Hi all id like to start a thread for fave resorts and why you think it has it all.
Whats the resort you return to time and time again or just remember for all the right reasons? share your thoughts and experiences here.... :D
Which resort has it all....
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This is exactly what I was going to say, except that I was going to add that it also depends on the depth of our pockets and the state of our health!
The first family ski holiday we went on was to Borovets in Bulgaria (9 years ago) and I chose the resort simply on cost. For three of us it was only £820 including flights, half board, lift passes, ski and boot hire and 2 lots of group lessons. The resort wasn't that great, but we got about what I was expecting for the money.
Next holiday I had a bit more money and we went to Zell am See - which was really great - and not that expensive because I got one of those family offers where kids go and stay for free and also ski for free so my younger daughter had a completely free ski holiday. I can't think of a single negative thing to say about the place - we loved it. It's got fantastic mountain restaurants, friendly natives, a variety of ski-ing, and amazing views.
Then there was Obergurgl - picked because of being snowsure and luxury hotels because my eldest wasn't very well and I knew she might be confined to bed for the whole week so a marvellous view of the slopes from her bed was very important. In this case somewhere suitable for her was more important than the money (Obergurgl is a very expensive resort). This turned out to be a very wise choice and the holiday worked out well for all of us.
By the next holiday my youngest had got pretty good at ski-ing and she wanted a resort with miles and miles of piste, so we picked Val Thorens in the 3 Valleys and saved money by going self-catering. Also, by that time we'd decided to do our bit to save the planet and we wanted somewhere we could get to by train. Out of all the resorts I've been to I would say we got most time actually ski-ing at VT. It's pretty much ski in and ski out, there are fast gondolas or chairs straight up the mountain (no draglifts), and when we went there were few queues. It's an ugly purpose built resort for serious skiers/boarders - it would be awful for a non skier.
We liked VT so much we went back there the following year.
And the year after that we had someone else to share our apartment (and bills) with so we went a bit more upmarket and picked a cheap apartment in Courchevel 1550. Courchevel is great because it has a very high tree line so you can ski past trees without worrying too much that there won't be any snow. There is plenty to do for non skiers (something of particular concern on this holiday), there's a wide variety of slopes from beginner to advanced, the slopes are all really well connected, and the pistes are looked after to a really high standard.
So, we are fortunate again this year to have friends to share the apartment bills so we're going back to Courchevel.
And we've also skied twice at Tignes on the glacier in October because it's a cheap holiday and it fits nicely into the half-term break and it means we don't have more than 8 months without a ski holiday :D
To conclude - I don't think there is a single resort that has it all, and in any case our needs seem to change with each holiday.
Edit
I forgot to add La Rosiere to the list of places I've been to.
I didn't like it very much, principally I think because it has a lot of draglifts, some of which are very hard to use. The La Thuile side in Italy is said to have much better ski-ing but the only link to it is a long draglift over the top of the mountain which closes fairly often due to the wind etc.
It may however also be the case that I'm being influenced by other factors as well - like it's the only place we've ever hired faulty skis and boots and had to take them back, and the only place I've ever been chucked out of group lessons into a lower group (because the group was ski-ing above the stated level and I couldn't keep up).
We went at Easter and there was loads of snow, so that wasn't the problem. And our apartment was cheap and right by the slopes and perfectly adequate.
I know lots of other people are very fond of La Rosiere, so maybe it's just me.
Ally
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Started by Crispyapplepie in Ski Chatter 10-Feb-2011 - 71 Replies
Crispyapplepie posted Feb-2011
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OldAndy
reply to 'Which resort has it all.... ' posted Feb-2011
For me it has to be Courchevel.
It has everything (well except a glacier, VT is a long way over)
:thumbup:
and got here before the "N"ers
It has everything (well except a glacier, VT is a long way over)
:thumbup:
and got here before the "N"ers
GummyBear
reply to 'Which resort has it all.... ' posted Feb-2011
For me Mayrhofen, great Skiing, great Nightlife, great people, great town, simples *echhh*
A beer a day keeps the doctor away
Wanderer
reply to 'Which resort has it all.... ' posted Feb-2011
Good question and sure to give rise to lots of debate. What makes it interesting is that, IMHO, nowhere has it all.
For me, the closest is probably St Anton. The skiing is amazing for virtually all levels of skier - only beginners might have grounds to grumble. The snow cover is usually great and the lift system efficient and modern - no queues in 1st week of January this year. The village, while now quite large, is still nice with a fairly traditional Austrian feel to it and the apres-ski - well what can you say - probably the best there is!!! Not without its drawbacks, however. I was particularly disappointed with the inadequate bus service and the sometimes arrogant attitude experienced. Also quite expensive by Austrian standards.
