Latest posts for the topic "Where to go end-March"

Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:59:07 GMT

Hi
I have been reading this forum for a while, but this is my first post, so please be gentle!
We are trying to find somewhere for 28th March - and I am getting completely confused.
We are a family of 4 including 2 fearless teens (too young for nightlife but too old for kids clubs), husband who is a cautious intermediate - and me, the absolute beginner.

Obviously the snow is the highest priority, but also pleasant surroundings would be nice.

I'd be really grateful for any advice at all!! Many thanks.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:51:44 GMT

In Austria a 'teen' is not too young for the nightlife!

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:22:25 GMT

Maybe not - but I am their mum!
They are 14 and 15 yr boys - but look older, and its going to be hard enough getting them out of bed as it is, without adding nightlife!

Seriously though, I guess ideally we need somewhere they can be independent but safe, both on the slopes and in the evening.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:31:33 GMT

stay away from hopfgarten and the silver bullett then lolol, ruin of any teenage boy but hopfgarten beutiful

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:45:18 GMT

Get them in the ice bar at Mayrhofen, they will love it. And you'll probably end up on the tables yourself!

Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:52:16 GMT

helenp3 wrote:Hi
I have been reading this forum for a while, but this is my first post, so please be gentle!
We are trying to find somewhere for 28th March - and I am getting completely confused.
We are a family of 4 including 2 fearless teens (too young for nightlife but too old for kids clubs), husband who is a cautious intermediate - and me, the absolute beginner.

Obviously the snow is the highest priority, but also pleasant surroundings would be nice.

I'd be really grateful for any advice at all!! Many thanks.

Welcome Helen to the mad house have you thought about "N"

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:53:20 GMT

Late March might be a problem so low down

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:00:52 GMT

I have heard about this "N"! I think we are probably going a bit too late for there this year.

We haven't much experience of proper ski resorts - apart from Ellmau last Xmas, the boys have skied Serre Chevalier (school trip), Cairngorm and Oslo - so I am trying to sort something out by reading all the reviews.

Wondered about Mayrhofen, but would the location of ski schools suit a mixed ability family? Also - how early would the boys have to get up to get on the slopes?

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:05:49 GMT

helen - tony h sent me an excellent review of mayrhofen today and i am probably going to be booking it on friday fingers crossed deal still available, but sounds fantastic from his review, i even printed it off at work today to take with me, better than a tourist board site

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:13:46 GMT

amanda n wrote:helen - tony h sent me an excellent review of mayrhofen today and i am probably going to be booking it on friday fingers crossed deal still available, but sounds fantastic from his review, i even printed it off at work today to take with me, better than a tourist board site

Could this now become the new N but M

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:16:59 GMT

okay mr w where do you suggest, ? either 4th 0r 11th april my fave is austria love the scenery could sit on a mountain top all day,but alas fear of poies and sitting on cold surfaces i dont

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:18:08 GMT

** piles even

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:24:11 GMT

helenp3 wrote:I have heard about this "N"! I think we are probably going a bit too late for there this year.

We haven't much experience of proper ski resorts - apart from Ellmau last Xmas, the boys have skied Serre Chevalier (school trip), Cairngorm and Oslo - so I am trying to sort something out by reading all the reviews.

Wondered about Mayrhofen, but would the location of ski schools suit a mixed ability family? Also - how early would the boys have to get up to get on the slopes?

Ski schools meet up at 9.30 I think, but the gondolas start at 8.15am!!
They all start in 1 location up the Penken, and you tend to all return and eat at the same place in ski schools, but I guess its much the same wherever you go.

Theres plenty of other places to try, but Mayrhofen is a good all rounder as it is a nice town with lots of shops, good bars/restaurants, high skiing and a good snow record, and a large ski area to go at. The only downside is you cant ski back down to resort from the main area, but that never bothered me there.
Give it a good look before you dismiss it, you can get some really cheap deals, and its only 75 mins from Innsbruck airport.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:30:45 GMT

amanda n wrote:okay mr w where do you suggest, ? either 4th 0r 11th april my fave is austria love the scenery could sit on a mountain top all day,but alas fear of poies and sitting on cold surfaces i dont

I can't suggest anything to you as in 32 years of skiing I have never skied Austria no real reason just never fancied it I can recommend resorts in France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Andorra but thats about it..... Maybe next year I may dabble in Austria, I just do not share the British love affair with Austria.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:31:03 GMT

I'll certainly have a good look at Mayrhofen then. Short transfer definitely appeals.
Also we thought of Obergurgl, but maybe a bit expensive?
And today I "found" Kaprun (which I hadn't heard of) - has anyone been there?

