Which resort has it all....

andyoneil wrote:I'd just heard that particular criticism of St Anton (amongst many plaudits) and wanted to here what people thought

Andy - I have opened a new thread on the St Anton home run rather than hijacking this one.

All - the poster asked what resort did you think had it all. In my view, this is/may be a bit different from your favourite resort.

Wanderer wrote:

andyoneil wrote:I'd just heard that particular criticism of St Anton (amongst many plaudits) and wanted to here what people thought

Andy - I have opened a new thread on the St Anton home run rather than hijacking this one.

All - the poster asked what resort did you think had it all. In my view, this is/may be a bit different from your favourite resort.

To get back to the question then - sorry :oops:

I'd go for VDI as being closest to perfection with the only down side being the costs (possibly if you're a heavy luncher or apres-er).

I have had a lovely time reminiscing (in my head) and remembering a variety of ski resorts and some amazing (and not so amazing) skiing over the years since this thread appeared.
Those first tentative slides and falls in a couple of small Austrian resorts, which I had just about forgotten, and lots of memories of Verbier, when that resort came up, where I won my spurs so to speak on skis.
Verbier was my resort of choice for a while and where I first braved some steep stuff and learnt to ski deep stuff too.
Tortin :mrgreen: first serious black, which the instructor took us down once, twice, thrice - until we were comfortable going straight into it rather than traversing until we had to commit to the run.
And an amazing number of happy memories of runs completed from Les Arcs; it doesn't suit my skiing needs now, haven't skied Les Arcs since 1990, but fondest of memories.
Thanks Crispy - for starting this thread. I must see if I can find any old photos. :lol:

My favourite has to be Alpe D'Huez, been 5 times in all snow conditions, always fantastic. Great array of terrain, including some classic runs. Best resort I've been to for mixed ability groups.

St Anton comes in a close second, not great for beginners, but if you love a challenge it's paradise.

3 Valleys is my 3rd, I don't really care which resort as the links are so good. Meribel I think is the prettiest. I'll never tire of the area.

andyhull wrote:My favourite has to be Alpe D'Huez, been 5 times in all snow conditions, always fantastic. Great array of terrain, including some classic runs. Best resort I've been to for mixed ability groups.

St Anton comes in a close second, not great for beginners, but if you love a challenge it's paradise.

3 Valleys is my 3rd, I don't really care which resort as the links are so good. Meribel I think is the prettiest. I'll never tire of the area.

Interesting, I've been to both once only, and would go back to either, but I thought St Anton was far superior in all ways, not that i didnt enjoy the skiing in ADH.

No, the question was actually about the favourite resort:) And why we think it has it all...)

I am not sure what is meant by 'all' as people obviously have different requirements and priorities and what can be "all" to one person can be nothing to another. For exapmle, it never before occured to me that home runs could be important. maybe we need a list of all different requirements to ski resorts and then evaluate our favourite resorts according to them?

Good point, well made.
I'd suggest the following add up to make it the best resort:

Snow record/altitude
Big ski area, choice of runs
Pistes and off piste options
Nice village base
Cracking scenery
Real mountains, not rolling hills?
Good lifts system
Mixed runs ie blues, reds, blacks
Sensation of travel around the area
Good bars/restaurants to enjoy in resort

Factor into that other individual requirements, such as the run off the mountain (although to me thats not so important as you can always take a lift/bus)

Based on the points above I would have to say Val d'Isere, although it's been almost 20 years since I last visited but it was the mutt's nuts! I've been fortunate enough to ski in Banff, Serre Che, Val Thorens, Risoul, Kaprun amongst a few others and personally a great ski trip is not just about ticking all the above list but about the company you share the experience with and the new aquaintances made. So, because of it's warmth and charm, I will mot certainly have to give a special mention to the wonderful village of Niederau, and with Valentines Day just passed, Niederau you hold a special place in my heart x