 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm working my way through - the mainly very useful - resort reviews but in the name of laziness/rapid bright ideas I thought I'd ask the direct question!
4 of us going away in mid-March (16th in the gap in school hols) - we're planning to book fairly/very last minute which will obviously somewhat limit our choice but having some ideas in advance will help.
2 of us have only been skiing for one week (last year, both bitten by the bug immediately) and are pretty limited (we were not the quickest learners). One of us will be going for the first time (though she may have a day in a fridge beforehand). The other is an intermediate. We will all be having lessons.
Therefore, apart from somewhere with lots of snow etc, we're looking for somewhere with nice long fairly gentle pistes so we can get some miles under our belts. For our first go we went to Val D'Isere which we thought was fantastic (we particularly enjoyed Grand Pre) but we've since found out that it's not seen as particularly good for beginners.
I'm really looking for advice on resorts in general but in case people have specific thoughts: re budget, we're looking to get a good deal obv and staying somewhere with - ideally - breakfast and evening meal included. As we'll be hiring gear and paying for lessons we'll be looking at the lower end of the scale (e.g flights from London and accommodation around £600) but this might be a bit of an ask!
Re Apres, we're all keen for a few beers in the evenings but we're not looking to go clubbing etc particularly
Northernsoulboy has recommended Cervinia previously and it's on our radar. A couple of the group are keen on France but we know we'll have to be flexible.
Thanks in advance.
(Hope this is the right place for this)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'd agree with Northernsoulboy, excellent place to improve, a few bars and not a place that will break the bank to eat and drink. not sure you'll find many last minute deals the but it's possible.
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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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Curzonian, there are loads of places which would be suitable. Given the makeup of your group, quality of ski school could be an important factor - if you can get lessons in a small group (6 or less) it's a lot better. A good place to start would be the website of BASS - British Alpine Ski School. They have branches in a range of resorts. For France, if you want half board, the widest choice will be of catered chalets - there are fewer hotels in French resorts than in Austrian ones. Be careful about location - some catered chalets can be a shlep to the lifts/ski school meeting place.
There are plenty of excellent ski tuition options in Val D'Isere but there are a lot of cheaper resorts which will provide more than enough skiing.
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Thanks pam w, agreed re ski school, as I've mentioned elsewhere on SH last year we had a very laissez-faire instructor and though I enjoyed the lessons my mate was less happy. The two of us are thinking about investing a bit more and getting 2 on 1 private lessons this time around as we're pretty much at the same level.
I'll check out the BASS, ta
Yep noted re location, we had a bit of a schlep last year and would like to be closer if possible while taking into consideration that we're giving ourselves less choice by leaving it later.
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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 hammerite, appreciated
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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In Cervinia our group lessons had just 5 of us in, but we're middling to advanced intermediates. The ski school was good, Jnr was in a similar sized group and progressed quite a bit.
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Curzonian,
You've been to Val D'Isere as a beginner. Did you think it wasnt suitable?
Download on the lifts back to town and its fantastic for beginners IMV. (bit of a soapboax subject for me)
La Plagne/Les Arcs is very good for beginners, three valleys also.
Mike
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Tue 12-02-13 0:07; edited 1 time in total
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hammerite, thanks, which school did you use?
Mike3000, no not at all, we loved it (and found downloading from Folie no problem at all!) but we had no frame of reference obviously. Since we came back we've just been told by a couple of people that there are other places it is easier as a beginner. That all said we're not ruling out going back there - and I'd love to be good enough to take advantage of lots more of the pistes. Also I follow Steve's updates from Val and I'd love to get some lessons from him!
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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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hammerite, tvm
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Curzonian, private lessons with the likes of BASS are extremely expensive - groups are small and I think you'd find group lessons with BASS, or one of the other specialist schools, good value (though a fair bit more expensive than ESF etc)
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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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For long gentle confidence building runs you cant beat La Plagne. But hotels tend to be more expensive in France, self catering is more popular but food/eating out isnt cheap. Catered Chalets are the best option in France IMHO but you may struggle to get a last minute deal with them.