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:32:56 GMT

Both of those are good shouts late season. Mate of mine went to Kaprun and found it bleak. Obergurgl is generally expensive.
Have a look at Verbier and Zermatt, although neither are great for beginners.
Try skiworld for good deals on catered chalets.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:35:10 GMT

went to serre chevalier with school that was nice but memories vague, other place was something lkike zell am zwiller? something like that,i just fell in love with the austrian views, im going to italy next year with school, courmayer 6th feb, switzerland is a def maybe list after reading bandits blog,

just something about austria though dont know what it is i'm filling up now lol thinking of it,

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:35:54 GMT

Zell am Ziller is the next town down the valley from Mayrhofen.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:36:31 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:in 32 years of skiing I have never skied Austria no real reason just never fancied it

Odd

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:41:26 GMT

we are all individuals, they call me weird at work cause going out drinking on a weekend doesnt interest me rather stay in, i'd rather work hard save my money get a good few ski trips in, not a hermit though do like going to carverys that sort of thing.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:55:23 GMT

We've only been to Austria once (Ellmau) but loved it. Don't fancy France at all, the resorts just don't appeal - maybe if I ever get to be a good skier I'll appreciate it! An old friend of mine is just back from Tignes, but she has been skiing since forever.

Also - we prefer to stay in hotels, I spend enough time at home self-catering. I need a rest on holiday!

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:58:03 GMT

helenp3 wrote:We've only been to Austria once (Ellmau) but loved it. Don't fancy France at all, the resorts just don't appeal - maybe if I ever get to be a good skier I'll appreciate it! An old friend of mine is just back from Tignes, but she has been skiing since forever.

Also - we prefer to stay in hotels, I spend enough time at home self-catering. I need a rest on holiday!

here helen, i also like to be looked after no one does it at home, a holiday should be that a rest for mums

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:02:31 GMT

amanda n wrote:we are all individuals, they call me weird at work cause going out drinking on a weekend doesnt interest me rather stay in, i'd rather work hard save my money get a good few ski trips in, not a hermit though do like going to carverys that sort of thing.

I don't think Tony means I'm odd, he just finds it strange that in all the years I have been skiing I have never ventured into Austria, I guess the only way to explain it is I have never followed the British crowd I'd rather not hear an English voice on holiday and try and soak up the local ambience which is not always possible on a ski trip, ski nightmare for me would be to walk into a bar full of drunken Brits, you can say am I unsociable my answer would be no I was in the pub trade for many years, I just prefer to spend my holidays experiencing the local Culture and you can't always do that when the resort is set up for the British market.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:12:52 GMT

Indeed, Ian. But I still find it odd that Austria never appealed, as its a spectacular country, along with Switzerland. I have always found France in comparison to apopear dull and miserable.
Each to his own though.
Hearing English voices doesnt bother me, I dont go anywhere to eat fish and chips or drink Kestrel.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:15:50 GMT

very true, maybe if i had family i would travel a bit more inner country away from in resort type thing at the mo i am finding my feet and travelling again so till i get my nerve back i applaude you in a good way. one plus point i do try and pick little villages, apart from N of course lol Hopfgarten was gorgeous and unspoilt the only voices i heard there were australian. couple of years i will take the plunge and drive myself somewhere more remote

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:16:44 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Indeed, Ian. But I still find it odd that Austria never appealed, as its a spectacular country, along with Switzerland. I have always found France in comparison to apopear dull and miserable.
Each to his own though.
Hearing English voices doesnt bother me, I dont go anywhere to eat fish and chips or drink Kestrel.

