 Poster: A snowHead
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Seen some mega-cheap deals on Crystal's website (approx £600 for a couple HB with flights, transfers AND lift passses) to go to Sauze d'Oulx in January but want some lowdown on what to expect if I do book it. I had France in mind for my next trip but at these prices it seems criminal not to at least consider it.
Does the Milky Way have a good snow record towards the end of Jan (bit of a daft question but I must ask)?
I've read the Apres ski is great in Sauze and that it's pretty good for eating out and having a beer. Is it?
I'm a half-decent intermediate boarder and the missus is quickly progressing on her plank but we'd prefer cruising around rather than white-knuckle stuff. Beginners slopes are fine for a warm-up but we want blues and some nice flowing reds – does Sauze have these?
Did the lift system receive a (much needed) upgrade with the 2006 winter olympics? read a few reports that the lifts were a bit skanky in places.
Accomodation-wise we were (or rather I – this is supposed to be a birthday surprise  ) looking at Hotel Martin: www.crystalski.co.uk/destinations/italy/sauze_d_oulx/016974/016974.html
Is the out-of-town location going to be a problem do you reckon? has anyone stayed at this hotel? What is there to expect from an Italian hotel?
The Crystal website says boarders are well catered for - true, or shoud I be looking elsewhere?
Any other info will be most appreciated.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Specialman,
I've only been to Sauze on day trips from Serre Che so take what you read with care.
Its reputation for snow is not fantastic and whereas at the end of Jan you would be unlucky not to get some snow personally it is not a place I would tend to book ahead to go. I have seen the lower slopes looking pretty bare in virtually every month of the ski season in bad years but only from driving past. A lot of the snow seems to drop over the col montgenevre area and not reach the rest of the area.
Blues and nice flowing reds are Sauze's specialities if the snow is half decent there should be no problem there.
My last visit was pre olympics the lift system was mixed some OK some slow. I have only been at quiet times and I should not think Jan would put to much of a pressure on any system.
Last minute bargains in Jan are very common if you feel you can wait to book and there are only a couple of you personally I would.
PS I'm not a boarder and have not sampled the night life but by reputation it is good for both.
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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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it doesnt have the best snow in the area. It can be risky, however the area is a very good for boarding. It has multiple snow parks etc.
Its nightlift is brillaint, if your a party animal it is a must.
The lifts in the area are still belowaverage. A lot are still very old and very slow. but over the past years they have invested in a lot of new lifts, but it takes a long time to improve the whole area.
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I've only been boarding there on a day trip from Serre Chevalier as well, but we had a great time. I agree with T Bar, lovely flowing reds through the trees is my main memory of the place, plus cheery Italian atmosphere and great, cheap food. You could ride across to Sestriere no problem. I remember the landscape was very pretty, too. The lifts were a bit of a joke, but I think were massively upgraded for the Olympics so are probably fine now?
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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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Specialman, I've been a couple of times and always enjoyed it. Nice area, though a few lifts are/were a little slow.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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i went there once,i broke my wrist  ,does that help at all?
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I went in 99, but other than the mid-week race where somehow I got a medal I can't remember much at all - says good things about the night life though 
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Sauze rocks (as long as there is snow). Eat at the Del Falco, stay at Chalet Faure.
If you have wheels ski in Mont Genevre and Serre Che (ski-ing to Montgenevre is a waste of time, too slow) too.
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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 were there last year over new year. the snow was a bit thin on the ground (as it was everywhere) and a few of the reds higher up were a tad icy. we found sauze a bit small but its not far from montgenevre which some pretty nice long flowing runs.
the night life is indeed great at sauze. we stayed at the hotel miosotis right next to the bottom of the main lift and some nights never made it past the nearest bar, the ghost. it's a bit quieter than a lot of the bars but does fantastic chilli and fries.
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High probability of poor snow and many runs closed (last season a significant proportion never opened at all)
At far end of Milky Way so takes a long time to get to places, especially as direct link with Sansicario likely to be closed meaning you first have to go to Sestriere on slow lifts (although there are some great (and deserted) runs in Sansicario so worth checking out)
Result of all the above is you may find it a very limiting resort size wise assuming you don't want to spend ridiculous amounts of time getting to places on lifts.
