First time Skiing, Late December recommendations?

A snowHead

I’m going to start a war but ignore everyone who only recommends skiing in France, Austria and Italy at Xmas and New Years. It’s all cramped and crowded and generally horrible. Outside that period Italy is fantastic and best food and scenery but if you want to make a good first impression then competent English lessons and other activities in case your wife hates it is a must.

So go to Norway. Trysil or Geilo. Both have dog sledding and horse sledding. Trysil is only 90 mins from Oslo. So plenty to keep you occupied in case you decide you don’t like skiing. Everyone speaks perfect English. Your school lessons (if you do not want privates) will be very small as all the Norgweians can already ski! This is much better rather than the huge crowds crammed into a lesson in France etc.

Food is great - make your lunch at the breakfast, most hotels are half-board. There are 4/5 star hotels. Prices are not raised for Xmas and new year.

Skistar controls Trysil and the former Radisson there on the mountain has a lovely spa for relaxing after a day on the slopes.

Search on here for Geilo or Trysil and read the trip reports.

Don't forget some people get headaches over 2000m as well so if she’s not used to that can be a problem for a day or two. Going north to Norway avoids that problem. I speak from personal experience that rules out Colorado.

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

Hi everyone,

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you for your insightful comments and recommendations regarding the Dolomites. Your knowledge and enthusiasm have been incredibly helpful as I navigate my options for a beginner-friendly area, which from what allot of you have said, Colfosco would be a great place for beginners.

In regards to lessons, i think i will start looking into lessons in the UK before we go. I know it will ruin the suprise, however it wont if i dont tell her that their is a skiiing holiday booked at the end of it Eh oh!

I'll just say, i fancied an adventure.

I honestly can not thank everyone enough for their wise words, information and advice.

What i am writing is nothing compared to the amount you have provided me, so i can only say that i really appreciate it.

What a great forum, full of great people Eh oh!

️

Thank you to you all!

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@mistikempire, Hope you have a great time and become as addicted to skiing as most of the folk around here are.

To whet your appetite have a look at https://www.youtube.com/@UstariaPosta which features videos from a man who along with his family runs a small hotel not far from Colfosco. Its a popular spot with many on here. Lots of videos of various trips around the Super Dolomiti ski area.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

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Hi Guys, the reason I would suggest Austria is... its just more fun.
The Swiss are famous for not enjoying themselves.
Italians are always in bed by 8pm, so the villages tend to close up early.
The French do apres ski, in places like the Folie Douce, but its not to enjoy yourself so much as look as though you are enjoying themselves. Better off heading for the Oirish Bar.
Austrians want you to spend your money and know lots of good ways to make you spend it and have a good time. Not just bars and restaurants but slay rides, togoganning, torch light decents, Keggal Bahn (Bowling Alley) and banging in nails with hollow hollow hammers.

I'd love to go back to Austria again.

Dolimites are my favourite but you you don't have an Aston Martin as your first car.

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

I’d say as a piece of wisdom you might not have considered… try and minimise your time spent walking about it boots / carrying skis! It can be a right old workout just getting to the lift in the morning. Be prepared for this!

After all it is free

I'll second (or third!) for Colfosco. We went to Selva last year and I thought that Colfosco was lovely and the Edelweiss Valley was amazing AND quiet. Also I would recommend going with a tour operator for the first ever trip. I travel independently for all my holidays apart from skiing. I have found that there is not a lot in it money wise and it's a lot less hassle. We have also had a lot of issues getting back to airports in county and back to the UK and have thanked whoever is up there on at least four occasions that the TO was there to organise onward/alternative travel or was holding planes back as the entire passenger manifest was held up in yellow jacket demos. Also just had a squiz at Crystal prices for Xmas and New Year. The Snowheads are not kidding New Year is significantly more expensive. If only I could convince my OH to ski at Christmas........

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Xmas = dark, cold, windy, overcrowded, icy.

Easter = sunny, hero snow.

Go Easter.

1. Zermatt
2. Saas Fee
3. Lech

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

If you want nice beginner, convenient skiing with guaranteed snow in late Dec, I'd be looking at Finland.
Crystal still have some good packages for new year or xmas week including ski in, ski out accommodation, flights and even one with a free 6 day lift pass for a little more than a grand each. Its all sorted for you then, you can even book your ski hire, lessons, extra trips all in advance..might be cheaper in resort of course but convenience is worth something.
Lots of other activities to do as well, like dog sledding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing..
Only downside is the lack of daylight really...not that it stops the skiing as its all floodlit (certainly in Ruka).

Shippo

snow reports

Thank you everyone, I honestly can not express how grateful i am.

Really appreciate it Eh oh!

+1 For Saas Fee Easter
I went at Easter a couple of years ago and it was very peaceful and sunny (sunny is good).

It would have been quite romantic as a couple with the lovely scenery.

I always recommend this place for accommodation in Saas Fee if you are on a budget (the small supplement for the spa is worth it) https://www.youthhostel.ch/en/hostels/wellnesshostel4000-saas-fee

You know it makes sense.

This is one occasion when I would suggest not having lessons in the snowdomes.
I think there could be the possability of "being put off".

With the best will in the world, the snow dome's sausage machine type group lessons could back fire.
Go down the gym instead.
Then you go into ski school and tell the truth ... "I've never ever skied before."
Its going to be much more magical having your first time on skis in a sunny Austrain Valley.
You can't guarantee the sunshine in the Alps but you can guarantee it won't be sunny in the snow dome.
I do love skiing in the Fridges and they have their place, but I'd hate it to spoil the magic.

In my mind, I'm already imagining you are in Austria and you have woken up from under their enourmous duvettes.

One of the best ski holidays I had was one of those "Lucky dip" holidays from Crystal.
It turned out to be in "Sankt Wolfgang", I did not consider this a ski resort, more of a lakeside Mozart type holiday.
But it worked.

The beginners were taken off to a local nursery slope that they all seemed to enjoy.
While those of us who could ski were bussed of for an hour's trip to somewhere else.
The Apres ski was great in the two local bars, met some great people with a penchant for cheaper ski holidays.

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

Book Xmas week.
Book it with Crystal Ski Holidays.
Job done and have fun.

Personal recommendation for beginners;

Passo Tonale.

Hotel Sport Vittoria if possible.

A snowHead

Some lessons before you go, take her during the Christmas holidays, become addicted, book a follow up trip for Easter.

Sorted.

A snowHead

I can't think of a more horrid surprise. I'd want to have chosen my own clothes and to have prepared myself mentally - and probably physically - before the holiday. But I don't like surprises. And your wife; are you sure she wants to go skiing? Certain?

I also agree with those who suggest the lessons in a Dome first. Make all the difference. You don't want to spend your first day of a £2k-£4k holiday learning to put ski boots on. In a white-out.

And make sure that you book the lessons in resort before you book the holiday. You need them. Instructors at Christmas get booked up well in advance.

And you only need a tiny ski resort; I don't get the impression that you're massively sporty people, so you probably won't end up going far or quickly in your first week. (Having taken a fair few beginners skiing I've seen them achieve anything between very little and really quite a lot in one week! )

Easter will be warmer and quieter.

Good luck!

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That holiday was icy in all dimensions!

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

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Easter itself is, but the school holidays around here start in early April. I return to work after my two weeks off the day after Easter Monday. Easter Saturday is the 19th April next year.

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

After all it is free

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First time Skiing, Late December recommendations?

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