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HAD, as I recall there are signs alongside the roadways advising on the status of the various passes. However, your hotel will certainly be able to check for you before you leave.
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Yes - info about the passes, weather forecast etc. is posted daily at the Ortisei Tourist Office in the town centre.
Likewise, Bolzano Tourist Office will provide this info. Steve |
For an area with skiing and lots to do Kitzbuhel can do it..ski back to hotel. Stayed in the Goldener Greif..the Harisch owns several hotels in the area.
We flew in to Munich and arranged for a tansportation to pick us up at our hotel and take us to Kitzbuhel. We did enjoy it. This same trip, we also went to Grindelwald and stayed in the Hotel Regina..with a view of the Eiger. Enjoy.... Joan |
HAD: Mom to mom, I have a couple of ideas for your first skiing adventure. I have lots of experience with stateside ski trips out west since we are a family that skis both competitively and recreationally. I do not have any experience in Europe, but my thoughts have universal application I think...
1)yes, stay slopeside, preferably in a condo or family suite. Why? With your crowd you will have stuff everywhere. When something is damp or soaked, you'll be draping it over doors, chairs, bed frames, etc., so you'll need plenty of room. If you have access to washer/dryer, wonderful. You don't want to do laundry everyday, but you can dry damp fleece or a pair of ski pants quickly and eliminate the clothing hanging about. Also, since I recommend that you go easy with your lessons/skiing the first couple of days, a condo is a wonderful place to rest, veg, and hang out together. 2)Helmet...yes for all. Why? Obvious. Don't let you kids compalin that they'll look dorky...everyone - young and old - wear them and for good reason. 3) Rent, don't buy. Why? If your equipment needs adjusting or repair, or you want to swap for another size, style, whatever, your rental shop will help you out. Also, based on your experiences and the equipment that feels comfortable, they can recommend equipment to buy, if you decide to make the investment. 4) Lessons...try to get a woman instructor for yourself. Why? Male instructors seem to speak a different language sometimes. However, a group lesson for you all could be fun. 5) Go easy. Why? This is a new sport for you all and you WILL be stiff and sore. So, don't expect to ski the whole day, every day. Plan on a 1/2 day for the first couple, then do what is comfortable. On my first day, all I need is that lunch break to feel a nap coming on. If you are in a beautiful location, what the heck...take a nap, then go out and see the sights, or curl up in your condo with a good book and a glass of wine. 6) If you can purchase boot dryers, and pack them along, do. Why? There is nothing worse than putting on damp boots in the morning, or damp gloves. Everyone sweats when they ski and everyone's stuff is damp at the end of the day. It takes a boot dryer to really dry out your boot. Also, find out from your rental shop how to take your boot apart so that both the shell and the liner dry out. 7) Mittens vs Gloves? Why? This might sound like a girl thing, but if you get cold easily, buy mittens and also a hand-full of hand and foot warmers. The warmers slip into your mitten/glove or boot and add warmth for a couple of hours. 8) Get in shape ahead of time. Why? Even if you are an experienced skier, you are hauling around your ski equipment, walking in heavy boots, and no-doubt taking a spill or two on the slopes, so you want to be ready for that challenge. Aerobic walking, treadmill, etc. help a lot beforehand. 9) Pack ibuprofin. Why? You will need it for aches and stiffness. We all do! Have a blast! |
dilli...
Thank you for reminding us all to get fit, and to pack the ibuprofen/paracetamol. I always take several packs of each (they work well together and are more effective taken together). I also take arnica (homeopathic) in tablet form for those aches and strains and arnica cream for any bruises or sore spots. I have learnt over time to take several other homeopathic remedies (including one for broken bones LOL!) and I also take one for altitude sickness having suffered one time and never forgotten how horrid it felt. And tubes of ibuprofen gel (Voltarol), heat spray, muscle rub, support strapping! But we are all now past the beginner stage so are therefore more prone to accident and injury. And thank you for also backing me on the helmet issue. |
julia_t ~
Your "crash" and subsequent concussion is a perfect example of why helmets are important. As the saying goes..."Never say 'never.'" Glad to know you are still skiing! |
dilli wow, thanks, I like how you delivered the info. You know living in a hot country I'm afraid I don't know what do you mean by hand and foot warmers.