Can you still get Kestrel lager

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:15:32 GMT

I honestly dont know, but there are plenty of places abroad still serving Skol.... Oh dear.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:45:37 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

I just prefer to spend my holidays experiencing the local Culture

Me too. However, I don't think many places set up for a particular country, although, individual estabishments may do so. Main nationalities in Niederau this year were, in order, German/Austrian, British, Dutch, Irish then French, Belgian, Rumanian, Italian, Australian, et al.

Eight times out of ten, I elect to stay in accomodation that does not speak English. This forces me to speak German, thereby making year on year improvements. (I think!) I have never had German lessons, I just learned by staying with locals. I consider it to be one of the many bi-products of a ski holiday.

Mary Hofen, isn't that below sea level? It is certainly 200 metres lower than Niederau, where you can ski back to the village.

More seriously, N. closes on 29 March, not because of lack of snow, but because that is what the TOs and lift company elect to do. However, Auffach is open for a further two weeks. There is a fair amount of skiing there, and technically, it is much easier than Niederau.

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:11:06 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:[
Mary Hofen, isn't that below sea level? It is certainly 200 metres lower than Niederau, where you can ski back to the village.

More seriously, N. closes on 29 March, not because of lack of snow, but because that is what the TOs and lift company elect to do. However, Auffach is open for a further two weeks. There is a fair amount of skiing there, and technically, it is much easier than Niederau.

In our search for somewhere to go 28th Mar, it would be nice to stay somewhere where the resort still looks a bit wintery, as well as the slopes.
Also- if we could find somewhere we could ski back, it would make life so much easier with kids.

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:15:40 GMT

Obergurgl it is then.

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:16:55 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:

Mary Hofen, isn't that below sea level? It is certainly 200 metres lower than Niederau, where you can ski back to the village.

Isnt it time you went for yourself David? You can surely only be able to make constructive points having been somewhere yourself?

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:37:30 GMT

Tony-H wrote:

Isnt it time you went for yourself David? You can surely only be able to make constructive points having been somewhere yourself?

Tony, I worked in Mayrhofen in nineteen seventy plonk, as a bootfitter. Clip boots were just coming into mainstream, and there were still some double lace-ups!

Anyway, you restarted it. After your report from Niederau, you declared the N-M war to be over. Since then you have sniped at it frequently, and I have held my tongue, in the spirit of peace. So, allow me the odd bit of fun.

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:39:14 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Obergurgl it is then.

Thanks Tony.
I was beginning to come to that conclusion.
However - lots of interesting suggestions for future years. Thinks - I wonder when Easter falls next year, as I don't think I could face Feb half-term holiday!

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:08:27 GMT

Hi helen

Obergurgl / hochgurgl (aka o) will be perfect for your needs, you'll love it!

Easter is 4th april next year.

Enjoy

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:20:15 GMT

caron-a wrote:Hi helen

Obergurgl / hochgurgl (aka o) will be perfect for your needs, you'll love it!

Easter is 4th april next year.

Enjoy

Thanks for that. It is so difficult decide where to head for when you are new to ski holidays and its been great to get advice here.
Pity about Easter next year - I was hoping for an earlier one to give us more options!

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:34:47 GMT

no probs. it's where I learned and where graham picked the sport up again after 20 yrs so, pretty much your scenario. the nightlife is enough but not over the top so that should suit the worries about your sons.

if you need any info give me a shout and I'll do my best to help.

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:57:05 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:Tony-H wrote:

Isnt it time you went for yourself David? You can surely only be able to make constructive points having been somewhere yourself?

Tony, I worked in Mayrhofen in nineteen seventy plonk, as a bootfitter. Clip boots were just coming into mainstream, and there were still some double lace-ups!

Anyway, you restarted it. After your report from Niederau, you declared the N-M war to be over. Since then you have sniped at it frequently, and I have held my tongue, in the spirit of peace. So, allow me the odd bit of fun.

Funny, you previously told me you hadnt skied Mayrhofen.
Anyway, as I said on my N report, the 2 cannnot be compared, as they are totally different.

Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:59:00 GMT

obergurgl, obergurgl,obergurgl

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:12:43 GMT

If it were me, and I could choose anywhere, I'd be going to Zermatt.

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:17:53 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

I'd rather not hear an English voice on holiday and try and soak up the local ambience

Me too - that's why we go to Norfolk for our holidays

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:28:49 GMT

Tony-H wrote:

Funny, you previously told me you hadnt skied Mayrhofen.

