Poster: A snowHead
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I'm flying out this weekend (Fri-Sun) to Turin, for a skiing weekend (with a snowboarding buddy). Haven't booked accommodation yet. Can anyone recommend a resort within 2-3 hours driving time? (we're renting a car).
I've been to Cervinia and Pila (which fit the bill), wd like to try something different. I think Bardonecchia and Sestriere are also close, but don't know what the skiing's like. Any ideas?
(Does anyone know if Arabba, Madonna di Campiglio, Cortina d'Ampezzo are really far away in driving time terms?)
Thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Cedric, they are all a long way, I've driven from Milan to Cortina, took about 5 hours. Why not give La Thuile a try, also Gressonay, Champoulac are within reasonable distance.
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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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Cedric, you could try Serre Chevalier. It's a little under 2 hours, the conditions sound good at the moment (if a little cold!) and, whilst the area is known for the number of drags, it is also one of the French favourites for snow boarding - plenty of natural half pipes and good off-piste opportunities.
If the visibility gets poor, as you're only going for a short while, there is also plenty of tree line sliding available. Although I've not stayed in the town, Briancon would be my recommendation as it's the first town you come to in Serre Che and there is plenty to do in the evening.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Sliding in Sestriere is fantastic and easy to get to. Sorry I can't help with accomodation or snow conditions though. Have fun!
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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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did a week-end in champuluc. very enjoyable. stayed in a mad hotel called hotel kalifornia. Nightclub in the basement, massive bar on the ground floor with almost 24 hr kareokee and each bedroom themed to 60-70s rickers such that when you opened the door music started playing. Can't find the web-site at the minute but definitley worth looking for.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'd say Serre Chevalier too but I'm biased because I live here!! Enjoy your trip and let me know if you need to find a place to stay... our website has a few ideas www.eurekaski.com/serreche.htm
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Cedric, you don't even need to travel 2-3 hours to some of the best skiing in the world. In under 90 minutes you can be in Gressoney Trinite, at the heart of the Monterosa ski area, which is what David Trax is referring to.
There are just a few hotels and shops there, but a chairlift within yards that takes you into the heart of the system - and fabulous piste/off-piste skiing over a very wide area.
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Cedric, would strongly agree with David Goldsmith about Gressoney la Trinite. Spent a half-term there 3 or 4 years ago and was amazed about the lack of crowds on the pistes even though most were closed due to lack of snow. Stayed at the Jolanda Sport which was right at the bottom of the main lift and comfortable, family run. Food was adequate rather than brilliant with a limited daily choice. The on-slopes hot chocolate and panini are still talked about in our house. Don't know your standard, but not especially good for absolute beginners. We have not had the opportunity to return there yet, but do plan to. (Incidentally, my wife dislocated her shoulder on-slope and the evacuation, X-ray, relocation and taxi back to the hotel were completed in 2 hrs and cost about £50 - not quite the same as the NHS!)
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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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Hmmm, we ended up booking a hotel in Cervinia, I'm starting to be sorry about not going to Gressoney...
Anyway, many thanks for the very useful comments, at the very least I'll be making use of them for my next trips!
And welcome to snowHeads, Nick L!
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Cedric, Cervinia is fine and I am sure that you will have great fun. All the bes. Now "only" 7 weeks till I go!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Take a look at the map on our site here. It will give you an idea of what is reachable with 2-3 from Turin in the Southern Alps, Italy and France (hover over or click on the little skiers for more detail). The furthest resorts of Alp d'Huez and Risoul are at the 3 hoursish limit. The closest Sauze and Bardonechia are just over 1 hour.
Hope this helps for the future.
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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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Cedric, I am thinking of a w/e break to Cervinia. What research did you do on accommodation and what was the verdict. Cheap and cheerful rather than plush and expensive would be more my thing.
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I'd be interested to hear about accommodation also as thinking of a trip in early March to Italy via Milan.
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You know it makes sense.
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shh, Gressoney is rubbish, no off piste, hoards of people, really not worth the visit.
Greg
Not really, it's very good, hands free pass, deserted and awesome off-piste. Desperately trying to keep it quiet, one of the best undiscovered resorts in my opinion. some of my pics here:
http://community.webshots.com/user/gregh104
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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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Ray Zorro, this link will take you to Cervinia's tourist board and most of the hotels and B & B's etc are on this, you can contact them direct or through the Tourist office. They have what they call a "Pool" and those properties that join it work with the Tourist office, but there independant places that are just as good.
Good luck, off there ourselves in 2 weeks and waiting for some new snow to soften the surface a bit, other wise we will be skating!!
http://www.cervinia.it/sezionidinamiche/strutturericettive/intro_inglese.lasso?sezione=strutturericettive
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Poster: A snowHead
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Ray Zorro, we stayed at the hotel Breithorn, 2*. 5 mins walk to Cervinia resort centre, 10 mins walk to main gondola. 40 Euros for a single room (B&B). Clean, nice, TV in room (not that we got to use it). So it would have been very good...however, crappy breakfast - no ham & cheese, bread pretty old, orange juice was actually about 10-20% juice, and everything tasted bitter (though this could have been due to our hangovers).
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