 Poster: A snowHead
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I am taking my family (husband, 3 yr old and baby) skiing in March and none of them have seen snow before! I would love your opinion as to where we should go! We need somewhere which is good for families (alot of different activities, not just the snow), easy to get to (by train from Paris ideally), picturesque and cheap! We don't need the best skiing that is for sure! However, I am desperate to get my 3 yr old skiing now and to make skiing an annual vacation. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thank you!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Courchevel 1850.
Enjoy.
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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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caroline123, Welcome to Snowheads.
Ignore Whitegold, he listed probably the most expensive resort in France there.
Does it have to be France? Austria and Italy tend to be cheaper, both may still be accessible by train from Paris (depending on just where you go), and are more likely to be picturesque.
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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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[quote="caroline123"]picturesque and cheap! /quote]
Hi there,
French ski resorts, on the whole, are neither picturesque nor cheap. Switzerland isn't cheap but at least some of the resorts are easy on the eye. Italy (Dolomites) might also be a better choice. France is great for people who want to ski ski ski all day every day, but attractive resorts and low prices are as rare as hen's teeth.
If you're determined it has to be France, with easy access from Paris, I'd recommend a place called Valmorel. It's reasonably attractive (no high-rise buildings) and not the most fashionable place so therefore may be reasonable value for money. The skiing's very good, and they have a good ski-school. You can get there on the train from Paris via Moutiers.
By the way, I'm planning a sailing trip in the Bahamas (Abacos) next November. Any tips you can offer would be much appreciated!
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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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Thanks Mike. Maybe we will give France a miss. I don't mind where we go in Europe as long as it is relatively easy to get there. Italy would be good. I will have a look at Dolomites and I will look at Valmorel too in France. Abaco is a great place! Very beautiful. Ask for my husband Marcus' cousin who is the Dockmaster at Boat Harbour Marina in Marsh Harbour - Cecil Ingraham. It is essential in the Bahamas to have a hook up with someone as it is the only way to get anything done so don't forget to ask for Cecil if you get stuck with anything. He is well known on Abaco (Abaco is so small that everyone is well known who lives there!). There is good fishing around Abaco if you are interested. It is worthwhile sailing around some of the other islands too - particularly Elouthera and Exuma if possible - but avoid the capital, Nassau, as it is not nearly as beautiful as the other islands.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Mike, I just had a look at Dolomites and it looks great. Would you have any recommendations as to where we should stay? Thanks again for your help.
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Hi Caroline,
Have a look at a ski area called the Dolomiti Superski. This comprises a dozen small resorts, all linked by beautiful skiing. The website is http://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en-US/ski-holidays-11EN.html I've not been there for many years, but any of the better hotels should be fine.
Alternatively, you can get the train from Paris into Switzerland - it's not far. For the best scenery in the world (and I'm not kidding) visit the Jungfrau Region (Wengen, Murren or Grindelwald). Switzerland has a superb rail service so you can get there very easily. More importantly there's lots to do apart from skiing.
Websites: Swiss rail: http://www.sbb.ch/en/
Jungfrau Region: http://www.jungfrauwinter.ch/pages/english/JWR/JWR_index.php
Wengen / Murren: www.wengen.ch
Thanks for the tips about Abaco - I think we'll fly directly to Marsh Harbour from MIA, so we'll avoid Nassau. Just need to charter a nice boat now. How willl the weather be in early November?
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caroline123, Welcome to SnowHeads  Have sent a PM
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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 would've thought the resorts in North America would be an easier/ cheaper experience?
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| Nadenoodlee wrote: |
| I would've thought the resorts in North America would be an easier/ cheaper experience? |
Fares to Colorado, Vermont etc are only a little less in cost than flying to Europe. We also spend heaps of time in the US as we need to go there regularly to shop so it is not that exciting to go there for vacation. I want my 3 yr old to know that there is a world beyond Macys, The Pancake House and Target!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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caroline123, if you like the look of the Dolomites, this is a nice, pretty and very traditional village ideal for beginners:
click to see larger size
This image was taken last week in Colfosco in the Alta Badia ski area. The region is South Tyrol and was part of Austria until WWI, now part of Italy, so an interesting blend of the two cultures with a third local Ladin mountain tradition thrown in too. Not sure how easy it will be for you to get there, Paris isn't an obvious gateway, more likely Milan, Venice or Munich. Beautiful villages in spectacular locations and loads of activities with good train connections and cheap are generally mutually exclusive. You may have to compromise on one aspect or another.
