Pricks on sticks & gays on trays....who's been?

[Tamiyoman]

Just back from Sestriere and I've got to say I loved the place. I didnt have very high expectations before going to be honest but I'm definitely going back.

We were plagued with some of the hottest skiing conditions I've ever experienced!! got up to 24 degrees on Thursday in town and hit about 13 on mid slopes so the snow was obviously very slushy and they couldnt use the snow cannons all week but they still did a good job of grooming and keeping the slopes open.

We stayed in the old olympic village which was brilliantly situated at the bottom of the gondolla to saulze and the chairlift to take you up to the sestriere slopes and you could ski back to the door from the sestriere slopes. We were in half board apartments which were close the the main building and although they were basic (had a bit of a hostel feel to the beds and rooms) it was cleaned every day with new towels and it was everything you need from a snow holiday. Food was excellent and they have an in house pizza place which makes excellent fresh pizza.

There is also tons of off piste and although I didnt get to sample any first hand due to the lack of powder... or indeed any snow of any kind... Its all easily accessible and I cant wait to go back next year.

Here is a quick vid of my first attempt at skiing. Seeing as the conditions werent great I didnt feel bad missing a few days boarding and actually picked it up pretty quick and really enjoyed it..

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Good to know sestriere was great as im flying out there sunday 11th  

My best mates sisters friend (tenuous link) just came back from sestriere 2 weeks ago and said it was great, she said the apres was good too and the slopes were great, she did mention the lack of offpiste snow and the higher temps, this week its gone colder again and a small amount of snow is predicted for this week (nothing to get excited about were talking 5cm lol) but it all helps.

Judging by your vid you picked up skiing quickly enough, nice one!

Just bought myself a helmet cam today so hoping to be able to get some vids of me and my mate, cant wait!!

[Tamiyoman]

Well just got back on sunday night from sestriere and can say I enjoyed the place altho nightlife was "Limited" compared to what im used to anyway, had a great time and met some great people in the hotel, it was a proper mixed bag of socialising, several couples, several groups of lads (2 were proper funny, like peter kay and paddy mcguiness)  ) and even a pair of lesbians  .

We did the quiz (came 3rd  ), did the away day to Montgenevre (been before and great place for snowboarding) and even did some Husky dog sledding which was good fun altho very tiring as the 4 dogs were unable to pull my 6'3" frame uphill so had to push at some points (at one point when we came to a slight incline I could swear  that all 4 dogs turned round and looked at me as it to say "Get off and Push you fat fooker!"  ).

Weather was VERY warm, snowboarding in a T shirt most days lol, we got in 6.5 days of boarding (due to an early flight out) and only the last day was cloudy otherwise blue skies all week!, cracking face and arm tan 

Also at lunch on the mountain one day (3rd day) I was looking at this chap 2 tables over and thinking he looks familiar!, pointed him out to my mate who said thats "Sir Steve Redgrave" (5 time Olympic rowing Champion) so we had a chat with him and got our pic take with him, top bloke, saw him again 2 days later at same resty and as he went past smiled and said "hello lads!", chuffed!