Messages posted by : Gaz C
Know what you mean. Monte Rosa does 'spoil' you that way :). We came across another icy, mogulled red piste in the Selva area last year. When we skied it in the morning it was lovely but by late afternoon it had assumed a totally different character :twisted: Luckily, sections like that are few and far between. If/when you do go, best to think of the Sella Ronda as 'link-road' to get you to the areas with the best skiing rather than a trophy to be bagged. I'm pretty sure you'll have it sussed -) . |
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We were there 3rd week in March about six years ago. Didn't notice a huge difference in 'traffic' on the slopes between Sauze and Sestriere that particular week, but it may be an issue at other times. It looks as though it would be better to go with Tony's suggestion and have lessons in Sauze on the grounds of cost alone. Besides, if there are four people in your group then the difference between the normal rate and the 'early bird' rate is only 5€ per person. Must admit, I'm a little puzzled as to why the lessons are so much more expensive in Sestriere :?: . |
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I see your point. The only thing I would say is that many people, who get to ski for just one week per year, simply want to 'clock up the miles' and if that means skiing with poor form, doing no drills and taking no lessons, then so be it. In a recent thread I was a little critical of Livigno and Courmayeur. Thinking back, my attitude to these resorts was dictated by my attitude to skiing in general at that time. Basically, I was a fit, testosterone-fuelled, 30-odd year-old 'adolescent' whose modus operandi was to ski as fast as I could, for as far as I could, for as long as I could. I shudder to think... :oops: :lol:. I reckon I could quite happily go back to either of those resorts 'wearing my more mature head' and enjoy them more than I did the first time around. I think the phase I went through is typical of many young-ish, British, male skiers. I like to think that when, sooner or later we all arrive at the point that you aptly compared to motorway driving, many of us wake up to the fact that that's what's really boring and then we start to move on as skiers. 'Motorway driving' keeps the rest happy. |
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Bantering with Ian Wickham on the Sleeps till ski-time? thread got me wondering:
1: Are last minute bargains a thing of the past? 2: Have the tour operators had a change of tactics and are they 'just refusing to blink first'? 3: Is this the price we pay for a season with 'epic' snow conditions, where every man and his husky dog decides he is going skiing, resulting in even the less snow-sure or more 'out-on-a-limb' resorts being pretty close to capacity and therefore able to demand 'top dollar' for what little is left? A quick search on a well-known tour operator's website brought up the following, a-hem, 'bargains' for next week: France: 7 nts S/C Brides-les Bains £505. Italy: 7 nts H/B Passo Tonale £504. Austria 7 nts H/B Seefeld £752. Disclaimer: I personally have nothing against any of these resorts. They were just the cheapest on offer from London in those three countries departing next weekend. I would just have expected to 'bag' any of those last minute 'deals' for quite a bit less money. Does anyone else have an opinion on this? |
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Good point! I suppose the answer is that people coming up from Sauze d'Oulx only have to make the short ride up in the Clotes chair-lift. Anyone at the front of the queue for that lift would be getting off it at 9:05. The other thing to bear in mind is that this is Italy we're talking about. Everything regarding timing and punctuality is a little bit 'free and easy' -) . The skiing down to Sportinia won't be a problem for you so it just remains to be seen if you can negotiate a later start; one nearer to the 10 o'clock side of your 9-10 window. Again, it being Italy, I shouldn't think there'll be a problem as long as you pre-arrange it. Best not to p!$$ your instructor off on the first morning or he might take you straight to the FIS Men's Downhill piste at Sansicario for your first run of the day -) . |
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I feel your pain. It does all seem to have 'dried up' for this week and next:-(
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Looks like a decent area to me, provided you don't mind hopping on and off the odd bus (which I don't). I would take the family there without hesitation. The new link (Auffach/Alpbach) looks good. I reckon prices are about to go up as that area begins to appeal to a lot more people.
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Well? Are you gonna book something? Or just wibble on about Niederau? :wink: :lol: :wink:
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