Skiing/Snowboarding Holiday

Kiith

Ok, so i'm planning on going on a skiing holiday in January/February next year, preferably somewhere in Europe, and not somewhere very expensive. I dont mind paying extra for a good quality setting/accomodation though. Probably for a week (maybe two), and i was wondering if i could get a few recomendations. Somewhere with a good selection of slopes.

I'm not sure yet how many people i will be going with (still early days), but how early do people generally book them?

Imposter

What level are you and the group at? Are lessons required? Outside of skiing how important is nightlife (Apres ski and later on)? Roughly how many people would be going?

Glowing

Chamonix, although not the cheapest resort, is fabulous!
There is a HUGE selection of runs of all levels - the town is big with plenty of nice bars and restaurants.

Kiith

Glowing wrote:

Chamonix, although not the cheapest resort, is fabulous!
There is a HUGE selection of runs of all levels - the town is big with plenty of nice bars and restaurants.

A good night life would be nice. Not essential, but would be a bonus. I'll check Chamonix out.

Imposter wrote:

What level are you and the group at? Are lessons required? Outside of skiing how important is nightlife (Apres ski and later on)? Roughly how many people would be going?

I've done dry slope skiing in Kiltiernan, but never done the real thing. The others (assuming there are others) would probably have even less experience. I kinda figured we'd just pick it up as we went along. They would probably be more into skiing, whereas i'd probably go for snowboarding.

Also, anyone have a recomended site to book from?

5starpool

I think you should check out the Wintersports forum here. There is a review thread stickied there from people who visited resorts last winter. If this thread is moved there also it may get a better response, but maybe not since it is not exactly peak time of year for it, so traffic may be slow.

redzerdrog

Glowing wrote:

Chamonix, although not the cheapest resort, is fabulous!
There is a HUGE selection of runs of all levels - the town is big with plenty of nice bars and restaurants.

+1

Kiith

5starpool wrote:

I think you should check out the Wintersports forum here. There is a review thread stickied there from people who visited resorts last winter. If this thread is moved there also it may get a better response, but maybe not since it is not exactly peak time of year for it, so traffic may be slow.

Ahh, didnt realise that there was a Wintersports forum. Will check that out now. Thanks.

La La

chamonix, val d'isere and tignes have some sexy terrain.

zermatt is amazing but expensive - and a higher altitude. i was boarding there in december and had a wicked time whereas this woman i met in the airport had had a crap time in meribel cos it was all rained out and slush. depends on the season i guess, but those are the hills i'd recommend.

robinph

La La wrote:

chamonix, val d'isere and tignes have some sexy terrain.

zermatt is amazing but expensive - and a higher altitude. i was boarding there in december and had a wicked time whereas this woman i met in the airport had had a crap time in meribel cos it was all rained out and slush. depends on the season i guess, but those are the hills i'd recommend.

Was in Meribel in January and thought it was great, the snow was a bit rubbish down the bottom of the valley for the beginner taking lessons who was with us though but that woulds have been pretty much the same in any resort for most of the last season. The most begginer friendly resort I've seen so far though would probably be somewhere in Andorra though, the schools are very good, there are plenty of easy runs to keep most people amused and there is plenty of nightlife in Pas, the weather was very bad for snow there this year though.

Gatsby

I was in pas in andorra last year. The set up of the slopes is great for beginners but I was very disappointed with the night life.

Was in livigno in Italy this year. Good skiing for a relative novice like me and the night life was much better. the only thing that would prevent me from going back is the ridicuously long transfer from the airport. But unlike me, if you can sleep on a bus then it shouldn't an issue

Kiith

Ok, some good suggestions so far. Definatly looking into chamonix, asd a few others that are on the Winter Sports forum.

When (generally) is the best time to go? I was thinking early January, but i could easily wait till mid-February if the snow would be better then.

Glowing

Early January is peak season as far as I know. Try to avoid school holidays if possible.

I prefer later in the season, early March is perfect for me - as the weather can be a lot warmer, but you still get regular fresh snow. You can leave the hat behind and just wear a teeshirt under your ski jacket.

Imposter

I find January can be really cold. February is pretty much all school holidays. Last weekend in Jan or first 2 in March are the ones i'd go for if I had a choice.

Look into Austria too. Price wise it has to be comparable with France and the skiing is second to none.

shrapnel222

one of the best domaines is "les portes du soleil" and popular but not too busy resorts are morzine(my favorite), avoriaz. This is the biggest domaine in Europe and has great slopes for all levels. You can ski every day all day and never do the same slope twice (almost)