Can you recommend a ski resort?

Question

Somewhere in Europe that is not super expensive, that has beginner lessons and slopes, easy enough to get to...

Answer 1

Do NOT go to Zakopane, it is all split up and you will spend half you time on a bus.
I have a flat in Meribel, but I would not recommend it for beginners as the beginner slopes are very limited.
Corcheval if probably your best option, it has plenty of beginner ski slopes, can be quite reasonable, and when you get better you have access the the biggest ski resort on earth (which includes Meribel).

Answer 2

If you are a beginner, before you go, I would recommend having a lesson at one of the snow-domes in the UK. There are fantastic ones just south of Leeds, and at Milton Keynes. They also do a fast track one day lesson that guarantees you'll be feeling comfortable on your skis by the end of the day.

As a beginner you will stop a lot, so I wouldn't go skiing in January or you will get too cold. Avoid school holidays as the price doubles, so maybe look in early to mid-March - which will give you plenty of sunshine, and the biting winds should be a distant memory from January.

I have skied all over the world and do not rate France very highly, esp for a beginner. The lifts are slow as they have not been invested in as well as other country's resorts, and they are expensive. Yes it is extensive skiing - but you won't cover much ground!

So look to Austria and Italy. Italy is very cheap and the food is wonderful, you won't get so ripped off on the mountain restaurants. Austria is cute and very pretty, but not quite as cheap as Italy - but the lifts are fast and tend to be covered to keep you warm.

I would recommend you buy a book called 'Where to ski and snowboard 2006'. At the front it has a tick list for each resort and you will be able to track down a resort with a good snow record but with good beginner skiing from the list.

In Austria - have a look at Mayrhofen: Cute town, lots of nice easy open runs and a fun nightlife. Only downside is that you can't ski into resort, but get a cable car off the mountain.

In Italy - have a look at Sestriere: great snow record, easy reach from Turin airport and very good value. Only downside is that it's not a pretty as some resorts.

Where ever you go - have a great time!

Answer 3

If you're a beginner I would say that time of year will be more important than where you go. If you book somewhere over half term or the easter week you are gonna be queing for lifts most of the day. The bigger the resort generally the better the facilities for beginners from nicer slopes and more ski schools to a more expansive apres ski scene. Val d'isere has everything (including price tags to match) but like I said, if you go off season prices are reasonable everywhere.

Answer 4

I'm based in Nj, but we've been out west a few times, although not recently. In Summit Co. Colorado I like Breck, Copper and Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin). Breckenridge has the most varied terrain, from cruisers to double blacks. Plus, they have a real town, not some ersatz "alpine village" so there's a good vaiety of shops, bars and restaurants [ I recommend the Breck. Brewing Co]. Copper is a little more upscale and has some nice bowls, but if you stay there, you're pretty much confined to the resort area. A-Basin is where you go to ski- the fashions on the hill tend more to duct tape than Bogner. However, the terrain is more challenging. If you go to Tahoe, my choices are Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl. Alpine is a little more laid back, has great views of trhe lake and you can take cruisers down from the top. Squaw Valley (Squallywood) is a little more glitzy, but it's huge and again, lots of cruisers for those who are still getting into skiing. Come back later when you've got your Mojo and ski Granite Chief. Sugar Bowl (built by Walt Disney in '39) is smaller and less crowded. You could do 1 day at Heavenly- this is where they take the "money shots" you see in the tourism ads and ski in 2 states in 1 day. Out East, we like Sugarbush, Killington and Stowe. The first two are not that easy to get to (fly into Burlington and rent a car). I like the terrain and the atmosphere at the 'Bush- everybody always seems to be happy there. Stowe is classic NE skiing, a lot of steep and winding trails. As far as the number or trails goes (126), Killington is the biggest area in the East. Good snowmaking and grooming, varied terrain and you can take cruisers down from the peak. The Wobbly Barn on the Killington Road is consistantly voted one of the the best apres ski bars in the country. Point 'em downhill and go!

Answer 5

I went to the Flora Alpina Hotel in Passo Tonale, Italy last Christmas. I think it cost about £650 per person including ski passes, equipment etc. The hotel was literally on the bottom of the ski slopes and you could ski into the storage room at the back of the hotel. It was a great little hotel and i wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

There was actually a group of six of us varying from complete beginner to very competent but the resort had something for all of us.

All six of us are planning to go back to the same resort and hotel Christmas 2007.

Answer 6

I would recommend France, somewhere like Meribel or La Plagne. Not cheap (decent skiing rarely is) but it is not hyper expensive.

They are easy to get to, either by road, rail or air and both have good beginner slopes within easy reach, English speaking ski schools/instructors, a decent supply of snow.

Plus they are decent resort towns that have other stuff to keep you entertained like decent Apres Ski, swimming, ice skating, walks etc. Important if people within the party feel skiing (boarding) is not for them after a few lessons.

Plus if you are going with experienced skiiers, they won't get bored either.

Looking beyond that, you could try the likes of Andorra or Bulgaria for budget holidays but my experience of those is pretty limited.

Answer 7

Schuffal or Elma : Austria, fab area for starting out, lots of gentle wide blue runs to nice cheep mountain restaurants with fabulous views. the instructors all speak wonder full English.

we went their three seasons ago and had a two hour private lesson (about £40 for us both) and now i can confidently ski a red run and my husband is on blacks.

a lot has to do with what your looking for.... night life, you need to go some were big but for the snow and the skiing only you can`t beet the smaller villages.

the indoor snow domes are good but quite pricey, but to be honest we learnt more in two hours on a mountain than you would in a snow dome.

also go with a good company if you can afford it, the reps will help you hire your ski and boots, and most can direct you to good slopes, transport or bars.

above all, be prepared to laugh at yourself, i still spend as much time down as i do up.......try:
crystal,
nelson,
esprit,
ski independent,
peak retreats.
they are all on the Internet.


good luck.

Answer 8

les gets in france youcan go there with ski activity u can stay in a hotel chalet or self catering appartment. its a very pretty skiing village with souvinier shops ice rink clubs cinema and great skiin.
u flay to swiss airport and it takes an hour to get to the village. it has beginner slopes with magic carpets and harder slopes for better skiers. i dont think its 2 expensive i been there evry feburary for the past 4 years

Answer 9

go to mayrhofen, Austria. great town with loads of great skiing slopes all around. recommend highly!

Answer 10

We went first time skiing at Santa Catarina - Italy near Bormio - it was great.