[Spain]

Couldn't see a dedicated thread for this kind of thing, and couldn't decide whether to put this in the "other sports" section or GN, opted for here in the end.

Is anyone else into snowboarding/skiing? I'm a boarder, and looking at trying to book a week away. It's been about 8 years since I went boarding outwith Scotland last, so not entirely sure where to go and who to book through for deals.

A lot of folk I know have gone to Mayrhofen and absolutely love it there. Money's not too much of a restriction for my group, but obviously still after decent value. I did think about going to Snowbombing, but being my first snow holiday abroad in a few years, I think I'd just rather spend my time taking advantage of the slopes.

Suggestions/thoughts anyone?

I also thought this thread would be handy for discussing slope conditions here in Scotland. I'm planning going to Cairngorm on Saturday, seems to be only the top half that's in any decent condition. I haven't been since the thaw earlier on in the winter.

[THE KING]

priniple delle nevi hotel in cervinia is top drawer in a great village with big long wide easy runs or nita lidge in whistler

[Stevie Aitken's Love Child]

Spain, on 09 February 2012 - 11:42, said:

Couldn't see a dedicated thread for this kind of thing, and couldn't decide whether to put this in the "other sports" section or GN, opted for here in the end.

Is anyone else into snowboarding/skiing? I'm a boarder, and looking at trying to book a week away. It's been about 8 years since I went boarding outwith Scotland last, so not entirely sure where to go and who to book through for deals.

A lot of folk I know have gone to Mayrhofen and absolutely love it there. Money's not too much of a restriction for my group, but obviously still after decent value. I did think about going to Snowbombing, but being my first snow holiday abroad in a few years, I think I'd just rather spend my time taking advantage of the slopes.

Suggestions/thoughts anyone?

I also thought this thread would be handy for discussing slope conditions here in Scotland. I'm planning going to Cairngorm on Saturday, seems to be only the top half that's in any decent condition. I haven't been since the thaw earlier on in the winter.

There are several ski resorts within about a half hour's driving distance from me here in Tirol (I can just about see some ski lifts from my office window as I type this in fact). I really, really dislike Mayrhofen, mainly because it's stuffed full of German tourists, and you can barely move due to traffic etc, however I can see the draw for a tourist as once you're there, you don't really need to get about much.

If you want my advice, try to find a package at the Patscherkofel ski area, which is a stone's throw from Innsbruck. It tends to avoid a lot of the tourists, so would give you more space on the slopes to have a bit more fun. Obviously if you want the full package, lots of tourists around and to take advantage of the apres-ski parites, then Mayrhofen is probably the best bet.

[Bobby Skidmarks]

Over the last few years i've been to Seefeld in Austria and Saas Fe in Switzerland, also booked to go to Morzine-Avoriaz in three weeks.

Seefeld, although not always guarenteed snow was a brilliant resort for a beginner, lots of blue and red runs. Saas Fe was tremendous though, the scenery and the runs were excellent and well maitained. Bit pricey food and drink wise though.

[Spain]

I'm kind of an Intermediate to Advanced boarder myself, so I'd be looking for the Red and Black runs. The lassie I'm going with is probably of similar ability but I think the rest will be beginners so might want more green/blue runs.

That's kind of the problem I suppose, we're looking for a mix of everything. I've always been more of a free-rider but I'm working on my free-styling at the moment, so I'd also be looking for decent jumps and a "friendly" terrain park to have a go at. I admit, I'd quite like some semi-decent apres ski aswell, but hitting the slopes is my priority. The thing I like about the idea of Mayrhofen is as you've pointed out, the lack of moving about needed. I am open to suggestions though, and the lassie that's going to help me arrange it likes to do less mainstream stuff all the time too. So I'm away to google what you guys have suggested so far, cause I know little about all the various resorts. All I've been to is the Aosta Valley a couple of times in my school days (Pila, La Thuile, Courmeyer areas).

