Winter sports thread 24/25

[.:SAmSuNG:.]

Yes - all the places I've been (Ruka, Finland - Lindvallen, Sweden) have excellent restaurants and it looks like Geilo has a good selection too. We always book a restaurant for Christmas day.

Can't really comment on bars as I don't drink but Scandic countries are notoriously expensive for alcohol (although a friend we were with stated it didn't seem much more expensive than then the Alps) but these countries have generally a quieter after ski scene - unless you go to Trysil, Norway in the college/uni Easter break! Trysil is next on our list - hopefully xmas 2026.

Had some quotes back from Ski Safari but after watching some videos on YouTube it just looks abit too quiet compared to the Alps.

Ended up booking a week in Ischgl at a decent looking hotel half board from 21st Dec. Hoping there is decent snow on the mountain.

Still need to book flights to Innsbruck, they are currently £250 return each. I'm guessing it's better to book those sooner rather than later as only a limited number of seats?

 

[JRJ]

We've booked flights into Geneva for Feb half term, still deciding on where to go though.... Originally planned was St Gervais but thinking maybe La Plagne/Les Arcs now.

 

[JRJ]

Booking.com/VRBO/Airbnb, any other accommodation websites which are good for ski accommodation?

 

[JRJ]

Finally decided and booked La Plagne, just a hire car to sort from Geneva but they seemed to have jumped up in price compared to this year.

 

[VRDoctor]

We've just booked snowboarding in Geilo, Norway for over xmas.

Havsdalsgrenda Self catering apartments with pool onsite - really looking forward to it after doing Lindvallen, Sweden in 2022 and Ruka, Finland in 2019. Love the nordic countries for winter sports - I've been to Norway snowboarding before but this is the first time we're going as a family (me, wife, 17yr old son, 16 yr old son and 14 yr old dughter). Possibly our last holiday all together for a while as eldest is joining the Marines in June.

Geilo was amazing. Bit warm on Xmas day (7c) but rode like fresh spring snow - Thursday morn was icy so headed to the pool instead but softened up in the afternoon. Zero wind all week.

Our apartment on the left

View from apartment

Top of the button lift from appartment

Looking back across the valley from the Vestlia side (free ski bus every 15 mins) - our apartment is off to the right just over the hill.



Just booked Ski STar Lodge in Lindvallen, Sweden for Feb half term '26!

 

[Somnambulist]

I need to book somewhere for myself last-ish minute. Thinking 25th of Jan atm and just browsing Crystal/Iglu/Sunweb for the desperation deals, procrastinating about where to go that’s a balance of enough skiing for a week for a middling intermediate but not so big I worry about ending up a 400¢ cab away from the hotel. Not fussy about apres as I’m barely extrovert enough to strike up conversation on a chairlift let alone go out by myself. Also not hugely fussy about accommodation as long as it’s got a comfy bed, don’t need noise-cancelling to sleep and it’s not miles from the lifts. Did La Thuile / La Rosiere last March which was just about big enough and enjoyed that but new year, new slopes/views to check out…

 

[mingeroonie]

The In-Laws have a place in Switzerland, so over there next week for a week.
All our stuff is there, so its just a case of hand luggage for the two of us

 

[markk]

Off to Les Arcs on Saturday

We've been to France the past 3 years running so want to do something different for 2026, probably Italy - any recommendations? Been Aosta before but that many years ago (20+) Never too early to start planning!

 

[poosemon]

Off to Les Arcs on Saturday

We've been to France the past 3 years running so want to do something different for 2026, probably Italy - any recommendations? Been Aosta before but that many years ago (20+) Never too early to start planning!

In La Plagne this week but went over to Les Arcs today.

Hope you manage to get a few days like we have had as Sun was out and decent snow, not too busy, never queuing more then 5 mins for lifts.

Found the forecasts have been especially hit and miss this week so hard to say what conditions are going to be like but looks like current trend is there to be a good amount of snow over rest of week so hopefully should give a nice top up for you! However, the snow is already pretty good

 

[markk]

In La Plagne this week but went over to Les Arcs today.

Hope you manage to get a few days like we have had as Sun was out and decent snow, not too busy, never queuing more then 5 mins for lifts.

Found the forecasts have been especially hit and miss this week so hard to say what conditions are going to be like but looks like current trend is there to be a good amount of snow over rest of week so hopefully should give a nice top up for you! However, the snow is already pretty good

Yeah, forcasts are saying some decent snow dropping thurs/fri. Hopefully its not too busy next week! Enjoy.

 

[McGray]

Courchevel in 2 weeks.

Looks like we'll finally have some decent conditions. Been lacking the last few years.

 

[poosemon]

Been able to look over to courcheval from the other side of la plagne, has definitely turned whiter over past few days!

Was a proper day of two halves today - this morning was low cloud, rain/sleet, wind, extremely poor visibility which I couldn't sort with various goggle lenses....But around Midday started to shift and ended up having a proper afternoon of blue sky again and good powder where it had fallen as snow higher up, lovely stuff!! Looking at the forecast think that's the last we'll see of the sun though as mostly light snow forecast during day over next couple.