And I haven't. You didn't mention skiing. Just a suggestion that I should go there, and I have, I have worked there.

And, by the way, it's your round!

Re:Where to go end-March

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 06:09:13 GMT

A pint of Zillertaller awaits you in Mayrhofen, if you ever make it over to give an honest opinion of the place. Like I did about N.
Like I said, once you have skied it, maybe you will be in a position to give your views on it.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:17:26 GMT

Ischgle is the place for you. Nice pists and nightlife for the youngsters

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:41:28 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:
More seriously, N. closes on 29 March, not because of lack of snow, but because that is what the TOs and lift company elect to do. .

before Easter, that's utterly extraordinary. I would have expected there's not one single ski station in all of Europe that expects snow for this Easter, which is late this year, and is planning to close.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:48:04 GMT

Hi Id steer cleer of Mayahofen if you dont want to get up early in the morning as even with the new lift its still a drag getting up the mountain. Amazing me looking back at the early 80s when we used to wait over an hour to get up the Cable Car every morning and sometimes the same to get down. People just woudnt do that now.

Id stick to France this late generally higher resorts and ski in ski out.
If your looking for cheaper then Passo de Tonnale is great in itally very pretty and high plus some good north facing slopes. Buckets of snow this year as well.

Of course the best place for your requirements is Soldeau in Andorra but its quite a long transfer.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:02:30 GMT

helenp3 wrote:

caron-a wrote:Hi helen

Obergurgl / hochgurgl (aka o) will be perfect for your needs, you'll love it!

Easter is 4th april next year.

Enjoy

It is so difficult decide where to head for when you are new to ski holidays

No, it's not, look on the net, find a place you like, pay the money, wait for what seems an eternity, and then enjoy your skiing, nothing too difficult in that, is there ??

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:08:45 GMT

jonah690 wrote:Hi Id steer cleer of Mayahofen if you dont want to get up early in the morning as even with the new lift its still a drag getting up the mountain. Amazing me looking back at the early 80s when we used to wait over an hour to get up the Cable Car every morning and sometimes the same to get down. People just woudnt do that now.

Id stick to France this late generally higher resorts and ski in ski out.
If your looking for cheaper then Passo de Tonnale is great in itally very pretty and high plus some good north facing slopes. Buckets of snow this year as well.

Of course the best place for your requirements is Soldeau in Andorra but its quite a long transfer.

I find it hard to belive that anyone with more four years experience would go to Passo Tonale, Strange

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:39:51 GMT

cautious intermediate - and me, the absolute beginner.

Obviously the snow is the highest priority, but also pleasant surroundings would be nice.

I would have though tonnale fitted them perfectly.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:26:39 GMT

Never queued for more than a few minutes out of peak season at Mayrhofen. People who go to ski tend to get up early. People who go to party deserve to queue to get up the mountain, its called penance

Didnt realise N closed so early. Funny, because every time I go on to a ski companies website, all the offers are for N, hundreds of them.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:55:11 GMT

I have skied Austria for last 10 years. We ski in Gosau. Fantastic conditions even when other resorts are struggling. Instructors in Austria are the best in world especially compared to French who are generally not interested in much but their own skiing. Krippenstein is also good for off piste and 2nd longest run in Europe at 12km. Highly recommended.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:58:17 GMT

should have added that night life in Gosau or Obertraun where we stay (not to be confused with Obertauren) is non existent. We stay at fantastic sports complex in Obertraun as our kids are sports mad. Can play football, table tennis, table football, badminton etc etc. Food stunning. Sports centre called Bundisport.

Re:Where to go end-March

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:03:04 GMT

Instructors in Austria are the best in world especially compared to French who are generally not interested in much but their own skiing

Maybe try getting out of Austria sometime in the next 10 years....! Maybe even across the pond?

Edit: thanks Bandit.

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:00:07 GMT

I would really like to know from aharwood why they dislike French instructors so much. Have you had a bad experience in France?

