J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Pole Plant

Italy would be a good bet for first time snowboarding but probably most skiers will argue that France, Andorra, Austria, USA etc. are also good and you couldn't argue with that. What I think you should aim for is a resort that doesn't entail you, as a novice, having to negotiate drag lifts or T-bars but look for a resort that offers either chair lifts to your area or cabins-in other words you remove your board for entry into cabins and sit down if you are on a chair lift. If you are keen on Italy a pretty good bet would be Madonna di Campiglio which is a popular resort with freestyle boarders. Also La Plagne, in France, must be worth considering. It has five terrain zones with all manner of facilities for boarders and if you stay in the top villages (Aime La Plagne, Plagne Bellcote, or Plagne Village you can start off from outside your front door. If your budget stretches to the USA probably Breckenridge is an ideal place to get into boarding with some very flattering 'flat' runs to start you off. Wish you luck.

Hi Realph (is that the correct spelling?) So, the permutations are endless (which country, 'posh' chalet, middle type chalet, sleeping in bunks chalet, chalet miles from the slopes. Also the costs vary a fair bit depending on your choice of country, i.e. Switzerland, USA tend to be more pricey than say, Italy, France, Andorra (don't bother with eastern European resorts, sorry to eastern Europeans but definitely not personal. As a reasonably rounded up figure if you use one of the big tour companies (Thomson, Crystal etc.) you will find all in prices of between £400 to £700 for the week to include flights, transfers, chalet meals and wine and beer, but, generally, not lift passes although some companies will include ski hire. Booking direct with a chalet owner would cost between £350 to £600 but you can double these figures is you go upmarket in a stylish chalet in, say, Val d'Isere. Lift passes, depending on the resort can be between £170 to £300 for the week and add another £150 for a week in ski school. Also, budget in lunches and drinks during the day, allow £20 to £30 per day. I would recommend getting a book with all the facts in it and there possibly isn't a better book than the Where to Ski and Snowboard (you would probably get one on Amazon for about £5 or £6 pounds. Also all prices differ depending on the time of the year and other factors, so avoid Christmas, New Year, half term and Easter. You've got a lot to do! Best of luck.

Well, Helleva bloke I have been to a good few London ski shows over the years-last went last year to Earls Court. Must generally agree with Mr. Wickham about the selling and some silly displays. Trying to be a bit positive about the show it is a reasonable opportunity to compare various shops prices (Snow & Rock, Blacks, small independents etc.). Also, we now ( as you are well aware) the internet forums and online offers. From a personal point of view I have always found Snow and Rock, don't know if one is near you but Google it, to have the greatest range of products for skiers and also with boots, will change if your boots give grief even if you have worn them for a few days. Have to say if you are going to skie late in the season, i.e. after half term and up to April it is then that the best deals become available. It does boil down to personal choice and I seriously think that there is no definitive best way to purchase ski gear. You sometimes see in the resort shops terrific deals and also, if you can live with it, last years stule/skies/boards may be reduced by 50%. Good luck!!!

Thinking budget and European skiing your probable best bet would be to look at Italy. France, Switzerland, Austria etc. all fairly pricey. Take a good look at Champoluc/Gressoney/ Alagna in the Monterosa area. Very quiet nightlife, uncrowded (except weekends), reasonable prices and excellent modern lift system. Villages have adequate restaurants, pizzas etc. Have stayed at Hotel Castor in Champoluc, English/Italian husband wife duo. I believe Crystal and one or two other tour companies go there but we went via Easyjet/BA to Milan and then hired a car for the week-easy one hour and a bit journey.Try website www.monterosa-ski.com/en website. If you really want cheap go to Bulgaria but I definitely wouldn't recommend it. Oh, one other good source for ski information is 'Where to Ski' Guide www.wheretoskiandsnowboard.com.

Hello Carg. Roll on next winter!!!

Great time to go but remember prices for lift passes, accommodation, flights, meals etc. will all be at their maximum as this is a peak period. Try, if you can, to go about the 8th January onwards-you will save 50% or more.

Well, I skied three separate weeks this season, 2 in France and one in Italy. I am now 74 and don't anticipate giving up just yet. Also, remember that in a number of French resorts over 72s' get free pases. I have also skied on occasion with some 80 year olds. Not too sure if I will be skiing at 100 though!

Hi There. Yes, stayed with Silver Ski a couple of times-both times in La Plagne where Len Silver has got about 12 or so chalets (maybe more). Found them good quality for the price, met Len Silver as he was staying in our chalet Le Boin Coin I think and he is probably now about 65 to 70 and has got well established and as far as I could make out runs a reliable company with a good reputation.
I wouldn't know if it is a problem or not but both Courcheval and Meribel have got horrendously expensive (bars, restaurants etc.) probably down to the large influx of Russians. Anyway, good luck with the application and you probably won't go far wrong with Silver Ski.