Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there,
I wonder if anyone who is familiar with Avoriaz can advise us on an alternative destination with similarities to Avoriaz. This is only because a) we have been there for the last 5 years and B) as the kids are now at Uni need to go around the 2nd to 3rd week in December to ensure that we all can go. ??? Austria Obergurgl?? We fancied Saint Foy but have concerns going so early in the season. We are totally not experts at all, we enjoy the easy runs and are not bothered by nightlife as long as there is a restaurant or two. Prefer self-catering and love the ski in and ski out. Also, we normally drive and have a stop of the way and return to make for a longer holiday so this is a factor!
Thanks for your expertise in advance!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You really don’t need to worry about early snow this year.
But this is already the 2nd week of December...?
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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?
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Yes sorry! Booking for next year I should have said...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If you are thinking about next year you need to aim high - I would recommend Les Arcs or Montgenevre. This year there are many lower resorts with good snow but that has not been the case for the past three years.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Flaine? Good snow record and easy to get to.
Obergurgl would be good too, but I'm not sure how much self-catering there is available. I think it's mostly hotels.
I've previously chosen Avoriaz because I was concerned about late-season snow. However, I think I was asking the wrong question. Look for a resort with high pistes, rather than a high resort. You'll get better skiing if you go to, say Montalbert (1400m) or La Plagne (1900m) but you have skiing up to 3250m. Much higher than Avoriaz's top lift of 2,460m (just 500m above the resort). I'd suggets you stay in a resort that is at least 1400m (to give you a chance of skiing back to the resort) but with pistes above 3,000m
The short answer to your question is have a look at the Paradiski region. Hard to go wrong.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Brilliant! Many thanks indeed!
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Also be conscious that the 'go high for the snow' should also be tempered with 'en sure there are some tree's in case of bad visibility. I had a 5 day pre-xmas trip to val thorens a few years back which the B-in-l had insisted on and in low vis conditions the featurless bowl was horrible
So I would echo the paradiski thoughts, particularly 1800 or Peisey vallandry where you get the best of both worlds
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Good point! I will pass all this on to him indoors! Our experience is very limited so all recommendations are welcome.
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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.
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Agree, Paradiski is excellent. Was there in February after being in Morzine in January. Similar level but I found La Plagne to be much more fun.
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foxtrotzulu wrote: |
Much higher than Avoriaz's top lift of 2,460m (just 500m above the resort). |
That the top of the mountain, not the top of the lift, which is a couple of hundred metres lower. Same is true for other resorts however.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@fairfields3, that's a very quiet time of year, with masses of choice. I'd book much nearer the time, so you have some idea how the snow is looking.
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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.
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And also - many resorts are not open till much nearer Christmas - only a small minority open the second week in December.
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@fairfields3, Obergurgle would work, but Lech, Ischgl or Val D'isere would be my choices if having to book a pre-Chrimbo trip so far in advance
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You know it makes sense.
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Val d'Isere.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Yes, thanks. Still looking at all the recommendations. Might actually book nearer the time, although never done this before but quite rightly it is a quieter time that we are going. Thanks once again.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Avoriaz is car free. Other resorts which are car free in Europe, Zermatt and Saas Fee, Les Arcs, La Plagne, Valmorel, Valmeinier, Plagne Soleil, Belleplagne, and La Norma and Ax Bonascre in France. There are many more especially in Switzerland but there are some in Italy too.
Car free resorts mean that people with cars cannot park there. For people with children, this means that obnoxious people who drive vans up and sleep there, cannot get their vans there. However, they still ski there! (I prefer Zermatt, even when I ski from a van)
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