Opinions on Sauze D'oulx?

prunudo

Probably not many around these parts in the middle of August but thought id just throw out the question.
A group of intermediate boarders and some skiers, recent resorts include Mayrhofen, Meribel, Livigno and Les Arcs.
We would be going early Feb. So what is the general opinion, good, bad or anything we should avoid?

Fattes

Great spot linked into the Mily way area, with some incredible skiing in Sestriere,Sansicario and others some great tress skiing to be had and a serious nightlife. You wont be bored. Really good value Short airport transfer and a pretty good snow record.

On the down side, food in some places can be hit and miss and its a hike or a bus ride to the lifts, no matter where you stay. The links into the milky way will have few drags - especially if you have boarders! But overall an absolutely cracking resort with plenty to do and a great spot all round

Try Eydallin ski hire, there grandson is a top class free rider and they are pretty good. If the old granny is still alive its worth it just to see her

prunudo

Ah good man Fattes, knew you would be along with some good advice :-D
One thing that worried me was the Italian ban on off piste which I'd read about. Now we aren't going into the back country but like to cut into the trees at the sides of the piste. What is it like on the ground, is it aggressively enforced?

Fattes

The Italians don't aggressively enforce anything especially after lunch

Tons of nice tree skiing there, & it is used by everyone. There is no off piste ban in Sauze

The Italian off piste ban is regional so it varies from resort to resort. Even we're it is in force if you have Shovel, probe & transceiver & are qualified or are with a guide its permitted most of the time

prunudo

Ah that's good to know, looks like we'll be heading to a new resort so, didn't fancy going back to Mayrhofen for a 3rd time in a row, even as good as it is!

a148pro

Fattes wrote: »

If the old granny is still alive its worth it just to see her

Fattes its your insider knowledge that makes you king of this forum!

I'm in the market for a new resort so am going to look into this

Fattes

Blushes brightly, I am just lucky working in the industry getting 6 weeks a year on snow and knowing the right people!

Just wake up an remember how lucky i am and happy to share anything I can.

D_D

Hi guys. I'm looking to book a holiday to Sauze d'Oulx in February next year. I have just a few questions for anyone who can give answers:

1) I've been hearing that the snow isn't great always in Sauze d'Oulx and isn't guaranteed... Now I'm not asking someone to predict the weather, but is this only the case, for say, start of the season in January? Or can the snow be missed for the whole season?

2) I've heard it's not great for beginners. Now, it is about 40% beginners in the group. When they say 'it's not great', is it awful and impossible to learn? Or is it the kind of place that forces you to learn a bit quicker than normal?

3) Is the town a bit mad? We're in the age bracket of 25-27. We're up for a laugh, but let's face it, we're not students any more...

Any help would be great. I'm just worried that I've been put in charge of organising and I do not want to choose a place that will screw over 40% of the group... Cheers.

navigator

Hi D_D
here some answers to your questions:
1) I wouldn't bother about snow. In february you'll find it certainly in Sauze. No chance to miss snow for the whole season, and never found Sauze with no snow in february.
2) Don't worry about beginners. They'll find slopes and space for themselves. A lot of beginners ski in Sauze (children, etc.)
3) Also for this, no worry. The places offers fun for who's interested in it, but is also quiet for everyone else. Lots of families also there.

Hope it helps. Ask if you need some info

D_D

Wow, thanks navigator. Great information. Puts my mind at rest anyway. Have to say, Boards is probably the best source for fair information on these sort of things on the internet. Always comes up trumps!

Can't wait for February now!

Fattes

D_DAll navigator said, the only issue you will have is the piste markings and lift system are a bit disfunctional and the food in the accomidation in the resort can be a bit hit and miss, but other than that!

prunudo

I ended up booking a trip to Sauze in early Feb. for myself and 6 mates. Like yourself D_D I read mixed reviews but Fattes answered my questions and took the advice and booked it. Can't wait now.

Sometimes is hard to find honest opinions on resorts online, the people with the bad views shout the loudest. Ie: before we went to Mayrhofen we heard about huge queues for the penken lift in the morning and evening but if you use your head you can easily avoid these.

D_D

I'm also heading early February with a group of about 20, February 2nd to 9th to be precise!

You're right about negative people with the loudest voice. I'm also heading to Soll in mid January, does anyone have opinions or help with this place?

Again, I've heard Soll is a bit hit or miss also. But again, I dunno.

Fattes

D_D Not a fan of Soll at all but it does the job for some people!

Fattes

Fattes wrote: »

Great spot linked into the Mily way area, with some incredible skiing in Sestriere,Sansicario and others some great tress skiing to be had and a serious nightlife. You wont be bored. Really good value Short airport transfer and a pretty good snow record.

On the down side, food in some places can be hit and miss and its a hike or a bus ride to the lifts, no matter where you stay.

Not if you stay here... - it's 100 metres from the slopes.

prunudo

I didn't see it myself but believe there was a quite favourable article about Sauze D'olux in The Sunday Buisness post the other day.

fannymagee

D_D if you need help or advice about Soll for your trip in January, give me a shout, I'll be over there at that stage :-)

irishguy

Could anyone tell me how much food/drink would be?

Fattes

irishguy; Sauze is one of the cheaper European resorts equivalent to the cheapest european resorts. ,plus most slopes are empty after 11 as the Italians dont believe in afternoon skiing.

fannymagee

D-D what kind of advice are you looking for re: Soll? Give me a shout if you need any. It's a great spot- don't mind the naysayers lol :rolleyes:

prunudo

Just back from a week in Sauze, snowed every day bar a bluebird day last Thursday with 2 big dumps on Wednesday and again on Friday. There was so much snow on the piste it was like being off-piste, not sure about the official figures but we got at least 2ft over the course of the week.

Cheers for all the advice, glad I booked it and would recommend it as a resort. Perfect for intermediates who like lots and lots of easy red runs, with plenty of trees for lots of fun if the conditions allow. I'll put up a resort review later.

Picture from last Wednesday