Latest posts for the topic "Which ski resort??"

Which ski resort??

Sat, 3 May 2008 12:54:54 GMT

Hi everyone, thanks for all info and experiences! - my 1st post.

We've been skiing a couple of seasons in Steamboat, Colorado and have now desided to give Europe a chance this 2009 season. Our first thoughts are somewhere in Switzerland - BUT WHERE?

Anybody have experience in comparing Steamboat with a resort in Swiss (ski quality, accomodation standards and resort layout - ski-in/out's). We seached and read hundreds of articles on the net, but can't find something similar to Steamboat. And now also the confusion of France, Italy and Austria.

Thanks for your help!

Re:Which ski resort??

Sat, 3 May 2008 14:36:02 GMT

Hi

Haven't been to steamboat but hope i can be of some help!

I skiied Winter Park in the 03/04 season. I have also skiied skiied Austria twice italy twice and france since then!

The main difference i found in europe is that generally slopes are longer and there are more of them!

I also noticed in winter park that all black runs were moggled, i don't know whether this is similar in steamboat but i know its different in europe where they are generally pisted!

The other thing i found i was in winter park there was more snow then anywhere in europe i've been too! So you may find snow conditions not as good in europe.

Hope thats some help.

chris

Re:Which ski resort??

Sun, 4 May 2008 09:35:06 GMT

Thanks Chris. Spot on with the snow conditions. What I've heard (and kinda experienced from Steamboat) is that the snow conditions is far better in US than Europe. The US downfall - Colorado spesifically - is that you go to a resort to ski - nothing else to explore the country side for a day off-slopes! Where as Europe, you can catch a train to anywhere for some off-slope days exploring diff countries.

My problem still is which resort to choose in Swiss! We want plenty of snow, beginner to intermediate, with 2 kids (14 and 11). Accomodation: something like US resorts - ski in/out condos, or shuttle couple of minutes to lift base. Like to stay close to the mountains. And yes, close to transport to explore rest of Swiss or nabouring countries for off-slope days.

Anyone any suggestions??

Re:Which ski resort??

Sun, 4 May 2008 11:17:44 GMT

You want to come to Switzerland, but you'd like it to be quite like America

You may find it quite hard to get "ski in/out condos" in Switzerland, as the Swiss don't generally go in for the bulk accommodation at the ski base stuff. Maybe one exception is Haute Nendaz/Siviez, which are plain ugly.
Swiss resorts are communities and have a life outside winter sports, so generally, you will find that as they have evolved over many years they lack the uniformity of French high altitude resorts and their shoebox apartment blocks (for example).
On the upside, if you choose to visit Switzerland, you can utilise the Swiss Railways System, which is very efficient and offers a integrated service in conjunction with the Postbus service in outlying areas.

Re:Which ski resort??

Sun, 4 May 2008 11:31:54 GMT

I have skied around 4 weeks in the US, some of which was on horrible rock hard and sparse conditions in high season. Additionally,I have skied in Europe every year since 1984 and not had poor snow since the early 90's. The last 3 winters have been very good for snow where I ski in Switzerland.

Re:Which ski resort??

Sun, 4 May 2008 15:12:45 GMT

Winter Park is by a strange geological phenomenon the coldest place in the continental US. Hence the good snow....

They also do not piste their black runs - this then assures the existence of moguls.... Purely as a lure... It is a rarity....

Re:Which ski resort??

Sun, 4 May 2008 15:24:56 GMT

Thanks bandit. I thought that may be the case, as I searched all over the net for that kind of accomodation.

But which resort comes closist to the US counterparts? in terms of layout and family skiing? Some ideas would be appreciated!

Or should I rather look towards Italy, France or Austria?

Re:Which ski resort??

Sun, 4 May 2008 15:43:21 GMT

You will be travelling a long way for your skiing, so needs it to be spectacular IMV. So, I suggest for openers, looking at Saas-Fee in Valais. Car free, stunning glacier scenery, good learner slopes, high altitude, open year round for skiing. Good range of accommodation includes cheap b+b's, plus apartments and luxury hotels.
Access by Swiss Rail and postbus. Around 3 hours from Geneva airport.

http://www.saas-fee.ch/en/welcome.cfm

Re:Which ski resort??

Sun, 4 May 2008 16:17:04 GMT

Spot on bandit - a real far way! And yes, needs to be real Swiss spectacular! The difficult part being we keep on comparing to US resorts, and as you mentioned, cannot compare at all. We'll be coming into Zurich IA though.

