Advice for resort in Europe please

Hello,

Hello, I am new to this forum and hopeful for some friendly advice.

Myself and my girlfriend are both reasonable skiers having been on a college trip to Italy some years ago and been to the artificial slopes in the UK several times. I am hoping to book a suprise trip for a Christmas present but have very little knowledge about the resorts. I've done a bit of research and Sauze appears to be a good option?? Grateful if you could consider the following things I am looking for and let me have your much needed opinion:

1, cost - around £2K all in for 1 week plus spending money
2, night life - would be nice to go for a few drinks and a meal on an evening.
3, when - February

Any advice would be much appreciated. Also if you know of any nice hotels within the particular resort.

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to J2ski :D I reckon your budget will be a bit tight for February, as it's high season, with the schools on holiday all over Europe at various times. You might still come in on budget if you wait for a late availability offer, and be flexible on your destination.

As long as you miss half term Bandit, it's not too bad.

My last three Feb hols have all been early Feb (1st or 2nd week) to Wengen, Soldeu and Val D'Isere, and they have all come in at less than £850 including lift pass and half board. Except Val, which was accommodation and travel only, but that was just £350, so plenty left for food and lift pass. My first booking this year is for Kitzbuhel 1st week of Feb and that is £775 inc lift pass, half board, free bar for beer and wine till 10pm (I've checked the small print and cannot see any fair use clauses like the dodgy ISP's insist on inserting :)) and an option to have a packed lunch to take out each day.

Pooface, tbh your choice of resort will really come down to you. You need to decide exactly what you want and be a bit more specific, then see what people suggest.

Never been to sauze yet, so cannot really comment on it, but personally I really like Val D'Isere and Tignes. Tignes Val Claret would probably be the best option from what you have said so far. I'm sure others would disagree with me, but lets see what is suggested.

Welcome to the forum :)

Far Queue wrote:As long as you miss half term Bandit, it's not too bad.

School holiday periods vary across Europe, it's useful to know the dates, and be able to avoid the chaos :D

Q1: why February? Cheaper holidays and often better snow in January
Q2: £1000 budget is quite generous for a ski holiday if you're prepared to shop around.

Sauze is fun, lively bars and some great skiing to be had, but the snow is notoriously hit and miss. I loved skiing there though.

Theres so many things to consider: where, when, how are you getting there, flying from where, what board, slopeside or in town, type of ski area, size of ski area, your ability......I could go on!

Sauze is a good place to go but I prefer more snowsure places. St Anton is cracking but not easy to ski, but you can get a catered chalet for around £650, add another £200 for lift pass, happy days.

Verbier is also another superb ski area and relatively snowsure in comparison, good mixed ability skiing, similar prices to St Anton.

Serre Chevalier is a favourite of mine in France, much nicer than a lot of the purpose built resorts and some fab skiing for all abilities with TREES as well! Expect to pay around £500 for a hotel HB there, and its generally cheaper than much of France.

Let us know what you consider.

Here are all the European school holiday dates for 2011-12
School hols

Allie

Sorry to hijack this topic a bit but where abouts in SC do you suggest Tony? I know you rate it but I wondered which of the villages you stayed in.

Hoolio wrote:Sorry to hijack this topic a bit but where abouts in SC do you suggest Tony? I know you rate it but I wondered which of the villages you stayed in.

I've stayed in Villeneuve twice, which has a lovely little rustic part - an old street with bars and small hotels and chalets all along it crossing over a small river, as well as a new development over the river nearer the lifts with apartments, not so nice looking. My friends stopped in Monetier which also looks a lovely little village with old properties and much less developement. I didnt like the look of Chantmerle so much as its all purpose built but its good access to the lifts and slopes. I also did a long weekend in Briancon which is a town that doesnt feel at all as if it is a ski resort. I'd happily go back to either place I stayed, Villeneuve in particular. Brilliant place to ski SC.