Poster: A snowHead
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I spent my first week boarding last year in Bansko as I was told it is a good place to learn.
Since I know no different it seemed fine.
Only complaint was with the width of the slopes, lots of turning required which crap boots made that painful.
So bought new boots there (some unbranded things, cheap, recommended by local shop keeper) which turned out to fit perfect and are great.
I am not very fit (will attend gym every other day for at least 2 months prior to trip), too old (34) but need to have fun.
I am not very good yet, can make turns and get down blues OK but not keen on going fast as keep grabbing edges and hurting things (good job I bought a helmet)
Need to stay on piste, with wide gentle flowing slopes and chairs lifts.
So where should I start looking this year then. Looking on going some time end of Feb to March for 7 days. on a budget of say £450 including lift pass. Food extra.
There will be 2 of us (both male - work colleagues)
PS don´t recommend resorts where a beer costs £5 each like I have been warned at some French resorts.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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ausi1972, welcome to
Have you thought about Andorra?
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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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Any particular resort?
My Brother in law´s fiancée goes there each year and she loves it with all her mates.
I would ask to go with them but 6 girls and 2 lads (old blokes) might be a bit much.
Any idea about width of slopes and content of lifts etc, chairs versus drag etc. Since drag is at it says when boarding.
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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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ausi1972, We've only been to Soldeu el Tartar, stayed in the village of el Tartar twice in 2004 and are going back in March. The pistes are nice and wide - most of the slopes are served by chairlifts, even the nursery slopes and they're very welcoming for beginners!
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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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ausi1972 - if there are only two of you, and you're flexible, then I'd suggest shortlisting some resorts and booking something at the last(ish) moment as it'll help stretch the budget. There's a good chance that you'll pick up fully catered for around £350 to one of the bigger resorts.
In terms of where to shortlist, I'd suggest going with the intention of having lessons off one of the ski schools that can guarantee native English speaking instructors. My own experience of skiing is that improved much more when I had instructors who could use analogy to explain what they wanted me to do; explain sensations and clearly describe what they were trying to achieve. I think that level of communication gets more and more important as you get older - but that is, of course, just my view.
www.britishskischool.com and http://www.skinewgen.com are good starting points - although there are plenty of others.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Apologies ausi1972 - I forgot to welcome you to s.
Welcome!
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ausi1972, welcome to snowHeads
I boarded in Zell am See last year and thought that it was quite good for a beginner (I've done about 10 days but am not very good).
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My friends are early boarders too. This year will be their third trip to Zakopane. Worth having a look at.
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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 found Alpe d' Huez quite good as a learner last season because it had some really wide green pistes at resort level that are accessed from a big gondola (no falling off chair lifts), so you can really practice some nice easy linked turns again and again, plus as you get better to can head to the glacier etc.
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My recommendation would be to go back to Bansko, unless you have reasons not to. Trust me in that reading your post it has everything you require, is in budget, and is very boarder friendly (especially the lifts). And having been there, and payed Bansko prices, most other places will scare you financially.
If you think the slopes at Bansko are narrow, you may be in for a shock at some older resorts. They are generally/comparatively wide.
As a learner it has all you need (even up to strong intermediate) and if you go Feb/Mar, the snows good. We went twice last year and am going back with my mates in late Feb 07, and I'm no learner, so it has plenty too offer, though not world class.
Whever you go, enjoy it, and don't give up. I was 34 when I took up boarding. Best holidays I've EVER had.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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