ottopotomas wrote:Hello everyone. First time poster here. I've just spent a good three hours perusing this forum and firstly just want to thank the mods and the people with informative responses for doing such a great job because it really helps people like me out!
A little about me first I guess - I'm a third year civil engineering student studying in sunny Queensland, Australia (that's Australia, not Austria!!!). For my end of year holiday, I'm travelling to Europe, and am extremely keen to do some skiing/boarding. I've skied once before in New Zealand (Queenstown) 9 years ago, and boarded once in Japan (Niseko) about 2 years ago. I loved them both (I was probably a better skier, I fell over so much on the snowboard!!) and cannot wait to get back on the slopes once again!
I will be travelling with my sister, and we are most probably going to ski in Austria from the 2nd - 9th'ish and then in France (probably the three valleys) from the 9th'ish - 16th, so I have a few questions...
Does anyone have any suggestions regarding whether I should ski or snowboard? (my sister will be skiing)
Any recommendations as to where to go in Austria? My sister and I love intermediate difficulty runs with trees and lovely scenery, interesting villages, friendly locals and good food and wine! Since France is likely to be a bit more touristy (and busier as a result), we are probably looking for somewhere in Austria a little more quiet (not necessarily 'off the beaten track' but maybe a cute little village with a handful of enjoyable runs and a friendly atmosphere). Any ideas? (I would LOVE to hear your stories about first time experiences, or places you frequent as this well help me immensely).
Additionally, we are very interested in doing a Sound of Music tour too, so do you think this should factor into where we stay?
I am quite liking the juxtaposition between the two countries for two different ski experiences (i.e. a bit more chilled out, quiet, scenic and friendly in Austria, and a bit more wild, fast, intense and raucous in France!).
Thanks so much for reading and I look forward to your responses! Everything will be a huge help!! (eg. Don't stay at this hotel or X is a MUST SEE!
Hello, and welcome.
Firstly, I would suggest you do whichever you feel happier and most confident doing. Personally as a skier I would like to try boarding someday, but I want to keep improving my skiing before I go back to being useless again!
Secondly, Austria will probably give you more banging nightlife, apres ski and general all round fun than france will to be honest. There are several places in Austria where the skiing is fantastic and the nightlife is there if you want it, for example St Anton,
Ischgl,
Mayrhofen and Solden. All are attractive towns/villages with good amenities, fantastic ski areas, and a real sense of being in the proper alps. I have been to St Anton, which is regarded as not a place for timid skiers which may affect you, but it is about as good as it gets on snow. I have also been to Mayrhofen many times: a working town with a lovely atmosphere, not particularly big so it remainsy cutesy in terms of architecture. Accommodation and general costs are low in comparison to many ski areas, and its easy to access by train or bus from major airports. Skiing is higher up the mountain, very varied with lots of tree skiing and some also above the tree line. Its a fab all rounder.
Havent been to Ischgl or Solden yet, but they are high up on my list to visit because of great skiing and lots of atmosphere.
Some people who use this forum regularly go to a place called
Niederau. Its a ting dot of a place, very pretty little village but not much there at all. If you are a beginner, its a good place because it isnt very big, but it depends what you want out of your week I guess.
France will give you some magnificent ski areas to choose from, but you will probably find in general that the atmosphere in French villages is calmer, quieter, not quite so warm and friendly, and therefore for your party week I suggest Austria. France offers superb skiing, hence why Brits go here more than anywhere else in the world to ski. However be warned, it is very expensive off the slopes in terms of food and drink generally. If you want the cutesy traditional village feel, one of our regulars on here goes to Le Grand Bornard which is quiet and lovely. There are the mega resorts like
Flaine,
Avoriaz, 3 Valleys, Val d'Isere, etc but be aware of the cost of things there.
Personally, I have only skied in
Val Thorens in the 3 Valleys, all high up above the tree line, and
Serre Chevalier to which I am returning next March as the skiing is superb and it is more reasonably priced all round. Other places worth considering in January are
Alpe d'Huez (I am going there 9th to 16th) as it offers fantastic all round skiing, Montgenevre at the end of the Milky way ski area that runs into Italy (although I would recommend a week in
Sauze d'Oulx if you are going to that area), or look at some of the more off the beaten track ski areas such as Les Seybelles or
Valmorel for example.
One of your best bets is to get hold of a copy of Where to Ski & Snowboard, a book which is the bible for skiers. They have their own website too, and give you suggestions based on what you want from your destination.
Many people will come on with different suggestions, probably like me based on past experience, and you will find so many choices. Seeing as you are coming so far, you want to make sure you are going to get something special from your weeks, so choose carefully and wisely, and make sure you end up going somewhere that has an impact on your life.
Best of luck.
