J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Gaz C

Hi, there. The song was OK (far better than anything I could manage ;-) ). The skiing was pretty good too (again, better than me :-) ). Just not sure if white, middle-aged men in ski-suits and 'Boyz'n'theHood' hand gestures are a good combination.

Must agree with the consensus that the skiing in La Thuile and La Rosiere is excellent. It would be my first choice for an away day from Courmayeur. I hear that it can be prone to blowing a hooley up there and that when it does it isn't any fun at all. All I'm saying is to choose your day for a daytrip. :-)

Things may have changed but back in 2002 we found the value, quality, service and attitude all markedly superior in the restaurants on the Italian side.

Looks awreet to me. :) Roll on Saturday! :mrgreen:

Never tried to park a car at any of the gondola stations actually on the Sella Ronda. I've always walked or used the frequent (and free) buses. There always seemed to be lots of room at the Col Rodella in Campitello. (We were within easy walking distance.)

There also seemed to be loads of space at the Ciampac in Alba/Penia. This is part of the Dolomiti Superski area but is a separate area to the Sella Ronda. My one experience of actually parking a car in the area was at Ronchi (near Moena) for the Lusia area. We were there three years ago in March. Couldn't have been easier! :) And FREE! Good luck. :)

My mate's dad came to Chatel with us in 2003 with just one week's skiing experience. He would take lessons in the morning and ski the afternoons with us, occasionally sitting out a more challenging run with a coffee or a small beer. He seemed to cope fine with this arrangement and with the pistes that he encountered.

I would say that the long blues off the top of Le Linga and Cornebois towards Plaine Dranse would be ideal for the group you describe. The reds are also nice once they have had a little sun on them. We found they could be quite icy first thing in the morning. The good thing about that area is that many of the runs converge around Plaine Dranse so individuals can choose which piste to take and the group can re-form at the bottom. There are also lots of nice blues around Les Lindarets, just over the next hill. I don't remember these as vividly because we would ski them en route to Avoriaz while my mate's dad was in ski school. In fact, looking at the piste map, that valley looks ideal for early intermediates.

There's lots of good red/blue cruising to be had on the Swiss side too. We would take the Super Chatel lift for quick access to Switzerland and ski the Plan de Croix area. For what it's worth, I think you've chosen a great area for a mixed group. I must get round to revisiting.

AllyG wrote:

Gaz C wrote:

Can only think it's because the person responsible for reporting snow depths in Folgarida (1300m-1400m)is too busy skiing in the great snow there. MdC (1500m) and Marilleva (1400m) are reporting depths of 130cm and 120cm respectively. You lot are sorted for snow. :) Looks like Ally's done you proud again. Have a good 'un.

Thanks Gaz C :)
I've done an awful lot of dancing during the last few weeks, to make sure there's plenty of snow in Folgarida timed just right for when we get there ;)

Ally. If you have any energy left can you do your next dance/dances while pointing in the direction of Wengen? -) :lol:

I'm not sure if such a place exists. The best suggestion I can make (in Italy) is Courmayeur. At about 1.5 hours from Geneva, it's probably the easiest Italian resort to reach from there. However, the skiing is nothing like the 3 Valleys. Nowhere in Italy is, in my opinion; but that's not necessarily a bad thing (again in my opinion -) ). Skiers are bussed out from their hotels every morning to the cable-car (funivie) that gives access to the mountain and bussed back (all free of charge) each afternoon. Not a problem per se but it may be if you are used to the ski-in/out convenience of Meribel. I would say the skiing best suits lazy/unambitious intermediates or advanced/experts looking for great off-piste opportunities. It's not a place for the 'mileage-hungry'. Don't get me wrong: there are some lovely runs, eg the long red into Val Veny. There's just not enough of them if you like to get a sense of really travelling on your board or skis. I think you get a day's skiing in one or maybe two of the other resorts in the Aosta Valley included on your lift-pass. La Thuile (good skiing and linked with La Rosiere, in France) and Pila would be an easy drive away. Cervinia and Monte Rosa not quite so easy at 1.5 and 2 hours respectively.

As for the non-skier; Courmayeur is a lovely little town with some very classy shops and restaurants. I imagine the more up-market hotels will have spa/wellness facilities. There is a very nice public spa in Pre St Didier, a 10-minute drive or bus-ride away. Is this enough to keep your non-skiing partner occupied? You will know much better than I. Other options are guided walks in Val Feret and a cable-car ride up to Punta Helbronner, giving stunning views of Mont Blanc, with Monte Rosa and The Matterhorn in the distance. I believe the Pavillon restaurant at the mid-station has a display of crystals found in the local area. The town of Aosta is also easily reached with a car but our holiday rep described it as a 'dreary, industrial town offering little to holidaymakers'. (Her opinion, not mine -) )

Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites may have fitted the bill but I don't think you'll be wanting a seven-hour drive. I know I wouldn't -) . Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Have a great trip, wherever you choose.

Only the obvious. Get yerselves over to Ischgl for a day or two (or even three or four ;-)). Oh, and on the days that you do, budget a few more Euros each for lunch and drinks etc. :-) Kappl is on the same lift-pass, I believe. Don't know anything about it but it could be worth a trip. Have a good one. :-)

Forgot to mention the 'Smugglers run' (red 80) down to Samnaun in Switzerland, is by all accounts, a cracker. Talabfahrt home run back down to Ischgl looks nice too.