Ski season 2015/16

olaola · 18-01-2016 01:28PM

There's a possibility I'm going to Villars for a long weekend. PHEW!!!! Thought it would be a totally snow-less winter in 2016. The thing is, I'm up the duff... Am considering bringing my boots anyway, and might do some of the slopes really early before they get busy. Will defo do some hiking. Bring the wee man sledding etc. Just to be in the snow though... Ah, I can breathe a sigh of relief!

kal7 · 18-01-2016 04:59PM

lovely resort Villars, wee bit small for full week.

Enjoy olaola.

Rew · 19-01-2016 04:20PM

olaola wrote: »

There's a possibility I'm going to Villars for a long weekend. PHEW!!!! Thought it would be a totally snow-less winter in 2016. The thing is, I'm up the duff... Am considering bringing my boots anyway, and might do some of the slopes really early before they get busy. Will defo do some hiking. Bring the wee man sledding etc. Just to be in the snow though... Ah, I can breathe a sigh of relief!

Congrats Olaola!!!

olaola · 20-01-2016 01:44PM

Rew wrote: »

Congrats Olaola!!!

Thanks

Last time I was preggers, we all went to Westendorf and I did a good bit of snow-shoeing & hiking. And then I'd meet the lads up in the mountain huts for lunch. Was lovely and relaxing & I got my 'snow fix' for that year.

olaola · 20-01-2016 01:46PM

kal7 wrote: »

lovely resort Villars, wee bit small for full week.

Enjoy olaola.

OOo... Have you been? Any recommendations? We're going to fly into Geneva, so think we'll pop over into France to do the shopping en route. And might spin over to Verbier, we're only there 4 days. So will see how we're going.

kal7 · 21-01-2016 10:01AM

Hi, I was in Villars, but way back, think it was 1998 or 1999.

We loved the atmosphere, felt very at home in village.

Just that we had skied most of the runs in two days, although the traverse chair to another resort we only found halfway through the week.

Couldn't afford guide so don't know about off piste.

So long ago can't remember much and would be out of date anyway, sorry.

Enjoy.

kal7 · 21-01-2016 10:02AM

Hi, I was in Villars, but way back, think it was 1998 or 1999.

We loved the atmosphere, felt very at home in village.

Just that we had skied most of the runs in two days, although the traverse chair to another resort we only found halfway through the week.

Couldn't afford guide so don't know about off piste.

So long ago can't remember much and would be out of date anyway, sorry.

Enjoy.

Fattes · 21-01-2016 11:16AM

This morning life is good

olaola · 21-01-2016 01:54PM

kal7 wrote: »

Hi, I was in Villars, but way back, think it was 1998 or 1999.

We loved the atmosphere, felt very at home in village.

Just that we had skied most of the runs in two days, although the traverse chair to another resort we only found halfway through the week.

Couldn't afford guide so don't know about off piste.

So long ago can't remember much and would be out of date anyway, sorry.

Enjoy.

Ah, no worries. Myself & the wee man will be hitting the hot chocolate high spots while we're there. Sounds like a nice village to hang around in. Now has access to 225kms of piste, so plenty to keep them busy for 4 days. Might try my hand on the slopes on Monday when all the weekend skiers have gone home & it's quieter.

cormee · 22-01-2016 03:14PM

Down to 0 days! Woohoo.

It's been a long and arduous journey from 120+ days to zero.

VT is looking very damned snowy too.

AlternateID · 22-01-2016 06:22PM

cormee wrote: »

Down to 0 days! Woohoo.

It's been a long and arduous journey from 120+ days to zero.

VT is looking very damned snowy too.

Tomorrow for me too but Ischgl. Trying to pack now.

CardinalJ · 22-01-2016 10:24PM

Quick word of warning for anyone traveling with Crystal Ski/Thomson.

We flew last week and they were being very strict with weight limits on check in. Normally they don't pay any attention. They're charging €16/kg. Stung a few friends for almost €100 before we'd even started.

