Impress a new non-skiing girlfriend - resort/ chalet?

Ah yes! I forgot about the Goatstall!! hahaha! and there is also the nightskiing there too, although it appeared you needed to be 17, Dutch and off your trolley to do it - good fun for a night though!

A group of lads from our hotel went to Bobby's a lot, not sure if it is still operating!

There is also the disco/concert/europop type event after skiing in the main square near the church in Saalbach, worth a boogie in your boots!

We were there during the week of Fasching... but that is another story!!

See we have you sorted -Saalbach-Hinterglemm it is!!

Excellent, thanks guys, that was easy!! Sounds perfect

None of these that you originally mention are particularly pretty to look at IMO; come to think of it not many in France are…. Arc 1950 is a newer centre and seem to have chalet style only set up building wise. I really like the skiing in France but not much else if I'm honest. Le Rosiere which is linked to Le Thuile is pretty attractive I've stayed in Les Eucherts before.

If you want an aesthetically pleasing resort I'd be looking towards Austria, possibly somewhere in the Italian Dolomites, or if your wallet can stomach it somewhere in Switzerland. Due to the strength of the CHF allot of UK TO's still have many standing deals such as 2 for 1 lift passes and if you're chalet board this takes most of the sting out of prices so wouldn't totally rule it out. The mountain restaurants in Zermatt are amazing, or a cheaper option to stay on the Italian side which is Cervinia.

A compromise might have to be made somewhere. If you want to hopefully get your OH hooked I'd go for a pretty Austria town with plenty of non-skiing things to do, amongst the others that people have mentioned take a look at Kitzbuhel. So long as your OH isn't still at nursery standard (the nursery slopes are a bit of an arse to reach) then this could be ideal. The compromise is that the terrain isn't hugely challenging, but although it isn't a particularly celebrated place for off piste there is actually plenty.

Ishcgl would swing things a bit more towards your needs, and St Anton even further but nice accommodation available in both. Ischgl has more intermediate pistes while ST Anton top trumps for off piste.

divekris wrote:priority is "impressing" the lady so need a nice looking resort with plenty of nightlife or one with half decent chalets

whos, yours or hers?

Thanks Grizwald, very helpful and I will look at those as well.

In terms of my skiing ability I am not at off piste level. I am very comfortable on reds and some blacks but I have not mastered off piste so I would need some nice fast reds and the odd challenging black to keep me interested. I only took up the sport 4 or so years ago...so around 4/5 weeks skiing in total. Only ever skied in France. Keen to try other areas.

Tony_H - fair question! My initial request was slightly tongue in cheek. Having spoken to my girlfriend about skiing she really wants to go and I feel it would be important that her first introduction to skiing should be somewhat impressive in terms of looks, ease of access to the nursery slopes, apres ski etc etc. Clearly cost is a factor but prepared to push the boat out this first time...

With your budget of 1.5k per person i would be lookin at st Anton in Austria, guaranteed to impress :-)

Try this have been with this operator as a group then took the better half after telling her how good it was, she will not settle for anything less now
http://www.vip-chalets.com/chalets/taiga-lodge

St Anton. Lovely town, fantastic ski area, it doesnt get a lot better than that, plus there are some swanky chalets out there.