OT FOAK Skiing

I've just been out voted on the 'what shall we do for xmyth/new year'
thing. The kids want to go and try skiiing. I shall hate it. I want to
go and sit in the sun.

Where is the best place for beginners? Somewhere cheap and minimum
hassle. So I book it, turn up, all equipment is available and someone
takes them away and teaches them how to ski while I huddle next to a
fire with a book.

Of course this relies on their passports coming back in time...

 

Bring them out here to Ottawa. You can send them to lessons with mine
and you can explore the city.

I'd never been on skis before coming here, so can't compare with
European slopes, but I'm advised that, from a UK perspective, a ski
holiday here can be as cheap as going to Europe, or cheaper. I'm sure
SWK will shoot me down shortly.

Having said that, many of the slopes aren't overly challenging, but
that's probably ideal for your circumstances.

 

Lady Nina emerged from their own little world to say

Send them to Andorra with TOG [1] and **** off to Cancun yourself.

[1] bound to be cheap

 

************
Get the applications off * Tomorrow *
************

I got mine back in 9 days recently, but the christmas rush is starting...

 

Of skiing..

Damn good idea.

Heh.

I should have had xmyth sorted weeks ago but then there was the have
I/haven't I got the kids thing so I couldn't book. And now I know I
have got them I find out their passports expired in August. So if I
book before they come back sods law says they wont be back and if I
wait there'll be less choice than there is now. Which could work in my
favour if all the skiing stuff is gone. Feck it's complicated,
flights, accomodation, equipment, lift passes - sod that.

 

Will do. I have a list of stuff to sort out tomorrow when all I really
want to do is crawl into a hole. I hate this time of year, the sun
barely makes it over the horizon.

Aaargh.

 

Lady Nina secured a place in history by writing:

You really want cheap, look to Eastern Europe somewhere.

You want good family skiing, go for France, La Plagne. Loads of skiing,
lots of good easy beginners stuff etc

 

I learned to ski in Andorra. A mate of mine has an excellent teaching
method:

Make us do a couple of runs down a green slope until we can stand up
for the whole run.
Take us up to the top of the mountain and says "Right, tea is served in
five and a half hours at the hotel. The clock's ticking."

It worked too.

 

Andorra may be quite busy those days of Xmas/new year, with hords of
barcelonites rushing from the city and skiing, partying, shoping. My
thought. There are quieter places in the Pyrenees, but if I told you I'd
have to kill you.

Anyway, if going with beginners choose the more family oriented Vallnord
(former Ordino, Pal and Arinsal), Gran Valira (former Pas de la Casa-Grau
Roig and Soldeu-El Tarter) are more than what you need.

Not necessary for Andorra, at least with Spanish Id card (DNI).

 

The Spanish army in Vielha at the Aran Valley (west of Andorra) had a
similar method.

Depending on the Andorran resort one may find competent aussie instructors
(summer in the southern hemisphere) in English speaking courses. The best
way to go.

Sincerely, beginners should stay in green and blue slopes for the first
week, and progress to red only if they really deserve it :-/

 

Wrong part of the Pyrenees.....

 

Bollocks. French Pyrenees.

As cheap as Eastern Europe, and *miles* better.

 

Bareges/La Mongie....

*BANG!*

 

Sitting in the sun.

HTH

 

In general any place which is not that transportation of the Hong Kong
architecture to the mountains.

 

The Older Gentleman secured a place in history by writing:

Take your word for it. I've never done *cheap* skiing, sounds more than
plausible.

 

AOL

The Maldives

Can't beat it for sking out if your room for 10ft to the beach
--

Mark
ZX12R-B1 (Blue)
CG125 (hers)
Blata Ninja 3.4
BOTSWCAW#3

 

I had this all lined up, then the <expletive, expletive, rant,

<sigh> Maybe I should just let the <expletive, expletive, rant,
expletive> have the little gits over xmyth. </sigh>

 

Meerufenfushi Island is the one for you. Take the ittle gits and enjoy.
The island is big enough to not see anyone

From a Maldive visitor[1] of many times

[1] well 5 times[2]
[2] I luuuurve the place

--

Mark
ZX12R-B1 (Blue)
CG125 (hers)
Blata Ninja 3.4
BOTSWCAW#3

 

A few ukrm-ers have gone to Bareges/ La mongie.

I've skied expensive, and would like to again, but with a family of four
it gets to silly money.

French Pyrenees are half to two-thirds the price of the posh Alps in
*everything* - accommodation, lift pass, beers on the slopes, lunches.
Our hotel costs ukp35 a night, half board, for example.

Plus prettier villages and (something you really don't get in the Alps)
hot thermal springs for relaxing in afterwards.

Masses of character.

Downside - a shorter skiing season, nothing *really* taxing, and
obviously not as extensive, though B/La M has 60-odd lifts, which is
enough for most people.

Also few tour operators go there, and the skiing press seems oblivious
of its existence. DIY is the best solution (cheap flights to
Carcassonne, or BA to Toulouse, and then hire a car).