 Poster: A snowHead
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This is a follow on from the best resorts, worst resorts sort of thread, while folks can't have everything they want in a ski trip, some things are important to some that are not important to others, so rather than say a resort was crap........ tell us what it is you want from a ski trip, and if you managed to tick the box then say where it was and why? then you could be like me, I almost always have a good time , just some stuff would make me rethink spending money traveling there again if I can try somewhere else.
For me, I love adventure so will try to avoid returning to a resort, I like new, I like a thrill.
I have returned to resorts a second time because sometimes they tick one of the boxes , ie bringing children we need to know what sort of place it is when we bring the kids.
However a great resort for me, is lots of different stuff, off piste, some good blacks some decent cruising reds, as little as possible tbars, or button lifts. I refuse to do catered chalets, I did them a few times and NEVER enjoyed them, horrid things forced into spending my time with others who probably will bore me silly, and have to be back at certain times YUK. So diversity, atmosphere, decent lift system, and a bit of fun in après ski, not all night clubs, just a bar at the bottom of the mountain so you can open your boots shake off snow and get a drink, hopefully run into likeminded people who have stories to tell, compare falls, compare what was done all day etc...
One resort that missed all those boxes for me was stowe Vermont, it was catered chalet, and a bus to the mountain, no apre ski on the mountain but half way between the mountain and the town, it was so proper it was boring. I also got told off for going off track without a helmet, It was easy stuff, put ski patrol thought they were nypd.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Good snow is all 
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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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yea but sometimes weather will feck that up, nothing worse than a great plan fecked over by an ice storm, ie rain followed by a quick freeze. The good snow goes to pot, so I think if it is fun in crap snow imagine how good it will be in good snow
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biddpyat, I like your description of what you like, but I think it is hard to find too many resorts that tick all those boxes. So given you rarely return to same place twice, you must have a lot of disappointing holidays.
Maybe you could start us off by telling us where you found ticked those boxes, and where didnt-
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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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Scenic area worth exploring. Good eateries worth eating at. And friends(mostly from on here) to go exploring with, and have a beer with after.
Good snow is a bonus.
Nightclubs and getting wasted? why? can do that any weekend. Same with going to Spain to read a book on a beach or by the pool. Can read that any day of the week.
Catered chalet isn't a major issue. Not really any different to half board, other than the table size, the table waiting, and the fact that wine is on the table rather than signing a tab.
edit: and most places I've been tick those boxes, but the Dolomites ticks them with bigger, bolder, tick marks 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Good snow
My mates with me
Comfy bed
Hot shower in the apartment
Opportunity for a few beers and a laugh in the evening
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For me it must have
a hill
enough snow or muck to slide on
A lift to save walking back up is preferably, but not essential.
I can't understand why people claim they wouldn't go back to a resort. Would they not go back if it was the only resort left on the planet?
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Fast lifts
Fun ski area with blacks that aren't too hard and nice long reds.
Lively après ski
Not so overpriced that you constantly feel like you're being ripped off.
Pretty town, though this last option is often not possible.
I like Austria.
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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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| halfhand wrote: |
Good snow
My mates with me
Comfy bed
Hot shower in the apartment
Opportunity for a few beers and a laugh in the evening |
Lots of laughs and quiet slopes would be my only additions would be my
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| madlondoner wrote: |
Fast lifts
Fun ski area with blacks that aren't too hard and nice long reds.
Lively après ski
Not so overpriced that you constantly feel like you're being ripped off.
Pretty town, though this last option is often not possible.
I like Austria. |
All of the above apply to St. Anton which is why we're going back!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The kids being super happy.
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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 love ski trips abroad, partcularly the Dolomites, but i expect those to be good because i'm paying a lot for it.
What i really like is a good day trip to the Pennines (or Lakes) when the conditions are good. Its such an intense day.
It begins with the packing and expectation the night before. Watching the webcams, weather models, radar feeds , forecasts and of course the banter on the forums. Getting up early, the challenge of the drive up there.
Arriving first, the intense cold stepping out of the car, the 10 minute walk up. Opening up the buildings, greeting friends, meeting new skiers and boarders, deicing the system, starting the generator, the radio chat, riding the skidoo or shotgun in the Piste basher, digging snow, fixing breakdowns, even doing some skiing (!!).
Afterwards a pint of some good ale in the Langdon Beck or Travellers Rest reflecting on a great day with good friends. Arriving home tired, drying kit out and then reliving the day on these forums!
Thats a good trip for me. Hope we get some good local snow again this year
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Peanut I don't have to tick all the boxes, just those are the boxes I like to tick, they are what make a great trip. I would rather ski mush than not be skiing at all. But when looking up a resort I like to try to tick one or two of the boxes. So many resorts out there, so many new thrills. I like seeing what it is the people like, it also reflects then on why they like or dislike a resort. Peter S, I am glued to the internet for ages prior to a ski trip, looking up the resort, the are, I nearly know the skimap off by heart, ha ha, I also check the weather report every day. .
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You know it makes sense.
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Snow, lots.
Lifts, seated.
Skis, slippy.
Cafs, friendly.
Apres, livelyish.
Accomodation, hotel.
Beer, tasty.
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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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Peace, Beauty, Freedom, and Adventure are the four words I think of when in the mountains.
The 1st and the 3rd take a bit of finding these days but they're still there.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Cheapish; quietish slopes; snowy hill to ski on. Everything else is a bonus.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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snow, snow and a tad more snow - if there is a bar at the bottom then that's a bonus
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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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1. Lunch.
