 Poster: A snowHead
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Good morning snowheads. I joined a while ago following our first ski trip in March this year. We both loved it so will hopefully be making up for lost time over the years ahead.
We're going away with friends in Feb and they all ski much better than me and Mrs MM! We're worried they're all going to be skiing runs/areas we can't, so we've decided to go away for a few nights early in the season to get some further tuition and try and bridge the gap a bit.
We've booked flights to Turin early on 15th December (landing 09.30) and fly home at 8pm on 17th. My plan is 1 or 2 hour lesson PM Monday, 3 or 4 hour lesson AM Tuesday, our own thing PM Tuesday, and possibly another quick lesson AM Wednesday before heading back to Turin at 4ish.
We've booked flights and car hire but haven't booked the resort yet as wanted to do this closer to the time when snow conditions are a bit clearer.
Given we're trying to cram a fair bit in over a few days, initial thoughts are that it will need to be close to Turin (2 hours max probably unless there was a really strong argument for going further). I have been looking at accommodation, lesson availability etc. in Cervinia, Sestriere and Sauze. They all look like they could work, but certainly not wedded to them. It's just balancing up the risks of leaving it as late as possible to go somewhere where the snow is better and then potentially not having the accomodation or lesson availability we want.
It would be great to get the thoughts of some more seasoned skiers. Are we mad? Is the snow the most important thing? Or as relative beginners, should we prioritise the tuition over the snow? Is there a more appropriate resort given our requirements?
Thanks for taking the time to read. And thanks in advance for any comments / advice
Mike
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Pila. Easy drive.
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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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Mad, no. Accepting the risk to try and fit something in for the schedule will usually involve an outlook of adventure.
All three of those I like, but primarily I'd choose Cervinia for this one. If not much snowfall there, likely problematic for others too.
Good altitude, decent village, very good food etc .... and great tuition I've experienced there too. I like Italian general attitude to teaching skiing, very productive in my view.
There's really good learning slope provision there, with easy slopes to progress with and all convenient in access from village along with skiing back to it without skill concerns.
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This, assuming that the resort will be open and ski tuition available. If you can't get accommodation up in Pila itself (which I'd recommend, given your time constraints) there are masses of good options down in Aosta.
I don't think it's mad - I think it's a very good idea!
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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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I'd say Pila also (it opened this week) and get in touch with Phil Brown from Impulse racing. He's based there, and is also involved in a hotel there so might be able to sort you out some sort of package with hotel and lessons.
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| Origen wrote: |
This, assuming that the resort will be open
I don't think it's mad - I think it's a very good idea! |
The resort is meant to open on 5th Dec, delayed from 28 Nov, but there looks to be enough snow
| swskier wrote: |
| I'd say Pila also (it opened this week) and get in touch with Phil Brown from Impulse racing. He's based there, and is also involved in a hotel there so might be able to sort you out some sort of package with hotel and lessons. |
Is he with Interski? If not you could try Interski too, their half board hotel in Aosta is right next to the gondola. There is free 24 hour parking at the gondola too.
You’ll find something.
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Thanks for all the replies. Really helpful.
I will definitely add Pila to the list (spreadsheet) and see if that could work from a lesson/accommodation perspective
Mike
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Sun 30-11-25 13:25; 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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It looks like Cervinia and Pila are clear favourites which helps enormously. I will probably drop Phil an email today. Thanks again.
Mike
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Not mad, no.
Closer the better though, even more so with your schedule. Cervinia, is very much not a bad option. Personally it leaves me rather cold (sic). So you could consider Monterosa? Or, quickest of all, Courmayeur? Drive directly to Dolonne, straight up the bubble - actually on the 6th floor of the car park - and onto the slopes. Dead easy.
I don't think any of your options are bad ones. Pile (to me) sounds like a little the most hassle.
Cervinia 1h35
Courmayeur 1h30
Champoluc 1h28
Pila village by car 1h44
So not a lot in it really.
