 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
I'm looking to going to either Andorra or Italy in early March next year. Has anyone got any recommendations on resorts and accommodation? We're mainly a mixed bunch of intermediates and looking for either a catered chalet or hotel close to the lifts.
Many thanks,
Harry
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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harryok525, welcome to snowHeads.
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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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Depends on age, what you like to do after skiing, price range, can you put up with a 4hr transfer ? we need lots of details! 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Thanks for the quick reply (and welcome)
The group is a mixed bag of 20s, 30s to 50s. Reasonable apres ski would be good. We were in Belle Plagne this year and the younger group went out to the noisier bars and we tended to stay in and enjoy the wine and chat (tiredness had something to do with this). Pricewise, up to £600 for flights/accommodation. Good standard accommodation is a must. We had a 3hr transfer this year as we had to divert to Geneva so I would think that this would be the max. Skiing; good blue cruising and reasonable reds would be fine. Not too bothered about blacks.
Regards,
Harry
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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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harryok525, if you don't like long transfers forget Andorra. Scratch a lot of the Dolomites off your list as well.
Cervinia in north-west Italy has a reasonable transfer, virtually guaranteed snow, reasonable apres, and has a big area of blues/reds. Only real weakness is a lack of real blacks but that won't bother you by the sounds of it. The ski area is linked to Zermatt as well.
Can't help with accom: I've skied & boozed there but not stayed overnight - sorry!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Well, I can respond on Andorra. The best skiing is now all under one lift pass - Grandvalira. This incorporates Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu and El Tarter. It's a big(ish) area with plenty of fun - lots of skiing in your category, though not much tree-lined stuff (check out Grau Roig for some less busy more difficult runs). Also, has had a good snow record for last few years.
Pas is famous for nightlife (though I've never partaken myself). As for accommodation, it's not great (incl. the 4*'s), however the Sporthotel (or Aparthotel Sport) in Soldeu looks to be the exception, with access to the slopes via a Gondola straight into the hotel complex (it looked really flash!).
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Italy in March? Go high.
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Livigno in Italy would be good except for the transfer. It's as long, or longer than Andorra! But certainly worth a look.
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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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Andorra = LONG transfer, but in my opinion its still worth it! If you cant hack it - Italys your best bet
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Thanks for the replies. I think we'll be OK with the longer transfer so I'll look closer at Andorra. Reading the forums, it sounds more snowsure that the Italian resorts.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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We went 6th March this year to Arinsal and there was loads of snow. The past few years we've been to Pas de la casa and Arinsal, but have been the week later and have always had great snow! I think Soldeu would be best for you!
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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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Nowhere in Andorra is as snow-sure or as good for intermediate cruising as Cervinia. There's lots of hotels but you may need to be careful with choosing the location if you don't want to do any walking!
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| Quote: |
I'll look closer at Andorra. Reading the forums, it sounds more snowsure that the Italian resorts
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Cobblers.  In general Italy has had a shaky season but it could just as easily be Andorra that struggles next time round.
Cervinia ALWAYS has snow. At 2050m it has the same resort height as Pas de la Casa, but the skiing goes up to Plateau Rosa at 3480m......
....and up to 3820m if you include Zermatt!
There is no comparison in terms of snow reliability. PDLC tops out at a feeble 2640m, and my bro who skis Andorra regularly says the lower slopes are always slush in March.
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You know it makes sense.
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Plake, Any recommendations on hotels in Cervinia?
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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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harryok525, I stayed at the Des Guides a few years ago with Crystal, and it was fine, but I don't mind walking, like cheap hotels and eating out different places in the evening, so it may or may not be what you're looking for. Go to www.cervinia.it and examine the map locations for any hotels before you book anything!
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Poster: A snowHead
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harryok525, had you thought of the Italian trois Vallees? - more charming with similar nightlife to Cervinia (i.e quietish)
Monterosa is the name of the area - we have been to Champoluc twice - 2 hours from Milan, big range of blue/ red skiing, fantastic views, nice rifugios, in your price bracket, efficient hands free lift and pass system, no queues except at weekends perhaps, and enough lift served skiing to keep everyone happy for a week, with easy to moderate off piste options with a guide, and heliskiing for £165 per head per day into Zermatt and back via Cervinia. Our party of 25 had a great time.
Look at Ski-2 for deals. One of the directors, Simon, lives in Champoluc and couldn't be more helpful , the other is based in Hampshire. they both used to work for Interski in Courmayeur and set up their own very customer orientated company which I think has better customer focus than any other I have travelled with.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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harryok525, why were you prefering Andorra or Italy? (helps us to know what ideas you have about ski holidays in those countries).
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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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My choice would be Cervinia for March due to its height. Hotel Petit Palais (Crystal only) is about the best placed hotel in the resort due to its close proximity to the main gondola and eggs (although walk back up after a night out is tiresome). Resort is not the most exciting but the skiing is great for inters and you get more of this in Zermatt plus skiing from 3880m (with it stunning views) down to Zermatt at 1600m.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Gary Congdon, welcome to snowHeads.
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