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 #1 Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 21/10/2009 @ 10:35 |
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Hey all,
A group of us want to go boarding next Jan away from the peak weeks (school hols etc)
There will be 6 of us in total and we are all from 25-30 in age.
I have been a weeks boarding in Morzine and apart from one other guy whom has had numerous weeks in the white stuff the others are noobies.
They will all be learning in domes pre trip.
Now current favourite resort seems to be Livigno?
From searching on here it seems to good for beginners and has a decent nightlife.
Also its tax free, only real concern is the transfer.
Is there any other recommended resort options or
could you recommend any properties to stay in Livigno. It can be pretty basic, just need warmth and a bed.
Thanks Al |
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Snowboarding is like a class A drug! I'm addicted, it takes my money and physically pains my body, but i can't get enough!!! |
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| #2 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 21/10/2009 @ 18:11 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Livigno's a good shout - the guy who has done a number of weeks may find the area a touch small but other than that it should be spot on. I haven't been there for a number of years but fro what it's worth I went with Thompson 10 years ago - they just had the accomodation listed at Livigno Apts I think - cheap, basic, warm - did the job. If you see a place called Galli's then that would be a great (but very noisy!) place to stay. |
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| #3 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 21/10/2009 @ 18:58 |
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| In reply to post #2
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Livigno is where I first went
its great its cheap the food awesome
picturesque
horrific transfer to the resort but worth it |
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| #4 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 21/10/2009 @ 19:50 |
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| In reply to post #3
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Had my first boarding week in Livigno and it was alright.
I certainly wouldn't rush back though, especially with the 5 1/2 hour transfer. Nightlife is also
a bit limited.
Go to Mayrhofen, or at a push, Pas in Andorra. |
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| Posts: 1105 |
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UK - Scotland |
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| #5 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 21/10/2009 @ 20:54 |
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Revision #2 (Last edited: 21/10/2009 @ 20:57) |
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I would also back Livigno - had a really good week there about 5 years ago - you can read my review here: http://www.step-on.co.uk/resorts_livigno.shtml
Pas is definately a good choice - espiecally now they've linked up to other areas. That's where I commenced my snowboarding "career". You can read a report Pas here (not written by me). Snowboarding Pas de la casa
Other than that - I'd recomend Jasna in Slovakia - check out PropaganadaSnowboards |
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| #6 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 22/10/2009 @ 00:24 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 22/10/2009 @ 00:25) |
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Livigno is nowhere near as good as Morzine. And that goes for slopes and nightlife.
I've been to about 10 resorts in Europe and Livigno was easily the worst.
Go somewhere with plenty of terrain and as you all progress, you won't get bored. Better
to have terrain and not need it, rather than want it and not have it available.
I've done Mayrhofen 3 times, which should give you an idea of how good it is. In my opinion of course. You also get access to the glacier at Hintertux and another 3 or 4 resorts in the valley
on one lift pass (including free buses/trains to each), plus one of the best parks in Europe. Great,
even if you're just watching.
It's also an hour from Innsbruck, not a 5 1/2 hour transfer like Livigno. |
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| Posts: 1105 |
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UK - Scotland |
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| #7 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 22/10/2009 @ 08:13 |
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Revision #2 (Last edited: 22/10/2009 @ 08:16) |
| In reply to post #6
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I'd very much doubt if you'd get bored at Livigno - which also has one of the best parks in Europe. Especially if you're just starting out...
If you're getting bored then you're likely not exploring enough. We were experienced riders when we went to Livigno but had a good time with a nice mix of piste, park and off piste.
Yes - Les Portes du Soliel is bigger (massive in fact) - but as a beginner you just don't need all that terrain. Plus it's much more expensive.
Yes - the transfer is a little longer than most - but we didn't find that a problem. And would agree that nightlife is more limited.
But don't rule Livigno out - I've been to around 30 resorts in Europe - and Livigno was up there as one of our most enjoyable weeks. (Although - I rarely don't enjoy myself in the mountains!). |
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| #8 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 23/10/2009 @ 12:43 |
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| In reply to post #7
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If you think about andorra, could also go to arinsal - think its now linked with arcalis which has some of the best pistes in andorra. Also linked with pal, so you get a reasonable area to board in. |
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| Posts: 1274 |
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West Midlands |
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| #9 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 24/10/2009 @ 04:37 |
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| In reply to post #8
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Your absolutely correct. I was there in April this year and the liftpass covers you for Arinsal,Pas and Arcalis. We did the lot.
Pal would probably be a good starting point for begiiners, lots of really easy long blues (more greens really).  |
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- Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us -
- Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly - |
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| Posts: 140 |
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Greater Manchester |
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| #10 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 24/10/2009 @ 13:54 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Hi,
My first boarding holiday was in Livigno, like your friends I learnt at a dome (CFe in Manchester). At the the time I had nothing to compare it to, although looking back it pales in comparison with the 3 valleys resorts which was my second holiday.
