Cervinia in the 1st half of December; snow-shopping in Milan. Need help!

ins2d

New member
Hi all, you snow-addicts! :)

Don't want to waste your time, so I'll try to be short!

Going on a business trip to Milan in the beginning of December. Unfortunately, don't have much time to research all the deepness of ski/boarding in Italy (besides, my Italian is on zero level), so I've got through some googling and wikimaping, collected some ideas and thoughts on how to spend a couple of weekends... Now I have some questions open about specific things, hope you guys and gals could help to sort them out! :)

So, the first part is place to go boarding for a weekend.
My research has led me to Breuil-Cervinia. Reasons: 1) snow in December; 2) huge ski-area + Zermatt; 3) reasonable distance from Milan; 4) beautiful landscapes and views :)
So, ok, I use snow-forecast, found webcams, bus tickets (17 EUR 1way) so on, but there are sort of things to be clarified:

1.1) Is it possible to find low-cost accommodation there? Really, what I need is to take a shower and sleep for 1 night, no need of luxury :) So, if you can provide some places names, contacts and approx. prices -- this would help me a lot!
1.2) Is there a chance to find gear for rent (board with binds and boots) and where exactly, what's the avr. price; availability/sizes...?
1.3) As far as I know now, there are some kind of special ski-passes with permission for all the area + Zermatt. Can you shed some light on it? Should I go for it?
1.4) Any opened snowpark? Any other thoughts and suggestions on topics I've missed are so welcome!!!

The second part is kinda board-shopping in Milan. Not that I'm planing to buy lots of gear but it would be nice to spot some outlets/sales/boardshops for some gear and clothes from boarding brands, not going through Gucci-Dolce, etc. finding the right stuff, you know :) So:
2.1) Are there any good board(surf)shops in Milan with reasonable prices, wide selection of brands etc. in Milan and around (reachable by Subway?)?
2.2) Are there any stocks/outlets with this kind of stuff?


3.1) Any other tips for boarder/kitesurfer first time in Milan? :)

Well, looks like I failed being short here, mi scusi!!! :) And thanks a lot in advance!
 
Hi all, you snow-addicts! :)

Don't want to waste your time, so I'll try to be short!

Going on a business trip to Milan in the beginning of December. Unfortunately, don't have much time to research all the deepness of ski/boarding in Italy (besides, my Italian is on zero level), so I've got through some googling and wikimaping, collected some ideas and thoughts on how to spend a couple of weekends... Now I have some questions open about specific things, hope you guys and gals could help to sort them out! :)

So, the first part is place to go boarding for a weekend.
My research has led me to Breuil-Cervinia. Reasons: 1) snow in December; 2) huge ski-area + Zermatt; 3) reasonable distance from Milan; 4) beautiful landscapes and views :)
So, ok, I use snow-forecast, found webcams, bus tickets (17 EUR 1way) so on, but there are sort of things to be clarified:

1.1) Is it possible to find low-cost accommodation there? Really, what I need is to take a shower and sleep for 1 night, no need of luxury :) So, if you can provide some places names, contacts and approx. prices -- this would help me a lot!
1.2) Is there a chance to find gear for rent (board with binds and boots) and where exactly, what's the avr. price; availability/sizes...?
1.3) As far as I know now, there are some kind of special ski-passes with permission for all the area + Zermatt. Can you shed some light on it? Should I go for it?
1.4) Any opened snowpark? Any other thoughts and suggestions on topics I've missed are so welcome!!!

The second part is kinda board-shopping in Milan. Not that I'm planing to buy lots of gear but it would be nice to spot some outlets/sales/boardshops for some gear and clothes from boarding brands, not going through Gucci-Dolce, etc. finding the right stuff, you know :) So:
2.1) Are there any good board(surf)shops in Milan with reasonable prices, wide selection of brands etc. in Milan and around (reachable by Subway?)?
2.2) Are there any stocks/outlets with this kind of stuff?


3.1) Any other tips for boarder/kitesurfer first time in Milan? :)

Well, looks like I failed being short here, mi scusi!!! :) And thanks a lot in advance!


1.1) Hotel Millefiori in Valtournenche is a basic hotel with very good prices: homee . Also consider half board service: dinner is basic but cheap.

1.2) definetly you can find many renting options in Cervinia, but I don't know about prices. There's a rent just beside the main gondola departure.

1.3) to ski to Zermatt you need "international skipass", it is quite expensive but worth the purchase, Zermatt is a "must go" destination at least once in a life. Don't miss for any reasons to get the Gornergrat train till the top, probably the best panorama in the alps. Move quickly from the "Matterhorn" area to the Gornergrat and Rothorn areas, these are much better for skiing. But be very careful with the return time, they won't wait for you and you will need to stay overnight in Zermatt and buy clothes and shoes there.....

Here are international skipass tariffs: Cervinia - DAILY AND MULTI-DAY INTERNATIONAL TARIFFS
And here are Cervinia/Valtournenche tariffs: Cervinia - DAILY AND MULTI-DAY LOCAL AREA TARIFFS



Sorry but I don't know nothing about open snowparks and good board shops in Milan
 
Thanks a lot, Pierr!
Your tips are so valuable! I'll do more precise research on ski area and timings, don't want to stuck in Zermatt overnight :)

Hope someone to add some for the 2nd part of a quest!
 