Colfosco hotel list:http://www.altabadia.it/en/hotels_colfosco_e.htm (not an exhaustive list)
Colfosco Ski School:http://www.scuolascicolfosco.it/start.php?page=home&lang=EN&preloading=close
No Pancake House but you can get some tasty Kaiserschmarren (google it) at the mountain restaurants here.
There must also be plenty of good options (with train connection to Munich) in Austria like Zell am See, Westendorf, Kitzbuhel, all more lively as well as larger, so make sure lodging isn't a long way from nursery slopes.
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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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Thanks for the tips about Abaco - I think we'll fly directly to Marsh Harbour from MIA, so we'll avoid Nassau. Just need to charter a nice boat now. How willl the weather be in early November?[/quote]
Thanks so much for the information. It is very much appreciated. I had a look at the superski site and it really looks great. I just can't wait to go skiing!
November is normally quite good as it is getting cooler thank god. It is really intensely hot here for most of the year. Today I would say it is 25 Celcius with a breeze which is perfect. We had a cold front here though for the past week which is very unusual for this time of year. By cold front I mean 20 Celcius and maybe slightly cooler at night. We occasionally get cooler around Christmas time. I think the most you would need is a sweater for the evenings.
The other point about the Bahamas which is important to understand is that nothing moves fast here, especially not on the family islands. You can't be in a rush when you get here as nobody feels under any pressure to deliver on time or to meet you on time.
You might want to get in contact with some sailors before you arrive just so you have some people to help you if you need it. You really need to know people here. Cecil will be great but if you have any Bahamian sailing sites that you know of it would be good to make contact with people now. It will make your trip a whole lot better. I don't know anyone from the sailing scene in Abaco unfortunately. Next time I see Cecil (probably around Christmas) I will ask him.
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telford_mike,
Don't disagree that the dolomites may be lovely. but
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but attractive resorts and low prices are as rare as hen's teeth.
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This just is not true, may be true for the Tarentaise but elsewhere in France there are plenty of decent resorts and reasonable prices they just aren't heavily marketed in the UK
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You know it makes sense.
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T Bar, agreed, France has some picturesque, traditional spots too, La Clusaz, Les Gets & Megeve among others, come to mind.
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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 much choice, so little time! Austria is better, I think but if you are set on France, Morzine is a family orientated, traditional and attractive farming town into which skiing has been seamlessly incorporated. Nice locals too, but some braying Brits. Good transport links from Geneva which is about an hour away.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all.
I am travelling by small motorhome for some snowboarding in france or switzerland in january.
I would love a campsite within walking distance to ski lifts.
A smaller/cheaper intermendiate resort would be fine.
Has anyone stayed in suce a campsite..?
Thanks for reading..
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Daniel, you've asked this on another thread, I think. It's best to stick to one and the "campsite" thread is better than this one.
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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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Hi Caroline 123,
I am currently living in St Lucia. Last year we flew direct to New York and then onto Steamboat(CO). Steamboat is great ski resort, family friendly and the flights worked out not too expensive but I get your point on trying to get away from the US for a change. A weakening Euro will be to your benefit also. Ski trip is great when you are living in the Caribbean, completely different and it is always nice after spending 2 weeks in the cold to have a warm beach waiting for you to rest yor bones.
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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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A weakening Euro will be to your benefit also.
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It's OK for some. 
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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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Is this picturesque enough for you? This is Monetier-les-Bains, a village in the Southern French Alps. It is 12km from Briancon, which can be reached by overnight sleeper from Paris, or by car from Turin airport. Although the whole area has 250km of pistes (Serre Chevalier) the immediate area of Monetier has enough to keep you amused while your little one leanrs to ski. PM me if I can help you any further.
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