Holiday Reviews 2025

Les Arcs, France

This was an unusually small party of 14, perhaps because it was the first week of our ski program. We had 4 small ski groups and people settled into the group where they felt comfortable. Some Arp members who were staying independently joined us for skiing.

The Chalet La Foret is situated on the piste (so ski-in, ski-out) just above the village of Vallandry.

Les Arcs has a reasonably varied skiing area and the snow was skiable. It was the second week in January but the temperature seemed unusually warm and the snow became a bit slushy in the afternoon. It froze at night so could be a bit icy in the morning.

After rain on Wednesday, there was more snow, and conditions improved for the rest of the week.

On the staff night off, we used the buses to get down to the village for an enjoyable evening meal. The chalet manager invited an Arp member, who was staying independently in Vallandry, to join us for our final meal.

There were no injuries and everyone enjoyed the resort, although generally people felt they would prefer different accommodation in future.

My thanks to everyone who participated in the holiday

Peter Taylor

Megeve, France

Members booked their own flights and transfers to the Chalet Hotel Sylvana.

On arrival, the Chalet was warm and welcoming with an honesty bar, and tea/ coffee and cake awaiting us, however, some rooms were not serviced ready for us.

The accommodation is quite tired and could use updating.

The staff were all friendly and helpful and the chef prepared very good evening meals, served with good quality wines. The tea/coffee and cakes after skiing were also very good.

Stanford Skiing provide accompanied group skiing through the "Unthank Club" for 3 mornings during the week, which many of our group enjoyed.

There was good snow coverage on most runs although the mountain sides were bare, off piste, on the lower slopes. The Mont Arbois area had better snow than the closer Rochebrunepistes.

Blue skies and sunshine accompanied us until mid-week. Then we had mixed weather for two days. We had rain in the village, but higher up the conditions were different, with falling snow, good visibility and great skiing conditions. At the end of the week the temperature rose to 10/11 degrees so by mid -afternoon the slopes were quite slushy and beginning to get busy.

Sadly, two long time ARP members "hung up their skis" during the week as a result of accidents and a hospitalisation.

On the last evening it was Burns Night and also the big birthday celebration for one of our new members. A birthday cake appeared and a poem was read, in his honour, by one of the Chalet staff. It was a fitting end to a very good week of skiing and getting to know new people.

Carol Vickerage

Bardonecchia, Italy

16 Arp skiers ventured to the Chalet Bianca in Bardonecchia, booking their own flights toTurin.

Chalet Bianca is run by Sempre Ski and we felt very much at home right from the start. The food and wine were excellent and we were really spoiled by the cooked breakfasts and fresh cakes after skiing. The chalet operated an "honesty bar" so we were able to have our pre-dinner drinks at a very reasonable price there.

There had been fresh snow as we arrived which meant we had some good skiing conditions, although hampered by bad visibility on the first two days. The chalet staff drove us to the slopes each day and we got the free buses back to the chalet after skiing.

Bardonecchia is a small holiday town that is quiet during the week, with slopes, bars and restaurants almost empty until the weekend. Bardonecchia was hosting the World University Games when we arrived. They were great to watch but, unfortunately, did limit where we could ski. However, they finished halfway through the week meaning more slopes could be opened.

There were no real injuries during the week, but the journey home was eventful for some!!

After sitting on the runway at Turin for 3 hours, we were told our luggage would be following us home at a later date! Despite this, it was a great fun week.

Marcus Pinny

Corvara, Italy

This holiday had wall to wall sunshine, all day, every day ! We skied in five groups with some members who had booked into other hotels in Corvara.

The Hotel Greif was great. We loved the food, the pool, the sauna and the shuttle to the slopes worked seamlessly, except on the very busy Sunday morning, but even that was not a problem.

We did not love the nightly "music" from the resident "musician" who made social conversation in the lounge virtually impossible.

Groups and individuals made trips around the Sella Ronda (both ways), to the Marmolada and, seemingly, everyone's favourite, the Hidden Valley, complete with horse tow.

Some of us had other favourites: my group's favourite was the Val Pradat area above Colfosco which required multi-multi runs. The choice in the area seemed endless with something for everyone.

Altogether a fantastic week. One which many of us would like to repeat.

Steph Tucknott

Baqueria-Beret, Spain

There were 24 members on this holiday, all of whom booked their own flight.

Unfortunately, two of us were unable to ski, myself included. Three ski guides were allocated to the ARP group by our travel company, Skinspired. They showed us the best slopes, the best snow and the best places to eat.

Conditions were poor on the first day and many found the skiing difficult. However, the conditions improved throughout the week, with more sunshine and fresh snow, and our skiers becoming ever more cheerful.

One evening the Tuc Blanc Hotel arranged transport for us down to Vielha for those who wanted to experience local tapas and wine. Those who took advantage of this enjoyed immensely.

On the final evening, we were entertained by an impressive "Magic Show" by ARP's very own magician. We tried to spot his "sleight of hand", but he totally fooled us.

My thanks to Skinspired who arrange our holiday so well. It is fun to see them all year after year. Also, thanks to the Tuc Blanc who provide comfortable surroundings, a convivial bar, and a dining experience which is hard to beat.

Finally, thanks to all of you who were there. I was sorry not to enter into the skiing, but you all contributed to making my non-skiing holiday very enjoyable.

Alison Boswell

Sestriere, Italy

30 members booked with the Club and an additional 5 booked independently.

The Hotel Du Col offered us doorstepskiing with warm and comfortable bedrooms. The main lounge was rather small and our dining area a bit cramped for our large group. The downstairs "Pub" provided us with afternoon tea and cakes and was a popular venue for those who wanted to watch sporing fixtures.

Six ski groups were formed for the first day. Throughout the week there was much competition in some groups to see who skied the fastest!! However, there was some disbelief at the skier who showed us his App which had clocked his speed at 173km/h!!

We had mixed weather throughout the week with a combination of sunny and murky days and fresh snow most evenings.

Sestriere, part of the Via Lattea, has access to a wide range of slopes which suited all abilities. The Vandals and the Thugs enjoyed the Borgata and Pragelato slopes whilst other groups ventured further afield. The Fugitives were thwarted in their attempts to ski to the French resort of Mongenevre as high winds closed the link. Those who took the Crystal bus there enjoyed good snow and less wind.

Despite the varying weather conditions everyone had opportunities for plenty of skiing, with group leaders navigating well and ensuring all members got back safely each day.

There were no serious injuries this week, despite the changing and challenging condition.

My special thanks to all who were willing to lead groups and to all who participated. It was yet another week when Arp skiers showed what a friendly, welcoming and caring club we are.

Sheila Walker