J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Pole Plant

All good advice given-too many imponderables to contemplate getting back to Champagny late afternoon. but I agree with the other comments, allow one hour in reasonable/decent snow conditions. Lift closing times in January are around 4 to 4.30 depending on the importance of connections to other villages. Also, remember although it is getting dark here at 4.30pm, France is one hour ahead so dark at around 5.30pm (our time!). It might be worth noting that in Champagny there is a beginner area with free lifts at the top of the gondola and a bordercross higher up beside the Rossa chairlift. Finally, have a look at The Where to Ski website for additional La Plagne information (www.wheretoskiandsnowboard.com and also www.la-plagne.com, and www.champagny.com). Enjoy it, Colin.

Going to Madonna first week in March. Skied there some years ago but I believe that there is now a new link to Pinzolo via new cabins. Can anyone give a recreational skier any news on this. Is it worth visiting? Are there any good runs or restaurants on the way. Need to rent skis (got boots/helmet) so is it worth pre-booking online or better to just rent in resort? Never too sure. Colin

Hi Ntip Skied Bardonecchia three times. Nice area with mainly intermediate skiing and well groomed pistes. One possible drawback is where you might stay in Bardonecchia, i.e. if you stay by the school meeting place, main lift area, there is very little there if you want to do something different in the evenings. I would recommend staying in the town of Bardonecchia, about a 10 minutes bus ride from the slopes and not at the base-I think the base area is called Campo Smith (not very Italian), but here are the ski hire shops, car parks etc. Overall though a very pleasant Italian resort with excellent value all round. Colpam.

Great report. Skied Champoluc/Gressoney about 6 times now-fab. area, fab. prices-don't tell too many people about it!!! Only problem in season is queues out of Champoluc on Sundays, so get up late and have a long lunch in the village. Colpam.

Will soon be compulsory to wear helmets (I think). Don't buy a helmet initially but hire one-I think that you will be pleasantly surprised. Choose a light (white) colour as this reflects the sun and keeps cool.

Hi Sue

Plenty of skiing in Madonna and the links to Folgarida, make sure that you don't just buy a lift pass for Madonna or you can finish up on the Folgarida lifts without the correct lift pass. Also, I understand that the link is now open from Madonna to Pinzolo (gondddala 3-stage link) so there is bags of skiing without the need to bus anywhere. Peronally, compared with France (la Plagne, Val D'Isere, etc.) I did not find Madonna expensive. Sure, there are some fashionable restaurants but you can eat and drink fairly reasonably. I think you will all love Madona. Colpam

Yes. However, you'll get used to them and if you want to go faster they will be quicker than a short ski. Good luck!

Hi Cressida. Yes, Copper is by a motorway and the town of Frisco on the interstate. Not to much wrong with that-easy access from Denver, plenty of restaurants and shops in Frisco and good all-round intermediate/semi-serious skiing in Copper. However, for your husband do try Winter Park, even nearer to Denver and does have special 'disabled' instructors and facilities. For a general ski holiday in the same area go a little further up the road from Copper to Breckenridge (half hour by car-big old mining town with lots of shops and restaurants. Excellent facilities for children (not to mention they all speak English, so no 'follow me' nonsense) and also access via the centre of town in large cabins for non skiers to Peak 8 on the mountain where the non skiers can join the skiers for lunch and also watch the young ones ski. As a final shot nothing much wrong with Vail either, biggestr ski area in Colorado and great 'Austrian' feel about it due to architecture.