 Poster: A snowHead
|
I'm dreaming at the moment, but a long weekend in late november / early december is tempting me
Given that we'd be flying from Manchester (unless there's a *really* good deal from somwehere like leeds/bradford or liverpool) becasue it;s only 10 miles from our house, what are our options?
BA offer flights to Geneva, Vienna, Zurich, Milan Malpensa, at around £100 to £150 each for a return.
Can you think of any resorts near(ish) to airports which will have opened around that time? What's the best aiport to use?
Bear in mind we're in Val Despair for a week from Jan 9th.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Last year we went away for a long weekend around the 8th December flying into Geneva.
We went to Val D. Conditions were pretty decent actually, even though it didn't look brilliant from the snow depths.
As I recall Espace Killy and Val Thorens were open as was Chamonix. Flaine was closed and opened the week after. Avoraiz was touch and go and don't remember whether it opened that weekend or not.
I think some of the closer Swiss resorts were also opened, but we didn't go there as all the higher lifts were drags and us boarders prefer to avoid them if at all possible.
If you go in November you'll probably have even less choice. As I recall Val D and Val T both opened on the 29th November.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
That time of year you want to be looking at Austria - Hintertux or Stubai from Munich/Salzburg on various lo-cost airlines, but you may have to fly from Luton or Stansted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Remember, in early season resorts often keep many runs closed regardless of how good conditions are... This being for the simple reason to preserve them for peak season. So wherever you may end up, don't be too surprised to find many runs closed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
nbt, if you're wanting good snow then, your best bet is Whistler, but that meets none of your criteria.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Kaprun?
I think some of the higher Swiss resorts open as soon as they can, so you could leave it until the snow conditions are a bit clearer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wear The Fow Hat, I'm off to Lake Louise on 29th November for 10 days. Have you any experience at that time of year?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I wouldn't head for any ski resort at that time of year that has no good glacier skiing unless...
...the snow has fallen. The dawn of winter is just too unreliable
Maybe book a flight, but even there I'd prefer to choose the airport according to where the snow is lying. I agree with Plake that Hintertux or the Stubai would be the best destinations if you've really got to book the thing ahead. Hintertux is about the best glacier skiing around. Stubai is good and, just, gorgeous (stay in Neustift, and hopefully you'll find there's a postbus up the hill to the glacier base station - there used to be) unless you've got a rental car. Hintertux is a resort in itself.
There's also Kaprun (Kitzsteinhorn) and Solden (which has two glaciers). Both these are fine for a pre-season warm up.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Sun 15-08-04 12:44; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Actually, for Austria that time of year Obergurgl is about the best bet. They open mid November and that's a pretty complete opening. The glaciers are great at that time but limited terrain ie Pitztal, Solden etc.
Obergurgl is just up the road from Solden anyway.
Obergurgl on the opening weekend a couple of years ago. And Pitztal a couple of days later.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ise, great shots - thanks a lot. I didn't leave a comment on the site. Wanted to say it on here. No shortage of snow that early season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
nbt, went for 5 days to Sauze D'Oux last year on the 5th Decemeber. Conditions were fantastic and the resort very quiet. If we saw 5 people on the same run it was busy!!! We got a great deal when we were at the Daily Mail exhibition at Olympia last year, cheap ryan air flights as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
| Quote: |
Given that we'd be flying from Manchester (unless there's a *really* good deal from somwehere like leeds/bradford or liverpool) becasue it;s only 10 miles from our house, what are our options?
|
Jet 2 fly to Geneva from Leeds-Bradford, and SleazyJet fly from Liverpool to Geneva.
As an example, right now Sleazy Jet are offering L'pool to Geneva on 10 Dec @ £33, returning on 17th @ £9.
The best I can find for Jet 2 in December is Leeds to Geneva on 19 dec @ £39, returning 22nd @ £19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tignes was good last 11th December, and even better the year before on the 6th November, with skiing down to Val Claret. Why not try Randonee, and forget about the lifts!.
We fly to Geneva and then use Sixti.de, its only just over two hours to BSM
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
There is a Ski Race in Austria at the end of October, I saw it last year on Eurosport, does anyone know are any runs open for recreational skiers then?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Some of the French and Swiss resorts with glaciers seem to be opening for the weekend of 23/24 October. At that time of year, all that's likely to be open are the runs on the glaciers - even if there's snow lower down they won't have the staff in place to man the lifts, bash the pistes etc.
Unfortunately, I'm flying off to Australia on the 24th (back in mid-November for the season) so won't be able to get any runs in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi
I was in Cervinia for a weekend last year on 29 Nov and the previous year spent a week there 5 Dec+. Both times the snow was amazing but as they say it's a lottery at that time of year, Cervinia is high so it's a good bet but not guaranteed.
Check out a few pics from Nov 29 here: http://diarmuid.no-ip.info/my_pics/2003%2011%2030%20Cervinia/index.html
Where I live it's only 4 hours drive so it makes going there a decision that can be made Friday afternoon 
D
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Johnboy - LL had the biggest dump of the season in November last year - the locals were still raving about it in February!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
