 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm going to book a week in the alps to cheer me up after my break. I'll give it a week aftr getting the cast off so I'm looking at around March 17th onwards.
I've never been before so any recommendations on where to go? And do you reckon I should fly or drive?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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From North Yorks, I'd fly.
Where to go? Well, help us narrow it down. What do you want from the trip?
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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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crispyste, remind us. Break? Cast? If you want to do some serious skiing I'd give it more than a week - need some exercise/physio to deal with muscle wastage etc (apart from the original injury) and there's plenty of good snow after the middle of March.
And like Mosha Marc says, give us a bit more info. The Alps is a big place covering, what, 6 - 8 countries!
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Mosha Marc, I'm looking to ski, will be travelling alone and am an intermediate skiier - I can ski all blue and some reds well. I've only ever skied scotland though. Although they say if you can ski Scotland you can ski anywhere! Would prefer somewhere scenic - but surely that would be all of the alps?!
pam w, sorry, yeah - I broke my arm on Monday boarding in Scotland (first time boarding - probably the last). Yeah, I may ned physio but as it's only my arm I reckon I'd be fine skiing quite early on after getting the cast off, correct me if I'm wrong.
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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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crispyste, yes, sorry, forgot about the boarding accident. I'd give it two weeks after the cast comes off and do some arm exercises, especially triceps for polling (though I really know nothing about this - you should ask a physio).
Travelling alone, and with the ability to ski anywhere, I'd wait till the last minute, watch the snow reports and weather forecasts and do a cheapie booking preferably in a largish (say 15/18 bed) catered chalet, where you'd be very unlucky not to find someone amenable to ski with. It's much easier to meet people in a catered chalet than in a hotel.
Alternatively, if the budget permits, you could do a week's intensive tuition with one of the specialist operators (Inspired to Ski, Phil Smith, Warren Smith, etc etc) which would be great for your skiing and certainly provide plenty of people to ski with outside the formal sessions.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
triceps for polling
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I think I mean poling. 
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Thanks Pam, yup I like the catered cahlet idea. Was hoping you could maybe give me some idea where has good late snow. Or is it just like Scotland - leave it till as late as possible and keep an eye on the reports?
Also, where's the best place for snow reports?
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crispyste, Late snow would mean the end of April. In March you'll be fine everywhere in the alps after all the snow we've had this year. 
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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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| Quote: |
where's the best place for snow reports?
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Snowheads is pretty good! But as easiski says, March is definitely not "late". Most catered chalets run by British TOs are in France - though there are a few in other countries. I wouldn't book anything yet though. At that time of year you could well find a combination of superb snow conditions and long sunny days; not one of the selling points of Scottish skiing. I did once spent a super Saturday in the Cairngorms but because of the conditions the lift queues were absolutely horrendous. On the Sunday it reverted to type, blew a hoolie and the lifts closed around mid day. 
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crispyste, without being funny, nearly every resort will be fine.
If you want scenic, and prefer reds and blues, then perhaps Austria. But as you say, the Alps are all stunning.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks everyone. I'm obviously showing my naivity now lol!
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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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| crispyste wrote: |
| Thanks everyone. I'm obviously showing my naivity now lol! |
Well the title was enough for that. We should have expected you to not be particularly clued up on "the alps". 
At your level of skiing, I would agree with Mosha Marc and suggest Austria - it tends (there are exceptions of course) to be more picturesque than France or Andorra, and cheaper than France or Switzerland, and almost all resorts have plentiful reds and blues. Italy (particularly the Dolomites) might well also be worth a look.
You might not find as much in the way of chalets there, but if you go with a Tour operator, many of them offer limited guiding or "ski leading" in most resorts, which would help you get together with a group even while staying in a hotel. That is what I do, and I have always found people to ski with for a significant part of the holiday.
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I would certainly agree that lateish March is not particularly late season but it can get pretty warm and sunny. South facing slopes in particular can alternate between ice and gloop, personally I would choose somewhere with a decent number of North facing slopes or at least avoid areas with predominantly south facing slopes if booking much in advance.
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks people. And T Bar, how would I know which areas have predominantly north facing slopes?!
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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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crispyste, Good question, I don't have a straightforward answer I'm afraid.
Personally I tend to look out for reviews of resorts I'm interested in and pay particular attention to the direction of the slopes when mentioned. 'Where to ski and snowboard 'is useful for some resorts but not others. Old editions (pre '92) of 'The good skiing guide' had very useful maps and I still have a few copies around.
Google Earth may be able to help you. Otherwise I would ask here about resorts that look interesting from a price or other point of view.
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Poster: A snowHead
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crispyste, it's best to go somewhere with a mix of slopes - some sunny in the morning, some in the afternoon, etc. However, I still think you'd be best waiting till you see some good last minute offers (within a couple of weeks of when you want to go) then seeking specific advice on here about the resorts in question. But in specific answer to your question, Les Contamines upper slopes (ie all the best ones) hold their snow very well, largely east facing, and there's a big sunny area too for early in the morning when the shady slopes might still be a bit gloomy. Small resort, not too expensive, not over-run with Brits. Some good and accessible off-piste too, if that's of interest to you.
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