Latest posts for the topic "Where to ski next"

Where to ski next

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 20:11:32 GMT

HI all Im Canadian and I feel the need to go o Europe next winter. The question is where?
I have skied all the big resorts in Canada and am a decent skier, my teenage daughter is average and my wife is okay.So mostly red runs on a European scale.
IN talking to European travellers in western Canada some think I would like Lech but I was also told I have to see the dolomites.
Im thinking Italy, I need stunning mountain views good food, good wine and I think a resort where you can travel for miles would be fun.I also need a decent price, I was told to stay away from Switzerland for that reason.
Looking for opinions and ideas.

Re:Where to ski next

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 20:22:54 GMT

Welcome to the debate, On edges! Europe is your oyster. The choice is vast and there is so much variety. Lech is a lovely, snowsure resort but upmarket and expensive, particularly when compared with the the rest of Austria. The Dolomites are spectacular and you certainly get more bang for your buck in Italy. Any of the Sella Ronda resorts seem to be what you're looking for. To get more advice from the community, can you give us a clue on length of trip, which month, accommodation preferences etc etc. All these will have a bearing.

I know a few Canadians who have skied in Europe and they are generally blown away by the size of the lift systems, the links between resorts, valleys and even countries and the miles you can get under your skis.

Re:Where to ski next

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 20:33:10 GMT

Thank you LOTA...my length of stay would be a week in the middle of March.
For accommodations we usually have a ski in out condo in Western Canada but I hear its upscale for that in Europe. We are flexible , and 3/4 star hotel in a small town is sufficient.
Ive seen the pictures of the ski infrastructure and that's what Im attracted to.I relish the idea of skiing town to town.
I just need a good view decent snow, gentle runs for my wife to be happy and we can make the rest work.

Where to ski next

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 20:39:39 GMT

Hi OE, and welcome...

on edges wrote:Im thinking Italy, I need stunning mountain views good food, good wine

Dolomites would be a good shout; look at Cortina (long transfers and can be pricey) and Arabba?

Otherwise, Courmayeur ticks all those boxes - skiing with Mont Blanc as a back-drop doesn't get much better for views. Very good restaurants too.

The skiing there would suit the rest of your family well by the sounds of it. You might find the immediate ski area a bit compact BUT you have the option of taking a guide and skiing down the Italian side (Helbronner glacier) of Mont Blanc if you want to stretch your legs. You could also hop on a bus and ski a day in Chamonix.

Cervinia for the mileage (ski to Zermatt and back); views of the Matterhorn although the town itself isn't the prettiest.

And Champoluc's worth a look; authentic feel, good ski area and the chance to cross into the neighbouring valleys.

HTH for some starting points.

Re:Where to ski next

Wed, 21 Jan 2015 13:33:11 GMT

I think the Dolomites would really tick all your boxes. The scenery is without doubt, the best I have seen anywhere in the alps, the food and drink is excellent and the skiing is really extensive and perfect for an intermediate level skier but with good options for more testing runs if you need to challenge yourself occasionally.

Good bases would include Campitello, Canazei,Val Gardena or any of the villages directly on the Sella Ronda really :lol:. Prices are generally lower than any of the other mega resorts in France or Austria.

Good luck and please let us know how you got on whenever you do make the trip :wink:

Re:Where to ski next

Thu, 22 Jan 2015 01:59:29 GMT

Just did some investigation on Sella Ronda and it looks impressive

Re:Where to ski next

Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:48:22 GMT

http://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en Worth having a look if you already haven't done so. There's more detailed info about the different ski areas under "choose a valley" option. Hope this helps. The Dolomites have been my family's absolute favourite for years, we are skiing in the other places too but always end up going back at least for once in a year. As other people have said, the scenery is beautiful, great food and people and great skiing. And looks like snow conditions are improving too, it has been very unusal year in terms of snow cover all over the Europe. But I'm sure you'll enjoy the Dolomites nevertheless.

Re:Where to ski next

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 20:05:22 GMT

what town do you stay in and why?..