Not many decently priced shops near the tube in Milan, I'm afraid.

Look up Maxi Sport, Cisalfa Sport and DF Sport Specialist (actually they have one shop near the tube station "Udine") with Google... they have various outlets around Milan.

Otherwise for rent and equipment you can try out

Ski Hire Pellissier Sport Valtournenche - SKISET : Ski hire Valtournenche

Valtournenche is a smaller resort linked directly to Cervinia slopes, and it costs less to be based over there. They should open up next weekend... but I'm not 100% sure.
 

.

Thank you guys!

I think I've found a snowpark at Plateau Rosa! :) Any comments?
Also I've found out that there is a free shuttle bus between Valtournenche and Cervinia + the slopes are connected, so everything becomes clearer.

The snowpark is on the Swiss side so you have to pay the international (expensive) skipass. I think there is a snowpark at Valtournenche as well.

And Valtournenche opens this weekend...
 
Hi again and many thanks for your help!

How do you think, should I better book a hotel in advance or there could be some places around not listed on Internet and with reasonable prices? :) Coz the cheapest deal I've managed to find so far is Etoile de Neige (Valtournenche) -- 60€ for a night, however I'm not actually familiar with price ranges for this place, may be it's just right one to go for.

1.1) Hotel Millefiori in Valtournenche is a basic hotel with very good prices: homee .

I've sent an e-mail request but no answer seems to come back... Their web-site lists prices for 2010-2011, looks outdated. Are they still in the business? Should I better give them a call?

Thank you!
 
not very expensive?

prezzi per 7 giorni per persona in
mezza pensione
PERIODO
STANDARD € HBSUPERIOR € HB
26/10 - 02/12(6+1) 468.00(6+1) 516.00
02/12 - 23/12(6+1) 510.00(6+1) 558.00
23/12 - 05/01910.00980.00
05/01 - 12/01756.00812.00
12/01 - 02/02630.00686.00
02/02 - 09/02700.00756.00
09/02 - 06/04770.00826.00
06/04 - 05/05(6+1) 480.00(6+1) 528.00


I have a different view about the concept of "low-cost accomodation"
 
hi ins2d

A few tips for you. I've been snowboarding in Cervinia around 10 or so times over the last 7 years - and will be there again next weekend.

Cheap hotels. The Cervinia website is good for this, listing out all the 1/2/3 star places. I'd recommend Hotel Joli. Exactly what you describe - basic, but convenient. Hot shower, good breakfast, great coffee. Great location too, right by the bottom chairlifts in Cervinia, and right next door to the Dragon pub. Its around €45/50 per person per night I think, but worth checking, might be a touch more.


There are several ski/snowboard hire shops, though haven't used them myself. There's one linked to the Salamon ski shop that has kitted out friends of mine well before.

There's also a snowboard shop in town.


And a park in Cervinia indianpark.it as well as the Gravity Park on Platau Rosa.

It looks like the conditions in Cervinia are shaping up really well, so the International/Zermatt pass is of debatable value if you're only there for a short time. But if you want to eat up the miles, then go for it. Just be warned the gondola connection back to Cervinia can often shut down (usually in windy conditions) so you may be stuck on a series of T-bars for about 10km. That T-bar hell has reduced many to tears in cold December's past.


Otherwise, good luck with your trip. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Happy to help answer any other questions you might have about Cervinia.
 
Hi again and many thanks for your help!

How do you think, should I better book a hotel in advance or there could be some places around not listed on Internet and with reasonable prices? :) Coz the cheapest deal I've managed to find so far is Etoile de Neige (Valtournenche) -- 60€ for a night, however I'm not actually familiar with price ranges for this place, may be it's just right one to go for.



I've sent an e-mail request but no answer seems to come back... Their web-site lists prices for 2010-2011, looks outdated. Are they still in the business? Should I better give them a call?

Thank you!

Hotel Bijou in another good hotel in Valtournenche...you can try it :D
 
Hi again and many thanks for your help!

How do you think, should I better book a hotel in advance or there could be some places around not listed on Internet and with reasonable prices? :) Coz the cheapest deal I've managed to find so far is Etoile de Neige (Valtournenche) -- 60€ for a night, however I'm not actually familiar with price ranges for this place, may be it's just right one to go for.



I've sent an e-mail request but no answer seems to come back... Their web-site lists prices for 2010-2011, looks outdated. Are they still in the business? Should I better give them a call?

Thank you!



Go to Carla's petit Nid:

Le Petit Nid
 
Thanks guys for your help! Typing from Marmore Hotel in Cervinia! Made booking via e-mail with no problems!

If it's interesting, yesterday (7.12) it was foggy and snowy all the day, I couldn't see any shape on the slopes, but it was okay for the 1st day. Today (8.12) we got sun in the afternoon, but still windy so not all lifts were open. Will see what we haму tomorrow! :)


Good luck ya all!
 
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