How large is your 'large'?

Are you after linked (hence pretty vast) ski areas, or are you happy
exploring a good-sized, varied areas?

'Vast' attracts Brits and can also mean 'pricey', but there are some
lesser-known options out there which offer value, e.g.:

The Espace Diamant - offers a full-circuit ski around the terrain between
the Val d'Arly and Hauteluce, along the way taking in places like Notre-Dame
de Bellecombe, Flumet, Crest Voland, Les Saisies and Bisane. Snowfalls over
in the sector above the Beaufortain (Les Saisies/Hauteluce) tend to be
reliable, including much of this (snow-wise) rather patchy season. See:
http://www.mountainpassions.com/wint...e_diamant.html

You could also consider Vars/Forêt-Blanche - linked into Risoul, too, by way
of a near-total contrast. Vars is a major freeride centre, has some good
intermediate cruising and great scenery. More info he
http://www.mountainpassions.com/wint.../ski_vars.html

How about basing yourself in France and skiing across into Italy (or
vice-versa) from Montgenèvre? Fewer Brits than Serre Che, great snow record,
and the Italian sector is very extensive - so might suit you. We'll be
updating our review shortly, as we skied a lot more terrain across the
border this year, but this gives an idea of possibilities:
http://www.mountainpassions.com/wint...ntgenevre.html

Finally, by way of a bit of lateral-thinking, look at Valloire/Valmeinier -
not very many Brits there, but has a great loyalty among French families.
The village is very friendly and you can cover some distance skiing between
the two areas (on opposite sides of a deep valley). Our thoughts:
http://www.mountainpassions.com/wint..._valloire.html

Hope this gives you food for thought...

Roger

"Mike" wrote in message
...

"Roger Moss" wrote in message
r...

"BrritSki" wrote in message
...
On 30/03/2011 16:35, Roger Moss wrote:
Anyone home...?

Yep...

Despite a patchy (I use the word advisedly...) season, we managed
around
a month's solid skiing time, mostly in the French Alps.

Well we went to Mayrhofen at Feb half term, staying in Ramsau which is a
smallish village 10 min bus ride to Horberg lift. First time at Mayrhofen
and found it very busy, seems very popular with Dutch and the runs are
quite narrow and short so hard to relax as had to watch out for what were
mainly intermediate level eager skiers.

Found the restaurants better than expected - self service but many had
charm and if ate late, were reasonably accessible. Snow cover was good if
a little badly prepared. Not sure about off-piste, as didn't know area and
didn't seem accessible nor inviting. Crowds were bad and lifts at top of
Horbergbahn were bad, easily 30 minutes in morning rush. Access to area in
morning must be dreadful in Mayrhofen, at Horberg worst queue was about 20
minutes, but then 20 minute gondala ride.

Snowed a bit and poor vis for half the time. Skied 1 day in Zell am
Ziller, which was good, less busy and some very enjoyable runs but perhaps
good for a day only. Mayrhofen was more extensive and OK for the rest of
the time.

Bus system sucked as buses only every half hour and stopped at 10 am,
restarted at 15:20 to 17:20 but in fairness were never packed (and were
free).

So overall, busy resort, limited skiing but probably fine at less popular
times. Booked late(ish) with Thompson Ski and thought prices were very
reasonable certainly compared to French resorts at same time. Flights from
Newcastle were good, on time, and found resort not too expensive.

Won't be going back, but don't be totally put off. So where next year?
Where to at half term, with large area and no brits, dutch?

Mike