[Spain]

Google Nr. 1: Having said I've done the Aosta Valley, I did not know that Cervinia was there too

[Stevie Aitken's Love Child]

Spain, on 09 February 2012 - 12:56, said:

I'm kind of an Intermediate to Advanced boarder myself, so I'd be looking for the Red and Black runs. The lassie I'm going with is probably of similar ability but I think the rest will be beginners so might want more green/blue runs.

That's kind of the problem I suppose, we're looking for a mix of everything. I've always been more of a free-rider but I'm working on my free-styling at the moment, so I'd also be looking for decent jumps and a "friendly" terrain park to have a go at. I admit, I'd quite like some semi-decent apres ski aswell, but hitting the slopes is my priority. The thing I like about the idea of Mayrhofen is as you've pointed out, the lack of moving about needed. I am open to suggestions though, and the lassie that's going to help me arrange it likes to do less mainstream stuff all the time too. So I'm away to google what you guys have suggested so far, cause I know little about all the various resorts. All I've been to is the Aosta Valley a couple of times in my school days (Pila, La Thuile, Courmeyer areas).

If you're after a more varied range of slopes and areas, maybe have a look at this place. Nearly 300km of piste to ski on, of all difficulties, and loads of towns you can stay in too.

Edit - also only about an hour and a quarter from Munich, so lots of flight possibilities.

This post has been edited by Stevie Aitken's Love Child: 09 February 2012 - 13:09

[THE KING]

Spain, on 09 February 2012 - 12:58, said:

Google Nr. 1: Having said I've done the Aosta Valley, I did not know that Cervinia was there too

I've been to a lot of resorts over Europe and The US over the years and the food in cervinia is the best I've ever had and as I said before it has lots of long easy very wide runs with great views of the Matterhorn

[Spain]

Only other options is I know some folk that work in Borovets in Bulgaria, and one of my mates has guys that used to work for him that live by some slopes in Serbia, not sure of the name of the place. Anyone ventured to these kind of places before, or is Austria, Italy etc. the best boarding about Europe?

I'm ruling out the US by the way, as I'm heading there in the summer anyway, so will stick to Europe for this one.

[Gnash]

I don't know about value, but Alpe d'Huez has a fantastic range of runs for intermediate to advanced skiers. Les Deux Alpes is pretty good but there's no point going there when you've got d'Huez just down the road.

Cervinia is good but seems to suffer a little from either being exceptionally cold or warm enough for the lower slopes to be very slushy if you're late in the season. I wouldn't bother with Sestriere / Sauze d'oulx and most of Austria is a no if you're going even moderately late in the season.

[Bonksy+HisChristianParade]

The best places I've ever been are Fernie, Revelstoke and Kicking Horse.

I enjoyed Ischgl in Austria when I was there. I'm going to Saalbach/Hinterglemm in March, hopefully it's pretty decent.

This post has been edited by Bonksy+HisChristianParade: 09 February 2012 - 21:50

[pantene proV]

Bobby Skidmarks, on 09 February 2012 - 12:32, said:

also booked to go to Morzine-Avoriaz in three weeks.

Don't know where you're staying (Morzine or Avoriaz) but for boarding Avoriaz is feckin' superb! As there are no cars/buses allowed, you can board all down the street and if snow hits the terrain is great - secret stashes everywhere. The chair up to the highest peak gets bitingly cold on a windy day but the slopes empty and you find that you'll be sheltered on the drop down. Take plenty spending money though - it's France after all and Avoriaz being so unique, they know they've got a captive market. Beers are normally 5-6 Euros but we found a pub doing pints of Wifebeater on happy hour for 1.50 Euros (unfortunately the happy hour only lasted 15 MINUTES!). There's only really 2 pubs that are any good (and they are good) and 1 club in the village though so it's not party central but it's good enough for the week.

