Messages posted by : andyoneil
"Mission Creep" - has potential to turn into WTSS you mean? I think we'd need to be so strict on criteria to make the ratings consistent that we'd lose the "free-spirit"edness that makes this a great forum? |
|
Smartski you are my twin, my brother by another mother etc - all of the above is exactly true (give or take the number of visits/years) apart from the fact I'm allergic to children! This goes to reinforce Barney and AllyG's point about context - I now know that your review of a place is more relevant to me than others may be. I value everyone's opinion and there are peeps on here with more ski skill/knowledge/experience than I will ever have and I learn something just about every day - BUT if they are too good for my level/ off piste nutters/ French haters then their resort review will probably not have as much weight for me? A thorny problem as to how to do this - sorry Adders (though I still love my Mad Men / J2Ski crossover idea...) |
|
I have a costume from Asda - its OK |
|
|
Top plan Ad-man !
(sidetracked now into thinking about a TV show about ski people set in the 60s with too much drinking, smoking and the other - or is that just a week in the Alps for some) |
|
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh |
|
|
Inspired by Andyhull
Listed in order I remember them – I've been to most of them more than once Sauze d'Oulx – Milk Way (I) Pros Dirt cheap (though this was a while ago) Lots of skiing across the whole area Quick transfer Plenty of Apres Cons Has (had?) a "Benidorm on snow" reputation Steep hike up to lifts in morning if in wrong accom Iffy snow record Had a lot of slow links (again believe this now sorted) 7/10 I'd go back to see how the Torino Olympics money has impacted Pas de la Casa – Gran Valira (And) Pros Dirt Cheap Better lifts than you'd give them credit for Loads of excellent instructors The Underground – no more needs said Cons Lift Pass is now creeping up in cost Ball ache of a transfer no matter which way you do it and road prone to closing (I've been snowed in) Lots of iffy quality SC accommodation "bowl" in centre not ideal for beginners in first week 6/10 – not as cheap as it was and a pain from Newcastle (a big consideration for me personally) VDI – Espace Killy (F) Pros Some of the best skiing in the world Huge variety for all types (though Santons isn't a blue!) 4 points of the map (High, Low, North, South) is one of the great days out you'll ever have on piste Great lift system – no queues anywhere Fabulous food Proper Alpine Town with lots going on Ski in/out Cons Lift pass is pricey (though VFM) Robbery with menaces in on mountain restaurants (doesn't bother me but affects some) Grading is slightly patchy (not just Santons but a case in point) 10/10 – I could happily go every week, never mind every year but like to explore too Kitzbuhel – (A) Pros Lovely town The Hahnenkamm The Horn with a different kind of vibe Good for all abilities Legendary Apres Cons Not as much variety as some of the mega resorts Low village height means that ski home can be iffy 7/10 – I'm a mileage junkie so prefer something larger these days Livigno (I) Pros Dirt Cheap Dirt Cheap Fun skiing on variety of pistes Brilliant Apres (Conga in boots at Carasello before sliding into the cellar bar (down the slide)) Cons Again not a huge area Some rickety old lifts Spread out so a bus involved at some point of the day (though great service) Transfer time is ludicrous if you have to fly to Austria first and then get TO bus 6/10 – I'd recommend once but wouldn't go back myself as there are so many other places Val Thorens - 3 Vallees (F) Pros Snow sure due to height Part of the 3V so EPIC possibilities (fourth valley is easy from VT too) Skiing for everyone Ski in and out Cons Slightly soulless purpose built (better every year though) Bad weather apparently closes it (never happened to me in the times I've been though) Access from Meribel etc can be busy at end of day dodging Folie Douce Centre of town slopes can be busy at end of day (terrible accident for my wife loses them a point here) 9/10 – I think Meribel might get a 10 but haven't actually stayed there so won't comment Killington – Vermont (USA) Pros Big area – spent one day doing nothing but double black diamonds and still did no run twice Pico on some pass and good there too Deserted Cons No real village so you ideally need a car (cramps one's après) Weather – 4 seasons in a day and you have no idea what's coming next 10km Green run that is actually a path – dove off through trees at first chance but had been intending to ski every run on map if possible in the week Relatively expensive as everything based on 4 sharing – no good for 2 couples 7/10 – A toe in the US water for me but will go West next time. Good idea if one found oneself in NYC/Boston etc with a weekend to kill in winter Verbier – 4 Valleys (CH) Pros Legendary skiing Lots of variety Plenty to do in village Cons Eye wateringly expensive in bars (and that was happy hour) Medran Lift/run V Busy at start/end of day Not as well linked as it claims Long walk to lifts possible depending on accom Had some beginners with me and wasn't ideal for them 8/10 – would love to go back in a normal week (I should say it was New Year for reasons of transparency) So that's it - these are MY feelings on the resorts I remember as I remember them at that time. I don't claim them to be better or worse than someone else's views and I don't care about which country people say is better or worse than others. Hope this helps someone, somewhere out - the point of a forum after all! |
|
|
Andy you have inspired me and I'll do mine in a bit - though I may just reinforce much of what you've said about Espace Killy and 3V. Especially about Santons!
|
|
|
That'll be the bottom of the return from meribel/les men in the Centre left - the hard right over the bridge and change in underski conditions always seems to cath me out when I'm tired at the end of a day all the way over to Courchevel 1650 and back
Never stayed at Balcons but have heard people rave about the accom - every time Ive been to VT Ive had beginners with me and didnt fancy the drop in to the chalets from the bottom of Plein Sud - looked a little icy and steep for a first week-er but might try it myself this year just so I can see what its actually like |
|