Latest posts for the topic "Narrowing down the choice...."

Narrowing down the choice....

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:29:27 GMT

I'd appreciate any views that J2ers might have on what my current shortlist for this season's main trip is:

Chalet package: Risoul/Vars

Hotel package: Arinsal

Hotel package: Livigno

DIY: Arosa

Chalet package: Alpe D'Huez

Hotel package: Wengen

Outsider: chalet/hotel Obergurgl.

The criteria I'm going on is a resort with conveniently-located accommodation for a mixed ability couple, native English-speaking or good reputation ski school, flexible enough to offer 3 or 4 mornings of instruction, and plenty to keep the better skier occupied. Departure date March 2 or 9.

Any thoughts or observation would be appreciated.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:36:56 GMT

Alpe D'Huez would be great. Loads of great easy runs close to base and a proper challenge higher up.

Master lass Ski School have a good reputation:

http://www.alpedhueznet.com/ski/schools/masterclass-ski-school-alpe-d-huez.html

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:38:42 GMT

Stuart Adamson and his Masterclass team, who I've used before, are the main reason AdH breaks my 'Not France' rule!

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:49:46 GMT

Definitely AdH - might be advisable to pre-book with Masterclass though as they are usually very busy!

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:38:35 GMT

Risoul v French. Apart from it having nice tree lined runs. Don't know of any non-French schools - think that they are all French. Terrain looks reasonable for a mixed ability bunch.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:20:57 GMT

I've been to the first three and if its a mixed-abilty group, I would venture that any fairly reasonable intermediate in the group could feel a tad restricted by lack of variety/size of areas. I was in Wengen, but didnt get to ski, however the area was very attractive with some compelling non-ski diversions, and I'd certainly like to go back & give it a whirl. From what other ski colleagues have told me, purely for skiing, ADH would probably cover all requirements.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:33:28 GMT

Strike out Arinsal for starters. Very small resort.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 21:14:58 GMT

I'd definitely recommend Risoul. Had some great weeks there learning to ski in Risoul - the most friendly ESF instructors - whilst my OH took himself off over to Vars & had a great time. Quietisish nights but some good places to eat - the Marmot being our favourite. Good places for lunch as well - Le Tetra & L'ecruille especially. As I improved went over to Vars as well & loved it - really good confidence booster. The only downside was the TO transfers which took 3-4hrs from Turin. Will def go there again one day!

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 22:14:53 GMT

All very useful intelligence - thank you.

Apart from Masterclass and the Tunnel run, I'm not that keen to go back to Ad'H, but it does tick lots of the boxes required for this trip.

I do like places new so Risoul/Vars is very appealing, despite it being in France.

2013 will be the 40th season since I first went skiing (have missed only one year since) and I've not been to Andorra, and I'm inclined to take the advice offered on Arinsal.

Someone tell me about Livigno please -or Champoluc, which I missed off the original list!

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 22:23:55 GMT

Was in Livigno in January this year. Skiing area spread along the length of both sides of a long valley. To get from 1 side to t'other can entail a bit of a walk to the bus route, and then quite a jaunt on a rather circuitous route to get to where you want to go. Other downside to the resort is its remote location & a 5hr transfer from Brescia, a bit shorter from Innsbruck I believe. A limited resort for someone used to 3 Valleys/Via Lattea/ Espace Killy etc.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:51:04 GMT

AdH !

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:46:58 GMT

I would choose ADH having been there, loads to ski for the better skiers, great local slopes for beginners. Good choice of bars and places to eat, lots of english speaking about. I love the place.

Obergurgl might be a good shout also because its high and snowsure and someone I know goes every year raving about the place.

Vars also looks llike it could be interesting.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Sat, 1 Dec 2012 17:06:50 GMT

Another question, if I may seek the indulgence of the J2 collective: anyone have any experience of Rocket Ski as they appear to offer some rather splendid deals? Many thanks.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Sat, 1 Dec 2012 19:01:31 GMT

Haven't used them but have stayed in the Morgan in Risoul which they now run. Basic accommodation but clean, comfortable, has everything you need & great location.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Sun, 2 Dec 2012 10:21:08 GMT

Hi Lota

I've used Rocketski a few times both in a group context and just for me and OH. Value for money wise they are very good but having said that I have heard mixed reports about some of the resort hotels I have not been to. However Le Corbier was really excellent ...doorstep sking, really pleasant largish rooms with a BATH and excellent food. I have also been to Serre Che with them which again was ski in ski out but unfortunately they have ceased to go there. I must say the staff are pleasant and their on line chat facility is good.

