Small ski resorts - any Undiscovered gems?
Discussion
Looking on snowtrex.co.uk after reading some blurb in a travel magazine on Bavarian ski villages, I found some really cheap deals to a few German and Austrian places.
I don't use the word 'resort', as they had less than 20km of piste!!
Anyone got good experiences of small ski villages?
I can't imagine a 20km ski area being up to much, but maybe I am missing something.
I really do not aspire to massive, busy resorts or the nightclubs etc. I just want a cheap week away.
Any mid size, hidden gems out there?
I don't use the word 'resort', as they had less than 20km of piste!!
Anyone got good experiences of small ski villages?
I can't imagine a 20km ski area being up to much, but maybe I am missing something.
I really do not aspire to massive, busy resorts or the nightclubs etc. I just want a cheap week away.
Any mid size, hidden gems out there?
Les Carroz is worth checking out if you can get a deal. Nice traditional french alps town about 1hr or so drive from Geneva airport, quite low down so easy to drive too if you wish, but a good ski lift system up to the Grande Massif range which is vast and varying. Pass for the full range is not cheap, about £250 for 6 days, but cheaper if you don't mind limited access.
We were there over xmas and for the first few days it was quite empty but it did get a little bit busier after xmas. Only downside is the ski bus, its free all-day and fine in the morning c8.30-9am, but getting back c4-5.30pm it was a little bit every man for himself getting on the bus, they don't like queuing..
It was rather quiet in the evenings, only a few bars and one club, but lots of restaurants offering mainly raclette, fondu and bavette type stuff but also some offering more international cuisine. Though all quite reasonably priced, plat du jour in most places ranged from 10-14euro, beer 3-5euro and 1/2ltr house wine 5-9euro. It was the same on the slope bars/restaurants.
Two decent butchers, bakers and multiple charcuteries if you fancy self catering. Plus an ice ring if you have any young kids.
We stayed at a place right next to the ice ring it had a pool and spa, free to use, which was good to unwind in after the slopes. Short walk to town centre and ski-bus pick up/drop-off just outside too. Was self-catering and downsides were poor oven more microwave, ended up eating out 4/6 nights, and living room/kitchen area was rather small for 4 people. Sister booked it, so not sure on financials, but knowing her it would have been one of the cheapest she could find..
Had a good time though
We were there over xmas and for the first few days it was quite empty but it did get a little bit busier after xmas. Only downside is the ski bus, its free all-day and fine in the morning c8.30-9am, but getting back c4-5.30pm it was a little bit every man for himself getting on the bus, they don't like queuing..
It was rather quiet in the evenings, only a few bars and one club, but lots of restaurants offering mainly raclette, fondu and bavette type stuff but also some offering more international cuisine. Though all quite reasonably priced, plat du jour in most places ranged from 10-14euro, beer 3-5euro and 1/2ltr house wine 5-9euro. It was the same on the slope bars/restaurants.
Two decent butchers, bakers and multiple charcuteries if you fancy self catering. Plus an ice ring if you have any young kids.
We stayed at a place right next to the ice ring it had a pool and spa, free to use, which was good to unwind in after the slopes. Short walk to town centre and ski-bus pick up/drop-off just outside too. Was self-catering and downsides were poor oven more microwave, ended up eating out 4/6 nights, and living room/kitchen area was rather small for 4 people. Sister booked it, so not sure on financials, but knowing her it would have been one of the cheapest she could find..
Had a good time though
Do you prefer Austria? As a slight aside I’d avoid pretty much anywhere in France from mid-February to mid-March as it’s the French school holidays. I think if you look at resorts that aren’t on the radar of the British TO’s is a good start, there are plenty of larger resorts that are quiet enough.
TBH I’d take 20km of interesting pistes over 200km of boring motorways, but 20km’s worth by easily be skied out an average skier in a morning easily enough. Take a look at the Ski Amade region is Austria, it’s a large interlinked area made up of different villages and it’s yet to really hit the UK market.
Also for Italy consider the Aosta valley. Staying in Aosta itself you have quite a nice town (thin Roman ruins etc). From here you have a 15 minute gondola ride up to Pila (70 km of piste) you can also stay up the mountain but the bonus of staying in Aosta is that included on your lift pass you’re a free bus ride away from Courmayeur, and Le Thuille. From LT you can ski over to the French resort of Le Rosiere. Also on the Aosta pass you can get to Cervinia, which is linked to Zermatt. Pila has some great pistes that are pretty much dead through the week.
