Latest posts for the topic "picturesque resort"

picturesque resort

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 01:22:25 GMT

Hi, we are coming to Eurpoe from Australia mid march and are after a picture perfect skiing holiday!!! Any suggestions? We are looking for high altitude, stunning village/small town, pedestrianised and great for little ones as well as advanced skiers... :) :) Have no idea where to start, but would love any advice. Oh, great shops and an ice rink would be a bonus. thanks so much

Re:picturesque resort

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 06:17:02 GMT

Saas Fe or Wengen in Switzerland might be worth a look.

Re:picturesque resort

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:18:12 GMT

Are Saas Fee and Wengen car free? Zermatt is car free and could tick all the boxes .....

Re:picturesque resort

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:33:50 GMT

But is it as good for little ones? 1 hour queues to get up the mountain....????

Re:picturesque resort

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:41:31 GMT

Tony_H wrote:But is it as good for little ones? 1 hour queues to get up the mountain....????

Now that I cannot answer.

I wonder if the incompatibles are picturesque village and car free??
Would something like Les Arcs 1950, which is atractive but not traditional or maybe Valmorel (which I think is pretty much car free) work?

Re:picturesque resort

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:53:10 GMT

Try having a look at Le Grand bornand could tick all your box bar one .... It's not car Free

Re:picturesque resort

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 19:01:11 GMT

Whats the importance of it being car free I wonder, as not too many of the ski resorts I have been to have an issue with traffic at all. Apart from maybe Verbier around the town, but even then its not that bad.

Re:picturesque resort

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:02:49 GMT

Neither Zermatt nor Saas Fee for the little ones, especially if beginners. Wengen would tick the young one box, but may not be the best choice for advanced.
What has to be born in mind with family skiing, is that a contained resort is better than link-up resorts, so that you can have lunch time/end of day meet-ups.
Obergurgl might fit the bill, with the same reservation for advanced. Hinterglemm certainly would, except that it is not overly high, and may well be a bit sticky at resort level in Mid March. Most years it would be OK though.
None of my choices would take into account shops. Zermatt has an icerink.

Re:picturesque resort

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:06:27 GMT

Take a look at Chamonix in France for stunning mountain scenery. Great resort, high altitude, loads to do off the slopes (ice rink, cinema, sports centre, loads of shops / restaurants / bars etc etc). Its not traffic free unfortunately, but the main street does not have much traffic going about.

Probably more suited to advanced skiers, but there are obviously some beginner slopes as well. It is also a short transfer from Geneva airport, where many airlines will fly to.

Well worth checking out.

Re:picturesque resort

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:43:51 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:Neither Zermatt nor Saas Fee for the little ones, especially if beginners. Wengen would tick the young one box, but may not be the best choice for advanced.
What has to be born in mind with family skiing, is that a contained resort is better than link-up resorts, so that you can have lunch time/end of day meet-ups.
Obergurgl might fit the bill, with the same reservation for advanced. Hinterglemm certainly would, except that it is not overly high, and may well be a bit sticky at resort level in Mid March. Most years it would be OK though.
None of my choices would take into account shops. Zermatt has an icerink.

Whats N like mid March, would you not recommend there? :shock:

Re:picturesque resort

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:09:31 GMT

Saas Fee ticks all your boxes! :D

Re:picturesque resort

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:58:16 GMT

Best try "N" it might not be car free but it will be snow free come mid March :lol:

Re:picturesque resort

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:05:31 GMT

Zermatt would tick all the boxes. It's got the only Matterhorn, car free, Wolliland for children, large ice rink, lots of (expensive) shops, non skiing activities, ice palace. It's pricey, but it is also unique. Make the trip worth it!

Re:picturesque resort

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:16:47 GMT

bandit wrote:Zermatt would tick all the boxes. It's got the only Matterhorn, car free, Wolliland for children, large ice rink, lots of (expensive) shops, non skiing activities, ice palace. It's pricey, but it is also unique. Make the trip worth it!

Zermatt would tick the box's, but the cost !!!!!!!!

Re:picturesque resort

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:09:22 GMT

I hope this review of Saas Fee is of help:

"Saas Fee is arguably the most beautiful village in the Alps. Its winding, car-free streets are flanked by traditional Swiss chalets and cowsheds and dwarfed by 13 4000m peaks, the 4545m Dom and a glacier that seems to hang right above it. Its quaint appearance belies a vibrant party scene, there are excellent restaurants and hotels, good non-skiing activities and it's an idyllic spot for families. Saas Fee is car-free, so drivers have to park outside the village and find their accommodation on foot or via an electric taxi (most hotels offer a shuttle service)...
Insanely picturesque village with lively nightlife... A cheaper, less crowded alternative to neighbouring Zermatt...High altitude makes for excellent snow."

:D

Re:picturesque resort

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 20:28:25 GMT

Zermatt ~ Thanks for the Wolli info, Bandit, there are some new developments since I was last there. (Been there 3 x, but not as many as you!) However, you still have to electric bus to the station, then Funicular up to Sunnegga Paradise, and the same down. And then, the adult skiers may need to ski in the same area, which defeats the point of Zermatt.
Inghams list only one resort as one star for beginners ~ Zermatt.

Re:picturesque resort

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 20:37:14 GMT

Certainly, I will be skiing for 2 weeks in Niederau in Mid march, plus a week on another place ~ where Zermatt is on the short list.
It is absolutely perfect for families. It isn't car free, but it is Plonker-free. - )

Re:picturesque resort

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 11:27:43 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:Certainly, I will be skiing for 2 weeks in Niederau in Mid march, plus a week on another place ~ where Zermatt is on the short list.
It is absolutely perfect for families. It isn't car free, but it is Plonker-free. - )

:shock: