Resorts

Bormio

Scene of 2006 World Championships, The downhill run is the 'Stelvio Piste' and is (according to the instructors) one of the more challenging runs on the circuit.
Introduced to Buttershaw High School by Sportability and has excellent variety of runs, from gentle blues to very difficult black runs. A decent skier will cover all runs in one week, although ski pass does cover Santa Catarina which held the Womens Worlds while the men were at Bormio. (This resort is smaller, and seemed to have a lot more Germans than Bormio! - This is only based on one day skiing there however, so don't take my word for it!).

Many of the more difficult runs have an easier alternative to the particularly hard parts - The Saint Pietro jump on the downhill run can be skied around on a nice gentle blue slope for example. I have been three times, each with school parties and all abilities are well catered for. Some of the runs on the right handside (as you look at it) of the mountain - I really couldn't tell you what direction it points! - are much quieter, and give good opportunities for speed without fear of other people obstructing your progress.
There is also a ski park with half pipes and stuff for any free stylers or - god forbid - snowboarders.

Lifts are a mixture of old and slow lifts, and the ultra modern fast, covered lifts. From 1250 feet at the bottom, from one side of the town the high speed gondola gets you to the main area at 2000m quickly, from the other side an old fashioned, store your skis on the outside,gondola gets you part way there and then a rickety old lift gets you to 2000. From there you can take your choice how you get to the top at 3000m. You can get two reasonably quick chairs with a short ski in between or brave the cable car which swings and shakes, but gets you directly there. A few button lifts are also in evidence, but not many.

The bars on the Mountain are mainly based around the mid-station at 2000m, but there are a few dotted about the mountain - not really enough though!
The night life is probably reasonable, but having only been on school trips, I have little offerings on the way of where to go. I would recomend going to the town square on festival nights (If memory serves me correcly these are every Monday night to welcome new skiers.) If only because you can get free mulled wine and one of the laides in local costume is one of the funniest dancers you will ever see. (Think Lady Penelope if the puppeteer was stoned and you may be somewhere near!)

All in all there is something here for everyone, and I have been in poor conditions when there was still enough snow at the top to do plenty, and I good conditions when we skied from 3000m to 1250m in just over 5 minutes. Well worth a visit!