Holiday Reviews 2024

Corvara, Italy

The start of the first trip of the season was marred by low cloud at Innsbruck and several planes were diverted. However, the good snow base , plenty of skiing and many sunny days made up for the difficult start.

4 skiing groups were formed and most groups completed a circumnavigation of the Sella Ronda during the week.

A trip to the Hidden Valley was popular, with its serene slopes, frozen waterfalls and ice climbers. Being towed out of the valley behind horses was the highlight for some. Further afield the slopes of Arabba and Alta Badia and the Gran Risa Giant Slalom World Cup run were enjoyed.

The TH Hotel Greif provided an efficient shuttle bus service. It had an indoor and outdoor pool and spa, which were well used. We were very comfortable there. The food was good with plenty of choice, if you avoided the breakfast rush.

Sadly, there was one serious accident during the week, with a member having to be helicoptered off the slopes. He was transported back to the UK by road ambulance where his recovery for a shattered pelvis continued.

Despite the accident the holiday was deemed a success and all members said they would be happy to return to this lovely corner of the Dolomites.

Sheila Walker

Megeve, France

Our group of 29 had the whole of the Chalet Sylvana, run by Stanford Ski, to ourselves.

Stanford Ski run the “Unthank Club”, which is free to join. As we all became members, the Stanford staff could show us around the mountains, and most of the ARP group took advantage of this.

The week started off with decent snow, but as the week progressed the rising day temperatures meant the snow melted. So, we had some icy mornings and then porridge in the afternoon.

The staff night off was Friday, and the majority of us decided to have takeaway pizzas. The pizzas were supplemented by very nice salads, courtesy of A. and K. Our thanks to them.

All the staff were very accommodating and the whole chalet seemed generally comfortable. There were some issues with a few rooms but having brought these to the attention of the owner, it is hoped they will be rectified before next season.

Peter Taylor

Sauze d'Oulx, Italy

20 members arrived without a hitch, and joined me at the Chalet Hotel Edelweiss where I was hosting for the first time. We were warmly greeted by the hotel manager but it transpired that Neilson UK had not passed on my elaborately prepared room allocations. Fortuitously I had the list with me so could organise the room keys appropriately.

Hired ski equipment was waiting for us at the Edelweiss, and was collected on our day of departure. The Neilson Mountain Experts provide daily guided skiing and many Arp members took advantage of this service.

Chalet Hotel Edelweiss is owned by an Italian family but run by Neilson staff. It was warm and comfortable with a wellness area and, usually, a jacuzzi which unfortunately was out of order for the week.

Overall, the food was pretty good, with basic but hearty meals, often with a Sardinian twist, as the chef was of Sardinian extraction.

Neilson staff organised events every evening at the chalet. This was great as we could avoid going out in the evening. The location of the Edelweiss is challenging, situated on a very steep hill. However, the family provided a mini bus transfer to the Jouvenceaux 4-man chair link every morning and evening.

Although there had been no new snow for a few weeks the higher pistes were well groomed and there was plenty of skiing. Quite a few members skied over to Sestriere and a day trip to Montgenevre, in France, was organised. This turned out to be a fabulous day with fresh snow everywhere.

More snow would have opened up this resort considerably, but nevertheless I would thoroughly recommend this resort and the chalet hotel.

Carol Vickerage

Baquiera/Beret, Spain

All participants arrived safely but some without their luggage! However, our trip organisers, Skinspired, supplied skiing clothing and skis to those who needed them and we began the week with perfect skiing weather.

The next two days were mixed but the weather was wonderful from Wednesday onwards, with new snow and perfect skiing conditions. We had guided skiing from Skinspired every morning, and many of us were able to ski the entire resort.

The Tuc Blanc hotel is warm and very comfortable with pleasant and helpful staff. There is a pool and hot tub. The selection of food at every meal was vast and most delicious.

The hotel organised some evening visits. A tapas evening to the local town of Viehla was popular. So too was the trip to the delightful village of Arties, with its 11th Century Church, which was opened especially for us to marvel at the wall and ceiling paintings from the 16th century.

I am very grateful to Tim and Annette Eyte and their staff at Skinspired. They organise our transport to and from the airport, provide our ski hire equipment and guide us around the mountains every day. Nothing is too much trouble for them. They have looked after Arp Ski groups for many years and we look forward to joining them again next season.

Alison Boswell

Les Arcs, France

We were pleased to see a good covering of snow on our arrival, The snow was right down to the Chalet Hotel La Foret guaranteeing ski in, ski out accommodation. We awoke to a sprinkling of fresh snow but with mixed visibility. This weather continued for the next two days but , having had some new snow, we then had blue skies and sunshine. Those who skied to the Bellecote glacier in La Plagne reported incredible views, and a new lift system which improved the area vastly.

Despite the sun, the wind encouraged some members to opt for a walk and a leisurely lunch on Friday. During the evening we enjoyed a magic show, performed by Arp’s magician D.R. This was very well received.

On the last day the piste was a little icy at first but as it was Saturday the runs were much quieter. The wind became a problem and people were instructed to return to their home valley to continue to ski.

The resort was incredibly busy with long queues at all the major lifts and large groups of ski school everywhere. It would seem the French holidays have now been extended into March!

Thankfully there were no hospital trips required. There were, of course, the usual walking wounded, but nothing serious enough to deter members from skiing next year.

Val Deere

Bad Gastein, Austria

This was the last trip of the season and conditions were definitely spring like.

The Ski Miguel guides at the Chalet Hotel Tannenberg, offered morning guiding which was appreciated by the Arp members. We skied with other guests from the chalet and that made for a dynamic and social chalet atmosphere.

The resort did a good job of making sure most of the resort was skiable, but as the mornings wore on conditions became heavy.

Although there was some rain there was a couple of snow dumps and sunshine. We skied in several different areas and it was a fun week.

Some of us visited the thermal spa with its 5 pools, sauna, water slides and massages. The lovely historic town had a beautiful waterfall gushing through it and there was plenty on offer as well as skiing.

It was a happy, sociable group, with many new members. The opportunity to mix with other guests in the Chalet added to the friendly atmosphere.

Happily ,there were no serious injuries.

Altogether this was a very pleasant trip and skiing in Austria was a new experience for me, one which I may well revisit in the future.

Steph Tucknott