Plenty of cheap accommodation in Aosta as it’s a ‘real town’ rather than a purpose built ski resort. If you want a short transfer there are loads I could recommend, 1hr from Salzburg and Innsbruck.
I really liked Valmeinier. We went there with Snowcoach, but flew to um, Geneva I think - can't quite recall. Anyway, quiet little resort, mostly French punters up from Grenoble & it connects via a long gondola with Valloire on the other side of the valley. It wasn't a resort for massive apres ski, but still quite charming in it's way. Not great for boarders though - button lifts everywhere unless they've replaced them, you're quite limited on a board.
Ranger 6 said:
La Clusaz has enough to entertain - not really on the radar for many British holiday firms.
An hour from Geneva there's 130km of pistes to keep you busy
Keep it to yourself though, we don't want to spoil the place
Ssssshhhhhhhh!!!An hour from Geneva there's 130km of pistes to keep you busy
Keep it to yourself though, we don't want to spoil the place
It's one small town the drunken Nordics haven't ruined - yet! That's probably because there's not a great deal of nightlife though.
I love La Clusaz as it's an easy drive from Luxembourg.
Champery, Switzerland...
Small village, a couple of restaurants and bars. One or two hotels, not really much going nightlife wise.
Joins onto the Portes Du Soleil 650km of runs accessible.
OK so it's not really small, but there is some cracking skiing available if you know your way around and the village is small enough to not be one of "those" resorts.
Small village, a couple of restaurants and bars. One or two hotels, not really much going nightlife wise.
Joins onto the Portes Du Soleil 650km of runs accessible.
OK so it's not really small, but there is some cracking skiing available if you know your way around and the village is small enough to not be one of "those" resorts.
jogon said:
Les Carroz is worth checking out if you can get a deal. Nice traditional french alps town about 1hr or so drive from Geneva airport, quite low down so easy to drive too if you wish, but a good ski lift system up to the Grande Massif range which is vast and varying. Pass for the full range is not cheap, about £250 for 6 days, but cheaper if you don't mind limited access.
+1, speak to PHer Marcellus as he used to live there, so should be able to point you in the right direction to get a deal.I can recommend http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g198809-...
It isn't the first word in Luxury but it's good.
It isn't the first word in Luxury but it's good.
For a proper small French resort, very traditional, try le Praz de Lys:
http://www.prazdelys-sommand.com/
40km and less than an hour drive from Geneva, €120 for a week's lift pass. Very nice atmosphere and restaurants. Good for beginner families.
http://www.prazdelys-sommand.com/
40km and less than an hour drive from Geneva, €120 for a week's lift pass. Very nice atmosphere and restaurants. Good for beginner families.
Fieberbrunn. Pretty close to Kitzbuhel so you might argue why not just stay/ski there...and most times I have. But for a change it's a pleasant enough wee town with some pretty good skiing, but most important of all I've never met met anyone there who wasn't basically a local. Althugh I gather there's not some snowboarding events on there now so no doubt that's changing. But its proximity to Kitzbuhel I guess keeps most of the tourists there instead.
Les Carroz is a winner, small family resort with some nice bars, restaurants & shops.
Crystal ski do a ski+ deal where everything is included we got a week for £525 + food and drink, that included the grand massif lift pass. (4 sharing)
Watch the black runs in Flaine they are wickedly steep.
http://www.crystalski.co.uk/ski-resorts/france-ski...
Also depending on the level of skiing, we really enjoyed les orres as well, skiing is limited but the après ski was fab, nice family vibe - with activities being quite cheap for the alps, Have a look at there luge, great fun.
Crystal ski do a ski+ deal where everything is included we got a week for £525 + food and drink, that included the grand massif lift pass. (4 sharing)
Watch the black runs in Flaine they are wickedly steep.
http://www.crystalski.co.uk/ski-resorts/france-ski...
Also depending on the level of skiing, we really enjoyed les orres as well, skiing is limited but the après ski was fab, nice family vibe - with activities being quite cheap for the alps, Have a look at there luge, great fun.
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