Ski 2011/12 advice

Hi all,

Its been 3 months now since my last trip, so the inevitable pangs have kicked in and I'm starting to look to book for next year.
I was wondering if anyone has got any advice as to where is good for us to go?
We're a young group (25-35), and will have a newby with us next year, mix of boarders and skiers.

The slopes are obviously very important, but the Apres Ski and nightlife are obviously big for us as well. We went to Ischgl last year, which was absolutely kicking!

We were looking at St Anton but have read that the runs are non existent for beginners? Has anyone been? Is this true? I was told the same about Ischgl but found there was an abundance of easy runs there.

Any other top resorts anyone could recommend? Looking for the higher, more snow sure ones. Have already done Saalbach as well as Ischgl, and dont really want to go to France again having sampled Austria!!

St Anton is absolutely not a place for total beginners IMO, although I have come across novices who have been there. But its just such a brilliant place to ski.
Ischgl is supposed to be an intermediate resort but if you got on ok there, maybe have a look at Mayrhofen. In terms of apres, its great. Ski area is huge at over 600km but theres a lot of travelling to do to ski it all. Cheap as well compared to most places. I've skied it 6 times now so I'm done with it, but worth a look. Also have a look at Schladming - not as banging night life, but a possible better all rounder.

Cheers Tony.

Spoken to someone else who has just done a season in Mayrhofen and couldnt praise it enough so going to shortlist that one.

I'll take a look Schladming as well. Not heard of that place before but willing to give it a scope!

We're also looking at Kitzbuel. Any views on that?

Am definitely going to stick to Austria for now though, France just doesnt live up to it. They've lived off their reputation for too long in my opinion.

Anyway, thanks for the tips. I'll start looking now!

Agree about France, except for 1 place, Serre Che.
Looking forward to a trip to Schladming myself sometime.
Not done Kitz, its never really appealled to me for some reason.

Agree with Tony re Serre Chevalier. We have been there five times now with a mix of family/friends/teenagers/twentysomethings/thirtysomethings/over fifties/over sixties/over seventies/beginners/boarders/skiers/ only ski in the morning and then go sightseeing/shopping/vist the spa in the afternoon.
In other words, it has something for everyone! Good value too.

what's mayerhofen like in Dec? I've been in Jan 2009 and all runs were open but not sure about heading there before xmas. Did anyone go during Dec 2010?

Chuffy wrote:what's mayerhofen like in Dec? I've been in Jan 2009 and all runs were open but not sure about heading there before xmas. Did anyone go during Dec 2010?

No but I was there for Xmas a couple of years back and it was patchy in places. Its generally well looked after and has a good snow record for the area but I wouldn't rush to say it will be ok in December. I'd be looking at St Anton, Cervinia or Zermatt for December skiing. Or Solden.

Please don't come to Les Coches it's too quiet ;-)