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:36:37 GMT

Hi guys, In response. Have skied throughout Europe and have settled on Austria for last few years because where we stay in the Sports complex really suits our kids as they are able to play sport 'till their hearts content, even after a full day on the slopes. The accommodation is excellent as is the food. Finally, I take large group parties to Austria (30 - 40 young people) In France we have been unable to get instruction for the whole day. I have only found ski schools who will do 2 X 2 hour slots with unsupervised lunch. Sometimes they want 2 hours between lessons. On occasions they can't start the lesson untill 11.00am so we have to manage 40 beginners until then! Our first visit to Austria was a revelation. They start when we want them to, and ski with their group all day, with a supervised lunch to help them order etc. Their preparation for ski instructors is very intensive including a second language, local geology, flora and fauna etc so they are very knowledgable. They obviously have a grading system depending upon the level of the learner. 1st level can only teach beginners up to plough/braking turns, level 2 up to basic parallel...etc.

Will no doubt go back to France as I love the food and language and the French people, but not impressed with instruction experiences. When carvers first arrived on the scene, took a private one to one in France with an instructor at some expense. His methodology was....'Follow me'.... I came back with very little feedback or technical imput, partly because his English was not very good and his main goal seemed to be to show me how fast he could ski. My French was ok conversationally but he could have used other teaching methods to get instruction across. So all in all Austria suits my needs just now while kids are skiing with me and also the needs of the large groups I take across.

Re:Where to go end-March

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:28:19 GMT

aharwood wrote: Hi guys, In response. Have skied throughout Europe and have settled on Austria for last few years because where we stay in the Sports complex really suits our kids as they are able to play sport 'till their hearts content, even after a full day on the slopes. The accommodation is excellent as is the food. Finally, I take large group parties to Austria (30 - 40 young people) In France we have been unable to get instruction for the whole day. I have only found ski schools who will do 2 X 2 hour slots with unsupervised lunch. Sometimes they want 2 hours between lessons. On occasions they can't start the lesson untill 11.00am so we have to manage 40 beginners until then! Our first visit to Austria was a revelation. They start when we want them to, and ski with their group all day, with a supervised lunch to help them order etc. Their preparation for ski instructors is very intensive including a second language, local geology, flora and fauna etc so they are very knowledgable. They obviously have a grading system depending upon the level of the learner. 1st level can only teach beginners up to plough/braking turns, level 2 up to basic parallel...etc.

Will no doubt go back to France as I love the food and language and the French people, but not impressed with instruction experiences. When carvers first arrived on the scene, took a private one to one in France with an instructor at some expense. His methodology was....'Follow me'.... I came back with very little feedback or technical imput, partly because his English was not very good and his main goal seemed to be to show me how fast he could ski. My French was ok conversationally but he could have used other teaching methods to get instruction across. So all in all Austria suits my needs just now while kids are skiing with me and also the needs of the large groups I take across.

There is the odd exception but I have always found the French instructors to be very good, I normally request a female as I find them better teachers

Re:Where to go end-March

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:40:03 GMT

aharwood wrote: Their preparation for ski instructors is very intensive including a second language, local geology, flora and fauna etc so they are very knowledgable. They obviously have a grading system depending upon the level of the learner. 1st level can only teach beginners up to plough/braking turns, level 2 up to basic parallel...etc.

I think you're confusing ski instructor and the Austrian bergfuhrer qualifications there, a lot of Austrian ski instructors may hold both though. The requirement to be an instructor in Austria or France, or Switzerland or Italy or the UK, is pretty much the same as there is an internationally agreed system for it. The entrance standard for any French mountaineering or skiing qualification is extremely high, way, way higher than any other country in fact. There might be a number of instructors in France who got their tickets some years ago and weren't assessed against some later requirements but that's the same for Austria or any other country. In fact, Austria was particularly bad at this, the days where pretty much anyone could tip up and teach aren't so very long ago.

What makes the real difference is the expectation of the clients, French clients tend to want someone to take them around the mountain and give a few tips and Germans tend to prefer the more regimented classes. When you see their client base on the slopes it's pretty obvious that outcomes don't vary hugely so it's just personal choice.

Re:Where to go end-March

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:43:04 GMT

Just throw in my thoughts here.

