 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm starting to think about booking the New Year week for skiing, but jabbing been caught out 3yrs ago when the snow didn't arrive in our resort (Sauze) until a week after we'd left (in late Jan!), I'm nervous about booking anywhere until I know there's snow. I realise that means i will be chancing it with accommodation, but that's a risk I'll take.
So - I'm looking at Saalbach (worried about snow), the Dolomites (ditto, and don't know where to start resort-wise), Cervinia (but worried that might be too high and wind will be an issue).
I'm looking for either Italy or Austria, decent number of intermediate runs, and ideally not a massive transfer.
My favourite resort is Sauze (been 3 times), also loved Kitzbuhel. Was less enamoured by Morzine and Alpe d'Huez. Would have probably enjoyed Zell am zee more if there had been more snow (went late in the season, was slushy and couldn't ski into town).
Any and all words of wisdom much appreciated!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'd recommend Saalbach - I'm going the week before Christmas then again on the 5th Jan. Whilst we cannot guarantee the weather, Saalbach has excellent snow making (the cannons have just started up) and snow is forecast next week.
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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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I'm guessing you've been there before? Looks lovely and green at the moment! (as do most places, admittedly...)
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The weather outlook in the eastern alps for the next couple of weeks is pretty uncertain, everything from a few snowflakes to a good amount of snowfall seems possible. However New Year is 6 weeks away, no one can say what conditions will be like then. All the big resorts have efficient snow making setups so I am sure most places will have skiing of some sort. Personally I would aim high if you are worried though you might struggle to find accommodation in those places thought of as "snow sure". If you fancy Austria then Kitzbühel / Saalbach / Ski Amande / Zillertal will be very similar in terms of likely conditions whether natural or artificial. Higher up maybe Serfaus / Fiss, the Arlberg , Ischgl or Sölden / Obergurgl (though accommodation will be an issue in all of these). Dont know the Dolomities well but Kronplatz is often suggested, I would have thought a fair transfer time from Verona or Munich though.
I agree pretty much everywhere has green fields (lovely weather for mountain walks  ) on the webcams but the snow canons do seem to have been running full tilt for the past 24 hours.
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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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Excellent snow making in both Saalbach & many areas in the Dolomites. The Dolomites ski areas tend to be higher than Saalbach, but of course at a more southerly latitude and exposed to different weather systems.
Predicting the quality of snow in January at this point is impossible, but as it sounds like you're going to book last minute, it will more come down to availability & cost all other things being equal.
In previous lean snow years, the Dolomiti Superski had most (like 90%) of its runs open despite a lack of natural snow.
It's funny that you picked these 2 places as I'm planning to ski Saalbach in Jan and the Dolomites in Feb. I think you could have fun in either. Saalbach is a pretty, wooded area, well-known for it's full-on Austrian apres. The Dolomites are known for their cuisine & magnificent scenery.
Cervinia is pretty snowsure and has some lovely long wide cruisey runs plus the option of going over the top to Zermatt, but it is exposed with little tree skiing if the weather socks in.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@WoottonBecs, you might struggle to find well-located accommodation for NY week in Saalbach. It’s the most popular week of the season, and demand for accommodation generally exceeds supply. Incidentally it’s pretty normal for it to look autumnally green at this time in November but gratifyingly wintry and white a few weeks later. Let’s hope this season is not going to be abnormal.
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Quick thread hijack - weather aside, what is Saalbach like in the first week in January? Still busy? Thinking 5th onwards.
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@Jenniper, That week is a lot quieter than New Year week. As the schools have gone back and national holidays have ended there is no reason for it to be busier than any other week during January - except for the Russian Christmas, but there don't seem to be as many Russians about recently. If you're able to defer it to the 12th January, I might be able to make you an offer you can't refuse  PM me if so.
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That’s a kind offer - thank you. Sadly I think we are looking at last minute only but I’ll likely still drop you a line nearer the time!
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@Jenniper, FWIW Salzburg flights from £54 return at present.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Great stuff - I'll keep an eye on that.
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