Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi All - we're a family of 4 going to Ponte di Legno, Italy (none of us has ever skiied) from 20-30 Dec 2008. Anyone been there, any tips, do we hire clothes before we leave (we're from South Africa), or can we hire there? Jackets/Boots/ski pants in particular? Got gloves/beanies. Does anyone have costs? What are the prices for ski-lifts for 7-10 days. How much tuition do we need - what is the cost? We're 2 adults in our 40's and 2 daughters 17 & 20. We're flying to Milan on the 20th Dec and need to make our way to Ponte - any idea of trains/best way to get there. Trying to read the Italian timetables on the net is not easy. Leave Ponte on the 30th and head for Rome, via Milan by train again - if anyones done this trip, any info would be great ........Any tips and suggestions would be hugely appreciated. Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
highflier, hi, welcome to snowheads! My first ski trip was just up the valley in the next resort, Passo di Tonale.
Boots and skis can definitely be rented in resort. Not sure about renting Jackets and salopettes though.
If it's your first time skiiing, you will be best to get lessons all week - if you can splash the cash private tuition is the best way to make progress, but as there will be four of you, you will find it easier on the wallet to sign up for ski school - this normally gives you the morning in lessons, and the afternoon to continue practising
Sorry, I have no idea about public transport as I was on a trip with a coach organised from the airport - however friends who did a long weekend out there hired a car as they felt it was better than public transport, however for more than a few days that might work you too expensive
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
I haven't skied there. However get going on google and you can find out most things.
I haven't heard of anyone hiring ski clothes - certainly not in the resort. However skis and boots, hire there - most people do.
Lift pass varies a lot depending on size of resort - perhaps €160 for a week? (cost of ski and boot hire similar) but you won't need one your first few days. There are usually coupons or something for the nursery slope lifts.
You should take lessons each morning your first few ski holidays. Private lessons are better but very expensive.
And of course you need holiday insurance. (Expensive, this skiing lark!)
The resort or ski area website will often give you much of this information, such as good ways to get there - or the package company, but I assume from the travel questions you are not on a package. I tend to use http://persoenlicherfahrplan.bahn.de/bin/pf/query-p2w.exe/dn to find trains in the alps.
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Quote: |
I haven't heard of anyone hiring ski clothes
|
I hired in New Zealand, just popped up to Ruapehu on a whim with a colleague, as we were driving across North Island to a work meeting. Great, one minute we were on the plain, the next we were up in the mountain, kitted out. But I don't think you can do that anywhere in Europe.
Quote: |
you won't need one your first few days
|
not necessarily the case. In some resorts you need a proper lift pass from the beginning, especially if there is little snow at lower levels and you have to go up the mountain (quite likely at Christmas).
I agree with posters who have said you should aim to have a full week in ski school, which will probably mean lessons either morning or afternoon, leaving you time to practice. Do you speak Italian? You are going to a resort which is little known to Brits and if there are no package tours there, you might struggle to get group lessons in English. We have an apartment in a moderately unknown French resort, and there are NO group lessons available in English, though some of the instructors speak OK English for private lessons. Have you tried emailing the resort? If the ski school replies to English emails, that would be a good start.
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
highflier, welcome, I've skied both but it was a few years ago, they weren't linked then but I think they are now. Unless Ponte di Legno has changed you'll probably be better learning to ski in Passo Tonale. It's better equiped for learners with easier nursery slopes than Ponte di Legno. You'll probably only find English speaking instructors in Passo Tonale, even though it's just down the road.
I'd definitely try and book lessons before you go too, you'll be surprised how they get booked up, especially over the Christmas period. You will find English spoken in Passo Tonale as it's used as a resort for British school trips and it's in the brochures, not so Ponte di Legno. Private lessons may be the only ones available. I'd also echo the excellent advice already given.
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Hi Highflier.
Went to Passo Jan 07. Ponte and Passo are linked now. You ski down from Passo and Gondola up to Passo, obviously Pont is lower than Passo. Would agree with Grimsby Ranger that you are better learning in Passo. The Ponte slopes are pretty steepand narrow and were icy. The resorts website is www.adamelloski.com . This has lots of info about liftpasses, skischooletc. But you may have to wait a bit for up to date winter info. Can thoroughly recommend the ski/snowboard schools. Our friends had snowboard lessons and progressed very well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
bhmandminx, Are you sure That link seems to be all about wine, in Italian but the bottles and vines give it away.
|
|
|
|
|
|
OOh yeah. Don't know what's going on there !!!!
Put adamelloski in google and it's there.
How strange.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
bhmandminx, Sorry very rude of me, welcome. I thought perhaps you'd been on the vino leading to the confusion.
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
|
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.
|
Unfortunately we were a bit slow responding to this one, so highflier may not have come back.... Are you out there highflier?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|