I'm comparing Verbier, Saas-Fe and Wengen at the moment. Just flicked through Saas-Fe though. Will have a deaper look.

In summary, we need:
Accomodation: condo, sleeps 4 (to our self). Intermediate pricing, not tooooo expensive, but realize you get what you pay.
Skiing: beginner and intermediate, not too far from condo, and easy lift access.
Night life: no need
Town / village: Things to do off-slope days
Transport: close "to do other parts of coutry exploring"

Thanks for info!

Re:Which ski resort??

Sun, 4 May 2008 19:36:44 GMT

I'm not sure that Verbier is going to suit your party. It's a big resort and there's lots of slopes, but lots of the accommodation is not ski in/out. The resort has excellent skiing for very good skiers. It's also quite pricey and attracts folk who like to be seen spending their money

As you are flying into Zurich, you may want to consider Engelberg, which has direct rail connection from Zurich, and plenty of novice skiing, as well as sightseeing from the revolving cable car up to the glacier where there are intermediate slopes.
http://www.titlis.ch/index.php?id=134&lang=en

or Davos: http://stayplus.davos.ch/ferienplaner/ferienplaner/intro.html?lang=en&saison=so
Which is around 2hours 20 mins from Zurich by rail, and has a huge choice of slopes. It's a town sized resort with plenty to see both on and off the slopes. Linked to Klosters by ski slope and rail.

Re:Which ski resort??

Sun, 4 May 2008 20:07:22 GMT

SkiFam wrote:Spot on bandit - a real far way! And yes, needs to be real Swiss spectacular! The difficult part being we keep on comparing to US resorts, and as you mentioned, cannot compare at all. We'll be coming into Zurich IA though.

I'm comparing Verbier, Saas-Fe and Wengen at the moment. Just flicked through Saas-Fe though. Will have a deaper look.

I'd skip Verbier, not very Swiss at all, it just happens to be here and attracts the crowds which is handy as it keeps them away from elsewhere. The skiing in Wengen isn't really very special either so I'd skip that as well.

Saas Fee is pretty nice but Zermatt is better in that area.

Re:Which ski resort??

Mon, 5 May 2008 07:11:03 GMT

ise wrote:

I'd skip Verbier, not very Swiss at all, it just happens to be here and attracts the crowds which is handy as it keeps them away from elsewhere. The skiing in Wengen isn't really very special either so I'd skip that as well.

Saas Fee is pretty nice but Zermatt is better in that area.

I will think of Verbier as the "Flypaper for the Valais" from now on

Yes, Zermatt is (very) good, but consider the criteria the OP wants to achieve. I've yet to ski Zermatt in winter, but it seems to lack ski in/out.

Wengen is dominated by spectacular peaks, and the OP wanted day's off sightseeing. As this is a group with some novice skiers, though you might consider the slopes nothing special, it might suit them much more

Re:Which ski resort??

Mon, 5 May 2008 08:13:28 GMT

Zermatt's pretty bad for people who need everything handing to them on a plate, it does reward people who like to take time looking at maps and making plans.

Saas Fee isn't ski-in/ski-out either though. As for Wengen, I don't know, are there really many good novice slopes? Some good terrain for the self-styled intermediates for certain. I just dislike how badly linked it all is. Zermatt has that advantage that it all radiates from the town even if it involves moving around town in the morning/evening.

The scenery and landscape in Wengen is good but really the skier isn't engaged in it at all, it's just a backdrop; in fact I think this is why it just doesn't work for me. The real mountains are accessed from the Jungfraujoch and the shortest route is a day tour with about 3 hours climbing. The fans of the area never get that far of course.

Whereas in Zermatt, you're in amongst that landscape all the time, you can ride lifts and ski on the Klein Matterhorn, without much expertise you can join a trip and ski on the Breithorn. For 170chf a day you can join the guides office and ski off piste and you'll be in amongst seracs and glaciers in that huge mountain landscape.

Re:Which ski resort??

Mon, 5 May 2008 18:26:53 GMT

ise wrote:
Saas Fee isn't ski-in/ski-out either though.

Well, you can generally ski back to the bottom of the nursery slopes, and the Alpin Express gives access to the mid station without endless hiking through the village.

ise wrote:
Zermatt has that advantage that it all radiates from the town even if it involves moving around town in the morning/evening.