I didnt know how important ibuprofen would be. I will definitely try Julia's combination of ibuprofen/paracetamol, with all the other creams and gels. I am really glad I started this thread. Wealth of information. |
HAD ~
If there is a cheap and valuable item out there in the miriad of ski equipment, it's hand and foot warmers. They are small packets of some combination of chemicals - tightly enveloped so they never leak - that, once combined, give off heat for several hours. They are so low profile that you can slip them into a glove, mitten, or into a ski boot without discomfort. And - most important of all - they are very cheap. While I only use them in single digit temps, I always stick a couple into my jacket...just in case. I've given them out on chairlifts and, occasionally, even my kids are glad for them. |
Hi HAD,
We are a skiiing family. We first took our kids skiing when they were aged between 4 and 10 but they are all now similar ages to your kids. We went skiing 2 years ago in a nearby place in Italy (Campitello di Fassa). All the areas link up and we did ski over to Ortisei one day. The whole area is absolutely beautiful and you will love it. You have lots of good advice about clothing and equipment here. I would definitely rent your skis, boots, poles etc. In Australia we can even rent clothing but I gather that is not so common in Europe. Even though I own my skis I would not bother taking them to Europe. Rental skis are pretty good quality usually and you have the added advantage of being able to change them if you need to and get them serviced if anything goes wrong with them. Boots are another matter. Rental boots usually hurt (ski boots are not the most comfortable item anyway). But I still would not recommend buying boots even before you go. Regarding the kids - you need to be prepared for the fact that they are likely to pick up the skill quicker than you and so might want to go off on their own. The other thing is that you might find at least one of them really hates it, and it may surprise you who that one is. What I am saying is don't get disappointed if you all don't have a great time all the time. Skiing is exhausting and not easy to learn immediately for everyone. On the other hand skiing is a great family holiday. It is probably our surest way to get all our kids to keep coming on holidays with us. (Can't wait until they can pay there own way though). Have a great time. I wish it was me going. |
Hi HAD:
I have been following the excellent advice that you have been getting. Flyfish is a great resource for skiing Europe...I envy his/her? ski schedual!! You have given us a real challenge to try and help you. Are you an American working in Bahrain? I ask because my old company has a factory there and a lot of 'USA Southerners have moved to follow their jobs. Back to skiing. I think that the less 'crap' that you have to carry, the better you will enjoy this trip. I do not know your budget...I think it must be somewhat unlimited....that being said WAIT to buy/rent ANTTHING ski related until you reach the resort of your choice. You will just get better advice on what fits and what you need. Especially the boots! If they do not fit proper, you can go back for an adjustment. I also have skied both in the states and in Europe. I always leave days to explore the towns of Europe....I find it as important as the skiing....and oh so more rewarding and fun to meet and greet the people. I will add another little twist to skiing. Maybe someone in the group would want to SNOWBOARD! That sport has really taken off here in the states. I also think that it is quicker from "Lesson to Slopes" with boarding! And there is that "cool" clothing factor with boarders...........no, I better stop here.... you have too much already to ponder. I hope you like the sport! Skiing Italy! FANTASTIC!!! |
bmw I have been blessed with great people here helping me out and giving me valuable advice. I am overwhelmed. I didnt expect that there is so much to learn about skiing. Every contribution opens my eyes to something new. I even considered that maybe we shouldn't go skiing this year, not being prepared, and so many things to consider, but then I thought it would be a waste to all the effort that those lovely people have put towards my inquiry. I now booked the hotel in Ortisei and I'm working on the other details. No bmw we are a Bahraini local family. Which factory are you referring to? Bahrain is a tiny island with a population of 1 million people.
