J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by wizofiz

judithhughey wrote:We are two Kiwis wanting to spend about 8 weeks in Feb, March 2007 in Italy. We are an expert skier and a very good intermediate. Of course as our dollar doesn't go far we are on a budget. Would like to go to at least four places and stay a week or so in each. Not keen on nightlife, etc, just want good skiing and scenery. Any ideas on nski towns or regions and cheap places to stay would be great as well.
Thanks

And now for something completely different...I am living in Brindisi and am searching for info on skiing in Calabria. A colleague of mine that lives in Taranto told me that there is skiing in Calabria. The info I have found on searches is very sketchy. Anyone out there with first or even second hand knowledge about these areas? I already have determined they are quite small and not challenging, but figure that it will take care of my ski jones until I have time to head north. I would like general info such as crowds, accomodations, ummm...names of towns, accessibility etc. etc. If there is no one out there with any knowledge to share, then I promise to report later this winter on what appear to be somewhat obscure ski areas.

Freddy,
We did ski Alagna and think that with fresh powder it would just be spectacular. Unfortuantely, off piste conditions were marginal despite our efforts to look for good stuff. I hope that when we return there will be powder conditions. A plus for Alagna was that we noticed that if the the conditions were windy on the Gressoney side, they were less so on the Alagna side.

Back in January I sent in a post requesting info on the Monte Rosa area...thank you to those that sent in replies. I am thrilled to report that the trip went off flawlessly and it was a great trip. For those considering a trip there, here is some (I hope) useful info:
1. We flew into Torino and hopped a train to Pont St. Martin. The bus company has coordinated the bus schedule with train arrivals so we didn't wait long. There are two bars next to the train station for a cappucino and a snack.
2. We stayed in Gressoney St. Jean because it is the biggest village in that valley; hence more dining choices.
3. I highly recommend the Residence Delapierre. The owners Renato & Tea Delapierre are incredibly nice folks. The place is very clean and modern. It is about a 8-10 minute walk from the center of village. They have a website by the same name.
4. The bus company has a ski shuttle bus that we rode every day. The bus stop was a short walk from the apartment. we made friends with one of the bus drivers. Gent was a cool Albanian that made the rides interesting. There were two schedules posted at the stop. One was specifically for the ski season; a logical look at the schedule will make sense to you even if you don't speak italian.
5. We purchased a multi-day non-consecutive pass online. They mailed the passes to the apartment we were staying at - how convenient is that? Prices were great!
6. Snow conditions were excellent for on piste, not so good for off piste (it hadn't snowed for a few days). One of the persons in our group did go on a heli-ski excursion one day and pronounced it acceptable. We can see that with fresh snow it would be screamingly spectacular. The runs were groomed and fun for high speed arcs :-)
7. We rented skis at a shop in Staffal. Carlos and Enzio (owners) were great! The equipment was first rate and the service prompt and friendly. Bonus: There is a little bar underneath the shop for apres, the bus stop is across the street, and the tram/gondola are just down the street...sweet!!
8. We like all the skiing but thought that for cruising the Champoluc side was the best. Staying in the middle valley of the ski area is more convenient for accessing the three valleys.
9.Last but certainly not least...the eating. I am a foodie...I live to eat and consider myself quite the cook. Soooo...here are my nominations for the best dining in Gressoney St Jean: Nordkaap-the pheasant ravioli, roasted rabbit...oh yeah! Il Braciere-best chicken, tied with another place for best gnocchi I've ever had...Marcello, the owner, was friendly and made feel at home. Il Stambecco-outstanding pizza! Hotel Gran Baita-tied with Il Braciere for the best gnocchi and there desserts were simply amazing. On slope dining was better than anything I have ever had stateside, no contest.
10. The Red Bull extreme ski team was filming during our stay. That big avalanche that was endlessly replayed on tv news ocurred while we were there. We watched them for a couple of days. My buddy and I skiied some of the areas that they had skiied...our wives took photos...that pretty much took care of ski season bragging rights with our other friends. back home!
11. My wife and I accepted teaching positions with an international school in Italy!!! We'll be back in Monterosa in '07 :-) :-)

Thanks bflydivas! I have been checking the snow report almost daily...not looking good :-( Still have a month a half to go before departure. Naturally, my local ski areas are having a spectacular snow year! Would you mind terribly helping me out with some questions? 1. Do you (or parents) know a guide they would recommend? English speaking would be preferable, but I speak some Italian and can translate for my group. 2. Can you recommend a ski shop to rent equipment? 3. Eating - always a priority; any recommendations on places to eat?
Last, anything a first-time visitor should know so as to be a good guest and efficient traveler in your home town? Thanks
Wizofiz

Thanks for the info on Monte Rosa. Very helpful indeed. I will be making plane reservations very soon and I have narrowed down likely apartments to rent. Do you know anything about Residenza Del Sole in Gressoney St. Jean? There will be five of us and it appears to be a good choice. If you have any other recommendations I would appreciate it. You mentioned guides and we had indeed thought of that as well, but thanks for the serious reminder (one of the party members has more testosterone than common sense). Can you recommend anyone? Would appreciate info on that as well.
Israel

I am planning a ski holiday in the Monte Rosa area (Champoluc, Gressoney-la-Trinite, Alagna Valsesia) this coming March 06. We have vacationed in Italy before, but never a ski trip. There may be up to 6 people in our party. My wife and I are committed to the trip; the others are still mulling it over. If you have skiied this area, I would appreciate some info on the following questions:
1. Are the skiing conditions usually decent the last two weeks of March? I understand the vagaries of snow seasons.
2. How are the crowds that time of year?
3. How difficult (time consuming) is it to ski from one valley to the next? Thusly, would you recommend staying in Gressoney?
4. Ski abilities in the group range from expert to strong advanced. My wife and an other female in the group are a little weak in powder and crud; anything to watch out for in this regard? We ski at Sun Valley, ID every other weekend as a reference point.
5. We would like to rent an apartment. Any suggestions?
6. If we end up farther away from the lifts, like say Gressoney-St-Jean. Does the ski resort offer ski shuttle busses?
7. Fly in to Torino or Milano?
8. Should we hire a guide during our first few days of skiing?
Any other tip/suggestions? I would really appreciate your help.