J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Snowcheeks

Thanks all for your replies so far. I heard there was a car park on the edge of Avoriaz itself which costs about 42 euros for a week but that was for outdoors.

Our accommodation is a privately rented apartment in the Apartments Portes de Soleil block (wherever that is). Our hosts are in the village and hopefully on hand to help and we are used to lugging equipment about! I just hope it isn't too far away from the car park. Car free resorts are all very well but can be very inconvenient!

I also hear that the snow is getting deeper by the day, maybe we will take a spade!

Hi, my family and I are driving to Avoriaz for the first time this Christmas and we were wondering about car parking. I know there are a couple of long stay car parks on the fringes which will be costly, but does anyone know of a cheaper (safe) alternative?

Also has anyone used the baby club there? We have a three year old who, despite having use of a babysitter, would probably enjoy some skiing time with some like minded tots and I would like to know if it's any good.

Not long now! Can't wait.

Simon T wrote:Many thanks. I think that's my problem ie skiing moguls like I ski on normal piste. I think my skis are to far apart and I try to edge rather than skid off the back of the bumps. I'll see how I get on with more skidding...

S

This is a good question. I never know whether to ski round the things or over them. Should you turn on the tops of them or in the gaps between? I've just come back from a week in Alpe d'Huez where, because it had not snowed properly since early December, a lot of pistes were closed and what ones were open were well used by too many people, not all of them very good I have to say, and this is what churns the slopes up into mogul fields quicker than anything. Our son solved the problem by just skiing straight down over them! A technique not for the faint hearted, but 7 year olds have no fear.

Allan Rothwell wrote:Italy, its fun its quirky, its sunny, the people are fab and friendly, the food is superb not like Geordie Italian. Bar prices sensible and some brilliant resorts for all types eg Courmayer for families with not alot of skiing experience, Cervinia guaranteed sun and snow. Bormio lovely town. Selva Gardenia, fantastic, Val de Fassa brilliant, Cortina take a day trip to Venice during the Carnival in February and sit in a square in the sun sipping Pino Gricio or Campari. Saux d'oulx, dodgy snow but can be awesome in the milky way and great fun and cheap. On the downside the pistes can be a bit unclear sometimes but you get used to them. Oh and ski instruction is the best and the instructiors are wonderful as opposed to France where if you think 'allez' is ski instuuction and surly bad tempered french instructors and lift attendants are funnny then try Italy.

I second that, Italy is my favourite country too. Never had a problem recognising ski runs though, found it better than France! They also have much more up-to-date lift systems in Italy with electronic passes, whereas in France (well, Alpe d'Huez to be precise) they still have a bucket lift and you need a photo on your pass which means they have to employ loads of lift attendants to check everyone's pass which was a bit of a pain. I would add Passo Tonale, Pila and Livigno to your list because they are all brilliant resorts. PT was great for our son to learn at and we could ski back to our hotel. Pila is a little known resort to Brits but I would thoroughly recommend it because it is all contained within a large bowl with loads to challenge even experienced skiers. We could also ski to our hotel! Livigno speaks for itself, a popular resort, duty free, loads to do and amazing skiing (just the long transfer of 4 hours puts some people off).

In fact we would choose Italy every time if it weren't for the fact we have a 20 month old baby who needs care, and unfortunately holiday companies in Italy have not yet got their act together as regards providing creches for babies so we had to go to France, which is better geared up in that respect. Also, Italy is a lot cheaper on the slopes to get a quick bombardino or La Bomba or hot chocolate. France was horrendous and in fact I couldn't find any hot alcoholic equivalents. :cry:

PS: I found the French nothing less than polite, however it helps greatly if you speak French, then they're nice as pie.

We're just back from a week in Alpe d'Huez, and though the pistes were a bit restricted due to not enough snow, we had a good time. There are plenty of easy runs for beginners and loads of challenging runs for the more experienced, particularly of Pic Blanc where it's blacks only. Some of the blue runs are quite challenging in places too. Our 7 year old had a fantastic time and even skied down reds, which in France seem to be more difficult than those in Italy (just my opinion). There is loads of choice though, when the resort is fully open.

The town itself is quite spread out but if you're near the centre there are a few bars that looked worth trying if you don't mind paying French beer prices. (We stayed in self catering and bought our beer from the supermarket, much cheaper!). There is also an outdoor swimming pool and an ice rink which are both free with an area lift pass (the Visalp one). There are some nice shops including chocolate, sweet and patisserie shops as well as all the usual ski shops and fashion shops, restaurants and bars.

The prices in the mountain restaurants were a bit steep if you just wanted a drink. If you had waiter service you could pay £4 for a cup of coffee! I'll bring a flask next time. The meal prices weren't bad in the mountain restaurants, I have to say. We had a nice meal on Christmas day at the top of the 1st Troncon gondola and the rest of the time we ate paninis or chips.

The only complaint I have about the place (apart from the restricted snow which I trust won't be a problem when you go :wink: ) is the amount of dog sh1t around. The French people seemed to think it was OK to drag doggy round the resort and let him dump his load wherever he felt like it, even in the middle of the footpath so watch where you're walking and don't get any on your ski boots! I've a good mind to write to the mayor and complain but I don't know what good it will do.

I hope whatever you do that you all have a good time!

We just came back from a week in Alpe d'Huez and although there was snow, it was very restricted. Everybody was using the same runs and churning them up till the moguls were 2 feet high. Because it was Christmas week it was a lot more busy than it normally would have been so what pistes were open were somewhat crowded on occasion. Having said that, it wasn't that bad and we got some good skiing in, particularly up on the glacier. I would love to go again when there is more snow.

It has since snowed again and now it looks magnificent, so good luck to those going in the next week or so, it will be awesome! :)

Gareth Fair wrote:Hi,
just back from a few days in Alpe d'Huez and there is about 50% of the piste open and some good runs particuarly high up.The black runs from the glacier are particularly good so I reckon you should get some good skiing next week.

regards.Gareth.

Is the Sarenne open? What condition is it in? I have heard that it is quite easy for a black, what sort of terrain does it have?

Looking forward to some great skiing next week.

Thank you Powderhound and Midfielder for your informative replies. I probably commited a minor sin by tarring all modern skis with the same brush (i.e. calling them all carvers when they're not). I agree that I would be happier with a modern, stiffer ski and hate the idea of "cheating" by buying a carver that's designed for lower intermediates to make the least amount of effort. I really need to look at a few and get some good advice in resort when we get to Alpe d'Huez a week on Saturday. :shock: