Skiing experts in here

[Spie]

I've never been skiing, but I fancy a go over winter. Outstanding location, nice and picturesque with first rate hotel. I'm sure there's a few places that fit that description.

But equally important is having some high-quality tuition. I can waterski and wakeboard so basics of balance are there, just done nothing on the white stuff

Which resorts should I look at?

 

[Maccy]

I've done it a few times - went to the nearest ski slope in Hemel Hempstead (it was dry so hurt a lot more when you fall over!) but gave a good start. I got enough tuition so that I could go down the main slope comfortably on my own from the top, I think this was about 10 1 hour sessions with 1 to 1 tuition.

When I got onto snow for the first time it felt a lot faster and smoother, turning was easier but falling over seemed easier!

Definitely more enjoyable on snow - have been to the snowdome in Milton Keynes and this is great fun - definitely worth a visit if you can get there before hitting the real slopes

With regards to resorts - it depends where you want to go, Austria, Switzerland etc, look for the obvious things you'd expect (when I went in Austria, there was an outdoor heated pool!!). It's good if it has good public transport for easy access to slopes, buses that run every 10 minutes is good, and a local ski hire shop where you're staying is something to look for too. Make sure you hire more expensive skis rather than cheaper stuff - well worth paying extra as some shops and even restaurants offer better facilities if you have the top-end skis.

 

[Cookie-Monster]

I would rate the States and Canada, France and Switzerland. Probably in that order.

Would definately recommend 1 to 1 lessons as you'll learn a lot more in a much shorter space of time, group lessons tend to be follow me and try to do what i do. whereas in 1 to 1 lessons they are in a much better position to assess your skills and mistakes.

 

[paradigm]

One word.

Courchevel.

Preferably 1850.

There is excellent tuition across the three valleys, and enough to keep you entertained regardless of if you take to it like a duck to water, or even give up and lounge around the resort.

Wonderful place, and I shall be returning to the region for the 8th year in a row this coming January.

 

[JodieO]

Cliff used to Ski, his mum is from Austria and they went there every year. He tells me he used to be very good at it. He used to ski on Goldeck Mountain near his mother's home town of Spittal. He hasn't been in years but it's meant to be nice still. Obviously not sure on hotels there though as they stayed with family.

 

[JodieO]

http://www.hotelgoldeck.at/Home.aspx?section=location Looks nice, that's the mountain Cliff used to ski on, views look very nice.

 

[bcjames]

My favourite by far is Whistler in BC. Even if you've not been before, it can be really good. And seen as im guessing budget isnt an issue, thats where I'd head. If you don't mind going outside of European destinations, that is.

 

[Scottland]

Outstanding location, nice and picturesque with first rate hotel. I'm sure there's a few places that fit that description.

From what I've heard from numerous people, I think there's quite a few in Austria that would fit that bill.

Or if you wanted to go further afield, Big White or Whistler in Canada maybe?

 

[Spie]

One word.

Courchevel.

Preferably 1850.

Interesting. What is 1850? Is it a region in Courcheval?

 

[paradigm]

Yes, there are four resorts in the Courchevel range, the numbers refer to altitude in meters:

The separate village of Courchevel embody all aspects of Savoyard life with their tiny churches, picturesque chalets and lively streets. traditional, charming Courchevel is to be found in St Bon and Le Praz.
Courchevel 1550 is the ideal spot for families, lively Courchevel 1650 appeals to the young while Courchevel 1850 is the epitome of five-star luxury and elegance.

Hence 1850 if you want luxury

 

[SaBBz]

My favourite by far is Whistler in BC. Even if you've not been before, it can be really good. And seen as im guessing budget isnt an issue, thats where I'd head. If you don't mind going outside of European destinations, that is.

I second this. You'll be able to get some great tuition there too.

 

[Spie]

Wow, some stunning hotels. Is 1850 OK for novices? I see you can get private tuition there too.

 

[paradigm]

Wow, some stunning hotels. Is 1850 OK for novices? I see you can get private tuition there too.

Yes, there are plenty of novice pistes both locally, and across the Three Valleys range. And yes, some of the hotels are absolutely superb.

If you envisage yourself taking to skiing at all, and feel that you may want to explore the area (some of the views are just out of this world, being that the Three Valleys area contains the highest resort in Europe), get a full Three Valleys (Les Trois Vallees) pass, for full exploration of the vast range of pistes available from Val Thorens, Menuires, Meribel, Mottaret, Courchevel, La Tania, and more...

