J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by LOTA

All very useful intelligence - thank you.

Apart from Masterclass and the Tunnel run, I'm not that keen to go back to Ad'H, but it does tick lots of the boxes required for this trip.

I do like places new so Risoul/Vars is very appealing, despite it being in France.

2013 will be the 40th season since I first went skiing (have missed only one year since) and I've not been to Andorra, and I'm inclined to take the advice offered on Arinsal.

Someone tell me about Livigno please -or Champoluc, which I missed off the original list!

Stuart Adamson and his Masterclass team, who I've used before, are the main reason AdH breaks my 'Not France' rule!

I'd appreciate any views that J2ers might have on what my current shortlist for this season's main trip is:

Chalet package: Risoul/Vars

Hotel package: Arinsal

Hotel package: Livigno

DIY: Arosa

Chalet package: Alpe D'Huez

Hotel package: Wengen

Outsider: chalet/hotel Obergurgl.

The criteria I'm going on is a resort with conveniently-located accommodation for a mixed ability couple, native English-speaking or good reputation ski school, flexible enough to offer 3 or 4 mornings of instruction, and plenty to keep the better skier occupied. Departure date March 2 or 9.

Any thoughts or observation would be appreciated.

I've had footbeds for the last 15 years or so and wouldn't contemplate wearing boots without them now. Putting them on properly is also very important and I like the way Cem describes getting the heel to sit in the rear of the boot - I was told by my fitter to tap the toe on the floor and then flex forward firmly from the ankle to achieve the same result.

Time spent on correct boot fitting is time, misery and money saved later!

Chucking it down today in central Switzerland and in the Graubunden...lovely!

Don't know about Engleburg...but there wasn't much open at Engelberg today other than the 'sightseeing' cable cars!

Just looked at this ski area online.

Apparently it has a piste that runs through the Valley of the Naked!

The mind boggles!

Have to disagree about Val D'Isere's gradings, Andy. Just off the top of my head, there are some blues off the Glacier and Cugair chairlifts above Solaise that are more like reds. That's just two I can think off.

However, it's a must do resort for all skiers (take note, Tony H!) before they hang up the planks!