Help needed again sorry.....
Having worked out that in order to guarantee some decent snow cover for new year I need to go to one of these:-
Val Thorens
Les Arcs
Sestriere
Claviere
Pas De La Casa
Sauze D'Oulx
Which would you recommend? We are a mixed ability group, with one absolute beginner. We don't have a fortune to spend, and would prefer a short(ish) transfer to resort....
Cheers in advance
randyrat
New Year Resort
Login
Interesting list of resorts. In what way do you think the resorts on this list guarantee decent snow cover?
Yes, some have glaciers, a couple are high altitude. Then again, in the past few years a couple of those on your list have had well publicised poor snow cover.
Most resorts will guarantee some skiing by virtue of having installed snow cannons. Use of cannons relies on suitable temperatures, and an abundant water supply.
Remember that being high altitude does not mean that the snow cover will always be good. If the weather has been dry, with no moisture at altitude, snow cover may be poor and you may find your resort looks more like a slag heap without any snow to cover the rocky landscape. Low lying resorts with grassy slopes can often be skied with minimal snow cover, whilst their high altitude colleagues have rocks sticking through when the depth is supposedly good.
If you want a short(ish) transfer then perhaps resorts like Val Thorens and Pas de la Casa will drop down the ranking on your list.
If a short(ish) transfer is important to you, then perhaps decide where you want to fly in to, and study a map for resorts within your travel radius.
I like you, Gary
I concur
[itsa bit quiet down ere maureen :wink:]
To Create or Answer a Topic
Started by Randyrat in Ski Chatter 17-Jun-2008 - 15 Replies
Randyrat posted Jun-2008
Bandit
reply to 'New Year Resort' posted Jun-2008
randyrat wrote:Help needed again sorry.....
Having worked out that in order to guarantee some decent snow cover for new year I need to go to one of these:-
Val Thorens
Les Arcs
Sestriere
Claviere
Pas De La Casa
Sauze D'Oulx
Which would you recommend? We are a mixed ability group, with one absolute beginner. We don't have a fortune to spend, and would prefer a short(ish) transfer to resort....
Cheers in advance
randyrat
Interesting list of resorts. In what way do you think the resorts on this list guarantee decent snow cover?
Yes, some have glaciers, a couple are high altitude. Then again, in the past few years a couple of those on your list have had well publicised poor snow cover.
Most resorts will guarantee some skiing by virtue of having installed snow cannons. Use of cannons relies on suitable temperatures, and an abundant water supply.
Remember that being high altitude does not mean that the snow cover will always be good. If the weather has been dry, with no moisture at altitude, snow cover may be poor and you may find your resort looks more like a slag heap without any snow to cover the rocky landscape. Low lying resorts with grassy slopes can often be skied with minimal snow cover, whilst their high altitude colleagues have rocks sticking through when the depth is supposedly good.
If you want a short(ish) transfer then perhaps resorts like Val Thorens and Pas de la Casa will drop down the ranking on your list.
If a short(ish) transfer is important to you, then perhaps decide where you want to fly in to, and study a map for resorts within your travel radius.
Tony_H
reply to 'New Year Resort' posted Jun-2008
Flippin eck Randyrat, who the hell has been giving you advice?????
Ok, if you want guaranteed snow, you need to consider somewhere at high altitude, ie where the skiing is all above 2000m, and where there is a glacier as well. Suggestions would include (with transfer times in brackets):
AUSTRIA
Obergurgl (90 mins), Mayrhofen (75 mins), St Anton/Lech/Zurs (90mins - 2 hrs) , Ischgl (90 mins), Kuhtai (45 mins), Kaprun (90 mins), Obertauern (90 mins), Bad Gastein/Bad Hofgastein (2 hrs)
ITALY
Cervinia (over 3 hrs), La Thuile (2.5 hrs), Livigno (2.5 hrs), Passo Tonale (2.5 hrs)
SWITZERLAND
Zermatt (3hrs Geneva, 90 mins Sion), Saas Fe (as Zermatt), Verbier (2 hrs Geneva), Davos/Klosters (3hrs)
FRANCE
Val D'Isere (4hrs), Tignes (4hrs), Courchevel (3hrs), Val Thorens (3hrs), Les Arcs (3hrs), La Plagne (3hrs), Alpe d'Huez (2hrs), Serre Chevalier (2.5hrs), Les Deux Alpes (2.5hrs)
I would avoid Sauze/Sestriere and anywhere else on the Mikly Way, as good fun as it is when conditions are good, it has a poor snow record in comparison. Look on j2ski.com for info on snow records in resorts. Also, the Dolomites look stunning, but again snow may be hit and miss. You should really consider Passo Tonale or Livigno (duty free) in Italy for the all round package for your mixed ability group.
In France, I would avoid the 3 Valleys as not only is accommodation mainly 6 berth apartments with large supplements for not filling them, but the prices off the piste are becoming silly. Transfers are also long.Serre Chevalier and Valmorel might be exactly what your group are looking for with mixed runs, good snow records and value for money. I dont think you would go wrong in Les Deux Alpes of Alpe d'Huez.
I always find Austria a winner, although a lot of it is lower altitude. Mayrhofen has kept me more than happy on a number of visits, great snow record and great value, and Bad Gastein also has a superb snow record.
Switzerland has a reputation for being expensive, but its not as bad as France on the whole. Its certainly a lot prettier than France. I have been to Verbier, but its more of an intermediate/advanced resort, so you may be better advised to consider Saas Fe.
