J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Brimster1

Am very jealous I was in the same place at the same time last year (staying in the Hotel Bruxelles) and had a fab time. Unfortunately (or not depending on your view) a season in Canada beckons for me!!

Enjoy and I promise you will have a fab time.

I was in Passo at Easter this year as it was a last minute booking and very cheap. Have to say that it wasn't my favourite resort and whilst our hotel was handy for the slopes the food and service was pretty poor and the nightlife was non-existant. The snow however was fantstic subject to it turning into sugar consistency in the afternoon which subsequently killed my already dodgy knees but have to say we had no problems with visibility unlike others.

You will definitely need ski passes for all lifts but you will find that all the blue runs are gentle and not taxing so with a little encouragement you should get your 6 year old on them.

It is pretty fantastic but am currently really nervous about walking away from my life and the security it provides... I just keep reassuring myself with the thought of 13 weeks worth of skiing! :lol:

Hi

I went to Soldeu last New Year and have to say that it was fab and proved to be a life changing holiday for me - so much so that I am due to leave my job in December and go off to Canada on the 7th Jan and qualify as a ski instructor!! (Let alone the fact that I am then traveling round the world and happen to be following winter round so it looks like I may get to ski in four continents in 12 months!) - and all as a result of a severe hangover and an inspiring conversation with a ski instructor. :lol:

Anyway I digress. I went on holiday with Crystal and hired our skis and boots from Pic Negre - http://www.picnegre.com/index_winter_en.html. The shop is situated next to the main bus stop and opposite the Hotel Bruxelles (down hill from the gondola station)

As for ski passes then these are probably best to buy direct from the lift company. You will find a couple of booths in the gondola station. If you are arriving on a Sunday I would tell you to try and get your ski passes that day otherwise the queues on a Monday morning are manic as everyone trys to get to the top for ski school for morning lessons.

We used the main ski school (the offices are situated in buildings to the right at the top of the gondola station). I have to say the instructors are mainly English but could not fault them at all.

You will be able to get more info and potentially book it all before you go on the area website: http://www.grandvalira.com/gv/home.aspx?lang=4 (you will also be able to watch the snow conditions on their webcams...)

If you want a a meal out one night then I can recommend the Hotel Bruxelles. This is really good food and and reasonable prices and you will find a lot of the ski instructors and staff etc eat here.

If you have anymore questions please do not hesitate to give me a shout. Hope you have a fab time (am slightly jealous) :D

I went to Cervinia as a first time skier last Feb. Have to say I went with a mixed ability group (12 people) and the pistes suited us all.
I booked the ski school through the holiday company but they were fantastic and by the end of the week I was happily skiing down the red runs in the resort. All the instructors were Italian with a fantastic command of English. They definitely push you to improve but at a good pace so that you don't become nervous. I would recommend them to anyone - www.scuolascibreuil.com
I didn't find it that cold over there but it was the second week of Feb (if it makes a difference..!?)

I went out there for New Year this year.

Its a great little resort and now they have opened up the mountains there is a lot of skiing that can be done.

The snow is variable however they do maintain it well with snow cannons. Have to say that for our first couple of days it was really icy in patches so it wasn't ideal for nervous skiers and my mate who was a beginner didn't progress as quickly as i would have anticipated but once it dumped with snow it created perfect conditions.

I wouldn't hesitate to go back (am even thinking of going for Easter as according to the instructors they getsome of their best snow at the end of March)

Its pretty good if you just want a quick ski fix. Just avoid weekend afternoons as you get too many people deciding that they know how to ski despite never having worn a pair of skis. Staff do throw them off but it does mean it can turn into a kamakazee run at times.