Overall as value for money is very good.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Sun, 2 Dec 2012 19:58:00 GMT

I've been with rocketski a coule of times, and also seen a few of their other properties on my travels.
The hotel in serre che is no longer available, which may be a stroke of luck as I found the place awful. We christened it Stalag.
They also used to go to chalet pyrene in serre che which I'd highly recommend, but that's with another company now.
The hotel beausoleil in adh looks fine and I've often eaten or had a drink in there.
Their chalet in adh is also very nice.

Looks like they've really expanded their selection this season.
They are seriously good value for money but its a bit like school dinners at meal times.
If you want a cheap as chips half board holiday with a hearty breakfast in a hotel or chalet which more often than not is well positioned and don't mind sharing the place with kids on school trips or noisy dinner times, go for it.
I'd use them again for a cheapie, and they do often drop their priced when availability drops down.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Sun, 2 Dec 2012 20:53:17 GMT

This Christmas will be our 5th in Vars. Vars is very French (you don't hear much English whereas in Risoul you do!). We are good competent skiers and find enough to keep ourselves amused! The ski school is fabulous -though I can't comment on their English ability as noth our kids speak French.

If you want to try Andorra what about Granvalira? Personally I would avoid staying in Pas (though it does have a better nightlife) especially as it is at the far end of the skiing. We go a lot and last time we still managed to find runs we hadn't done before.

Have fun deciding!

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Sat, 8 Dec 2012 12:03:21 GMT

This shows why ADH is the perfect resort for mixed groups, loads of easy stuff close to home and harder stuff the higher you go. Perfect for beginners, perfect for experts and everything in between.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Sat, 8 Dec 2012 12:55:00 GMT

LOTA wrote:Another question, if I may seek the indulgence of the J2 collective: anyone have any experience of Rocket Ski as they appear to offer some rather splendid deals? Many thanks.

We have been with RocketSki to Saalbach and vowed never to use them again! Enought said.
Wengen is on my wish list too, but as we have not been there before I cannot review the region. Plenty of English speaking staff there.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Sat, 8 Dec 2012 14:51:30 GMT

biki17 wrote:

LOTA wrote:Another question, if I may seek the indulgence of the J2 collective: anyone have any experience of Rocket Ski as they appear to offer some rather splendid deals? Many thanks.

We have been with RocketSki to Saalbach and vowed never to use them again! Enough said.

Actually, I don't think it is. I had one bad experience, which was down to a horrible hotel and unpleasant guests in it, and one great experience in a chalet. I'd use them again for a cheapie

What was so bad about your holiday?

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Sat, 8 Dec 2012 17:19:04 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

biki17 wrote:

LOTA wrote:Another question, if I may seek the indulgence of the J2 collective: anyone have any experience of Rocket Ski as they appear to offer some rather splendid deals? Many thanks.

We have been with RocketSki to Saalbach and vowed never to use them again! Enough said.

Actually, I don't think it is. I had one bad experience, which was down to a horrible hotel and unpleasant guests in it, and one great experience in a chalet. I'd use them again for a cheapie

What was so bad about your holiday?

Hi Tony,

We are glad that you had one decent experience with Rocketski.
BAD:
Food - tiny portions, some guests were regularly served portions missing vital ingredients mentioned inm menu, i.e. missing veggies for diner , tasted horrible
Loud Noise in the chalethotel every night till 2-3-am,
location,
lack of knowledge of reps.
As we normally go skiing only once a season we expect to enjoy it.
It is the case with other ski operators.

Re:Narrowing down the choice....

Sat, 8 Dec 2012 22:35:41 GMT

biki17 wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

biki17 wrote:

LOTA wrote:Another question, if I may seek the indulgence of the J2 collective: anyone have any experience of Rocket Ski as they appear to offer some rather splendid deals? Many thanks.

We have been with RocketSki to Saalbach and vowed never to use them again! Enough said.

Actually, I don't think it is. I had one bad experience, which was down to a horrible hotel and unpleasant guests in it, and one great experience in a chalet. I'd use them again for a cheapie

What was so bad about your holiday?

Hi Tony,

We are glad that you had one decent experience with Rocketski.
BAD:
Food - tiny portions, some guests were regularly served portions missing vital ingredients mentioned inm menu, i.e. missing veggies for diner , tasted horrible
Loud Noise in the chalethotel every night till 2-3-am,
location,
lack of knowledge of reps.
As we normally go skiing only once a season we expect to enjoy it.
It is the case with other ski operators.

have to agree the food in the chalet hotel was pretty lousy and it was often noisy through the night with selfish and rude guests returning from a night out.

The food in the chalet was better but needed much more seasoning.

The hotel beausoleil in adh would be a good choice based on its location and they do have a couple of very good chalets I'd book in the same resort.