Agreed, but the party may find themselves on different hills within the resort, so it could be hard to meet up for lunch (for example)

ise wrote:
Whereas in Zermatt, you're in amongst that landscape all the time, you can ride lifts and ski on the Klein Matterhorn, without much expertise you can join a trip and ski on the Breithorn. For 170chf a day you can join the guides office and ski off piste and you'll be in amongst seracs and glaciers in that huge mountain landscape.

I must get over there and ski the Breithorn, or walk it maybe. This sort of skiing may not appeal to the OP and their party, who may prefer less challenge.
Personally, back in September I got tired of wailing tourists in the swinging KM cable car, each time we passed a pylon
Would Zermatt offer the OP sufficient value for money?

Re:Which ski resort??

Tue, 6 May 2008 18:37:33 GMT

Seems to me that Switzerland may not be able to offer you all you want. You mentioned France. Looking at your criteria I'd seriously consider the Three Valleys. Now before you all start shouting about how expensive Courchevel is (and it is), the place to stay is La Tania. It's right in the middle of the three valleys, the majority of accomodation is ski/out and it is cheap by comparison to it's more illustrious neighbours. With the Area pass you get to ski from Val Thorens across to Meribel and on to Courchevel. Fantastic big pistes lots of tree skiing, top access to all the slopes very good lift system. We went there two years ago with three other families. All of us had varying abilities fron first time skiers to advanced intermedites, and it ticked all the boxes. Fly into grnoble or Turin and about a two hour transfer time. Check out La Tania's own web site http://www.latania.co.uk
It may have put you into even more of a tail spin in decideing where to go, but I hope this helps.
Bill

Re:Which ski resort??

Tue, 6 May 2008 20:18:09 GMT

billrol wrote:Seems to me that Switzerland may not be able to offer you all you want.

I think I must have missed a bit there which bit of this can't it offer ?

In summary, we need:
Accomodation: condo, sleeps 4 (to our self). Intermediate pricing, not tooooo expensive, but realize you get what you pay.
Skiing: beginner and intermediate, not too far from condo, and easy lift access.
Night life: no need
Town / village: Things to do off-slope days
Transport: close "to do other parts of coutry exploring"

Re:Which ski resort??

Wed, 7 May 2008 07:48:49 GMT

Good grief, some people do get over protective about certain places, dont they?

I reckon this person should stay in America by the sounds of what they want. Skiing in places like Verbier and Zermatt is hardly for the faint hearted or beginners, so maybe they just think Switzerland looks gorgeous (which it is).

ISE you said yourself that those resorts were not ideallic for this person, and you are right. So maybe its time for them to lose the hang up with Switzerland.

They want ski in/out, beginner to intermediate slopes, a 4 man accommodation (this will be exceptionally hard to find unless they are happy in a small cramped apartment for the budget they are talking about), and east lift access (you can get that anywhere in Europe to be honest, if you are lucky enough).

My suggestions would be forget Switzerland altogether, and look for a resort irrespective of nation where this looks the most likely. From what I know, this would lead me to suggest:

La Plagne (France)
Les Gets (France)
Val Thorens (France)
Serre Chevalier (France)

VT I have been to, Serre Che I plan to, and La Plagne and Les Gets are places friends of mine have been to recently, and I know they will offer what this person is looking for.

I am sure there are plenty of others, but thats my suggestions to be considered.

Re:Which ski resort??

Wed, 7 May 2008 08:05:47 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Good grief, some people do get over protective about certain places, dont they?

I reckon this person should stay in America by the sounds of what they want. Skiing in places like Verbier and Zermatt is hardly for the faint hearted or beginners, so maybe they just think Switzerland looks gorgeous (which it is).

ISE you said yourself that those resorts were not ideallic for this person, and you are right. So maybe its time for them to lose the hang up with Switzerland.

No I didn't, we were comparing a handful of places.

Tony_H wrote:They want ski in/out, beginner to intermediate slopes, a 4 man accommodation (this will be exceptionally hard to find unless they are happy in a small cramped apartment for the budget they are talking about), and east lift access (you can get that anywhere in Europe to be honest, if you are lucky enough).

My suggestions would be forget Switzerland altogether, and look for a resort irrespective of nation where this looks the most likely. From what I know, this would lead me to suggest:

La Plagne (France)
Les Gets (France)
Val Thorens (France)
Serre Chevalier (France)

VT I have been to, Serre Che I plan to, and La Plagne and Les Gets are places friends of mine have been to recently, and I know they will offer what this person is looking for.