I managed to prop my bag up with my leg and do the same with my skis.

prunudo · 22-01-2016 10:44PM

CardinalJ wrote: »

Quick word of warning for anyone traveling with Crystal Ski/Thomson.

We flew last week and they were being very strict with weight limits on check in. Normally they don't pay any attention. They're charging €16/kg. Stung a few friends for almost €100 before we'd even started.

I managed to prop my bag up with my leg and do the same with my skis.

Thanks for the heads up, even though the allowance is usually 20kg my bag normally comes in at 22kg. Haven't got charged yet thankfully.
Its a pet hate of mine re. weight limits for winter sport. Not like you're packing light clothing for a sun holiday. Besides my bag being an extra 2 kg over is nothing compared to my friend who weights 15kg more than me!

Was that going into Innsbruck?

CardinalJ · 23-01-2016 12:00AM

jvan wrote:

Was that going into Innsbruck?

Yep.

Eurovisionmad · 23-01-2016 09:15AM

CardinalJ wrote: »

Quick word of warning for anyone traveling with Crystal Ski/Thomson.

We flew last week and they were being very strict with weight limits on check in. Normally they don't pay any attention. They're charging €16/kg. Stung a few friends for almost €100 before we'd even started.

I managed to prop my bag up with my leg and do the same with my skis.

That's mental, last time we flew with Topflight is was actually with Ryanair & they were very lax! (Although that could have something to do with it being Christmas Eve!)

CardinalJ · 23-01-2016 01:02PM

Eurovisionmad wrote: »

That's mental, last time we flew with Topflight is was actually with Ryanair & they were very lax! (Although that could have something to do with it being Christmas Eve!)

Yea. Normally very relaxed. 20kg normally tons for any trip, but with ski boots etc its easy to blow passed it!

Rew · 23-01-2016 11:43PM

CardinalJ wrote: »

Quick word of warning for anyone traveling with Crystal Ski/Thomson.

We flew last week and they were being very strict with weight limits on check in. Normally they don't pay any attention. They're charging €16/kg. Stung a few friends for almost €100 before we'd even started.

Thanks flying this weekend very good to know!

willah · 24-01-2016 02:04PM

dogsears wrote: »

Heading off to Zell am See in the morning (bright and very early). Can't wait!

How was your trip? Heading there next weekend. Never been to Zell before

lbj666 · 24-01-2016 03:18PM

Eurovisionmad wrote: »

That's mental, last time we flew with Topflight is was actually with Ryanair & they were very lax! (Although that could have something to do with it being Christmas Eve!)

Ya, flew back from Salzburg with Ryanair yesterday , they were really lax. Cabin luggage was rammed , loads of people with bags under their seats and didn't see anyone been asked to put their carry on into the hold. They didn't bother weighing my board bag thankfully as it was 2-3 kgs overweight. Its possible they are too busy at that time to be sticklers to their policies

Be warned the que for oversized luggage in salzburg can get very long, hit it at the wrong time and you can have a few bus loads of package trippers queing in front of you.

mulbot · 24-01-2016 05:56PM

Just back from La Thuile in Italy and have to say it was one of the best weeks skiing I've ever had. We booked this last minute through Crystal and got a great deal. The snow had came heavy in the week before we got there so we had lovely fresh powder and some super skiing. The days were clear, sunny calm which made it even more enjoyable. It's not a hugely lively resort but that suits us and If anyone is thinking of going fell free to ask any questions.

The ski area is huge,very well planned runs,lots of reds,blacks and more than enough blues to keep learners busy.The liftpass gives you access to La Rosiere in France,which you reach by skiing from La Thuile!!!! Totally recommend it.

maddness · 24-01-2016 06:40PM

mulbot wrote: »

Just back from La Thuile in Italy and have to say it was one of the best weeks skiing I've ever had. We booked this last minute through Crystal and got a great deal. The snow had came heavy in the week before we got there so we had lovely fresh powder and some super skiing. The days were clear, sunny calm which made it even more enjoyable. It's not a hugely lively resort but that suits us and If anyone is thinking of going fell free to ask any questions.