But ...I somewhat think you might want to be realistic about how much of a gap you can close?
Don't get me wrong, absolutely definitely do this.
Get's you in the swing of short ski breaks. Awesome idea. Used to do loads of them. I mean, countless, before it became painfully obvious that our time was better spent living in the alps.
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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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| Quote: |
Pile (to me) sounds like a little the most hassle.
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You lost me there, @under a new name.
One doesn't generally go to Pila village by car. And one specially wouldn't if it were snowy. Aosta is 1 hour and 16 minutes. And once up in Pila, minus car, everything is super convenient.
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| Quote: |
But ...I somewhat think you might want to be realistic about how much of a gap you can close?
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Assuming the OP is hiring an instructor for a semi-private, a couple of half day private tuition goes quite a long way.
I’m not sure I would book lesson for day 1. All sort of things could delay the arrival. Besides, it’s better to just use the time to get used to sliding again. But half day for both 2nd and 3rd day should really help.
Last, a cautionary tale. I once booked a trip exactly like that. 2 days of instruction, flying in the night before and flying out after the lesson. Well, weather stopped the outgoing flight for 24 hr. End of story. 
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You know it makes sense.
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@Origen, uhhh, I got the impression someone was intending to drive up to Pila. Which seems odd to me, but y'know, people?
@abc, my ass(!)umption from the OP is that they've done a week. My ass(!)umption is that their* mates are (quite?) a bit better than them?
A couple of days lessons isn't likely to bridge that much of a gap, is it? But still totally a fine plan!!
*schoolboy sp. error
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Sun 30-11-25 18:40; edited 1 time in total
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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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So if you had a hire car. Handy to leave it in Aosta and stay in Pila, or stay in Aosta and up lift each morning??
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Poster: A snowHead
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So if you had a hire car. Handy to leave it in Aosta and stay in Pila, or stay in Aosta and up lift each morning??
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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So if you had a hire car. Handy to leave it in Aosta and stay in Pila, or stay in Aosta and up lift each morning??
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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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| ster wrote: |
| swskier wrote: |
| I'd say Pila also (it opened this week) and get in touch with Phil Brown from Impulse racing. He's based there, and is also involved in a hotel there so might be able to sort you out some sort of package with hotel and lessons. |
Is he with Interski? If not you could try Interski too, their half board hotel in Aosta is right next to the gondola. There is free 24 hour parking at the gondola too. |
No nothing to do with interski, just a Brit instructor and race coach living out there.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Personally, for such a short trip, I'd prefer to get up to Pila and stay there. More relaxing. And depending where you stay in Aosta, it can be quite a busy place to get around. A full week up in Pila might get a bit samey, and the bright lights of Aosta attractive, but for a few days focussing on getting lots of skiing in, I'd prefer to stay a bit longer in bed each morning!!
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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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| under a new name wrote: |
@abc, my ass(!)umption from the OP is that they've done a week. My ass(!)umption is that their* mates are (quite?) a bit better than them?
A couple of days lessons isn't likely to bridge that much of a gap, is it? But still totally a fine plan!!
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Agree it’s unlikely to eliminate the gap. But tuition at the early stage of learning has far more impact on progression.
Especially with a good instructor, a few hours (x2) can make quite a difference.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Champoluc. I’ve skied there five times in December and it’s always been great. Quiet and cheap too.
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Also worth contacting Carole from Pilaski for accommodation (and skiing) suggestions. She seems to know everything and everybody.
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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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We did Cervinia for a 4 night break last Christmas. Very easy trip from Turin. Took us about 90 minutes. We arrived in a blizzard, so did need to put chains on halfway up the mountain road, so be prepared for that possibility.
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| under a new name wrote: |
But ...I somewhat think you might want to be realistic about how much of a gap you can close?
