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Ski and snowboarding

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Resort recommendations for timid skier

50 replies

nutella8 · 06/10/2024 09:19

We're planning a family ski trip next year, DH (expert), DSx2 (Intermediate). I started skiing late, mostly Austria on and off the last 15 years and I've invested a lot of effort (and money!!) to improve.

DH, DSx2 are all great skiers now and I just can't keep up with them anymore. I find most red runs and some steep blue runs in Austria (6-7 different resorts) challenging and constantly feel nervous and outside my comfort zone. After our last trip I swore I wouldn't go back to Austria again... it just didn't feel like a holiday and I couldn't really enjoy my time on the slopes trying to keep up with the boys.

I'm not looking for resorts with beginner facilities (we don't really need ski schools or magic carpets!) but rather resorts with long winding blue slopes that a not so confident skier can enjoy if that makes sense? It needs to feel like a holiday after all Smile

Grateful for resort recommendations if you've experienced the same.

Thank you

OP posts:
EmmyPankhurst · 07/10/2024 19:51

I sound similar to you. I would recommend Les Arcs (think your OH and kids might find La Plagne a bit tame).

Courcheval might also be a good shout.
I've done quite a few trips to Zermatt and been left on my own but have had some really lovely day trips over to Cervinia. If I hadn't bowed out of skiing a week there was on my list. Lovely cruisey blues and on piste pizza.

JC03745 · 07/10/2024 21:13

Sorry- this is long!
Its always so variable everyone's opinions. Even if you and I spent the same week, at the same resort- we both might have vastly different opinions. DH and I are experience skiiers. We like a challenging black run, but 95% of the time, are happy to just cruise about, find a refuge for an extended lunch and just enjoy the experience. We end up coming back to Italy, despite having skiied many other countries.

From the resorts on your short list that I can comment on:

Pila- Very small. We skiied every lift and almost every run on the first day! This about 18yrs ago, when it was newly opened to British package deals. We found those working in the shops/ticket office spoke Italian, some French and very little English- again, this was years ago. We caught the cable car to the main town for something different to do. This wasn't overly exciting though! Our tour company did an optional day trip to La Thuile, which we did. Competent skiiers can ski across the border to La Rosiere. I recall lots of open runs at the top and very few trees, except for getting back to the village. Your 'boys' might find Pila too boring for a whole week. The food felt very traditional and it was charming, with pretty, tree lined runs, but even you might find it a bit repetitious after a few days.

Montgenevre- only spent a few hours there (see Sestriere)

Cervinia- Large, wide runs. You can ski from there across to Zermatt- BUT, if there is bad weather and lifts close, you can be stuck in Switzerland with a long/expensive 3.5hr taxi journey! I don't know why, but we just didn't enjoy Cervinia as much as other resorts.

Sestriere- Went back twice, mainly because the hotel was so good! We stayed at Hotel Du Col which was true ski in-ski out. In the hotel basement, you walk out the back door and are on the ski run! They had a wonderful evening buffet with ample choice and endless wine too. It was right in town, so an easy walk to shops/bars if wanted.
The resort did have a good mix of runs. From there, you can get a cable car across to Sauze D'oulx and ski there all day as an option. Lots of open runs and tree lined areas lower down.

DH I planned a whole day getting to Montgeneve- via skiing. From Sestriere to Sauze D'oulx, then to Cesana, then Claviere then Montgeneve and finally back again. It was a fun challenge, but we only had a few runs in each resort. The tour company did a bus trip to Montgeneve for the day- which would have been another option to spend more time there. Others have commented on how much they liked Montgeneve, so its somewhere I have considered staying.
High winds can also stop the cable car from Sauze D'oulx, but, the taxi from there isn't anywhere as far or indirect as trying to get from Zermatt to Cervinia, plus there is also a bus service between the resorts.

Another option, but it does have a long transfer time, is Livigno. Due to its remoteness, its remained tax free. We went back several times and over the time bought camera lenses, perfume, liquors etc. This was pre-brexit, so I have no idea what the rules are now, but you might be able to stock up on birthday gifts/tech for the coming year.
Its based around 1, very long road with runs on both sides of the road. You need to check though, whether the accommodation need a bus to get to the lifts or you can ski in/out from. Its high altitude, so snow assured into April. I recall a mix of runs too. We did a day trip to St Moritz which was amazing!

I used to read the ski club website. It gives you an idea of pros/cons for each report, % of beginner/intermediate/advances runs and other tips. You don't need a log on to get the basic info. I'd be looking for a resort with a large proportion of intermediate runs which you can all enjoy.
https://www.skiclub.co.uk/

Ski Club of Great Britain

Discover better skiing with the Ski Club, celebrating 120 years of helping its Members through Reps, holidays, discounts and much more.

https://www.skiclub.co.uk

nutella8 · 07/10/2024 21:29

@JC03745 thank you, that's v helpful!