I am sure there are plenty of others, but thats my suggestions to be considered.

I have actually been to all four of those places, travelling across the Atlantic to visit them would be a real waste of time and money with the possible exception of SC maybe.

Offering a comparison of places you've not been with other places you've not been might not to be too helpful really.

Re:Which ski resort??

Wed, 7 May 2008 08:08:43 GMT

So I was right all along. This person should stay in America.
If ISE says so.....

Re:Which ski resort??

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:36:57 GMT

I'm thinking that the US based OP would be appalled at the "shoe box sized" self catering accommodation on offer in French resorts. Bigger places are available of course, but the OP is on a budget.

One of the criteria for the OP was days out away from the slopes, and the high altitude French resorts, just don't have the transport infrastructure to cater.

Re:Which ski resort??

Sun, 18 May 2008 14:48:11 GMT

Just a quick thought, why not check out Thyon 2000, it is at the other end of the 4 valleys from Verbier and much more traditional resort with lots to do in the area. We have spent the last two seasons there and love it, it is less crowded and expensive with a really chilled vibe. More Heidi than horay henry.

If you want to know more don't hesitate to contact me.
helen@calvadosonline.co.uk.

All the best

Re:Which ski resort??

Sun, 18 May 2008 14:48:53 GMT

opps pushed the on twice

Re:Which ski resort??

Mon, 19 May 2008 15:42:54 GMT

calvahead wrote:Just a quick thought, why not check out Thyon 2000, it is at the other end of the 4 valleys from Verbier and much more traditional resort with lots to do in the area. We have spent the last two seasons there and love it, it is less crowded and expensive with a really chilled vibe. More Heidi than horay henry.

If you want to know more don't hesitate to contact me.
helen@calvadosonline.co.uk.

All the best

I didnt make it as far round as far as Thyon when I stopped in Verbier this season for a nunmber of reasons - the furthest I got was just past Greppon, but I fully intended to go there. I understand it is lovely, and I would love to skiu that area again without the Wentworth Eastate on Tour brigade.

Re:Which ski resort??

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 07:47:43 GMT

Hey, im looking for good ski resorts too. Im 27 yo female, no 'baggage' looking to do some serious skiing this winter 2008/09. I wanna check out europe, having previuosly only done Canada. So where's good. Obviuosly Switzerland, but its still quite a big place with loadsa resorts! Ive already had a look on sites such as http://www.holistay.com/switzerland/ and myswitzerland.com, which are both really good in offering advice, but there's so much to choose from. http://www.holidaywatchdog.com/Switzerland-Resort-Destination-Guide-75.html was also a good site, but again lots of information! Can anyone help narrow my search down? Cheers x.

Re:Which ski resort??

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:08:27 GMT

It seems a bit unfair to dismiss Verbier. I like it a lot, but I stay in the linked village of La Tzoumaz (www.latzoumaz.ch), costing about GBP600/week in the high season for a 2-bedroom apartment, sleeping 4 comfortably. Off-piste and heli-sking is good. The trouble with Nendaz and Thyon is that they're too far from the main Verbier slopes, to my mind, so I'd recommend Verbier itself, or La Tzoumaz. I wouldn't go in the Euro school holidays (check the dates out at the www.eurydice.org website, which lists who is away when). Realistically, I don't see you spending precious time driving out from what is a pretty big ski area, although you might make a trip to Chamonix if you wanted to 'do' it. I'd leave car tours until the summer, and do a walking/ MTB /touring trip to the Alps then. But really, it depends a lot on what you're after and I'm biased, as I liked the area so much I bought an apartment in the 4 Valleys (when things were a lot cheaper!). I've skied around Lake Tahoe, Vail and Mammoth and of course, the snow is tremendous: I loved the space and efficient queuing but it was expensive and rather binary - either very easy or very difficult, with not a lot in-between. I've done the Trois Valees and absolutely hated the terrible queues and discourteous French - I would never return to France to ski. The nicest atmosphere I've seen was at the Italian resorts, and if I had younger kids that's probably where I'd opt for, even if the skiing wasn't 5*. If you do come to the Alps you will have to accept the risk of poor snow compared to the Rockies.

Re:Which ski resort??