Firstly, there's more to the Zilly Valley than Mayrhofen - look at a piste map and 'google' one of the villages that doesn't appear in an English ski brochure - its quite easy to find a nice hotel that will probably have no other Brits in it at all! We stayed in a great little hotel in Hochkrimml at about 1500m, almost ski in / ski out and linked to the Zillertal Arena. On the downside there is not much skiing above 2500m, but this year that shouldn't be a problem given the depth of snow.

Austria compared to France? No comparison! Better accomodation, BETTER FOOD (!), less crowds, miles better mountain restaurants, overall ambience, on-piste and lift manners etc. etc.

All just my opinion of course!

Re:Where to go end-March

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:10:03 GMT

johnski96 wrote:

Austria compared to France? No comparison! Better accomodation, BETTER FOOD (!), less crowds, miles better mountain restaurants, overall ambience, on-piste and lift manners etc. etc.

All just my opinion of course!

Youre absolutely right.

Re:Where to go end-March

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:33:22 GMT

If I could add my 10p worth.....

In 36 years of ski holidays, the worst ski school experience was St Anton, closely followed by Kitzbuhel.

Best ski class experience: Heavenly.

Worst private lesson experience: Val D'Isere

Best private lesson experience: Fernie (but the bloke in Arosa the other week was not bad!)

My only conclusion is that you can't make any generalisations along nationalistic lines; bad instructors are bad and good 'uns are good no matter where they comes from!

Re:Where to go end-March

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:07:05 GMT

I think Johnski was talking generally in terms of comparison, and not about instruction.

Re:Where to go end-March

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:01:08 GMT

Yes, Tony, he was.....but earlier in the thread, aharwood made the bold assertion along the lines of Austrian instructors are better than French teachers. I was commenting on that, really. Perhaps I should have done one of those quote things!

Re:Where to go end-March

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:23:34 GMT

I'm afraid you are not correct here. There is an international agreement between European Countries regarding intstructors instructing in another country, however, our system based around BASI is nowhere near as advanced in terms of levels and requirements as some European countries. The Austria system is different and unique to Austria as is the French etc etc. Having skied more in France than Austria, my experience of the French instructors is not based on one or two trips. I have had in excess of 20 large groups in France and with the exception of one or two instructors my experience was fairly uniform. My assessment of the Aurstrians is based on many conversations with one of the Chief trainers for the top level instructors in Upper Austria. Admittedly I have not had similar converstations with the French. However, 10 years of experence in Austria and I have not had one poor instructor for any of my groups.

Re:Where to go end-March

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:29:03 GMT

aharwood wrote: however, our system based around BASI is nowhere near as advanced in terms of levels and requirements as some European countries.

I know several BASI ISTD's who would take exception to that bit of your post. Some of them have worked as ski teachers for foreign ski schools for many years. Some have experienced the gross protectionist behaviour exhibited by the French Syndicat ESF and now have criminal records after being arrested in France simply for teaching skiing, as is their right under EU legislation.

Re:Where to go end-March

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:11:58 GMT

Regarding ski lessons, of all the people I have spoken to or know who have had lessons across different countries in Europe, the only ones who encountered problems were those who learned in France. The problems were of instructors who were not particularly interested and adopted a "follow" me approach.
I often wondered how, when an instructor is skiing in front of a group and looking in front of him/her, they areable to assess or correct any of the group skiing behind them.
I have to say when I learnedin France, my instructor (ESF) always skied down to a certain point and watched us come towards him, or stopped as we skied down to a certain point from the top.

Re:Where to go end-March

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:18:55 GMT

Tony,
I'm sure I wrote quite a bit in another thread about a very bad Bulgarian ski instructor my daughter had during her first ski holiday.

We have had good and bad French instructors, and I think myself it just depends on the person, never mind whether they are French, Austrian, Bulgarian or whatever.

The instructor for my daughter's teenage class in Val Torens last month managed to ski backwards down a black run so that he could watch his class following behind him (and I would say the teenagers were probably going pretty fast), which I reckon is an amazing feat. She thought he was an excellent instructor.

Another factor to consider is that some instructors suit one person better than another (as in teaching generally). I totally agree that we all have different ways of learning, and some of us like more theory and some of us like to follow and copy the instructor. I do best with imagery - like 'imagine you're holding a steering wheel' or 'pedalling a bicycle' or whatever.

