6 day La Thuile snow forecast

Matt Johnson from United Kingdom writes:

I've been to La Thuile more times than I can remember now and not got a bad word to say about the place in relation to my personal interests.

When I was younger me and my younger brother would go with our parents. Now we are both older (21 & 26 years old) we still return usually on a yearly basis and even took a friend with limited skiing ability last time.

Me and my brother have been skiing many, many many times before and there's still runs that test us so if you're intermediate to expert there's plenty to test your skills with here.

At the other end of the scale we took my friend with us on our last trip whose only experience was 1 week skiing with the army and he equally fell in love with the place. Runs for everyone to enjoy.

We tend to stick more to the La Thuile side because the Long pulley lifts on the La Rosiere side are a drag (pardon the pun) and we've noticed that it's fairly busy over there compared to La Thuile where, as others have mentioned, you NEVER have to queue and quite often you get the mountain virtually to yourself.

A hush hush tip in my opinion would be to set off up the mountain early and get as high as possible then head to the fair left side of the mountain (far left as you look up the mountain). Over that side we usually enjoy the long variety of red runs for a good 2-3 hours before we even see any other skiers and the snow is of perfect standard on and off the piste. You can work your way back across the mountain as the day continues.

Only one or 2 bits of annoying flat that some complain about (red run 6 and the very long and boring red 7, I believe but that's from memory) red 6 is actually quite a good run that takes you from the gondola down to the bottom of the mountain, just keep your speed up when you access this run by going left immediately when you leave the exit to the gondola. It's not really a problem if you get even minimal speed up just a tight left hand turn that catches snowboarders out as it's flat for second. Red Run 7 is the only run I'd advise not to take depending on your interests. Very Long and once you're on it you're virtually stuck on it until near the end of it. Flat spots and such. Mostly used for the slower paced or people just wanting a mellow journey to the bottom looking at the scenery. (These people like my father will then complain at the bottom at how exhausting and long it was because there isn't much hill to it.)

I'm strictly a skier so my opinions are based purely on those who love to ski but I've visited with people who have snowboard before and as long as you pick your routes carefully as a boarder you will love it.

My brother snow blades the entire week and even though some reviews say there isn't much in the way of jumps recently they've made a new terrain park and we've always found plenty of jumps and runs that test skiers and snow bladers alike. Got lots of great jumps (and falls) on camera in La Thuile so don't think for a second that there aren't jumps and such.

As others have reported there is no or limited nightlife. I personally go skiing for the skiing not to get smashed. Hot summer holidays is what I'd pay for if I wanted that. There is, however, more than what most reviews give credit for in La Thuile. We usually catch a good dinner at one of the many friendly places to eat scattered around the village then return to the apartments area where there is decent bars/pubs to set up shop in for the evening.

The apartments are basic but for the price and location you cannot grumble. I love a hotel you can literally ski right up to and in La Thuile you can do just that. Get speed up and turn left at bottom of the slope outside the apartments and you can glide all the way to your door. Be careful of any people that may be about on the final slope though as these are learner slopes.

Turin airport is only a short bus ride away from La Thuile which is pleasing as there's nothing worse when you're tired after your flight than an uncomfy bus journey for hours.

Great views so make sure you take a camera up the mountain with you. You'll want to capture the views from various points on the mountain.

Advice would be to make use of the mini market in the apartments complex. There prices are similar to UK supermarkets and taking small nibbles and water up the mountain with you will cut costs massively.

The snow and weather is so good it's hard to complain about any of the conditions in La Thuile. The last two times I've been we've suffered a day of total white out. Which while this creates incredibly cold temps supplies lots of natural snow and for the brave among you, gives you a great challenge navigating your way down the mountain when you can barely see 2 yards in front of you.

Phone signals are usually good but we always have a walkie talkie on each of us as they are a life saver if you get split up from those with you.

The resort is highly underrated and that's just how I like it! Never any queues, quality snow, amazing variety of slopes for all levels.