First timers Ski & boarding Holiday

[scotty_d]

Looking for some advice on where to go This coming winter, The GF Ski's and has been away a few times but we have never been away doing this as a couple so looking for some where.

Not sure where to start really I have done some Snow boarding before so can get by now.

Budget Don't really have one but if something really stands out i am willing to pay a bit more.

A bit of night life would be good as well.

Cheers Scotty

[eightseventhree]

Morzine is always a good shout!

Good slopes, good night life, short transfer

[sjc]

eightseventhree said:

Morzine is always a good shout!

Good slopes, good night life, short transfer

Agreed, and this is a great chalet with a lovely couple running it,they'll sort all your equipment ( fitting at chalet)lessons and passes if you want them to.

http://www.theedgemorzine.com/chalet-beatrice-i-11...

Edited by sjc on Friday 13th July 17:57

[a311]

There are literally hundreds of resorts to choose from OP, some sweeping generalisations below but will give you an idea to at least maybe decide on which country to start looking at, where has you gf been in the past and liked/disliked? It might be worth looking at resorts which are better rated by boarders, particulary inexperienced boarders (and skiers for that matter) don't get on well in resorts with loads of flat sections. Resorts were designed around skiers but others cater to boardes better than others.

France: Something for everyone, huge choice of resorts from small to some huge interlinked world class resorts. Modern lifts, with awesome skiing availible for all levels, most popular destination with Brits still. Vast majority of resorts are purpose built rather than being based around working villages and towns. This has advantages and disadvantages, the 'ski in ski out' set up can be found in most resorts, but it's not the be all and end all to me as you have to take a set route to get home every day suits some people others can live without it. Allot of these resorts went up in the 70's and have architecture to match and some are just, well ugly if that matters to you. More recent building more thought has been put in and newer developmetns are chalet style and much easier on the eye. The mega French resorts as a result in many cases are made up of several 'villages' in the same resort and can seem a bit disjointed.

Food and drink in the mainstream French resorts are generally just a rip off, 7 euro plus for a pint isn't uncommon and trhe price of food especially on the mountian just takes the piss. That's why if I go to France I tend to go catered chalet basis to keep a lid on costs. Some resorts do have dencent nightlife, Chamonix and Val d'Isere spring to mind, but they're expensive and not a patch on Austrian apres IMO. There are exceptions to the above in France mainly those not on the TO's radar.

Austria: My favorite destination in Europe, IMO offers the best overall package for a ski holiday. The mountians are generally smaller and more rounded and lower altitude but also father east so colder and generally more snowfall. Lacks the varitey of the huge interconnected resorts (although there are some). Would make the point that for a week 150km of pistes to put a number on it would be adequate for most piste basher IMO. Generally resorts are based on real working towns, many of which are 'off the front of a chocolate box' pretty. Ski in ski out is less common but buses are frequent and efficent, you can safely ski miles away from your accomadation and know a bus stop isn't too far away to get you back. Places like Kitzbuhel and Saalbach I rate well for intermediates, St Anton is about my favorite but a bit more challenging.

Food and drink I find much cheaper than France even in popular resorts. Legendary apres ski and nightlife if you pick the right resort if you want it. I know Ischgl has made allot of investment to particulary appeal to boarders so could be worth a look.

Italy: Excellent food and drink but not big on apres. Has allot of resorts that I think particulary suit intermediates. Have alook at the Dolomites, everyone should go at least once just for the scenery. Largest interconnected area in the wolrd and has the Sella Ronda=just give it a Google.

The rest: Switzerland, awesome skiing and awesome nightlife availible but due to to the exchange rate haven't been for a while and unless you go catered it's just too expensive for most.

Andorra, used to be the cheap(er) option vs the Alps. Not sure it is anymore, has once of if not the most expensive lift passes, lack of challenging skiing, and long transfer has meant I haven't been for years. Snow was poor this year when the alps were getting huge dumps but you never can tell. Good for intermediates.

Bulgaria, I've never been so don't like to slag it off too much. Nothing I hear makes me want to go, but I understnad for those on a tight budget why it appeals.

There are others but that cover the main one. Shout up if you want any more specific info, I've skiied most places over the years.

[scotty_d]

Thank you Andrew very informative and has certainly given me food for thought. Austria was one that kept cropping up when I was looking and ideal for Scottish Flights. The GF was skiing a good few years ago when still in high school and she was in Italy so hard to make an judgment.

I will look in to Austria and have a good read around.

Cheers Scott

[a311]

scotty_d said:

Thank you Andrew very informative and has certainly given me food for thought. Austria was one that kept cropping up when I was looking and ideal for Scottish Flights. The GF was skiing a good few years ago when still in high school and she was in Italy so hard to make an judgment.

I will look in to Austria and have a good read around.

Cheers Scott

No worries Scott, I know Italy well after teaching there many times. I've found Crystal hard to beat in recent years after offering 2 for 1 lift passes no one else seems to get close on price. I really like Kitzbuhel for beginners to Intermediates is a cracking place and a lovely town too with much more to do than ski/board. However there's a few flats that might be a pain in the arse unles your girlfriend can sling shot you using a pole!

We've stayed in the Hotel Hofer nice little hotel, good location, and pretty much All Inclusive we paid about £1300 for both of us so cracking value. Cheapest option for Austria tends to be Soll or Mayrhofen. Soll being part of the Skiwelt area is part of Austria's largest interlinked area and good for beginners to intermediates but a step down from Kitz for me. Mayrhofen has allot going for it but I don't like having to download on the gondola (no pistes back down to the valley from Penken which is the main mountain). You'll probably find after Kitz Saalbach is a bit more expensive but really superb. Zell Am See is very picturesque if a little limited but you also have acess to Kaprun.

Haven't really though much about next years skiing until I read your post! You'll find that all resorts have +/-'s just about best trying to fit your personal requirements. You'll probably read about poor snow records for some of the Austrian resorts, most have comprehensive snow making and I can gaurantee if the snow is poor it won't be any better elsewhere.....

[Gnits]

Canada for two weeks - Lift passes are about the same as Europe, food in general is cheaper, tuition is very good, language is not a problem (just say 'eh' at the end of each sentence!). Snowfall is measured in metres, lift queues are very short to non-existant and pistes are generally quieter.
However! Takes ages to get there, night-life is ...limited and does get a bit nippy.