Skiing

[cambridgefox]

Sorry if a topic already exists,but ive just came back from a week in France with friends and they have suggested we go skiing in the new year.I want to do a bit of research and as it is my first time skiing i wondered if any of you have been and could recommend somewhere to go.We were looking at France but if anyone has any other suggestions,im all ears.

It could be a disaster 6ft 4" 17 and a half stone cant control my legs as it is,dodgy knees that are being replaced within the next 8 years,several dislocations of the shoulder due to rugby and football but im willing to give it a go.2 Adults 2 kids all first time,but the family we are going with have been a few times.

[MC Prussian]

You can fly to Geneva and take a trip to the French Alpes from there, try Chamonix. It's probably cheaper than skiing in Switzerland (although we do have some of the best slopes in the world).

Beginners can try Vallorcine, etc.

I've never been there, but apparently Austria's quite friendly and rather cheap - there's Ischgl, Kitzbuehl, St. Anton or Lech for instance.

Tannheim or Stanzach are ideal for beginners.

[80footgiraffe]

Les Carroz in france is blooming beautiful. You can drive there from Geneva airport, and only takes about an hour. We have a shared apartment there and go most winter seasons. Its a small village quite high up a mountain and very secluded, but gorgeous. There are several regions connected together that you can ski to with ease. Check it out on google

As for skiing itself, don't worry about height or weight, you can do it whatever you weigh, although it is harder the heavier you are, but only marginally, don't expect to be perfect as soon as you start, but after a couple of hours frustration and hate will take over, but pursue, because after just days, it will become a lot easier. Obviously I would recommend an instructor for beginners. Skiing is really good fun and I would recommend everyone try it at least once in their life. Let me know how it goes and if you're worried or unsure about it, why not try visiting the snowdome to try and get to grips with it. It's like riding a bike, after you've got it, it will only take about 10 minutes next season to remember how.

Good luck!

[Thracian]

Sorry if a topic already exists,but ive just came back from a week in France with friends and they have suggested we go skiing in the new year.I want to do a bit of research and as it is my first time skiing i wondered if any of you have been and could recommend somewhere to go.We were looking at France but if anyone has any other suggestions,im all ears.

It could be a disaster 6ft 4" 17 and a half stone cant control my legs as it is,dodgy knees that are being replaced within the next 8 years,several dislocations of the shoulder due to rugby and football but im willing to give it a go.2 Adults 2 kids all first time,but the family we are going with have been a few times.

Wherever you go it sounds as if you'll need to get some "acclimatisation" at a ski centre first. If your body's got weak points then a sudden burst of skiing will find them.

My youngest skied for a whole season in the French Alps and loved it but, given the choice I'd go for Switzerland every time. My favourite destination was the Jungfrau by Grindelwald, a recommendation of the Swiss themselves. the whole experience is magical.

And, it's no different when the skiing ends with trips to places like Interlaken, Lake Lucern, Chinon Castle, a boat trip on Lake Geneva and a visit to the "James Bond" revolving restaurant on Shilthorn all adding to your potential enjoyment.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=lake+lucerne+in+pictures&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADFA_en&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=AetlTsjZIM2r8APM-8GMCg&ved=0CCYQsAQ&biw=998&bih=561

http://www.bargaintraveleurope.com/08/Switzerland_Schilthorn_Bond.htm

[hairy]

Been loads of times especially to France. The Three Valleys is the most extensive skiing area in the world but if you are only just starting out you will not be able to take advantage of it.

Courchevel is very expensive compared to most places and the Russians take over during January. It is split into three resorts on three different levels. The highest one is where its at.

La Plagne is split into three resorts. Belle is the best. This a good place to go for first timers. The slopes are very good for beginners. Its expensive but not as expensive as Courchevel. You can do the Bobsleigh there too.

Les Arc again a split resort and the higher you go the better. Its not bad area to ski but can be crowded. Not been for a while so cant remember if it was expensive.

Meribel is a very good resort but the beginner slopes are half way up the mountain and where the ski school meets is at the bottom of a steep run. Its not the best for beginners. Its not as expensive but nowhere is cheap skiing.