Alpe D'heuz would be another favourite of mine but there is no apres-ski worth talking about and the village certainly would not be regarded as pretty. Flaine would also be high on my list but similar limitations. Soll is a regular spot for me and I think it rates highly on most counts. However, a lot of the runs are quite short and low altitude can limit the quality of the pistes (though the quality of piste management there is now up there with the best).
For me, the closest is probably St Anton. The skiing is amazing for virtually all levels of skier - only beginners might have grounds to grumble. The snow cover is usually great and the lift system efficient and modern - no queues in 1st week of January this year. The village, while now quite large, is still nice with a fairly traditional Austrian feel to it and the apres-ski - well what can you say - probably the best there is!!! Not without its drawbacks, however. I was particularly disappointed with the inadequate bus service and the sometimes arrogant attitude experienced. Also quite expensive by Austrian standards.
Alpe D'heuz would be another favourite of mine but there is no apres-ski worth talking about and the village certainly would not be regarded as pretty. Flaine would also be high on my list but similar limitations. Soll is a regular spot for me and I think it rates highly on most counts. However, a lot of the runs are quite short and low altitude can limit the quality of the pistes (though the quality of piste management there is now up there with the best).
Crispyapplepie
reply to 'Which resort has it all.... ' posted Feb-2011
Oldandy - ive never actually made it over to Courchavel but its somewhere that rates quite high on my expectations. I was dissapointed this yr that we didnt get over there. Its a place ill probably visit next yr depending on the outcome of this thread...
Wanderer - I have skied in Austria twice a s a child but i cant for the life in me remember where it was. So on this note im an austrian virgin, id love to visit St Anton but ive heard its geared up more for advanced skiers so until my OH gets more confident ill have to wait to visit this area. Id especially love to visit the apres ski bar that everyone talks about... i forget it name but im sure you know the 1.
Wanderer - I have skied in Austria twice a s a child but i cant for the life in me remember where it was. So on this note im an austrian virgin, id love to visit St Anton but ive heard its geared up more for advanced skiers so until my OH gets more confident ill have to wait to visit this area. Id especially love to visit the apres ski bar that everyone talks about... i forget it name but im sure you know the 1.
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Tony_H
reply to 'Which resort has it all.... ' posted Feb-2011
Hmmm, interesting one this.
I've liked virtually all the places I've skied at, with only 2 exceptions:
Val Thorens, just didnt like anything about it at all, and Niederau because in my opinion its simply no good for my needs.
I've been back to Sauze, Mayrhofen and Serre Che so I think they've all got something to offer, although Mayrhofen has got a special vibe to be honest.
I do love Serre Che as its a little bit different and unique.
Verbier was fantastic skiing, not so keen on the town though, I'll take the wife back there some day.
Alpe d'Huez was great although I think the amazing snow made a big difference when we were there.
But for me the most complete ski place I've been to so far has to be St Anton. Its got a lovely old traditional town, lots going on if you want it, a superb ski area with something for everyone and its quite challenging too, and it has fantastic lifts. I cant fault the place.
Each to their own though.
I've liked virtually all the places I've skied at, with only 2 exceptions:
Val Thorens, just didnt like anything about it at all, and Niederau because in my opinion its simply no good for my needs.
I've been back to Sauze, Mayrhofen and Serre Che so I think they've all got something to offer, although Mayrhofen has got a special vibe to be honest.
I do love Serre Che as its a little bit different and unique.
Verbier was fantastic skiing, not so keen on the town though, I'll take the wife back there some day.
Alpe d'Huez was great although I think the amazing snow made a big difference when we were there.
But for me the most complete ski place I've been to so far has to be St Anton. Its got a lovely old traditional town, lots going on if you want it, a superb ski area with something for everyone and its quite challenging too, and it has fantastic lifts. I cant fault the place.
Each to their own though.
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Edited 1 time. Last update at 11-Feb-2011
Dave Mac
reply to 'Which resort has it all.... ' posted Feb-2011
I have been fortunate to have skied in hundreds of resorts, in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and I have enjoyed skiing in every place. Of course conditions may colour the skiing experience, but each place has it's own qualities, history and culture. Every place is due respect, and there are few people that actually call a place rubbish, whether for their needs or not.
I especially liked the top two glaciers at Val Thorens. I am not generally a fan of glacier skiing, but some of them, like Blackcomb, are sensational.