Lovely tree lined runs. Attractive scenery. Friendly, cosy feel to ski area, suppose the upside of the limited skiing area and very poor transport links with the resort centre which means people stay on the mountain for the day and chill out on the many outdoor tables at lunchtime, morning drinks time, afternoon drinks time etc etc. Great value lunchtime options with friendly staff some of whom go out of their way to socialise with the skiers.
Slightly cheesey but fun awards nights at the main night club (Clarabels ?) towards the end of the week to which the whole resort seems to go, whether they attended ski school or not.
Predominantly for Brits in their 20's, which makes for great nightlife but means at the weekends it's also a magnet for huge numbers of Italian males who wake up the whole resort when they leave empty handed at 3am.
Anyway hope you have a great time
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Specialman, for a boarder Sauze really isn't that great, unless you're OK with drags and Joueneux or whatever the correct spelling is, is also a bit of a pain to get to Sauze from. Sauze at night is lively + some good restaurants. They upgraded one lift that I saw for the olympics.
To be honest I'd look elsewhere.
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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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I learned to ski there in about 1974. Recall a single man (child) chair and little else. I don't imagine this is of much assistance but I do recall having to take off my skis and carry them over the mud at the end of the day ...
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I learned to ski there in about 1974. Recall a single man (child) chair and little else. I don't imagine this is of much assistance but I do recall having to take off my skis and carry them over the mud at the end of the day ...
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You know it makes sense.
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I take it some where like Siestriere would be better, being more central in the Milky Way? What about resorts such as Courmayer or La Thuile - any good for boarders?
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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I'm under the impression that most Italian ski resorts have a bit of a thig for drag lifts whereas the french resorts seem to have more chairlifts. I'm okay on a drag, and the missus can do them but we'd prefer not to have to do drag all the time – are we looking at the wrong country? Should we stick with France?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Specialman, i boarded there a month before the olimpics,it ws minus 17 in the town,and minus 30 on top.never ever go back lifts a slow ,big queues ,food in the hotel was the best food ever had on a boarding hol ,i was there on new years eve ,the town ws wild that night ,if you got kids dont take them on that night in the town.i was standing in the middle of the main square and some little italian put a very large fire work next to my very heaverly pregant wifes foot.luckily i seen it ,and moved off from it very quick.has far has the ski area is concerned,for a boarder at the level you and your partner are at ,i wouldnt bother.sestrier is not flowing ,and steep,the link over is like some thing off kids play park,and turin airport,its a tiny little poo-poo hole with massive queues,stick to fance .any where in the three valleys,valthorens,brill for free riding,faine and the masstiff area is good to.go to teltex ski holidays ,you can pick up a bargin if you book a week before.look at france snow report,then book where the snow is good.i hope this will help.
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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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Can't say much about Sauze but I wouldn't go with Crystal again if they offred me a fee holiday. I've been with them twice on a cheapy deal. I kick myself for going with them a second time after they almost stranded us in Turin airport by changing airports at the last minute and dumping us in the airport without the correct return tickets. The rep was useless. The second time we were due to fly from Geneva to Manchester but we were taken to Chambery and delivered to Norwich because our coach to the airport was late as the driver hadn't put snow chains on until the police stopped him. It was only after a rebellion on the coach that Crystal ageed to put on transport from Norwich to Manchester. They suggested at first we make our own way to Norwich railway station and claim the transport costs from our insurance companies. Once we pointed out to them (and we had to be very insistent) that they were in breach of their own conditions did they agree to arrange a coach transfer. Not an experience anyone wants at the end of a holiday. There is a reason Crystal are so cheap.... buyer beware!
Mike
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I went a couple of weeks before the winter olympics. Had a great time and there was plenty of snow. Downside was that Sestriere and Sansicario (?) was closed to skiers and boarders. Access was ok as far as I was concerned. Can't comment on boarding because I'm a skier but it seemed very popular with boarders. Nightlife was really good. I would go back.
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