J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Snow Finders

Hi

Have you thought about Champoluc in Italy, the skiing is pleasantly uncrowded and for a long weekend the 180kms of piste in the Monte Rosa ski area (Champoluc, Gressoney and Allagna) is sufficient for most. The village height is 1580m but pretty much all of the skiing is 1800m and above. If off piste is something you want, the area offers some serious challenges. If you are looking for buzzing nightlife this is probably not for you, the evenings tend to revolve around dining, if you get a chance try the restaurant La Grange in nearby Frachey. Last seasons snow record was very good (i know that doesn't mean this years will be) and there is a wide selection of hotels and B&B's that will do long weekends, which has got to be the key. I have found that very few good Austrian resorts are amenable to "weekends" from Friday to Tuesday as it eats into two of their Saturday/Sunday turn around "weeks". Verbiers attitude is the same.
Flights for Champoluc into Turin and from Stansted, Luton,Gatwick,(Ryanair,Easyjet and BA) and also Jet 2 from Manchester to Milan Malpensa. Turin is 1hr 15mins transfer. Malpensa about another 20mins longer.
If your not too concerned about going to a big name resort I'm sure you will love the skiing and the small village atmosphere.

Hi PT
We have heard very good reports about private instructor Lynne Stainsbrook. See his website www.flaineskiclinic.com. If you look at the Flaine website there are a number of options for different ski schools. www.flaine.com

Hope this helps.

LOTA wrote:Tony H


The trouble with all of them is that they are/were filled with articles on heli trips to Greenland, Russia and Kazakstan. They are elitist, not aspirational. Most two-weeks-a-year skiers/boarders are more interested in what ski-ng in Mayrhofen, La Plagne, Cortina, Saas Fee and Whistler etc is like. The back country epics remain out of reach for an awful lot of customers. I would like to read a mag with a more recreational, down to earth content.

Well said Lota -i work in the industry and I know that they tend to write about whoever offers them a free holiday. It is a huge bug bear of mine - same as the national press ski sections are all about the companies and suppliers that wine and dine the journalists and give them free accommodation, flights, guides, etc :evil: Much of it has little relevance to us recreational skiers. There is a market for independent advice - see the maddog guides they are very impartial www.maddogski.com. for alternative views.

Lets set up a Doherty/Barat appreciation society :D

Pavelski - are you an eye guru? I always ski in goggles with UV protection - I have two pairs for poor light and bright sunshine. I thought I was being sensible but you seem to suggest otherwise, are you saying two pairs is not enough? I just cannot see in glasses as no matter what pair ( including glacier types with eye gators etc) I use my eyes just stream as soon as I get a lick on.

No problem. A quality band The Libertines, just love the first album along with Dirty Pretty Things's album.

I have to confess to being a total Ishgl-ite, my favourite resort. It does have some features that many would regard as pluses and other as minuses. The nightlight is massive - best in the Alps but can be viewed as a little tacky, this can be avoided though as there are many top quality bars. The home runs in Ischgl can get overcrowded from around 3pm. Solden is a less expensive alternative and great skiing. Both are really snow sure. Ischgl skiing starts at 1400m in the village but virtually all the skiing is from 1900m upwards so when snow reports state 30 cms on the lower runs they are talking about in the village which you will only ski on when arriving back into resort. Solden has two glaciers and is smaller (150kms) but also has Obergurgl just up the valley for a day trip. Solden also has good nightlife but not as varied as Ischgl. Hope that helps - but please feel free to ask any more if required...