So, in order of preference:
Niederau, very good skiing, and it is my second home
Arrapahoe basin, probably among my most challenging, on the day
Zermatt, the Matterhorn
Vail, such great variety
Blackcomb, think skiing down a steepish icy glacier face, with no visability
What we prefer as individuals will change over time, as our skills, experience and capabilities change. There was a time when, for me, Keystone was a strong contender, as it was a stepping stone in my skiing improvement.
I especially liked the top two glaciers at Val Thorens. I am not generally a fan of glacier skiing, but some of them, like Blackcomb, are sensational.
So, in order of preference:
Niederau, very good skiing, and it is my second home
Arrapahoe basin, probably among my most challenging, on the day
Zermatt, the Matterhorn
Vail, such great variety
Blackcomb, think skiing down a steepish icy glacier face, with no visability
What we prefer as individuals will change over time, as our skills, experience and capabilities change. There was a time when, for me, Keystone was a strong contender, as it was a stepping stone in my skiing improvement.
AllyG
reply to 'Which resort has it all.... ' posted Feb-2011
Dave Mac wrote:What we prefer as individuals will change over time, as our skills, experience and capabilities change.
This is exactly what I was going to say, except that I was going to add that it also depends on the depth of our pockets and the state of our health!
The first family ski holiday we went on was to Borovets in Bulgaria (9 years ago) and I chose the resort simply on cost. For three of us it was only £820 including flights, half board, lift passes, ski and boot hire and 2 lots of group lessons. The resort wasn't that great, but we got about what I was expecting for the money.
Next holiday I had a bit more money and we went to Zell am See - which was really great - and not that expensive because I got one of those family offers where kids go and stay for free and also ski for free so my younger daughter had a completely free ski holiday. I can't think of a single negative thing to say about the place - we loved it. It's got fantastic mountain restaurants, friendly natives, a variety of ski-ing, and amazing views.
Then there was Obergurgl - picked because of being snowsure and luxury hotels because my eldest wasn't very well and I knew she might be confined to bed for the whole week so a marvellous view of the slopes from her bed was very important. In this case somewhere suitable for her was more important than the money (Obergurgl is a very expensive resort). This turned out to be a very wise choice and the holiday worked out well for all of us.
By the next holiday my youngest had got pretty good at ski-ing and she wanted a resort with miles and miles of piste, so we picked Val Thorens in the 3 Valleys and saved money by going self-catering. Also, by that time we'd decided to do our bit to save the planet and we wanted somewhere we could get to by train. Out of all the resorts I've been to I would say we got most time actually ski-ing at VT. It's pretty much ski in and ski out, there are fast gondolas or chairs straight up the mountain (no draglifts), and when we went there were few queues. It's an ugly purpose built resort for serious skiers/boarders - it would be awful for a non skier.
We liked VT so much we went back there the following year.
And the year after that we had someone else to share our apartment (and bills) with so we went a bit more upmarket and picked a cheap apartment in Courchevel 1550. Courchevel is great because it has a very high tree line so you can ski past trees without worrying too much that there won't be any snow. There is plenty to do for non skiers (something of particular concern on this holiday), there's a wide variety of slopes from beginner to advanced, the slopes are all really well connected, and the pistes are looked after to a really high standard.
So, we are fortunate again this year to have friends to share the apartment bills so we're going back to Courchevel.
And we've also skied twice at Tignes on the glacier in October because it's a cheap holiday and it fits nicely into the half-term break and it means we don't have more than 8 months without a ski holiday :D
To conclude - I don't think there is a single resort that has it all, and in any case our needs seem to change with each holiday.
Edit
I forgot to add La Rosiere to the list of places I've been to.
I didn't like it very much, principally I think because it has a lot of draglifts, some of which are very hard to use. The La Thuile side in Italy is said to have much better ski-ing but the only link to it is a long draglift over the top of the mountain which closes fairly often due to the wind etc.
It may however also be the case that I'm being influenced by other factors as well - like it's the only place we've ever hired faulty skis and boots and had to take them back, and the only place I've ever been chucked out of group lessons into a lower group (because the group was ski-ing above the stated level and I couldn't keep up).
We went at Easter and there was loads of snow, so that wasn't the problem. And our apartment was cheap and right by the slopes and perfectly adequate.
I know lots of other people are very fond of La Rosiere, so maybe it's just me.
Ally
Edited 2 times. Last update at 11-Feb-2011
Topic last updated on 19-February-2011 at 12:11