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:11:11 GMT

If you are coming across the pond to ski Europe, you need somewhere that is visually stunning as well as providing what you are looking for, as posted in the first post of this thread.
We cant dictate the weather, so its going to be something of a gamble, so lets suggest generally higher up or somewhere with its own micro climate. A range of pistes to suit all abilities, and possible ski in/out.

Sounds to me like it has to be somewhere in the Dolomites, around the Sella Ronda maybe, somewhere like Arabba or Selva (although I know the weather can be a little hit and miss).

The previous poster made what is IMO a valid comment about the discourteous French and the horrendous queues of the 3 valleys, but for somewhere a little less French, Serre Chevalier could be exactly what you are looking for.

Its interesting that there seems to be such an obsession with Switzerland without actually taking into consideration whats on offer there. I loved Verbier, but I am confortable on that terrain, whereas its not ideal for beginners at all, and can be expensive. Zermatt is on my hitlist, and Saas Fe looks a decent shout too. Davos and Klosters are also places I intend to ski before long, as does Laax/Flims. But Austria also has loads of great ski areas, and the same kind of traditional feel to most of it too, so I would suggest giving that some consideration. The likes of Bad Gastein, for example, would be ideal IMO.

Re:Which ski resort??

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:24:02 GMT

Winter must be approaching as I've started looking at J2Ski again!

I am a confirmed fan of Swiss ski-ing but I'm not sure that you can replicate the US experience in Switzerland - or too many other places in Europe for that matter!

I very much like Saas Fee, but it's not the most convenient resort in the world and it does close down quite often due to stormy weather with not much alternative.

Engelberg is another favourite but lacks Alpine charm and the ski-ing again is not terribly convenient.

How about another of my faves, Arosa? Easy to get to from Zurich by train, small-ish ski area (lots of runs served off a few lifts so quite American in that way!), attractive village but with mainly good quality hotel accommodation.

Re:Which ski resort??

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:30:18 GMT

Tony_H wrote:
.... but for somewhere a little less French, Serre Chevalier could be exactly what you are looking for.

I bet Luc Alphand will be over the moon to read that comment.

Re:Which ski resort??

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:38:21 GMT

jonesj71 wrote:

Tony_H wrote:
.... but for somewhere a little less French, Serre Chevalier could be exactly what you are looking for.

I bet Luc Alphand will be over the moon to read that comment.

That's not really fair, Luc Alphand will have actually been to Serre Chevalier so he's got an unfair advantage

Re:Which ski resort??

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:05:10 GMT

Tony_H wrote:discourteous French and the horrendous queues of the 3 valleys, but for somewhere a little less French, Serre Chevalier

Gotta call you on that one Tony. You've obviously had a bad experience in France but that's nonsense, sorry.

Serre Chevalier would be high on my list of proper "French" resorts; not least because a high proportion of those who ski there are locals from Briancon and the surrounding villages. IME, the more "French" a resort is (i.e. has actual French people living, working and skiing there), the better it is - so long as you don't expect everyone to parlez anglais of course.

3V has some great skiing but much of it's now part of Surrey, not France.

But back to the original question... good resorts for a family coming over from the States.

Some good suggestions so far and I'd throw Les Arcs into the mix too; huge ski area, easy to reach other ski resorts if you wish and a wide variety of villages and accommodation to suit just about every budget. For ski in/out quality accommodation, if a little lacking in authenticity, Arc 1950 is probably hard to beat. Good snow record too.

Re:Which ski resort??

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:06:27 GMT

I would like to suggest Adelboden in the Bernese Oberland, picture book scenery and excellent skiing under good snow conditions. Not ski in-out but the gondolas leave right from the village center. The runs are gentle and well groomed. It does not have the international flair of the other resorts like Zermatt, Verbier, Saas Fee etc. The clientele is predominantly Swiss, German, Dutch. Here is a link for the area:
http://www.adelboden.ch/en/welcome.cfm

Re:Which ski resort??

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:49:36 GMT

The OP starter is comming over the pond so snow must be guaranteed.
the highest place to ski is Zermatt and there are already slopes open.

But the thing is for what the starter wants I think ARRABA is best with the sella ronda. But take in account that snow conditions can be bad or even worse that there is now snow at all.

<mode shameless adv>
For a nice view of the Zermatt Area download the KMZ file for Google Earth
http://3d-ski-maps.blogspot.com/2008/10/download-3d-ski-trials-here-for-google.html
</mode shameless adv>

Re:Which ski resort??

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:57:18 GMT

I would love to go to Zermatt