P.S. How did this subject get into where to go - end March? Am I wandering off topic again?

Ally

Re:Where to go end-March

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:30:00 GMT

I know we are talking generalities here which is always dangerous. I think we all know that in all walks of life there are people who are good at their jobs and some who are not and this must also apply to ski instructors, whether they are French or Austrian. However, my generalisation was based in several years in both France and Austria. I have had some fairly decent French instructors but not as a rule. As far as BASI is concerned I know quite a few very good BASI instructors and one or two exceptionsl ones. However, we have a different system and it cannot be as advanced as those countries in Europe which actually have large industries based around skiing unlike Britain where we have 5ish small areas which are limited by the amount of time they have decent snow on which to ski, teach, instruct or whatever. So no offence meant to any good French, British or Moldovian ski instructors who enjoy their job and do it well.

Re:Where to go end-March

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:31:28 GMT

It is now officially the end of March, you should now have gone

Re:Where to go end-March

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:46:49 GMT

thought that was on tuesday night at 00:00.01 hours?

god help us there will probably be a new thread

april fools day i am staying in bed

Re:Where to go end-March

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:40:41 GMT

Amanda,
That's a very good point. I don't think I'll risk reading anything written on April Fool's day, in case it's a joke, and I go taking it seriously and telling everyone that, for example, all flights to Geneva will be half-price if booked by the end of today (1st April).

Ally

Re:Where to go end-March

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:14:14 GMT

Take things seriously.................could never be accused of that!

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 05:54:37 GMT

johnski96 wrote:Just throw in my thoughts here.

Firstly, there's more to the Zilly Valley than Mayrhofen - look at a piste map and 'google' one of the villages that doesn't appear in an English ski brochure - its quite easy to find a nice hotel that will probably have no other Brits in it at all! We stayed in a great little hotel in Hochkrimml at about 1500m, almost ski in / ski out and linked to the Zillertal Arena. On the downside there is not much skiing above 2500m, but this year that shouldn't be a problem given the depth of snow.

Austria compared to France? No comparison! Better accomodation, BETTER FOOD (!), less crowds, miles better mountain restaurants, overall ambience, on-piste and lift manners etc. etc.

All just my opinion of course!

Hi Johnski, we are still considering going back to Austria for Easter. Can you tell me which hotel you stayed in and location to the lifts etc? What did you mean by not much skiing ab ove 2500m?? thanks

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 07:04:30 GMT

aharwood wrote:As far as BASI is concerned I know quite a few very good BASI instructors and one or two exceptionsl ones. However, we have a different system and it cannot be as advanced as those countries in Europe which actually have large industries based around skiing unlike Britain where we have 5ish small areas which are limited by the amount of time they have decent snow on which to ski, teach, instruct or whatever.

We have the same system, just like other ISIA member countries, so instructors have to meet the same standard. It's a bit like doing degrees at different universities, you're still a doctor whether you qualify in London or Edinburgh. Traditionally, some UK organisations have set their bar higher than continental ones to avoid that sort of ill informed criticism and you can be quite certain if you held what was supposed to be an internationally recognised qualification where you'd not met the standard your host country would complain pretty quick.

It's irrelevant as to how many ski areas we have, most of the French population live as far from skiing as the UK population do and it's just the same in Italy. Only in Switzerland and Austria do the entire population live within short distances of ski slopes.

Re:Where to go end-March

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 07:58:46 GMT

johnski96 wrote:Just throw in my thoughts here.

Firstly, there's more to the Zilly Valley than Mayrhofen - look at a piste map and 'google' one of the villages that doesn't appear in an English ski brochure - its quite easy to find a nice hotel that will probably have no other Brits in it at all! We stayed in a great little hotel in Hochkrimml at about 1500m, almost ski in / ski out and linked to the Zillertal Arena. On the downside there is not much skiing above 2500m, but this year that shouldn't be a problem given the depth of snow.

Austria compared to France? No comparison! Better accomodation, BETTER FOOD (!), less crowds, miles better mountain restaurants, overall ambience, on-piste and lift manners etc. etc.

All just my opinion of course!

I agree it's France for me every time