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-dilli, thanks, I wonder if I can find these warmers in Italy. I will research them on the web to know how they look like.
-aussiefive, my husband and I started walking 6 km per day every day as per traveller 1959 and FlyFish advice to prepare our bodies for skiing. we will also strength train. However, I am sure my kids will pick up skiing much faster although they are not much into sports. My youngest barely moves, and eats a lot of junk food. -Joan, Maybe next year if we decide to go skiing I will research Kitzbuhel and Grindelwald. Thanks Hadeel |
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HAD - my 2 cent's worth. I also come from a hot country so had no experience of skiing the first time, but loved it from the start(we're now going again this year!)
If you join a ski school, for about 6 days, your family will probably be split up which is good, as you as a parent won't be worrying about what your kids are doing - you all progress at your own pace. Our ski school finished in the mornings and quite frankly I learnt a lot in the afternoons - on the beginner slopes by myself where I could practice what I had been told in the morning and work it out for myself in the afternoon. A good hearty lunch in between is essential to warm you up, and you cannot begin to imagine what that cold is like, so just go with it and enjoy it. Our ski school had a 'race' the last day which is great for 'graduating' - then you're on your own. I did find that I then became too ambitious and took a few tumbles on the public slopes, but I slowed down again and we did lots of routes as a family, so we could enjoy ourselves together. I wasn't hugely fit but I never had a problem with stiffness or soreness. Have fun, it really is an amazing experience : just watching snow fall was such a novelty for us, so huge mountains of the stuff is like an eternal playtime! |
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Yes Steve it looks white. I'm hoping for the best.
I have bought the tickets already and booked the accommodation. We will land in Venice, spend 4 nights then go to Cortina, spend 3 nights, then Ortisie spend 4 nights, then we have one day to spend somewhere between Ortisie and Milan (not decided yet). Then the last 2 nights in Milan from where we will go back home. Planning and booking this trip took a lot of time and energy on my side. I needed to understand first to be able to plan. Thanks to all of you, we are now set to go. I booked the Mirage Hotel in Cortina and the Adler in Ortisie. The Adler is VERY expensive but I wanted the children to enjoy their first skiing trip and have nothing to complain about. (I read that The Adler has an escalator from the hotel to the ski lifts). If it were up to me I wouldn't have paid so much for a hotel. I now have to find somewhere near Venice to buy skiing clothes. I also need to arrange with two skiing schools, one in Cortina and the other in Ortisei. I need to decide which town to spend the night in between Ortisie and Milan. Kathy: I really hope that after all the hard work I've put into planning this trip, it will be a success, and the kids, my husband and myself will enjoy it. Unfortunately my eldest son won't be able to come with us. Like lincasanova mentioned in this thread "since this is your first time skiing, be prpared for a lot of work. it is fun, but you may be a bit frustrated until you hit the slopes." There was a lot of hard work and a lot of frustration, now I am looking forward to hitting the slopes :) |
HAD - If you're driving between Cortina and Ortisei, be aware that you will need snow tyres/ chains.
It may be advisable to take the Dobbiaco/ Val Pusteria route to avoid the high passes. Buon viaggio! Steve |
Hi HAD:
I hope you have beautiful snowfalls when you are in the resort towns, and clear roads when you are driving! You are going to a magical area of Italy, I know you will have one of the most memorable vacations! The 'actors' always say "break a leg" for "good luck"....but I think I will just wish you a healthy, happy trip. Will be waiting for your report! John |
Steve since we have never driven a car on icy snowy roads, we are thinking of taking a taxi. The Italian Embassy staff advised my husband to take a taxi, they feel it might be dangerous for us to drive. A new issue to think about. Any recommendations.
John thanks for all the nice wishes. I hope we will stay away from breaking any legs. Hadeel |
I'm sure your Cortina hotel will be able to advise on a transfer service to Ortisei, Hadeel.
Aren't you planning on having a car at all now? It's true that you won't need one in Cortina or Ortisei. Steve |
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