J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Wanderer

Sounds terrifying.

But I am curious about how it would compare with other "extreme" blacks around the alps? For example, the Tunnel run in Alpe D'huez or the black off the top of Westendorf - I think it might be no. 8 but not sure. The top section may not be too long but it is incredibly steep - you definitely do not want to fall - if you do, you slide all the way to the bottom, assuming you don't go over the edge!!!

Any other thoughts on the most difficult pistes?

Serious thread drift going on!!!

bandit wrote:Ooooh :shock: last time I was in St Gervais, that complex was still being built. I feel old!

...... if the bobble fits!!!

andyoneil wrote:
As a side question is the accomodation mainly ski in/out ? I hate walking any distance in boots/carrying skis
Andy

Andy

The main ski-hire shops, in both the main village and in Nassarein are right beside the lifts and offer ski depots where you can leave your skis/boots (for a fee - usually discounted or even free if you are renting from them). Its the next best thing to SISO (ski-in/ski-out)if your accommodation is a bit of hike/bus ride away.

Tony_H wrote:Good point, well made.
I'd suggest the following add up to make it the best resort:

Snow record/altitude
Big ski area, choice of runs
Pistes and off piste options
Nice village base
Cracking scenery
Real mountains, not rolling hills?
Good lifts system
Mixed runs ie blues, reds, blacks
Sensation of travel around the area
Good bars/restaurants to enjoy in resort

Factor into that other individual requirements, such as the run off the mountain (although to me thats not so important as you can always take a lift/bus)

I think this is a pretty good summary Tony and I am sure others might suggest additions and/or deletions. For example, reasonable transfer times, ski-in/ski-out availability etc.

In terms of the various resorts mentioned, Alpe d'Heuz would be one of my favourite resorts with some of the nicest and best skiing in the alps. But I would not claim that it has it all. Why not? Because the village is unattractive and the apres-ski virtually non-existent (unless you count a noisy, fake Irish bar that is full of saisonaire's getting plastered on their night off!).

Val D'Isere - again a fantastic ski area. But, expensive, most accommodation a long way from the slopes, ugly spread out village, apres-ski so-so

3V - tricky one to judge. Again skiing is fantastic. But Courcheval is horrendously expensive and the bling is off-putting while Val Thoren is soulless and borders on the desolate Meribel is nice and quite lively but does not really feel like a genuine French resort.

Haven't been to some of the other resorts mentioned and thats why I come back to St Anton. I am not saying it is perfect but I do think it hits the spot under virtually all of the criteria Tony has set out.

Maybe we need to set up a Survey based around Tony's list? Anybody familiar with Survey Monkey or similar to set it up?. I suppose we would need to consider the weighting for each criteria as well

...... they must be a bugger in the lift queues :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Got back from a few days in Soll last Tuesday.

Headed out early on Saturday morning. Delayed a bit on the flight and with traffic down from Munich. After a quick change in hotel, pick up skis and passes, headed for the lifts. It was already 3.40 when we got on the first lift, as most people were coming down :!:

View from above Soll, late in the afternoon.

We still manage a nice couple of runs starting with the red of the top of the Hohe Salve and finished up doing the home run down to the valley twice[u] . We hit the Moonlight bar at 5.20 but couldn't even squeeze in. It was jammed with a crowd from a big race earlier in the day and day-trippers down from Munich. Headed down to the Brandlstadl instead and watched some of the rugby. After dinner, a few were had in the Postwirt.

Sunday morning, beautiful skies and we headed up the resort skiing our way over as far as Going - about as far as you can go. Skied run no. 100 - first time I've hit 3 digits on run numbers. Snow conditions were generally excellent, though some very hard snow early on. Great for high speed cruising. Lots of mileage and great fun. Finished with a couple of beers and cheesy music in Moonlight - some traditions are hard to break :lol: After dinner a few more were had in the Postwirt and the Brandlstadl where Frog on the Tyne with singer Charlotte Yanni entertained us greatly.

Despite feeling a bit delicate, up early on Monday and skied down to Brixen to take the Gondola up to Westendorf. The piste down was near perfect but completely green either side - very strange experience but a testament to piste management.

View of Brixen valley run from top of Westendorf - it looks like a river of snow.

The skiing in Westendorf was great. My memory from a previous visit was of fairly limited skiing with short runs but this time we explored a bit more and had an enjoyable day. We skipped the black off the top - its got to be the steepest run I have ever seen. Definitely a no-fall run :evil: . The red down to the valley was fantastic except for a short pitch near the end that was icy and busy and not much fun :x
The moonlight was a lot quieter on Monday afternoon but still good fun. A trip to the Whiskey Mulhe later on was a mistake :shock:

Tuesday, we skied around SCheffau and Ellmau. Conditions were a little bit worse with more icy bits around and more slush on south-facing slopes. Still very enjoyable.

Slushy slope above Scheffau.

We had to come off the mountain by 3pm on Tuesday to head off to the airport for return journey after a great few days.


View back down over Soll village.

andyoneil wrote:I'd just heard that particular criticism of St Anton (amongst many plaudits) and wanted to here what people thought

Andy - I have opened a new thread on the St Anton home run rather than hijacking this one.

All - the poster asked what resort did you think had it all. In my view, this is/may be a bit different from your favourite resort.