OP posts:
Havanananana · 07/10/2024 23:25

By far the most comprehensive overview of European ski resorts (not just Austria) is the Bergfex website : Skiing vacation and winter vacation in Austria - bergfex

As well as Ski Club of Great Britain, the other website and community for all things ski related is Snowheads : https://snowheads.com/

Skiing vacation and winter vacation in Austria - bergfex

All information about skiing vacation and ski resorts in Austria: Current snow depths, webcams, current weather, cross-country skiing and snow parks in Austria

https://www.bergfex.com/lp/winter/

Isabella777 · 10/10/2024 09:47

WhoStoleYourHighHorse · 07/10/2024 19:24

Coming back to really champion Stubaier (2 posts previous) - from long winding reds to very gentle, and short, blues. Love it.

Where do you stay? Would appreciate any nearby hotel recommendations. I think we are looking for something similar to OP although my DH and one DC are more intermediate skiers. I’m a non-confident beginner and other DC is an overly confident beginner that would benefit from ski school. ;)

WhoStoleYourHighHorse · 10/10/2024 11:31

Isabella777 · 10/10/2024 09:47

Where do you stay? Would appreciate any nearby hotel recommendations. I think we are looking for something similar to OP although my DH and one DC are more intermediate skiers. I’m a non-confident beginner and other DC is an overly confident beginner that would benefit from ski school. ;)

Ahh, not much help with recommendations I’m afraid as we just get something off Booking.com depending on how many of us are going. We do love Neustift though - pretty little village with some great restaurants.

TemuSpecialBuy · 10/10/2024 11:32

Blisteringlycold · 07/10/2024 14:23

It also has a few tough blacks so could be a good mix. Les Arc is nice too which is linked.

Agreed

massistar · 10/10/2024 16:22

We skiied over to Montgenevre from Claviere last year on day trip from Sauze. I loved it. Lovely big wide runs.

RhubarbFairy · 11/10/2024 22:54

Another vote for Les Arcs. Went there on a recommendation after DH was ready to hang up his skis. He loves lovely windy blues. There's also loads of red drop offs that meet the blues again further down, so sometimes the DCs will go down those and meet us at the bottom.

We're going to Cervinia for the first time at Christmas having heard its good for wide cruisey runs.

nutella8 · 12/10/2024 10:43

Just an update, it's going to be Italy and either Alta Badia or Kronplatz/Plan de Corones. Both seem to be highly rated for beginners, high percentage of blue runs plus some challenging routes for the boys.

Alta Badia (Corvara/Colfosco) is proving difficult finding nice accommodation that's available. I've contacted 8-9 hotels directly and all are fully booked or require min stay or adult only... the search continues! Thanks everyone for your recommendations! I found watching some YouTube videos based on your recommendations quite helpful also...

OP posts:
BuzzieLittleBee · 12/10/2024 10:51

Have you tried going through a tour operator? We couldn't make Dolomites work in a more cost effective way than a TO, mainly because of transfers (neither of us wants to drive a hire car). Try Heidi, Skiline and Snow Solutions.

DorotheaDiamond · 12/10/2024 15:02

nutella8 · 12/10/2024 10:43

Just an update, it's going to be Italy and either Alta Badia or Kronplatz/Plan de Corones. Both seem to be highly rated for beginners, high percentage of blue runs plus some challenging routes for the boys.

Alta Badia (Corvara/Colfosco) is proving difficult finding nice accommodation that's available. I've contacted 8-9 hotels directly and all are fully booked or require min stay or adult only... the search continues! Thanks everyone for your recommendations! I found watching some YouTube videos based on your recommendations quite helpful also...

Try Colletts Mountain holidays for Alta Badia - also try hotel Arlara in Corvara - they are really lovely!

I love kronplatz but would say Alta Badia has more options for everyone…you can always get the bus/taxi to kronplatz for a day!!!

nutella8 · 12/10/2024 21:08

BuzzieLittleBee · 12/10/2024 10:51

Have you tried going through a tour operator? We couldn't make Dolomites work in a more cost effective way than a TO, mainly because of transfers (neither of us wants to drive a hire car). Try Heidi, Skiline and Snow Solutions.

I have, most require min 7 night stays in one place. I'm thinking we may book 4 nights in Kronplaz and 3 nights in Alta Badia. We do like to hire a car and have the independence to drive around and visit other resorts if possible or if the weather turns.