The ski area is huge,very well planned runs,lots of reds,blacks and more than enough blues to keep learners busy.The liftpass gives you access to La Rosiere in France,which you reach by skiing from La Thuile!!!! Totally recommend it.

La Thuile is a gem of a resort. Small and quiet town but great skiing and great Food and wine in some lovely restaurants in the town.

mulbot · 24-01-2016 07:07PM

maddness wrote: »

La Thuile is a gem of a resort. Small and quiet town but great skiing and great Food and wine in some lovely restaurants in the town.

So true,those little restaurants and cafes were so nice,very much what I'd imagined "oldstyle" Italy to be-will do another trip for sure

fmlarnapairce · 25-01-2016 10:42AM

mulbot wrote: »

Just back from La Thuile in Italy and have to say it was one of the best weeks skiing I've ever had. We booked this last minute through Crystal and got a great deal. The snow had came heavy in the week before we got there so we had lovely fresh powder and some super skiing. The days were clear, sunny calm which made it even more enjoyable. It's not a hugely lively resort but that suits us and If anyone is thinking of going fell free to ask any questions.

The ski area is huge,very well planned runs,lots of reds,blacks and more than enough blues to keep learners busy.The liftpass gives you access to La Rosiere in France,which you reach by skiing from La Thuile!!!! Totally recommend it.

I loved it as well, really well groomed pistes and some class restaurants. The black run down into the village would wake you up in the morning!
Drove over from Bergamo (nice city) and stopped in Aosta on the way back, again very nice. It is quiet for sure, but that is Italy for ya.

Fattes · 26-01-2016 01:55PM

Just had 5 Irish ladies here for the week who love to ski the off piste and an absolute pleasure to host them, especially as they got some of the best conditions of the season.

Fattes · 26-01-2016 04:09PM

A few more

dogsears · 26-01-2016 08:12PM

willah wrote: »

How was your trip? Heading there next weekend. Never been to Zell before

Super trip. The town is very nice and has some classy places to eat/drink - some can be quite pricey for sure though. If you're staying central the gondola up is very close and you ski back down to the town in the evening.

On the Weds we hired ski bikes for the day - what a blast. Those things just go so fast yet are easy to ride and control. Would definitely recommend that if budget permits. Its not well advertised though - we just bumped into the guy during one of the days and got talking to him that way.

The skiing itself benefitted from recent snowfalls including a fall during a couple of nights in the week, so the snow was great. There's a real advantage in being up on one of the first lifts when the slopes are just groomed (same as anywhere I suppose) but it wasn't all that busy at all so never got overly rutted/mogully.

Have a look into Gunthers on the way down to the town at the end of the day. Take the blue 5 down - its a road through the woods - rather than the black and you'll find Gunthers for a final beer/schnapps/kaiserschmarrn before finishing up. Beware of staying too long though - skiing back to the town in the dark might get a bit scary if you have any inexperienced skiers in the group!

If you're absolutely loaded you should go to the Ginhouse. You get a menu of gins - millions of them, and about 25 different tonics to put with them. Expensive but definitely classy.

fannymagee · 27-01-2016 09:18AM

The aul' Skiwelt scrubs up well! ;-)

https://www.facebook.com/SkiWelt/videos/1111061212237619/

fannymagee · 27-01-2016 09:22AM

olaola wrote: »

Thanks Last time I was preggers, we all went to Westendorf and I did a good bit of snow-shoeing & hiking. And then I'd meet the lads up in the mountain huts for lunch. Was lovely and relaxing & I got my 'snow fix' for that year.

Ah I remember that!! Great news on both counts- baby AND snow ;-) xxx

Vegeta · 27-01-2016 09:34AM

dogsears wrote: »

kaiserschmarrn

Nyom nyom nyom, kaiserschmarrn has to be one of my favourite things from my last two (also my first two) skiing trips

olaola · 27-01-2016 02:02PM

fannymagee wrote: »

Ah I remember that!! Great news on both counts- baby AND snow ;-) xxx

Thanks FMcG! Looking forward to many hot chocolates & treats in mountain huts

Ski season 2015/16

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