However for complete noobs (like me) its pretty good, on one side of the valley you have row after row of nice nursery slopes that build up in steepness as you go further north. Good for absolute beginners plus the Madness snowboard school are good (Ask for Carlo!). The problem is, is that if you want to move up the mountain then there are only two blue runs to progress to, admittedly they are pretty long but the Mottolino run has a tree lined hairpin section that I couldn't get to grips with and spent half the time falling leaf down it blocking the way for everyone else! Sorry if that was you reading this! 
Anyhoo, the split mountain is a downside too, requiring a bus journey across the resort, doesn't take long but when you're itching to get on your board it can be frustrating. Waiting for a bus to arrive and then finding it full isn't funny!
We stayed near the southern end (San Rocco?) near the Carosello gondola at a place called Faustos, it was a 5 min walk to a very gentle nursery slope and backed onto a great pizzeria, seriously, they were amazing and very cheap in comparison to France, great quality.
The tax free status of the place is a bit of false advertising, supermarket alcohol is fairly cheap but unless you're buying jewellery or electrical equipment or sunglasses then you won't notice that much difference, it reminded me of a duty free lounge in a big airport sometimes.
I went with the missus and didn't really sample the night life, preferring a nice meal and bottle of wine before bed but we did see a few bars which were rocking, Galli's rings a bell. Also recommended is La Pioda,a restaurant just opposite Galli's, quite expensive but the food is AMAZING! Worth treating yourself one night maybe? Book before you do.
Livigno is, at the end of the day, an Alpine village that provides winter sport facilities, it isn't custom built so lacks the convenience of most other resorts so bear that in mind. As its Italy, it is probably the cheapest of the major alpine countries. But the transfer is loooooooooooooooooooong..... take an ipod/ds/psp/book for the journey...
I've never been to Andorra but have been informed by the missus that PDLC is more convenient, just as cheap and has a better mix of runs to tackle. Both pllaces offer well run board schools that speak very good english. I've heard it described as Playa de las Americas for winter sports, make of that what you will.
Hope this helps,
Joe. |
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We've gone on holiday by mistake... are you the farmer??? |
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| #11 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 24/10/2009 @ 15:21 |
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| In reply to post #10
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Pas de la Cas > Livigno in all aspects, except probably the park (I've not visited the parks in either). Doesn't sound like your mates will be hitting kickers and rails just yet though. There used to be a little boardercross track and some low rails/benches just at the side of the piste in Pas, which are good fun, but not been for 5 or 6 years.
Pas does have a bit of a 'Magaluf on ice' rep, but there are quiet places if you want that. Packed bars and clubs are there if you want it though. Livigno is pretty much limited to Galli's and the club out of town. |
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| #12 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 26/10/2009 @ 11:31 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 26/10/2009 @ 11:32) |
| In reply to post #9
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If i remember there are quite a few easy tree runs as well - ended up doing these rather than the pistes - its was an icey year!
EDIT:
The other plus is that Andorra is tax free  |
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| #13 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 26/10/2009 @ 12:04 |
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| In reply to post #12
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Hey guys, thanks for all the responses, as we're all pretty new to the sport, the park would be mainly something to view, it will be my second week though, so i'll deffo be trying little kicker and ollies, i'd like to progress to a decent level at freestyle but understand this takes more snow miles that i currently have.
Andorra sounds like it could be the place then, i'd avoided it initially due to its reputation but then it seems quite an attractive option.
Any recommendations of place to stay there, and would you choose to self cater or go hotel with board? |
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Snowboarding is like a class A drug! I'm addicted, it takes my money and physically pains my body, but i can't get enough!!! |
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| Posts: 1274 |
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West Midlands |
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| #14 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 26/10/2009 @ 12:36 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 26/10/2009 @ 12:37) |
| In reply to post #13
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I have stayed here in Soldeu with my mates on a long weekend and with my wife and kids three times altogether now Piolets Park and Spa (not to be confused with Piolets which is smaller and older).
We stayed half board, really good quality hot buffet restuarant, nice modern clean rooms, a nice bar and lounge for a few drinks before dinner (and quite a few after apres too).
Spa was extra but cheaper for the Hotel guests but still quite good all the same with a poolside bar and heated hot and cold plunge pools outside.
You can book direct, which in early Jan was dirt cheap compared to paying Inghams (who they use as their agents).
The Grandvalira ski area is massive. If youre worried about the amount of snowfall then you can wait to see how the snow shapes up then book nearer the time. They do have some of the best snowmaking facilities in europe though.
Nightlife was great but not too mad (esp Fat Alberts bar) |
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- Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us -
- Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly - |
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| #15 Re: Beginner resort recommendations* Not Bulgaria* possibly Livigno Posted 26/10/2009 @ 12:43 |
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| In reply to post #13
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Last time I went (New Year's 2003) we stayed at the Snowlakes, which had just been built. Superb apartments (with heated floors. Toasty!) and a great bar downstairs.
Whether you go half board or SC depends on prices I guess. Prices for eating out are reasonable and there's a great pizza/pasta place along with a good Chinese. With the current exchange rate, it probably makes sense to get food included. 7 nights food will come to around £150, so see what sort of prices you get. |
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