J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Hudman

Lizzie,
I realise the half term has been and gone but maybe a bit of info for next season might be useful! In any case there is currently no snow to speak of in any of the 5 resorts so you won't have missed much!

I would say that when planning a holiday up here flexibility is the key. You can't guarantee the snow so make sure you've got options of other stuff you want to do.

Therefore I would suggest you base yourselves in Aviemore, Pitlochry or Fort William and be prepared to drive a bit to resort.

Aviemore is great, a fun town with bars/restaurants and stuff to do outside skiing. Cairngorm ski centre is a 15min drive and, when there is snow has a great mix of wide greens/blues, a couple of reds and some blacks. You could also drive to the Lecht from Aviemore which is smaller I believe (never actually been) and would take you about an hour.

Pitlochry is another great Highland town with good walking/mountain biking options nearby and a good mix of post adventure pubs/restaurants. The choice from there would be to drive to Glenshee (the largest resort in Scotland) (about 1 hour) or head up to Cairngorm (again, an hour).

Finally Fort William. Same deal here good town for accommodation/pubs etc (although my least favourite of the 3) and excellent options for walking, biking, white water rafting, indoor ice climbing! The Nevis range has Scotland's only gondola and a great mix of skiing including some hard off piste (not that you really want that!). From Fort Bill you could also drive South to Glencoe (my "local" ski area (I'm about 1.5 hours away!)) which has some great variety from cruisey blues to "Fly Paper" Scotland's steepest run (I think!). Although I love the "Coe" I wouldn't stay there as there really is nothing around for miles, apart from my favourite pub in the whole world, the Clachaig Inn which is a must visit!

I've had some of my best skiing days anywhere in Scotland but I have the luxury of going when I know the snow is good and the weather is kind, planning a holiday where skiing would be a bonus rather than the main focus is probably sensible, and if the worst comes to the worst there is a LOT of whisky to try!

Paul

Hi All,

Looking at skiing in the US next year but having never been before looking for some guidance.

Slightly complicated by the fact we will be visiting my brother in law in Houston, TX first and my wife fancies tagging skiing on to that.

Our wishlist would be:
-An area ideal for intermediate/advanced skiers (happy on European Blacks and mixed conditions OP)
-With a good ski school for kids (4 year old with a couple of hours experience at Glencoe)
-Generally family friendly (we will also have a 9 month old in tow (yes, I know, don't book on our flight home!!))
-Possibility to book accommodation only not flights as we won't be arriving directly from the UK
-Short flight from Houston/good connectivity from Houston

If anyone has any suggestions of resort/company or any other logistical tips they would be most welcome!

Ta
Paul

Tignes on the 25th Jan, which is also my birthday! Whoo Hoo!

Yup, the sad first day back in the office after a fantastic week in Paradiski.

Temperatures of 20C at 1000M one day, barely below freezing above 3000M.

Snow was holding up very well on piste, garbage off piste but showing signs of real degradation on resort runs.

Still chance for some skiing in Cairngorm before the season completely finishes!

Lots of great accommodation all over the place! For chalets, I've stayed in 3:

1) Meribel Village:
Pros: Quiet, LDV is a GREAT pub!, most accommodation very close to the "Golf" lift
Cons: "Golf" lift is slow and gets you to the bottom of "Altiport" lift so a bit slow up the mountain. Many operators will take you into the Chaudanne first thing in the morning as it's quicker.

2)Meribel Mottaret:
Pros: More potential for ski in/ski out, Cheaper than Meribel centre, easy access from almost anywhere on the piste map
Cons: As mentioned, not that close to Meribel if you want a night out although there are OK places to go in Mottaret, very flat green run through Mottaret into Meribel could be annoying on a board

3) La Tania:
Pros: Lovely village, quiet, good places to eat, sunny, quite a bit of ski in/out, quick access to Courcheval and Meribel
Cons: Harder to get into and back from VT in a day as you need to get through the Meribel valley, not much nightlife.

However as many have said the 3Vs are fantastic, look at where your accommodation is with reference to a piste map and work out how easy it is to get to all 3 as that's the key!

Paul

If you've got no plans to ski off piste (even just of the sides....don't get me into the "How far off piste is OFF piste question!) then I would stick to a narrower piste oriented ski.

I almost always hire all mountain (I'm a Salomon BBR fan!) because I want to ski on piste, off piste, in powder, crud, over bumps...whatever is out there. However I have had the odd day of sticking to the runs on GS type skis and had a blast.

All mountain (regardless of the hype) will always be a compromise, a piste ski will always be better on piste!

Another vote for Morzine I would say....with the caveat that you wait until really short notice and see what the snow cover is like.

I always organise a big(ish) group holiday each year and have to book in September/October time so always go high and snow sure (La Plagne is great!).

However I have been mountain biking in Les Gets before now and the vilages, scenery, ability to ski/bike into Switzerland etc really makes me want to go there in the Winter....just to low for me to commit 18-20 people to in the Autumn!

Hi All,

Heading back to the 3VLs this year and am looking for some good quality ski hire.

I've used Freeride twice before (they had a shop very close to the Chaudanne as I remember) and although they were on the expensive end the kit was always top notch with service to boot.

I've looked at them this year and the prices have been slashed with some rumors on Snowheads that the company has been bought by a French team.

So, has anyone used them recently, know anything about the standard of kit etc etc?

Failing that would anyone recommend a shop that will deliver to a chalet in La Tania. Quality is generally more important than cost...not that i'm a flash git or anything!

Cheers

Hudman