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Cheers for the reply. Certainly not expecting miracles . But we've only done about 4 days in total before. I think another 2/2.5 days with 6 hours of lessons will help a fair bit. Especially private lessons as all tuition when we went in March was in a group.
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Sun 30-11-25 21:19; edited 1 time in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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[quote="Origen"]
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One doesn't generally go to Pila village by car. And one specially wouldn't if it were snowy. Aosta is 1 hour and 16 minutes. And once up in Pila, minus car, everything is super convenient. |
I do quite like the idea of the simple drive to Aosta and gondola up!
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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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| MoneyMike80 wrote: |
Cheers for the reply. Certainly not expecting miracles . But we've only done about 4 days in total before. I think another 2/2.5 days with 6 hours of lessons will help a fair bit. Especially private lessons as all tuition when we went in March was in a group. |
Private lessons will set you up well. You'll progress loads quicker than in a group. It's a good shout.
Consider Valtourneche as well. Set lower than Cervinia bit served by a gondola connecting the two. Can't help with instructor recommendations though.
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You know it makes sense.
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@luigi, not really any up- (or down-) unweighting advocated these days …
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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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I ran school ski trips to the Aosta valley and Briancon area for 20 years. Aosta/Pila would be a good choice as lots of runs for early intermediates. Staying in Pila would give you more snow time as you could just step out onto the snow rather than ride up and down each day. Short transfer from Turin to Aosta, leave the car there in the gondola car park. I am sure a remember Phil Brown as part of Interski in my day.
I looked at the Interski website and they do short breaks in Pila but minimum of 3 nights.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| MoneyMike80 wrote: |
| under a new name wrote: |
But ...I somewhat think you might want to be realistic about how much of a gap you can close?
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Cheers for the reply. Certainly not expecting miracles . But we've only done about 4 days in total before. I think another 2/2.5 days with 6 hours of lessons will help a fair bit. Especially private lessons as all tuition when we went in March was in a group. |
You are completely right. IMO it's a great idea. It will improve your skiing, reduce your worry about the next holiday AND crucially should be a lot of fun! Enjoy.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
I think another 2/2.5 days with 6 hours of lessons will help a fair bit.
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The learning curve with a good instructor at this stage of your skiing career will quite probably be the most exciting thing you've experienced for a while!
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Pila is ideal for a short break, if you stay down in Aosta, be aware it’s 25 mins up in the gondola, so make an allowance for that, it gives you plenty of time to sort out sunscreen etc 
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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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| geoffknight wrote: |
| Pila is ideal for a short break, if you stay down in Aosta, be aware it’s 25 mins up in the gondola, so make an allowance for that, it gives you plenty of time to sort out sunscreen etc |
Bit of a queue that day? Not sure its 25 mins up to Pila and seeing as they say now from Aosta to the top its now 30 mins
“Pila is noted for its breathtaking views which can be reached directly from Aosta (583m) to the resort’s slopes (1800m) in just 15 minutes. Its frenetic development has made the connection from the village to 2752m possible thanks to the new Couis 1 cable car. In short, you can climb from the town of Aosta to the top of the resort in 30 minutes using several cable cars (Aosta->Pila->Pila Gorraz->Couis->Stella del Couis). “
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Getting from accommodation in Aosta to the big car park can take a little while too, and it's a busy town with traffic. I suppose it depends when you start counting and how you organise it and where you park and when you put your boots on!
For a few days with an emphasis on maxing the ski lesson and practice time, I'd stay up in Pila.
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| Origen wrote: |
Getting from accommodation in Aosta to the big car park can take a little while too, and it's a busy town with traffic. I suppose it depends when you start counting and how you organise it and where you park and when you put your boots on!
For a few days with an emphasis on maxing the ski lesson and practice time, I'd stay up in Pila. |
It can however aiming to get to the carpark at around 8.30am each morning and its pretty good but yes given the OP short time stay being up in Pila is best.
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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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Dont go to Sestriere. Very little of the resort is likely to be open even if the conditions are excellent.
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