Re:Where to ski next

Sat, 24 Jan 2015 00:01:58 GMT

Hi, wrote a long reply but can't see it, must've pressed a wrong button.
Our favourite place for a base has been Arabba in recent years, you can go for touring or ski locally, lots of skiing around/off Sella Ronda circuit and further afield, both on and off the piste (conditions permitting). Any questions, let me know.

Re:Where to ski next

Sat, 24 Jan 2015 02:02:41 GMT

send me the long version pls

Re:Where to ski next

Sat, 24 Jan 2015 16:55:00 GMT

Hi
Sent a PM, please check you've got it. I'm sure the other J2Skiers on this Forum can give you more detailed info about the other resorts than Kronplatz and Arabba. Happy planning :)

Re:Where to ski next

Sun, 25 Jan 2015 00:12:21 GMT

:D got it with many thanks

Re:Where to ski next

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 16:43:35 GMT

My wildcard is Pila and base yourself in Aosta with a car. Would be a true Italian experience, great little ski resort, and endless skiing options for the week.

http://www.aosta-valley.co.uk/destinations/pila/

If not to be honest I would not look beyond.
Cortina for Italian chic
Cervinia or Courmayeur for classic apline scenery i.e. Matterhorn and Mt Blanc

Individually a lot of Italian resorts are sort of average. Add them together in a Valley i.e. Aosta or Area like Monterosa and you have something really special.

Re:Where to ski next

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:24:16 GMT

Ranchero_1979 wrote:My wildcard is Pila and base yourself in Aosta with a car. Would be a true Italian experience, great little ski resort, and endless skiing options for the week.

http://www.aosta-valley.co.uk/destinations/pila/

Thank you for recommendation, Ranchero
Although I think not many places beat the Dolomites dramatic mountains, Pila sounds lovely, need to check it out. Been once to La Thuile in Aosta Valley (and going again in March to join the friends booked to go there) but it has no real charm, so Pila would be on my list for future.

Re:Where to ski next

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:20:33 GMT

Sorry to add to the confusion but if I were coming all the way from Canada, I'd be disappointed to end up in Pila. It's small and rather limited. Fine for a day trip from Courmayeur or La Thuile but not my suggestion to anyone as a base for the whole trip. I think you'd be better off in the Dolomites (but if it were me, I'd go to Swtizerland anyway!) I can see the sense in being based in Aosta but there's obviously very little ski resort ambience there!

Re:Where to ski next

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 13:00:06 GMT

I think my point is that apart from the 2 previously mentioned, Italian resorts tend me be perfectly forgettable. Good food, wine and steady skiing but nothing magical. Am not sure any Italian resort would make an European top 20 resort alone. Change your mindset slightly and you can have some amazing experiences in Italy. Imagine a vacation where you are based in Aosta (fantastic historic town) and ski Pila, La Thuile, Courmayeur, Cervinia, Chamonix. That is a mixture that North America cannot offer.

Where to ski next

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 13:37:29 GMT

on edges wrote:HI all Im Canadian and I feel the need to go o Europe next winter. The question is where?
I have skied all the big resorts in Canada and am a decent skier, my teenage daughter is average and my wife is okay.So mostly red runs on a European scale.
IN talking to European travellers in western Canada some think I would like Lech but I was also told I have to see the dolomites.
Im thinking Italy, I need stunning mountain views good food, good wine and I think a resort where you can travel for miles would be fun.I also need a decent price, I was told to stay away from Switzerland for that reason.
Looking for opinions and ideas.

St Moritz with Club Med is affordable. World Class resort, wonderful ski area, deserted pistes, stunning scenery, high altitude skiing, and with Club Med it is affordable.
Have a look.

Re:Where to ski next

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 13:40:27 GMT

Also had a very good week in Champoluc in the Monterosa ski area in 2013 on the Mont Blanc side of Italy. I think a week in Courmayeur would be too long, theres little extent to go at, although you can travel to other close by resorts.
Dolomites is on my list to visit as well - Selva or Arabba being the best resorts after my extensive research.