Bardonecchia 6 Day Snow Forecast

Skinut from United Kingdom writes:

Jan 09, 2010
We have just returned from our second trip to Bardonecchia. We (my wife & my 6 year old daughter) first visited in Jan 2006 when they were getting ready for the Torino Olympics. This time we returned with our friends, who included two 11 year olds and a 6 year old, all 1st time skiers.
We stayed in the Rive Campo Smith in 3 appartments which, split across 9 of us, was excellent. Plenty of room, clean & modern. We even took travel kettles on the advice below but the cafe across the court yard did perfect Cappuccino at breakfast time so we didn’t use ours. The week of the 2nd Jan is busy with the Italians coming up on the train from Turin (Epiphany week) but it was not as busy as 2006. The snow conditions were great and having your ski locker 50 meters from the start of the slopes is perfect if you have those in your party who let you carry all the ski's. The resort has added a new tube park opposite the hotel which the kids enjoyed but you can only use it from 4 to 5pm due to lift pass restrictions. The snow conditions were good and the piste team did a good job of refreshing the resort daily. The lift network is great once you have got passed the initial queue 1st thing. If they put a 8 man chair lift in or a second 4 man lift it would make the start of your day much better. We found going over to Les Arnaulds & Melzet got us away from the ski schools and skiing the Olympic run was superb!
As for the Ski schools we used though Crystal, Ski School Bardonecchia. The kids had a great time and the measure of how good they were being taught was on the 2nd day. All the learner skiers were up the mountain on the blue runs and we could ski with confidence/in safety with them in the afternoon. By day 4 they were going down red runs and trying to keep up with a 4ft nothing 6 year old really tested me! The only downside for me is, apart from a very technical and steep red run back into Campo Smith which I enjoyed, the blue run down for most skiers at the end of the day becomes the charge of the light brigade. Avoid 3.30 to 4.30 when the lessons are finishing. Start après-ski early or stay up top and be one of the last ones down.
The bars and restaurants in the hotel complex were great and costs were really reasonable. I would say half the price of what you would pay in France and the staff were actually pleased to see you. For 9 of us eating loads and then drinking rather too much the total bill never exceed 200 Euros for the whole night.
For those seeking more nightlife, Italian restaurants and nice shops, the high street in the town is excellent and at night it is lit up beautifully. Be warned, from the hotel it is just over a mile downhill! On the upside the week we were there they ran a free bus service (every 15mins) around the resort.
If you have kids who are 1st timers or are on their second or third trip, I would recommend Bardonecchia as a family friendly resort. I would not stay anywhere else other than the Rive Campo Smith ski to door complex if you have kids as the logistics of getting ready and to lessons could spoil your holiday. Neilson & Crystal both use the resort and this time we travelled with Crystal and I would give them 8 out of 10 for service. Turin airport is Turin airport and it will always be a 2.5hr transition so just plan for it.
Other than that, Bardonecchia is a family friendly and enjoyable place to ski……enjoy.

2011-01-14