Kitzbuhel in Austria has some long flattering pistes and is a nice town, lift queues aren't that bad either. Though I am very biased toward Kitz
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Having just returned from Les Gets, I would recommend it! We stayed in a catered chalet with ski total, if there is availability you will get a good price. BASS operate from Les Gets, I had private lessons with ecole 360, thoroughly enjoyed them and they were a very reasonable price at 80 euros for 2 hours, the price would be the same for two of you.
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You know it makes sense.
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skitech, laura1182, thanks both - must admit, hadn't looked at Kitzbuhel but looks like it could be a go-er and Les Gets is now on our radar!
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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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I have just returned from Val d'isere having had level 3 instruction from Oxgene (6 in our group) 2 of the ladies whom were strangers to each other had come back multiple times having started out as beginners in Val d'isere. I think that speaks volumes about how good it is for beginners.
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Poster: A snowHead
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lilywhite, fair enough!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Curzonian, you'll need to watch location carefully in Kitzbuhel and Les Gets if you want to be close to the lifts. But don't forget about putting the choice of ski school top of your list of requirements.
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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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pam w, thanks Pam, will do.
A couple of other suggestions from work-mates have been Courchevel 1850 (though it was described as being very pricey) and Alpe D'Huez
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Curzonian, I'd suggest Courchevel 1650 - very good ski school there, whose name escapes me for the moment. When we stayed there, some years ago, my husband's instructor was the late, great, Ali Rainback.
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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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you can often be v close to lifts there - there are some good catered chalets, too, or apartments. Cheaper than 1850.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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pam w, ok doke, tvm
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| pam w wrote: |
| Curzonian, I'd suggest Courchevel 1650 - very good ski school there, whose name escapes me for the moment. When we stayed there, some years ago, my husband's instructor was the late, great, Ali Rainback. |
+1 for 1650, less pricey (probably similar prices for food / drinks as most large french resorts), and excellent runs for beginners.
Excellent Ski School there (british) called New Generation, went with the OH last jan and had a fantastic week's tuition with Andreas.
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jellemr, thanks, I've heard good things about NewGen before - good après in 1650? (Doesn't need to be crazy just a couple of decent places to get halfway to stocious)
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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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Kitzbuhel is a great place for a holiday, but you may find some of the terrain a little hard going to get the most of the place - considering you are all relatively new skiers. Cervinia has miles and miles of pretty gentle, wide runs - real confidence builders.
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Not sure I would have suggested Val d'Isere, so if you got on with it then that bodes well for all sorts of places.
My suggestions:
Flaine and the surrounding villages. Snowsure and pretty cruisy.
La Plagne, snow sure and again very cruisy. Maybe try Montalbert down below. Cheaper and a great little village. v laid back and certainly cheaper and prettier than La Plagne.
Not sure I'd recommend Courchevel. Expensive and pretty busy by my recollection.
Have fun!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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hammerite fair enough, thx
foxtrotzulu, excellent, thanks, I'll certainly have a look
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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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Sainte foy is a greatlace for beginners and intermediate skier as well with some great wide runs and a very friendly place.
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I'd agree with many that Espace Killy and 3 Valleys best saved for when you have a few more weeks of experience and could cover the whole area. However if still keen on Courchevel 1650 then Ski Olympic have one place close to main gondola which often has availability. I've stayed there and found it fine, although more discerning customers not overly impressed. As for tuition I think Austrian generally best (accepting that's a sweeping generalisation), so Kitzbuhel or similar sized areas fine if snow conditions still good mid March. Bear in mind low altitude of some Austrian resorts and consequences for snow conditions. If you prefer France then Les Gets already mentioned would get my vote. Also Les Arcs, where we found Spirit 1950 ski school very good last year. One I don't think mentioned yet is La Rosiere. Not the prettiest place but links with La Thuile to give plenty of intermediate skiing. Often good late booking deals available and better value than bigger French circuits. Should be relatively easy to get a good late chalet/hotel deal week of 16 March, especially if you hold your nerve until 3 or 4 days before departure. Enjoy!
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You know it makes sense.