OP posts:
sandycloud · 12/10/2024 21:40

You sound just like me with my dh and 2 dcs. We love skiing in avoriaz. It's not so much the skiing but interesting places you like to?? There are some quirky cafes and bars we ski to. I can stay there for an extra drink while they do harder runs. Also the resort is easy to get back to. We stay in avoriaz or morzine. So if I want to head back after lunch I can go for a walk or a shop.

BuzzieLittleBee · 12/10/2024 23:15

7 nights in Alta Badia will be easily filled. You can access so much from there. Surely the last thing you want to do in the middle of a ski trip is pack up and move!

DorotheaDiamond · 12/10/2024 23:34

nutella8 · 12/10/2024 21:08

I have, most require min 7 night stays in one place. I'm thinking we may book 4 nights in Kronplaz and 3 nights in Alta Badia. We do like to hire a car and have the independence to drive around and visit other resorts if possible or if the weather turns.

Stay in alta Badia…it’s about 30 mins drive to kronplatz, 40 ish to cortina, 40ish to val gardena (you can ski to there too) but if you’re a beginner leave earlier than first lift, drive there then you can get there and have a full day there without worrying about getting back)…you’ve got the whole of the sella ronda to ski - I think we are on our 15th ish trip this year and we’ve never not been able to ski (even when no natural snow they’ve made enough for a full week of different areas). I’m picky about making sure there’s enough different places to ski but honestly you won’t be bored in Alta Badia!

alta Badia itself covers corvara, then down to san cassiano or Badia (lift across the car park to the separate Badia hill then you can get a long lift to Santa croce which is really pretty and lovely)…

massistar · 13/10/2024 08:45

Is it Feb half term you're going @nutella8 ? It's Carnevale in Italy so yeah most hotels won't let you book for less than a week. Honestly I'd just stay in Alta Badia. There is so much ground you can cover from there if you're proficient skiers or if you feel you need to you can drive to another resort for a day.

nutella8 · 13/10/2024 21:39

massistar · 13/10/2024 08:45

Is it Feb half term you're going @nutella8 ? It's Carnevale in Italy so yeah most hotels won't let you book for less than a week. Honestly I'd just stay in Alta Badia. There is so much ground you can cover from there if you're proficient skiers or if you feel you need to you can drive to another resort for a day.

Yes it's the half term we're looking to book...

OP posts:
Ruthsy · 14/10/2024 13:41

I would also vote for Cervina and you can ski over to Zermatt if you wanted some variety.

HeWhoMustNotBeNamed · 18/10/2024 09:06

Trysil in Norway but you'll want to go around Easter so you gave a good amount of daylight!

nutella8 · 27/10/2024 06:45

Just an update, I've booked Kronplatz, flying into Innsbruck and driving across the border. Some of the blue runs look beautiful. Thanks everyone for your recommendations! I'll check back in Feb, post holiday with impressions.

OP posts:
DorotheaDiamond · 27/10/2024 11:08

nutella8 · 27/10/2024 06:45

Just an update, I've booked Kronplatz, flying into Innsbruck and driving across the border. Some of the blue runs look beautiful. Thanks everyone for your recommendations! I'll check back in Feb, post holiday with impressions.

Enjoy! Kronplatz is fabulous. You can ski down to the far side and get a little train to Tre Cime…never done that but might try to this year!

nutella8 · 06/12/2025 09:34

Looking at ski resorts again and realised I didn’t report back following our trip to Kronplatz in Feb. In short I loved it, there were plenty of long cruising blues for me and the boys also enjoyed the selection of red/black runs that kept them busy for 5 days. All in all we had a great time at this resort and regained some ski confidence from the experience. It’s a bit of a trek from Innbruck airport and it is a small resort so 5 nights is more than enough. We are booked to go to Alta Badia next month which the boys experienced an afternoon of ski during our stay at Kronplatz and it seemed to have a good selection of ‘easy’ runs… hopefully for me too!

OP posts:
HelmholtzWatson · 07/12/2025 06:40

Grandvalira in Andorra. Half the runs are either green or Blue.

I took my partner there for her first ski holiday. I was a decent intermediate at the time, she was a complete beginner. Group ski lessons were super cheap (£150 for a week), so we both took lessons for 3 hours in the morning, then skied together in the afternoon.

So, each morning you could join a group closer to your ability hat will help you improve, while they could go off and do their thing, then you can all ski together in the afternoon.

LoudSnoringDog · 07/12/2025 06:51

I’m an absolutely hopeless skier and hated being with my in-laws/ dp / kids because I would hold them back. The best location I found for “green runs” whilst they went off on reds / blacks etc was in Les Gets France . A whole heap of lovely gentle greens.

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