 

[semi-pro waster]

I don't know about the quality of the hotels there i.e. I couldn't tell you what the 4* or 5* places are like but Kaprun in Austria is really good for skiing or snowboarding. It also isn't that far away from Zell-Am-Zee so you have a whole new resort to try if you should get bored of Kaprun itself.

Les Trois Vallee in France is also good with a huge range of slopes to choose from, again I don't really know about the quality of the other hotels there but I believe they have a pretty decent range. I stayed up in Mottaret which is a little bit higher than Meribel but a bit smaller and quieter. You can also get the Snow Train to it which might appeal if you value your leg space - I seem to recall you are fairly tall?

 

[geeza]

Id love to be minted and ski all the time. Whistler was fantastic, went for my 21st. Some damned scary runs, i think i neally cacked myself going down 'harmony horseshoe' double diamon run. It wasnt so much of a run, more like huge drop where you had to jump over a 2 foot crack in the mountain first!

We saw loads of instructors over there, the tuition on all levels looked fantastic. We tried to follow some expert tuition group off piste and got into a bit of a pickle (one of the most scariest moments of my life ever!)

 

[[TR]SweetSpotOz]

Wow, some stunning hotels. Is 1850 OK for novices? I see you can get private tuition there too.

Everywhere is OK for novices in Couchevel. From 1650 we would get the bubble up to 1850 where we could get on any rides we wanted. Some perfect beginner slopes from 1850 - you will do fine.

For a beginner, private tuition maybe isn't worth it. Get group lessons in morning and private lessons in the afternoon for your first 2/3 days and then just mornings for the rest of the time with afternoons free for you to ski on your own. On the first few days you will probably want it to stop after the lessons but try and fight the urge to give up and you will be doing red runs in no time at all. You may even tackle the run that literally nearly killed me: "The Grande Couloir".

Also, with regard to apres ski - don't you dare buy any of the €10,000 bottles of alcohol they have in Piggy's! (Think it's called Piggy's!)

EDIT: I notice you say you can waterski - this won't help you at all

 

[Von Luck]

Can recommend both Banff and Aspen - I prefer NA resorts to European ones (although have been to some great places in Austria and Switzerland). Never liked France.

Whistler is meant to be awesome.

 

[Blinkz]

I would recommend snowboarding more then skiing. You'll be having fun on a snowboard within a day, skiing is a lot more frustrating to actually do stuff and have fun with! It could take you weeks to feel confident enough to have fun on ski's. Although since you have experience on the water that may make things easier.

and obviously snowboarding is just better anyway not that I'm biased hehe

People above have pretty much said the important stuff about location, I've been 4 times to Switzerland and that has always been good. I've always wanted to goto the US as everyone really raves about it, especially Whistler!!

 

[Scam]

I've never been, but always thought Whistler was the place to ski. Which is why i'm planning to go very soon.

My first ski experience was in Vermont (US). Not much to say about it as i was very young. I do remember going to Alp Duez in France for my second time and had lessons. I thought it was absolutely dire and as such have no real inclination to ski in France again. The instructors were terrible, didnt bother speaking English and i spent the whole time just following French kids down the slopes in a big line. So i learnt by doing, rather than being taught.

I've ski'd in Utah a couple of times which was fantastic, and after that we started going to Mammoth Mountain in California, which is by far my favourite. I think i've been about 3-4 times, and loved it every time. It's about a 5 hour drive from LA so you could also drop in there, or somewhere else nearby (San Fran maybe?).

If you're learning i'd highly recommend The States or Canada. I expect the European instruction has improved since i went but really.. it was bad. The Americans on the other hand, are nuts, great fun and really help you improve your skiing.

I would recommend snowboarding more then skiing. You'll be having fun on a snowboard within a day, skiing is a lot more frustrating to actually do stuff and have fun with!

Tosh. If he goes for a week he'll spend 6 days on his arse and 1 day scraping/leafing down the beginner slopes and annoying all the skiers.

 

[Berserker]

I haven't been skiing, but I have been to both Whistler and Banff, and I can recommend both from a scenery point of view and I know there were plenty of skiing options had I wanted them.

The view from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is spectacular any time of year.