Val d'Isere probably my fav place. Good extensive skiing and not too expensive. Lots of things going on in the evening. The beginneers slope is not too extensive though.

Esprit is a good firm to go with if your children are young. They look after the kids all day and in the evning too. They teach them to ski take them ice skating, bowling etc etc leaving you to learn to ski yourself and drink.

Thats a very quick summary if you want to know more just ask.

[RowlattsFox]

I went Skiing with the school when I was 16 I think, went somewhere in France, think it was Chatel. Seemed a good place for beginners. Really enjoyed it, even though I was abysmal at it, falling over is part of the fun right? Fantastic buzz when you're flying down the slope. Expensive though.

Went Swadlincote (sp) before I went to practice, not that it made much difference. And I always struggled with nose-bleeds every morning whilst going to the slopes <_<

[coale39]

Where is the best place to go for a good mix of slopes plus plenty of bars etc

Ive only been Les Deux before.

[Jackirius]

Make sure you are good at skiing before you go, or it is shit.

[Saxondale]

I've skied much of the French Alps.

For pure variety, you can't do better than the Three Valleys (Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens).

The actual big three resorts themselves are more expensive, but if you stay in one of the smaller linked resorts (eg, Les Menuires), it'll be cheaper.

Also, Courchevel is split in three (1950, 1650, 1550). The latter is the cheap one and still well located.

Make sure you go to ski school for a bit rather than trying to wing it - you'll only end up in hospital.

Get down to Tamworth Snowdome first for some introductory lessons - it'll be well worth it.

Any questions, just ask.

[Narborough_fox]

I went to skiing with my school in Risoul and I was bloody useless. Is really good fun though if you go with people you get on really well with.

[Jon the Hat]

Prepare for completely ****ed knees.

[Fox92]

I went snow boarding on a college trip last year. Isn't it like the same thing? (we went to Sheffield though)

[Steven]

Prepare for completely ****ed knees.

Quite. The first time I went the instructor kept on saying "bend ze knees". How very true. To ski effectively, you will need to use your knees a lot.

[coale39]

I've skied much of the French Alps.

For pure variety, you can't do better than the Three Valleys (Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens).

The actual big three resorts themselves are more expensive, but if you stay in one of the smaller linked resorts (eg, Les Menuires), it'll be cheaper.

Also, Courchevel is split in three (1950, 1650, 1550). The latter is the cheap one and still well located.

Make sure you go to ski school for a bit rather than trying to wing it - you'll only end up in hospital.

Get down to Tamworth Snowdome first for some introductory lessons - it'll be well worth it.

Any questions, just ask.

Is there anyway i can ski during the morning say and mountain bike/downhilling in like afternoon? Or is that just les deux? Which time would be best for good snow but also not much snow at bottom so suitable for biking? (if you follow?) Is april still fine for snow?

Cheers

[Saxondale]

Is there anyway i can ski during the morning say and mountain bike/downhilling in like afternoon? Or is that just les deux? Which time would be best for good snow but also not much snow at bottom so suitable for biking? (if you follow?) Is april still fine for snow?

Cheers

I'm not aware of anywhere that does mountain biking during ski season, so if Les Deux Alpes do then thats news to me!

April is OK for snow but can be a bit risky - it all depends what the season's like. I prefer to go February, as it's usually reliable snow but not as prone to whiteouts as January. Also, if you're going to France, try and avoid the French half terms. They stagger them across the country so they cover a three week period - worth checking when they are because the resorts end up full of lunatic French teenagers.

Personally, I'd go for either a mountain biking holiday later in the year OR a ski holiday. I wouldn't personally bother trying to combine the two.

[@mrtonycox]

I used to go Italy all the while, nice food, nice prices, nice scenary and no french..

Used to go to one place that was a tax free town, booze and food were dirt cheap.. Can't remember the name of it now.. may have been livigno or something like that.

[Saxondale]

Andorra is tax-free, quite cheap and the Grand Valira linked ski area is ample.

When I went, the weather was extreme. Lost two days to lift closure and two other days were pretty extreme.

