Ski resort suggestions please
Discussion
Howdy y'all.
I'm trying to plan a ski/ snowboard holiday for a group of mates in early January and need to pick the brains of snow sports type PH'ers for ideas on where to go. Here's the requirements.
- 6 to 8 people going.
- Needs to be suitable for boarding and skiing.
- Many of those going need tuition so a good ski school is essential.
- Mixed abilities so need good greens/ blues and reds/blacks.
- Good nightlife :drink:
- Spent plenty on this year's Eurohoon, so needs to be relatively affordable.
Last time we went to Soldeu in Andorra which met all of the above criteria, but it didn't snow all week (rest of the season was fine apparently). I wouldn't mind going back again, but I'd feel like a grade-A fool if it didn't snow again.
So what's it to be folks? Andorra again or can you suggest an alternative?
I'm trying to plan a ski/ snowboard holiday for a group of mates in early January and need to pick the brains of snow sports type PH'ers for ideas on where to go. Here's the requirements.
- 6 to 8 people going.
- Needs to be suitable for boarding and skiing.
- Many of those going need tuition so a good ski school is essential.
- Mixed abilities so need good greens/ blues and reds/blacks.
- Good nightlife :drink:
- Spent plenty on this year's Eurohoon, so needs to be relatively affordable.
Last time we went to Soldeu in Andorra which met all of the above criteria, but it didn't snow all week (rest of the season was fine apparently). I wouldn't mind going back again, but I'd feel like a grade-A fool if it didn't snow again.
So what's it to be folks? Andorra again or can you suggest an alternative?
If you are going in January - you will be able to get some really good deals at the French resorts - much bigger and more interesting than Andorra.
Last Jan. - I booked a week at La Rosiere ; a good resort for intermediates, advanced and beginners ( lots of Blues , reds , and some bloody steep Blacks )- and you can ski all the runs on the Italian side too - very nice setting - and was exceptionally good value - c. £ 250 for the week including flights , meals and accomodation with Ski Olympic ,at a really nice Chalet- lift pass was extra.
Val D'Isere and Tignes are also close by and excellent - and may have more chance of better snow in January as they are slightly higher elevation.
>> Edited by alfaman on Saturday 8th October 21:22
Last Jan. - I booked a week at La Rosiere ; a good resort for intermediates, advanced and beginners ( lots of Blues , reds , and some bloody steep Blacks )- and you can ski all the runs on the Italian side too - very nice setting - and was exceptionally good value - c. £ 250 for the week including flights , meals and accomodation with Ski Olympic ,at a really nice Chalet- lift pass was extra.
Val D'Isere and Tignes are also close by and excellent - and may have more chance of better snow in January as they are slightly higher elevation.
>> Edited by alfaman on Saturday 8th October 21:22
Meribel could be good...absolutely massive ski area, with massive variety. It's central of the 3 Valleys area, so great for exploring. Very impressed when staying there with Skiworld, totally unimpressed with Ski Olympic's Meribel operation, though. For instruction at all levels, the New Generation ski school gets my vote.
group called Equity or Rocket ski.com (same outfit)do v. good trips for groups at good all in prices inc lessons passes and equip. Pick their own run hotels for best entertainment.
Or try for a late booking, big savings but with a largeish group you may strugle.
If your group where happy with Andora anywere in France will blow your minds(or Italy) Bare in mind that French reds will be equivellent or tougher than Italian black runs.
Be flexible, look at snow reports, book late and go where the snow is.
Nothing sucks like a green mountain.
Or try for a late booking, big savings but with a largeish group you may strugle.
If your group where happy with Andora anywere in France will blow your minds(or Italy) Bare in mind that French reds will be equivellent or tougher than Italian black runs.
Be flexible, look at snow reports, book late and go where the snow is.
Nothing sucks like a green mountain. Marshy said:
For a good combination of runs, great town, great nightlift, I'd thoroughly recommend St. Anton in Austria. It'll probably take you a few visits before you tire of the variety of skiing and start looking elsewhere. Me? I want to go back for the nightlife...
Seconded. Austrian's fantastically cheap to get to and stay in, St Anton's got great night life and the skiing will appeal to everyone.
Thanks for all your suggestions.
I had considered France (I've been to Meribel before and it was great), but my concern was that the French ski schools have an anti-Brit reputation. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who recently learned to ski/ board in France, Austria etc.
If it was just me going it wouldn't be a problem, but several of my mates are novices so I don't want them to be subjected to a week of
'BEND ZE KNEEZ!!!' 
I had considered France (I've been to Meribel before and it was great), but my concern was that the French ski schools have an anti-Brit reputation. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who recently learned to ski/ board in France, Austria etc.
If it was just me going it wouldn't be a problem, but several of my mates are novices so I don't want them to be subjected to a week of
'BEND ZE KNEEZ!!!' For affordable and for lessons I'd suggest Borovets in Bulgaria.
Having been to Andorra I'm familiar with your problems but you could suffer from lack of snow again.
Borovets has some challenging reds (on the lower slopes) and also a 3km long World Cup run which drops 800m and is red/black.
Night life is dirt cheap - pint for less then £1 and spirits even cheaper.
When I say affordable - I mean really affordable, it's kind of backwards
Having been to Andorra I'm familiar with your problems but you could suffer from lack of snow again.
Borovets has some challenging reds (on the lower slopes) and also a 3km long World Cup run which drops 800m and is red/black.
Night life is dirt cheap - pint for less then £1 and spirits even cheaper.
When I say affordable - I mean really affordable, it's kind of backwards
Monumental said:The New Generation ski school is British run...all the instructors are either British or Australian etc., and all the students are British too
I had considered France (I've been to Meribel before and it was great), but my concern was that the French ski schools have an anti-Brit reputation.
Had some improver lessons with them a few years ago and the instructors were all top quality people.Val Thorens has fantastic ski and boarding. It may be a bit cold in Jan as it is very high (IIRC it's the highest resort in the Alps) - but guaranteed snow!!
Check out www.tripadvisor.com for comments on your hotel BEFORE you book - not after as I did & end up staying in a sh*thole.....
This season we're doing a week in Banff & a week at Lake Louise at the Fairmonts... can't wait
Check out www.tripadvisor.com for comments on your hotel BEFORE you book - not after as I did & end up staying in a sh*thole.....
This season we're doing a week in Banff & a week at Lake Louise at the Fairmonts... can't wait
Go to the World Snowboard guide for some excellent advice on resorts.
alfaman said:
For affordable and for lessons I'd suggest Borovets in Bulgaria.
Agree ... I went there as a novice - the lessons were better than at French resorts - lasting all day , and class sizes were small. ( plus cheap booze and rather attractive barmaids IIRC )
Double agree, the place is so good, I bought an apartment. Won't be built till next year, so no good for you I'm afraid.
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