2. Everything else. Which includes as many covered chairlifts as possible, as few buttons, T-bars and gondolas as is reasonable, decent snow and not being overcrowded.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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My ideal week would include
Great company from those we travel with or from those we meet
Squeaky snow
Bluebird Days
Incredible views
Fast lifts
Not being ripped off
I'm happy if we only get one or two of these but they all improve the experience.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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My wife having a good ski. This will probably have something to do with the snow and how crowded it is, but all she wants is a couple of good hours and then very happy to relax, drink etc while I get "that last lift in".
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Complete opposite of OP - like to go back to somewhere I know, so will know what I'm getting and where I can take the kids.
When am at most relaxed - when kids are chilling with DVD and I'm either sitting with Mrs B on balcony watching the lights and smelling the woodsmoke or ambling in the kitchen to knock some tea together. Both activities with wine naturally.
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Good company
Enough snow to slide about on
But not necessarily in that order
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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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Good snow
Blue skies
Ski in ski out
Cruisy blues and reds
Great company
A few beers and music on the slopes
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Combination of snow, great skiing, fabulous company, breathtaking views, pretty resort, comfy and friendly hotel and the odd glass of Glühwein...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Happy kids,good snow, minimal queuing, great wine a bonus. Once you have kids, a great ski school can make or break the holiday when the kids are learning.
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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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snow
mountain
good company
not too many other people
cold beer
hot bath/shower
good food
comfortable bed
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Snow
Somewhere to stay
More or less everything else is negotiable though I'd have a preference for non draconian budgie smuggler rules if there's a pool in hotel/resort.
Non- factors for me:
Ski-in/out or even non-daily drive to lifts
Catered/B&B/self
Fancy on mountain dining (waiter/waitress served actually seems to be a byword for long wait for a table and long service time some places)
Raging party scene (though I appreciate places like Chambre Neuf as much as the next guy)
Kms of piste
Traditional or landscaped "villages" - nothing wrong with driving to the slopes. One of the best ski resorts in the world IMV has exactly zero accommodation within about a 20 mile radius (and not much thereafter).
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You know it makes sense.
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Extensive off-piste, a fair amount of it steep, and preferably not too many people skiing it out quickly. Big dramatic views and good food in a good value hotel help too. And a good guide and obviously good friends to share it with.
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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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The chambre neuf! Now that brings back memories  , we stayed above there in 05 and the place was rocking from about 3 onwards! Is it still like that nowadays?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Interesting skiing and culture. Also good food.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Good skiing, beautiful views, delicious food and drink, clean accommodation with efficient plumbing (plus preferably a sauna or steam room, and a swimming pool is a welcome bonus, but no hot tub required thanks) and delightful people with whom to enjoy all these things.
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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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Good skiing, comfy accomodation, well linked lifts and not colder than -15 celsius
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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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Fresh snow every night followed by a bluebird day, maybe a top up while i'm having lunch 
Good friends to ski and socialise with.
Helping others and seeing them improve
Toilets that aren't down a near vertical wet wooden staircase
A full size bath
comfortable bed
a bar with live music and beer that doesn't need a Wonga loan
Achieving new goals, could be a run i couldn't do on previous trips
The feeling you get when you stop for a well earned break, sitting outside in the sun, taking in a deep breath of fresh mountain air and admiring the view, thinking that this beats working for a living
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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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I've skied many years and got quite jaded. And I'm old enough that I don't feel like I've got "anything to prove" any more, so any terrain will do, as long as there's decent amount of snow covering it. Granted, a good variety of terrain will provide more entertainment so would be a plus.
Skiing had never been a "sporting" activity for me, but rather a recreation & holiday. Skis does give me the opportunity to travel IN the mountains I can't easily get to on foot. So if I were to get on a plane to go some place, it better has beautiful scenery! I'm very much a "tourist", albeit on skis. On that front, the more extensive network of lift system that covers multiple mountains and valleys are indeed welcome. That said, some places are so beautiful it doesn't need to be that big. Taos, Jackson Hole and Mt Rose are some examples of that, as is Wengen.
The rest are not skiing specific.
Good group to go with, that's always true, whether I'm going skiing or biking or whale watch.
As for creature comfort such as plumbing and bed, I've never failed to find lodging meeting my standard in every single resort, even if not always at the price I wish for. And food choices usually depends on the mood of the day. Every resort I've been to, has option enough to suit my sleeping and eating requirements.
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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 love being able to find (and drink) a nice bottle of Bordeaux for a reasonable price every evening.
Also, what really makes me happy is rocking up on the first night and finding there is actually enough space in the apartment for all our stuff for a week.
But tbh, as long as there is good snow, a bed, a loo & shower that both work and somewhere for me to cook, everything else is a bonus!
fatbob wrote
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More or less everything else is negotiable though I'd have a preference for non draconian budgie smuggler rules if there's a pool in hotel/resort
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For me it is about the people you meet there.
Go to Cham and it is a ball ache to get to the slopes but the night life and people you meet (UCPA) are incred so I always have an amazing time.
Went to Tignes which is such a better location for skiing but the people were not as friendly so didn't have such a good time.
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Lack of crowds on the runs is a big thing, some places have invested too much in fast lifts so there are short queues but far too many people on the pistes at the same time. I don't mind the odd slow lift if it means top to bottom runs.
Add to that plenty of places to explore with nice affordable stopping options, great scenery and a beer right at at the end of the last run where you can watch the last few nutters skiing down in the dusk and compare bruises.
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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 love skiing to the bottom of a run and straight back into the lift chute, hate when it is like big long wait with eejits standing on my skis or pushing from behind, yuk..
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| Quote: |
what it is you want from a ski trip
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the people you are with or ski with and what you ski make it
decent amount of fresh snow once during a week, more is a bonus
good social helps a lot
ski in/out helps a lot
efficient travel helps
big queues and/or slow queues are an utter disaster
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FAQ
