ski vacations

[disneygal]

Hi needtoescape,
Beginners would enjoy skiing Cervinia, so thanks for explaining! Just don't want you to be disappointed, since Zermatt and Cervinia are so close, and yet so different. There's another point that I will try to share as tactfully as possible. Cervinia did not have the "facilities" that we are used to. This can be a problem for some of us, especially while wearing ski boots! This was not the case in other Italian ski areas, such as Cortina, which were just fine.

[needtoescape]

lol, disneygal, very tactful! Thank you. Well noted.

[lhbrown]

Hi disneygal, needtoescape, betsyv
The way I read you, you are not that thrilled with Cervinia and prefer Zermatt.... While we were there in the summer, the place looked fairly steep, but I could not be sure of any ski-in ski-out places.... I must say, we loved skiing in Val Thorens, France. The slopes we took were challenging, but there was something there for everybody, from beginners to experts and anybody inbetween. The snow conditions were excellent and there was also plenty of sun, and skiing was mostly above tree line. We might go back there, if only there would be some better hotels. Nothing above 3-stars. The Les Val Thorens hotels claims to be a 3-star with a 4-star service...... Well, a few years back, the beds, I could have sworn were made out of bricks, they were so hard, I could harldly find any sleep at night and I woke up soar every morning (and not from skiing)... Maybe they have replaced their matrasses by now....









Message Edited by lhbrown on 06-25-2007 12:26 PM

Message Edited by lhbrown on 06-25-2007 12:26 PM

[needtoescape]

lhbrown wrote:
"..Nothing above 3-stars. The Les Val Thorens hotels claims to be a 3-star with a 4-star service...... Well, a few years back, the beds, I could have sworn were made out of bricks, they were so hard, I could harldly find any sleep at night and I woke up soar every morning... Maybe they have replaced their matrasses by now...."







Sadly, the hotels are probably about the same, lhbrown.

We returned to the Alps a few years ago after spending almost 10 years skiing only in Canada. Overall, customer service has improved but hotel standards don't match North American levels imho.

I agree with you on ski range and quality though. Very little to beat skiing from Le Fornet in Val d'Isere all the way to Aiguille Percee in Tignes and back again in time for a well-deserved bath and dinner!

However, I still wouldn't recommend any Val d'Isere hotels for LL. Even the "celeb" haunts don't cut it for me. (Some good luxury chalets and apartments though).



Sigh ....

[disneygal]

Hi lhbrown,

Thanks for the tips on Val Thorens! I would not be happy without a comfy place to rest after a tough day of skiing. And for me they are mostly always tough days!

We spent a week in Zermat and headed over to Cervinia a couple of times. Of course, it depends what you're looking for. It was a nice diversion to go over there, with fun cruising-type terrain. Think Mount Snow, devoid of trees. I don't think it would be worthy of a week's vacation, unless you're a beginner. And even then, I'm not sure the village has enough to keep one occupied. Also, from that side the Matterhorn looks like just another mountain. A friend was in Zermatt last winter and verified that Cervinia has not updated "the facilities". So, she appreciated my tip to make one last stop in Switzerland (or civilization as I called it!) before crossing the border.

Of course we loved Zermatt. But it is less convenient to get onto the mountain in the morning. It's so spread out, rather than ski-in, ski-out. So, maybe it's not the best location for children or beginners, but there is lots of wonderful intermediate terrain. We viewed "getting up the mountain" as part of the adventure.

[disneygal]

I would just like to add, I'm glad we've found some more skiers in the LL community! I hope we can continue to share our experiences and travel ideas as we plan for upcoming trips. Now, we just need some good LL travel packages!




Message Edited by disneygal on 06-25-2007 12:44 PM

[lhbrown]

Hi needtoescape and disneygal,
Thanks for the info on Val d'Isere and Tigne and also on Zermatt and Cervinia. I thought about chalet rental. A few years ago, we rented an apartment in the Montana complex in Val Thorens right at the main slopes. It was comfortable with an extra room and bunk beds for kids (we used just the bedroom - have no kids...) it had a small living room and also a small kitchen which was nice. My husband picked up fresh croissants every morning and I did the cooking in the evening. I didn't mind the cooking, we had much better and lighter meals than at a hotel. What I did miss was a jaccuzzi to sink into in the evening, or a sauna or steam room.... It also only had a shower, no bath..... We also checked out the ClubMed there ...... that one is really just for kids.... loud, noisy, lots of liquor, stay up till the whee hours place.... not for us....

I think we ought to zero in on a place and hotel where we all would like to ski and than put the pressure on LL Moderators..... As you said, it is good to have some more skiers around.....

[needtoescape]

lhbrown wrote:
"...I think we ought to zero in on a place and hotel where we all would like to ski and than put the pressure on LL Moderators... "

Yaaay!!! Great idea!

I'm focussing purely on ski-in/ski-out for the moment and nominating:

Val d'Isere (Eagle's Nest chalet?)

Les Arcs (Intrawest apartments?)

Courchevel (the R&C place near the airstrip on the slopes!

Megeve (the mad gourmet chef's place)



Burn those thighs!

[lhbrown]

Hi needtoescape,
I am with you, ski-in ski-out is the way to go for me as well.... getting too old to shoulder those skis and walk in those boots no matter how comfy they are....
All your suggestions sound good. I like the R&Cs, although higher is better in the Trois Vallees....
I should add, I like to see a LL ski package for 7 days (not 5 days like in Austria) with half board... and a massage if possible......

LL Moderators, I hope you read us..... PLEASE

[bakrakoni]

Austria is the place to go. Three reasons why:



1. You are being served in almost all of the numerous restaurants/bars on the slopes vs. getting in line to get your food or drinks yourself.



2. Apres ski is second to none. Although it's a french phrase, apres ski in France and Switzerland is nothing special.



3. You wear your ski boots till after midnight, even during dinner, until you pass out in your hotel room bed.