By which I mean we got back down to Pas de la Casa station and though 'oh, it's nice and warm down here', looked at the thermometer and it was -18C! Reckon it was -25 on top plus major wind chill! Almost got stranded in a blizzard and zero visability at the summit - shit scary.

[cambridgefox]

Well it's that time of year again girls and gals.

Thanks for all your advice,went to La Tania last year,3 valleys,1 lift from the expensive Courchevel !

Now our friends want t give Italy a whirl,now I have heard snow can be unreliable in places but I can look.

Anyone had experience or recommendations at Italian resorts.

[rico]

Boss took us all Arinsal last year,great ski resort

[Soar Fox]

Ex girlfriends parents had an apartment in Val d'isere. I was better at Après-skiing than being on the slopes.

[Vlad the Fox]

Sauze doulxe. On the Milky Way if I remember correctly, huge skiing area and high up. Fantastic bar (ghost bar) literally at the end of the slope which served great food and beer, we struggled to get out there. Reasonably priced when we went, a few years back now but it was some of the best skiing I've done.

[BoneDog]

DON'T FORGET YOUR SKI BOOTS.

Just reminded me of the solid mental couple on our street when I was a kid - Laurel and Hardy. One day in winter we were doing the Laurel and Hardy theme tune through their letterbox and he came to the door and shouted to Hardy (his mrs), "GET ME SKI'S" I flippin legged it. Had many an hour of pure panic trying to get away from him on me BMX cos if he caught yer he'd belt the crap out on yer. If you came off your bike you just had to leave it behind and run.

What a furious, yet lovable, couple they were. Great days Eddie. Yer can't go back.

[Oxfordfox83]

How do Cambridge, I can heartily and completely recommend Cervinia. I've been a Ski Club of GB guide, and spent 5 weeks there, all brilliant. Lots of big, wide, well kept runs for novices, some great little routes for the more adventurous, and a cheap way to get yourself to Zermatt if you fancy going further afield.

It's a beautiful place, right under the Matterhorn (stunning, esp in the evening) good, cheap food and some quality bars in the evening. Really nice atmosphere for the place.

Happy to give more specific recommendations if required, but cannot recommend it enough. More snow sure than Sauze (where I've skied on grass), although that's a fun place too...

[cambridgefox]

Sauze doulxe. On the Milky Way if I remember correctly, huge skiing area and high up. Fantastic bar (ghost bar) literally at the end of the slope which served great food and beer, we struggled to get out there. Reasonably priced when we went, a few years back now but it was some of the best skiing I've done.

How do Cambridge, I can heartily and completely recommend Cervinia. I've been a Ski Club of GB guide, and spent 5 weeks there, all brilliant. Lots of big, wide, well kept runs for novices, some great little routes for the more adventurous, and a cheap way to get yourself to Zermatt if you fancy going further afield.

It's a beautiful place, right under the Matterhorn (stunning, esp in the evening) good, cheap food and some quality bars in the evening. Really nice atmosphere for the place.

Happy to give more specific recommendations if required, but cannot recommend it enough. More snow sure than Sauze (where I've skied on grass), although that's a fun place too...

Thanks both of you,these same two places have been mentioned by my boss today without mentioning your posts .Going to look into this now.Appreciated.

[Vlad the Fox]

DON'T FORGET YOUR SKI BOOTS.

Just reminded me of the solid mental couple on our street when I was a kid - Laurel and Hardy. One day in winter we were doing the Laurel and Hardy theme tune through their letterbox and he came to the door and shouted to Hardy (his mrs), "GET ME SKI'S" I flippin legged it. Had many an hour of pure panic trying to get away from him on me BMX cos if he caught yer he'd belt the crap out on yer. If you came off your bike you just had to leave it behind and run.

What a furious, yet lovable, couple they were. Great days Eddie. Yer can't go back.

lol Fooking hilarious. Reminded me of some of the stuff i used to get up to. It was always the ones that chased you that got the stick, used to shit bricks when trying to get away as my sides were splitting open i was so laughing so hard.