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Worth considering Austrian group lessons are usually all day, some people aren't keen on all day. Although if doing private for the 4 of you you can probably book to suit you.
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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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intermediate, thanks very much, les gets seems a popular option and yep the next decision is how late to leave it!
hammerite, blimey, all day lessons would be a real effort, I enjoyed morning lessons followed by afternoons practicing with mates who could already ski last year
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Poster: A snowHead
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What is it with english skiers and france?
Example:- Mum & dad in france three weeks ago. Hot chocolate on the hill, 5e. Us in Italy, the same drink 3.5e.
Get to the milky way, sauze will fit your bill 100%
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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homers double, thx yep, been suggested offline that sauze will have some good deals too but also that sestriere might be worth a look. There are so many places to consider!
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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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I agree re the all day lessons in Austria bit tough (albeit 10 -12/ then 1-3 is not all day) and I preferred the French set up of just ski school in the morning leaving the p.m. to messing around with mates. However, we also organised a separate lesson for 3 of us for around 120 euros for two hours...think they price it as 110 euros for two people and every new person adds 11 euros so once you divide it by 3 or even 4 then it looks sensible and that 2 hour intensive was brilliant. Will def be doing this again next year in Austria. The other big plus for Austria are the prices & service on the slopes. I really do think the prices are no worse than UK and prob cheaper in parts. France in comparison very expensive and food, in my opinion, not as good as Austria. Apres Ski in Austria just bonkers as well. So overall I preferred my recent Austrian trip to Hinterglemm over and above 3 or 4 previous trips to Chatel/ Pres la Joux. Can't comment on the height of the resorts but think we were skiing at 1500m+ in Hinterglemm. Plenty of decent blues around with excellent mountain huts serving lovely lunches/ Jagertee/ hot choc with rum etc etc. Really can't fault Austria.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Austria might suffer with a lack of snow as the season comes to a close, however you may also end up with an unexpected dum just before you go!
I prefere sauze to sestriere for the skiing and charm however sestriere is better placed to access the whole area.
Avoid sansicario if you want even a sniff of nightlife.
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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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divekris, thanks very much, Austria après obv an attraction and would be something different to try.
Tbh living and working in London prices rarely seem ridiculous anywhere though I wouldn't choose Switzerland at the mo.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I've been to both Sestriere and Livigno in Italy - both very good for nice slopes to practice on. Probably had one of my favourite days skiing ever in Sestriere. I didn't go to ski school in Sestriere, but in Livigno I found it really good.
Horrible transfer though.
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What is it with English skiers and France? For me it's bigger linked areas, more vertical drop, better lift systems, more challenging terrain and more reliable snow conditions. Accordingly it's more expensive. Mountain food and drink prices are a rip off but are a small % of my total spend. France doesn't attract 43% of all British snowsport customers v Austria 18% and Italy 13% for nothing. Nevertheless Austria and Italy have much to offer, especially in a good snow season, like this one. All depends on individual needs and preferences. Hardly see Switzerland mentioned these days. Perhaps it's just too expensive but I've enjoyed good value catered chalet deals in Verbier and would certainly return there.
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| Quote: |
For me it's bigger linked areas, more vertical drop, better lift systems, more challenging terrain and more reliable snow conditions. Accordingly it's more expensive. Mountain food and drink prices are a rip off but are a small % of my total spend.
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maybe true of the very small handful of French resorts favoured by the big British tour operators. Neither the plus points nor the negatives are necessarily true of the other couple of hundred French resorts. 
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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: |
Neither the plus points nor the negatives are necessarily true of the other couple of hundred French resorts.
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Absolutely spot on Pam. I've visited many small French resorts over the years but have become a bit of a package company slave recently. A decent vehicle, guidebook and map of the Alps opens up lots of options. So many mountains, so little time.
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Rois1980, tvm
In conclusion so far I reckon I'm mainly (though not exclusively) looking at:
France:
Val D'Isere if we decide to go back
Courchevel 1650
Les Gets
Italy:
Sauze
Cervinia
Austria:
Kitzbuhel
Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll try and do a half decent TR on return!
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