Once you have short listed several resorts, spend the time looking on the net with different companies and comparing them all. You may wish to consider a catered chalet - which will cost more initially, but you will know what you will be paying out for food while you are there, as this can be where your budget gets knackered!
Many companies have offers for booking online, and some also still have early bird deals, for booking before a certain deadline. If you are prepared to risk leaving it late, which may not be best advice if there is a group of you, you will get some fantastic deals. For example, you can virtually guarantee to get B&B in Mayrhofen.
However, as its New Year when you are going, it quite simply is not going to be cheap. Good luck!!!!
Ok, if you want guaranteed snow, you need to consider somewhere at high altitude, ie where the skiing is all above 2000m, and where there is a glacier as well. Suggestions would include (with transfer times in brackets):
AUSTRIA
Obergurgl (90 mins), Mayrhofen (75 mins), St Anton/Lech/Zurs (90mins - 2 hrs) , Ischgl (90 mins), Kuhtai (45 mins), Kaprun (90 mins), Obertauern (90 mins), Bad Gastein/Bad Hofgastein (2 hrs)
ITALY
Cervinia (over 3 hrs), La Thuile (2.5 hrs), Livigno (2.5 hrs), Passo Tonale (2.5 hrs)
SWITZERLAND
Zermatt (3hrs Geneva, 90 mins Sion), Saas Fe (as Zermatt), Verbier (2 hrs Geneva), Davos/Klosters (3hrs)
FRANCE
Val D'Isere (4hrs), Tignes (4hrs), Courchevel (3hrs), Val Thorens (3hrs), Les Arcs (3hrs), La Plagne (3hrs), Alpe d'Huez (2hrs), Serre Chevalier (2.5hrs), Les Deux Alpes (2.5hrs)
I would avoid Sauze/Sestriere and anywhere else on the Mikly Way, as good fun as it is when conditions are good, it has a poor snow record in comparison. Look on j2ski.com for info on snow records in resorts. Also, the Dolomites look stunning, but again snow may be hit and miss. You should really consider Passo Tonale or Livigno (duty free) in Italy for the all round package for your mixed ability group.
In France, I would avoid the 3 Valleys as not only is accommodation mainly 6 berth apartments with large supplements for not filling them, but the prices off the piste are becoming silly. Transfers are also long.Serre Chevalier and Valmorel might be exactly what your group are looking for with mixed runs, good snow records and value for money. I dont think you would go wrong in Les Deux Alpes of Alpe d'Huez.
I always find Austria a winner, although a lot of it is lower altitude. Mayrhofen has kept me more than happy on a number of visits, great snow record and great value, and Bad Gastein also has a superb snow record.
Switzerland has a reputation for being expensive, but its not as bad as France on the whole. Its certainly a lot prettier than France. I have been to Verbier, but its more of an intermediate/advanced resort, so you may be better advised to consider Saas Fe.
Once you have short listed several resorts, spend the time looking on the net with different companies and comparing them all. You may wish to consider a catered chalet - which will cost more initially, but you will know what you will be paying out for food while you are there, as this can be where your budget gets knackered!
Many companies have offers for booking online, and some also still have early bird deals, for booking before a certain deadline. If you are prepared to risk leaving it late, which may not be best advice if there is a group of you, you will get some fantastic deals. For example, you can virtually guarantee to get B&B in Mayrhofen.
However, as its New Year when you are going, it quite simply is not going to be cheap. Good luck!!!!
Randyrat
reply to 'New Year Resort' posted Jun-2008
Once again I am indebted to you fonts of knowledge...for the relative newcomer its difficult to gauge the true value of a resort.
I will spend a good bit of time looking at your suggestions in detail before making a (now informed) choice....
There are a lot of posts on here stating "go high, go high" for guaranteed snow, but as you point out, that is not always the case....thanks for setting the record straight...
randyrat
I will spend a good bit of time looking at your suggestions in detail before making a (now informed) choice....
There are a lot of posts on here stating "go high, go high" for guaranteed snow, but as you point out, that is not always the case....thanks for setting the record straight...
randyrat
RoseR
reply to 'New Year Resort' posted Jun-2008
Seefeld has never let us down in the last four years, and you are near to Mittenwald and Garmisch as well. Its only 25mins transfer from Innsbruck. Fabulous place as well with lots of other activities. Resident crystal and inghams tour company.s as well.
I'm a laydee
Gary Mckee
reply to 'New Year Resort' posted Oct-2008
Hi randyrat, well from my experience of many ski resorts. I think it is a definate must that you go above 2000m. For me after many seasons in Austria, France, Italy and Andorra. I prefer Pas De La Casa. The village is 2050m, the area covers 200km of piste and its a reasonably cheap resort compared to the others. For a group who's abilities are very mixed it an ideal resort. Nightlife is excellent, and drinks are reasonably cheap. Try Paddys Bar 4pm-5pm Apres ski 1.5€ a pint, compare this to 7/8euro for drinks in alot of the other resorts. You will get pissed very quick and at a cheap price.
Gary
Tony_H
reply to 'New Year Resort' posted Oct-2008
Gary Mckee wrote:You will get pissed very quick and at a cheap price.
I like you, Gary
www
New and improved me
Caron-a
reply to 'New Year Resort' posted Oct-2008
Tony_H wrote:Gary Mckee wrote:You will get pissed very quick and at a cheap price.
I like you, Gary
I concur
[itsa bit quiet down ere maureen :wink:]
Topic last updated on 05-December-2008 at 09:39