Morzine is too low and too leisurely to be any cop i'm afraid, only fit for the piste-bashing sunglasses crowd though it does have 1 great off-piste area at Chamossiere. Take the chair up to there and drop through the fence on the left for untouched powderfields - do that all morning then get the gondola back to Avoriaz. No c**t in Morzine seems to stray from the runs so fill yer boots!

[pantene proV]

Bonksy+HisChristianParade, on 09 February 2012 - 21:50, said:

The best places I've ever been are Fernie, Revelstoke and Kicking Horse.

Fernie's fairly decent if there's snow. Unfortunately there was none when I was there so it was kinda bleak. Kicking Horse on the other hand was AMAZING especially stairway to heaven chair to fez bowl!

It's the 2nd best resort I've ever been after Red Mountain Resort in B.C. which takes a hefty drive to get to but is entirely worth it.

[Bonksy+HisChristianParade]

pantene proV, on 10 February 2012 - 05:13, said:

Fernie's fairly decent if there's snow. Unfortunately there was none when I was there so it was kinda bleak. Kicking Horse on the other hand was AMAZING especially stairway to heaven chair to fez bowl!

It's the 2nd best resort I've ever been after Red Mountain Resort in B.C. which takes a hefty drive to get to but is entirely worth it.

The snow was unreal the day I went there so that probably made me think it was better than it actually is. Kicking Horse is absolutely brilliant. I also went to Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, Marmot Basin and Mount Norquay when I was in the region. All have something different to offer and are worth a visit except Norquay which I thought was fairly limited and shit.

I have a mate working in Smithers B.C (Hudson Bay Mountain) right now and really want to visit him. Another friend also works at Nakiska. Not sure what that's like, doesn't look overly appealing though and it has hired him as an instructor which isn't a particularly good sign.

This post has been edited by Bonksy+HisChristianParade: 10 February 2012 - 09:24

[Spain]

I can't see that I've mentioned this before, but the dates I'm looking at are the 3rd week of March, or the 2nd week of April. Anyone have any thoughts on how this should affect my decision? Better chance of decent snow in certain places, etc?

Also, has anyone actually ever been to Snowbombing? Because this has been another one of the suggestions.

[Andy C]

MV Festival

My good pal Stephen Barbour has organised this event. Fair amount of work he has put in to it.

[Bobby Skidmarks]

pantene proV, on 10 February 2012 - 05:08, said:

Don't know where you're staying (Morzine or Avoriaz) but for boarding Avoriaz is feckin' superb! As there are no cars/buses allowed, you can board all down the street and if snow hits the terrain is great - secret stashes everywhere. The chair up to the highest peak gets bitingly cold on a windy day but the slopes empty and you find that you'll be sheltered on the drop down. Take plenty spending money though - it's France after all and Avoriaz being so unique, they know they've got a captive market. Beers are normally 5-6 Euros but we found a pub doing pints of Wifebeater on happy hour for 1.50 Euros (unfortunately the happy hour only lasted 15 MINUTES!). There's only really 2 pubs that are any good (and they are good) and 1 club in the village though so it's not party central but it's good enough for the week.

Morzine is too low and too leisurely to be any cop i'm afraid, only fit for the piste-bashing sunglasses crowd though it does have 1 great off-piste area at Chamossiere. Take the chair up to there and drop through the fence on the left for untouched powderfields - do that all morning then get the gondola back to Avoriaz. No c**t in Morzine seems to stray from the runs so fill yer boots!

Cheers for the heads up mate, we are staying in Morzine though. But i have had a look at the piste maps and definitely heading to Avoriaz as their blacks are supposed to be first class. Not really one for going off-piste yet though!

[Spain]

Andy C, on 14 February 2012 - 12:19, said:

MV Festival

My good pal Stephen Barbour has organised this event. Fair amount of work he has put in to it.

Strange that this hasn't been mentioned to me before, seeing as one of my best mates has his own Music Promotion company, and that he goes out with and lives with one of the headliners. Abuse will be sent his way. Cheers for that though!