney and Champ is the nicer location. Perhaps a lazy summary.
I don’t want to over analyse this but is there any reason that would put me off any of the above? Looking at self catered (might eat out a bit), kids in school perhaps 3 mornings (they have done a few weeks so are capable).
We will taxi to resort rather than drive.
Thanks
BB
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
In terns of access to the area Gressoney is in the middle of the network. But it is not a large area, you can easily ski from one end to the other in a morning. Alagna does not have "better skiing", except in so far as it is considered the best for access to challenging off-piste routes. Champoluc is the biggest and most lively centre, with some good restaurants. If that is important to you I would stay there. Gressoney is small with limited facilities, but also very pleasant with convenient access to the network.
Given your parameters I would pick Champoluc. I suggest hiring a car for the transfer, it is an easy and quite pleasant drive of 2 hours or so. And having a car allows you to drive to Frachey for the funicular giving quick and easy access to the Gressoney valley.
As an aside the "perhaps three mornings" of ski school is unlikely to achieve much in terms of progressing your kids skiing ability. I suggest either committing to a whole week of lessons, or spending the money on a day of private instruction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Thank you. Re the latter, just following in the tracks of an instructor for 3 days is better than refusing to take my instruction!
But yes, I have considered getting 3x 2hr private for them. Which I may yet do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@Badbobby, even Monterosa in (UK?) Feb half term is busier.
I'm not entirely sure you'd be able to get convenient privates at all, let alone try for 3 days of ski school. TBH, the area is compact enough that (assuming you and anyone with you) are reasonably quick, you can mainline Champoluc to above Alagna and back to collect the kids for lunch, then ski with them around Champoluc in the afternoons.
Antagnod is (?) 1 chair, 2 runs and a couple of bunny lifts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@under a new name, thank you. Hopefully quieter than the French resorts though!
Are you suggesting that the ski schools will be full and only be doing 5/6 day lessons and/or the instructors fully booked out in advance for full days?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Yes, us UANN says it will be bust that week. You may have left it too late to book an instructor. And any that are available (probably independents) will likely not be keen on half-days that week. You might also struggle for good choice if accommodation, the village fills up with return visitors especially in half-term week (as I found out last year when ours was cancelled at short notice, it was very difficult to secure an alternative).
Best advice is get on with organising it all as soon as you can!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Badbobby, yes. The main tour operator (there are a few) is a UK based outfit, "Ski Champoluc" which arose from the sadly defunct "Ski2".
In the Ski2 days they brought something like 85  anglophone instructors into resort just for their clients (under the aegis of the Italian ski school). I think they're a bit smaller now, but still ... They have a good reputation however, and as @zikomo, mentions, lots of repeat bookings (never a bad sign).
My presumption is that the Gressoney ski school is quite a bit smaller.
And I'm not aware that there are any independents.
So I'd be making my enquiries pronto.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you both. That’s immensely helpful. I’ve never historically had any problems with lessons in other resorts so it’s a useful heads up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
@Badbobby, I guess Champoluc really isn't all that big, sort of. And as the main operator, by a big margin is british, uk half term is a huge outlier (not that it's actually all that busy).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Been a few times in feb half terms (drove up to champoluc from an Aosta base) and the slopes have never been busy. lessons may be another matter I guess but echo above and think that Champoc is a good base. Alagna is a proper little village with quite a different feel to it also so I wouldn't write it off. It is where the base is for off piste but apart from a slightly tricky home run (I think you can download) you get access to the same far reaching mostly moderate end pistes as you do from the other bases. Great area.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
@MHskier, it's not busy, just busier. Alagna is the least convenient, gondola, cable car then chair* to get into the Gressoney valley.
* in March they were running the Pianalunga cable car to the top. But still. And the home run, when skiable, ain't great.
In fairness, you're 3 lifts to get out of Champoluc but you can ski nice runs off of each of them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@Badbobby, I've been there at Half Term and it wasn't busy, not exactly quiet either. Lots of British voices, without them it would have been very quiet midweek. Italians tend to turn up at the weekend.
Champoluc is the liveliest spot. It takes a while to escape the valley, unless you go up to the funicular at Frachey. Gressoney is smaller & quieter, but more convenient, but ideally you need to be near a lift wherever you stay if you don't have a car.
The whole area feels a bit linear, but with nice long runs down from the passes between the three valleys and a few varied bits to play in above Gressoney & Champoluc.
I reckon it would be a good spot for you! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Final question for now - I was looking at Sauze originally as somewhere else and obviously that goes into the massive Milky Way. Does anyone think I’ll be missing out on the larger area? I can always do it another time anyway… I’m addicted to going to new resorts!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
