#winterscoming

Winter is coming, soon we will stop looking to see if it's going to be a 'nice weekend' and start looking at the web cams. That's where I need some help.

This Jan (20th) I am going skiing with Mrs Icy and sis in law. Sis in law has had 2 full day intensive lessons at Chill Factore as she is new to skiing - but is keen to come with us. Mrs Icy is low intermediate. I am....depends on the day!

Looking for suggestions on places to go in Europe. I know the PDS area well (fancy a change), the two Val don't really like them, done Sauze and found the runs a bit like a wide motorway. I need to have some more options. Important boxes that must be ticked (in order of importance are below:

- Decent height for lower slopes, approx 1200m
- Good for beginners & intermediates
- Enough variation so intermediates don't get bored. I don't mind skiing the same run twice in a day, but not 9!
- Ski to door (ish)
- Don't have to get buses to get to lifts in the morning
- Good eateries and drinkeries. I'm not after Foilie douche, but then I don't want a glass of horlicks by the open fire!
- Apartments preferably
- Transfer no more than 3 hours

That's all. Not many boxes!

Suggestions......GO!!!

I don't recall the heights but I would suggest Sauze as it has a large range of runs, it's a real town so some good restaurants and bars. As your sister in law is just starting out you are quite limited to resorts but if you don't like Sauze you could try Alpes d,Huez which I like it has a good range of runs but it's not too extensive and there are a few easy runs near the base. It's a real town has a few nice bars and a few restaurants I've not used these as I've always been on 1/2 board. It is possible to get accommodation near lifts in fact there is some on the piste. Not sure about apartments .I also like the 3 vallies but it's a vast area and you often need to be able to ski at least a little to get back to your base depending on where you stay. Therefore my vote would be for AdH

Cheers for that, My mrs and SIL would love Sauze, my Mrs learned to ski there. I thought it had some great fast long cruising runs, but did not find it that challenging - did the men's downhill over the other side of the valley in sestriere. That was fun.

ADH is an option, I know a few people have mentioned that before. I'll put it on the list.

Hotel is an option if we get the right resort.

Have a look at Serre Chevalier Icy. Access depends on location but much is near the first lifts.
Also I was very taken with Alpes D'Huez - the best easy run area I have ever come across plus plenty more challenging that is close enough to meet up with the others for lunch & drinks.

Good point. Not looked at serre chev. ADH is on the list :)

Check out Risoul and Vars...great for beginners, plenty for intermediates. At 1800m, so snow usually pretty good. A few pubs and bars for a few jars. Plenty of on-piste apartments - we skied to our balcony, and daughter No. 1 managed to ski to the boot room door (bar about 10 feet). Transfer about 3 hours from what I can remember. And one of the most ball breaking button lifts ever...guess who fell off?