First time skiing

Jordan79 · 25-07-2008 6:34pm #1

Want to go on a skiing holiday in Feb and was wondering if anyone has any advise on what websites to look at or what resorts are the best. Would be our first time skiing and would be on a budget so any advise on the cheaper resorts would be great...

thanks

robinph · 25-07-2008 7:03pm

I think one of the Grand Valiara areas in Andorra are excellent for first timers. Very good ski school, plenty of great big wide open pistes that give you plenty of chance to progress during the week onto somthing more challenging. Pas de la Casa would be the most lively at night with Soldeu/ El Tarter a little bit quieter. Andorra is probably not quite as cheap as it used to be compared with some other places though but they are still good prices.

Edit: Just spotted that you said Febuary, other than Christmas/ New Year week that is going to be about the most expensive time to go anywhere

Static M.e. · 26-07-2008 1:34pm

Yeah I agree with Ropinph, Andorra is a great place to learn to Ski/Board.

I've been to Soldeu about 4 or 5 times now with different groups, its got something for everyone from Begineer to Advanced, they have a great SnowPark aswell.

You could also look at livigno which would be another cheap option, the best time for you to fly is the last week in January, you get low season prices with a very good chance of alot of Snow.

EileenG · 19-08-2008 1:51am

If you speak any kind of French, then Val Cenis is great. It's got the longest green run in Europe, which zigzags across the mountain so even the most nervous or tired beginner can ski back safely. Also got steeper runs!

Half the price of the big resorts in the next valley like Val Thorens. I like staying in the Centre International de Sejour or the Auberge de Jeunesse, both provide full board and accommdation and are very friendly. No single supplements for odd numbers.

Overflow · 19-08-2008 12:28pm

I would have to say Andorra aswell for beginners, i went there my first two times Snow Boarding, had a great time, got 1 Day of lessons and picked the rest up on my own, nice big wide easy slopes, great for practicing.

I stayed in Arinsal, which is a nice little town, there was a great nightlife, Quo Vadis Pub was particularly good, lots of friendly people. Oh and there was a tacky Irish Bar run by some Brits, was a good laugh though.

Not sure about the snow, both times i was there early Jan, the first time the snow was ok, but it had not snowed in a few weeks. The second time we went the snow was terrible, very little on the slopes, rocks all over the place and it didnt snow at all.
So maybe it wasnt the best time for snow so you should check that out.

Direct Ski used to run fairly reasonably cheap packages to Andorra, www.directski.ie

Lucifer · 30-09-2008 8:41pm

soldeu in andorra would be my first choice....hotel brussels is great if your on a budget...i have always gone with crystal because transfer time from toulouse is less then from barcalona (which direct ski, panorama, topflight etc use)

can't recomend the ski school enough...

earlyevening · 05-10-2008 10:56pm

Livigno, Italy is a good spot for beginners too. Its a tax free area so everything is dirt cheap. The only problem is that its 5 hrs from the airport.

loobylou · 05-10-2008 11:12pm

http://www.wtss.co.uk/index.jsp

Rainbowbrite87 · 06-10-2008 10:03am

Andorra is absolutely beautiful but very expensive and not much else to do..
Fair enough it is supposed to be a boarding/skiing holiday but a small bit of other entertainment might not go astray.... Also it is a four and a half hour bus journey to Andorra which is an absolute killer.. :mad:

flikflak · 07-10-2008 4:44pm

Rainbowbrite87 wrote: »

Andorra is absolutely beautiful but very expensive and not much else to do..
Fair enough it is supposed to be a boarding/skiing holiday but a small bit of other entertainment might not go astray.... Also it is a four and a half hour bus journey to Andorra which is an absolute killer.. :mad:

Nah 2 hrs in the car Toulouse to Soldeu its a hassle free trip.

If they are beginners then after a few apres pints they will only be fit for bed. They will be wrecked after being up early and learning all day. As long as there are a few bars in resort then thats all you need. Soldeu is great as it has some good bars and restaurants. Hotel Brussels €10 menu is a winner!! Well that was 2 years ago but it cant have gone up too much.

Arinsal is also good but is a bit further down the road so a bit further to drive but it does have the Quo Vadis and El Cau - ahh the memories!!

First time skiing

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