Where in Italy?

[SarBear1980]

Usually ski in Austria - high up - Christmas. Has to be Christmas due to work restrictions sadly…fancy a change and would like to go to Italy I think! Will I be disappointed if I like Austria for no queues, efficient and modern lifts and good snow. Not mad for black runs so challenging slopes not an issue! We like a bit of apres and a bit of something to do - swimming, bowling type thing. Any ideas about Sesteriere, Passo Tonale or Cervinia?

Hi

i too have been looking for the dolomites however I noticed how much love there is for Austria. Where do you recommend for families please?
also intrigued for those that did go to Italy this year do you recommend Cervinia?

Thanks a bunch!

We're heading to Cervinia after Christmas. We've not been before but we picked it due to it's height.

@SarBear1980 I'm a teacher too. We go at Easter, too. Is that a possibility for you?

Am a Cervinia convert. Went with one DC last year at Easter and really enjoyed it. The town doesn't win any prizes for beauty but the surroundings are fantastic and the lower lying villages are both attractive and cheaper. Fast lifts, good mountain for mixed parties, excellent piste maintenance and an on the ball tourist office offering good discounts out of peak season. Downside is not so much in the way of eg public spas and non eating or drinking based off slope stuff.

Also love the italian speaking bits of the dolomites for a more rounded holiday, less about the miles clocked up altho dolomites have serious mileage if that's your thing.

Piste maintenance and snow management are almost universally fab in Italy which is important in early or late season.

I've been to Austria several times and I don't like it as much as anywhere in Italy. Much of it is low lying although there are exceptions, and the food is too germanic for me.

Thanks so much for the replies

cant decide where is best to book for Dolomites cervinia or cortina!

we have enjoyed morzine and avoriaz a lot but want a change now. We are a family of 4 (2 children under 10) more green and blue runs than anything else

For those who have been to Austria where do you recommend there please xx

We went to St Anton in Austria last year. It was very nice and a lot cheaper than Switzerland. We flew into Zurich (cheaper flights) and got the train to St Anton.

My kids love Zermatt though, despite being less linked up than Tignes/Val D'Isere (although you can ski into Cervinia).

I wouldn't recommend St Anton for children - it is a great resort but its not famed for its blue and green runs - quite alot is red and black and the weather can be unpredictable. It was beautiful though, we had a gorgeous ski day around Lecht etc but one day (I'd taken 2 children out by myself) the weather turned and you literally couldn't see a metre in front of you and we got to the top of one (easy) run down and it had been cordonned off - we had to do a very steep red to get back as it was the only way down.

In fairness, that's probably true. My kids want to whiz down blacks so we didn't really clock whether there were green and blues. Liked the town though, it had lots of places to eat.

If you can bear the transfer time stay in corvara in badia - the plateau has amazing lovely blues with access to some reds/blacks for better skiers. It’s one run down to the start of the sella ronda. Try colletts mountain holidays - they’ve always been fab (and sort out transfers). Otherwise cortina is a shorter transfer but it’s a less joined up resort (bus across the middle rather than being able to ski from one side to the other). Also cortina less good at opening enough early…

although I would probably agree cervinia more likely to be snow sure - skied there end of November one year and everything was open!

I'm also looking for a snow sure Christmas resort and was considering Livigno.
Our kids are 11 and 13 so the transfer should not be an issue for us. Interested in where is the best place to stay given the spread of lifts.
The 11yr old will be new to skiing but the 13yr old is quite experienced. Will still need ski school for the mornings.

Has anyone been?
How difficult is it to get around?
Any reasonably priced half board recommendations in good location?

I'm going to look at Cervinia as well as I'm sure I've looked at that for a previous trip. Livigno does also have the benefit of being duty free and so slightly cheaper though.

Thanks.