Where to go for beginners and has a good night life?

On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 10:20:09 -0600, Neil Gendzwill
wrote:

Alastair wrote:

If Canada was cheaper I would be all for it, as I have never been, but
I am thinking Europe will realistically be cheaper.

Check into the charter excursions, last time I rode a lift with some
English people they were saying how inexpensive it was.

It's all relative, but generally a canadian ski trip will be more
expensive than an equivalent european one, simply by virtue of the
flights. Sure, it's quite cheap once you're there, although not _that_
much cheaper. I bought some new kit while I was out there (touring
boots) and was surprised to find that I could have bought them cheaper
just round the corner from the office (in Switzerland). You live and
learn.

If you come to Canada and night life is one of your main goals, you'll
want to be in Whistler or Banff. I think Whistler is the hotter scene,
but Banff will be easier on the pocketbook.

Sorry Neil, but having spent last christmas in Bannf, I have to say
that there is effectively zero nightlife compared with almost any
European resort. Dunno about Whistler.

--
Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk
All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club.

In rec.skiing.resorts.europe Ace wrote:

: It's all relative, but generally a canadian ski trip will be more
: expensive than an equivalent european one, simply by virtue of the
: flights. Sure, it's quite cheap once you're there, although not _that_
: much cheaper.

I would disagree with the "while you are there comment". The way that lift
passes (in particular) are priced in the US and Canada means that the
discount for buying multi-day tickets is normally *FAR* less than in Europe
- and the daily rate can be something like $70 Canadian/day at Whistler.

"Alastair" wrote in message
ups.com...
That sounds great, anything to try and keep the general cost of the
holiday down :-).

I will have a look into it.

Thx

Alastair

Chalet Alpina (more of a hotel actually), Val Claret -
http://www.snowtignestravel.com/hiver/uk/default.htm

A short walk to the lifts, bus stop outside the hotel and a short walk to
the bars. I have stayed here the last two years and can highly recommend it.
Food is sensational as are the sauna and swimming pool facilities. We booked
our own flights, got a hire car and did a DIY job.

Any questions, get back to me.

Joe

On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 09:24:23 +0000 (UTC), Brian McIlwrath
wrote:

In rec.skiing.resorts.europe Ace wrote:

: It's all relative, but generally a canadian ski trip will be more
: expensive than an equivalent european one, simply by virtue of the
: flights. Sure, it's quite cheap once you're there, although not _that_
: much cheaper.

I would disagree with the "while you are there comment". The way that lift
passes (in particular) are priced in the US and Canada means that the
discount for buying multi-day tickets is normally *FAR* less than in Europe
- and the daily rate can be something like $70 Canadian/day at Whistler.

Aye, I was more thinking of food and drink, TBH, but yes, left passes
are very high and don't discount in the way we're used to over here.

OTOH you do generally get a lot more for your liftpass, as all the
mountain lodges are designed to be used by paying and non-paying
customers alike, with indoor, heated picnic areas and ample clean free
toilets. So I don't usually feel to ripped off, IYSWIM.

--
Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk
All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club.

Ace wrote:

Sorry Neil, but having spent last christmas in Bannf, I have to say
that there is effectively zero nightlife compared with almost any
European resort. Dunno about Whistler.

I'd believe it. But it's better than any other Western Canadian resort
save Whistler. I haven't been to Whistler in 20 years, so I can't
comment directly on what it's like now but from all I've heard it's a
pretty hopping little town at night.

Neil

Hi Neil

comment directly on what it's like now but from all I've heard it's a
pretty hopping little town at night.

From what I heard it seems to be as hopping as a new years party in the
sloth cage in the zoo ;-)

Florian

Alastair wrote:
Hi all,

Basically as the title says.

I have been snowboarding for 5 years now, been to Cham + Val before
with my friends. This time I am looking to try and get my girlfriend
into winter holidays.


Will hopefully be going in the new year (as I know Snow isn't
guaranteed, but I went to Val one year right after new year and the
snow was immense!).

Any suggestions/comments will be appreciated

Alastair

Have you considered Andorra, prices will be much lower than the alps
(especially the large resorts which tend to have more nightlife). Sure
it lacks expert terrain but you wont need it.

Hi all,
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you all. The advice I have been
getting is great.
I am going to look into all the places which have been mentioned.

Les Deux Alpes
Sauze D'Oulx
Soll
Andorra
Tignes

Whistler I have looked at in the past, and even when I was going to
splash out on a snowboarding holiday I still found it pretty expensive
in the brochures I looked in.

Did I miss any?

What might help is if I define what I would class as cheap. When I went
to Chamonix in March of this year I paid =A3800, that was based on
flying from Glasgow to Geneva and back, transfer, 3 people sharing a 4
person studio, full area lift pass, transport of my snowboarding
equipment (I think that has covered the cost of the holiday) and then
factor in the spending which I am sure was about =A3400-500 for the
week.

This time around I am attempting to save for a deposit for house, but
also get my yearly fix of snowboarding abroad. Now please tell me if
this is unrealistic but I was looking for the general cost
(travelling,paases etc.) to be around the =A3500 mark if not lower, the
slopes can be beginners as long as the night life makes up for the
slopes. A good ski school would be nice but I am really not factoring
that into the price as the cheaper the better :-D

I was looking for the general cost
(travelling,paases etc.) to be around the =A3500 mark if not lower,

In case this was confusing, I mean the general cost not including
spending money.

Just to clear that up :-)

I noice that Skiworld is offering offering one week catered chalet in
Meribel, which does have some night life, for £379. Add in about £50 for
hidden charges (eg flying from Glasgow, special secret charge for going
skiing etc) and £120 for a lift pass and you will not be much over budget.

But then it all depends on when you want to go. If you decide to go the
week before, the same holiday will cost you almost £200 per person more.

John

Alastair wrote:
Hi all,
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you all. The advice I have been
getting is great.
I am going to look into all the places which have been mentioned.

Les Deux Alpes
Sauze D'Oulx
Soll
Andorra
Tignes

Whistler I have looked at in the past, and even when I was going to
splash out on a snowboarding holiday I still found it pretty expensive
in the brochures I looked in.

Did I miss any?

What might help is if I define what I would class as cheap. When I went
to Chamonix in March of this year I paid £800, that was based on
flying from Glasgow to Geneva and back, transfer, 3 people sharing a 4
person studio, full area lift pass, transport of my snowboarding
equipment (I think that has covered the cost of the holiday) and then
factor in the spending which I am sure was about £400-500 for the
week.

This time around I am attempting to save for a deposit for house, but
also get my yearly fix of snowboarding abroad. Now please tell me if
this is unrealistic but I was looking for the general cost
(travelling,paases etc.) to be around the £500 mark if not lower, the
slopes can be beginners as long as the night life makes up for the
slopes. A good ski school would be nice but I am really not factoring
that into the price as the cheaper the better :-D