Andorra, Pas de la Cassa

FixItAginTomora

Any reviews for the above location, thinking of going early Janurary, seems good value, is there a reason for this?! :eek:
Group of about 10 going. everywhere else seems very busy early Janruary.

SaraSki

Good resort for beginners, not much to challenge more advanced skiers...but grand for people who have only done four or five weeks.

StormGazer.11

SaraSki wrote: »

Good resort for beginners, not much to challenge more advanced skiers...but grand for people who have only done four or five weeks.

Only done four or five weeks? I wouldn't class someone who's skiied for four or five weeks a beginner (unless I see otherwise anyway) But I do agree that Pas is more suitable for beginners, the whole of Andorra is OP. If your looking for more of a challenge or just some more advanced skiing and better night life an Austrian resort is what you need

SaraSki

StormGazer.11 wrote: »

Only done four or five weeks? I wouldn't class someone who's skiied for four or five weeks a beginner (unless I see otherwise anyway) But I do agree that Pas is more suitable for beginners, the whole of Andorra is OP. If your looking for more of a challenge or just some more advanced skiing and better night life an Austrian resort is what you need

Haha, I would...skiing is unique in that people who have done it for a week or two class themselves at intermediate...and any more and they call themselves advanced, 10 weeks and they reckon they are experts! I don't think people would do this in many other sports...Most people who only do a week a year are still beginners, not day 1 beginners where they need to learn how to put skis on, but still beginners in the sport, but I know many people will take offense to this standpoint and argue that they are amazing and "ski black runs all the time" and "go 120kph on their iphone app". But yeah, Andorra is for beginners, limited terrain. Also good for cheap booze/perfume, whole country is one giant duty free! Austria is amazing and has good apres, but France is cheaper and can be great for wild nights out in places like Tignes, Val T, L2A etc...if you don't mind loads of students that is, depends what you are going for!

StormGazer.11

I went to Soldeu up the road for Pas a few years back and stayed in the Sport Hotel which was lovely but the place itself was fairly lifeless and completely dead when compared to St. Anton and Mayrhofen. I can't speak for Val T but the last trip to Tignes I don't have enough memories to work off, it was a student booze up more than a ski trip. On the whole beginner thing, four of five weeks and you do have the basics plus more of skiing, certainly wouldn't class an expert but they'd certainly be more along than a beginner. Anyway this debate could go on and we'll just completely divert the OPs original thread so I'll say no more other than I liked how you got in the bit about cheap perfume in the last comment.. nobody likes sitting on a chairlift with a smelly person

SaraSki

Yeah I think we will have to agree to disagree, as an instructor a lot of people I see on the hill (not the ones I teach, obviously...haha) haven't got the basics, especially if they are self taught or have had some guidance from someone who isn't qualified to give it, will have no basic technique.

Tignes is part of the Espace Killy, and Val T is part of the 3 Valleys, two of the largest ski areas going, but yeah very studenty especially at the time you are looking at going op.

FixItAginTomora

Thanks for all advice, this be third year for me and few others, more experienced ppl along also. I learned (badly!) in Chamonix, found it very icy. was in Livigino last year. Best so far in terms of equipment, lifts, ski area etc. The problem is everywhere is either too expensive or booked the week we all agreed on, it says theres 23 Black, 36 Red & 31 Blue Slopes. Hope this suits everyone. when we go (1st wk Jan) it usually very quiet the last two years anywhere. Think we may try Val T next year, I hear theres a new train up the mountain or something.

Fattes

If you found Chamonix Icy you will love how Icy Andorra is. The area has the worst snow record in Europe.

It also has a the most expensive lift pass in Europe per KM of piste available.

Not a fan myself but it is cheap, if you can afford the difference go to Austria.

FixItAginTomora

Half price lift passes for the week we going @ €89 I think.
well from a learner perspective it seemed icy the 1st year, was easier get to grips with it in Livigino. Dont think budgets will allow anywhere else. We booked early Nov last year no prob, this year most was booked out late Oct.

mahoney_j

SaraSki wrote: »

Haha, I would...skiing is unique in that people who have done it for a week or two class themselves at intermediate...and any more and they call themselves advanced, 10 weeks and they reckon they are experts! I don't think people would do this in many other sports...Most people who only do a week a year are still beginners, not day 1 beginners where they need to learn how to put skis on, but still beginners in the sport, but I know many people will take offense to this standpoint and argue that they are amazing and "ski black runs all the time" and "go 120kph on their iphone app". But yeah, Andorra is for beginners, limited terrain. Also good for cheap booze/perfume, whole country is one giant duty free! Austria is amazing and has good apres, but France is cheaper and can be great for wild nights out in places like Tignes, Val T, L2A etc...if you don't mind loads of students that is, depends what you are going for!

Austra amazing and very good apres ,definetly yes.But saying france is cheaper is off the mark.France mostly is very expensive and apres is def better in austria.French resorts noy in the same league either when it comes to hospitality any time i was there i got the impresion i was only a tourist(which i was)and they wanted to fleece me for all the money they could get.Austria on the other hand is very hospitabel and people are freindly and welcomming and is much better value for money

6480

you also cant beat austria for their good food