 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@Bumpski, I am sorry to say this but November is really not a good month to come out purely for skiing. On the Swiss side there will only be the pistes up near Klein Matterhorn and the Furggsattel to Trockener Steg pistes open. If you are doing other stuff you can have a fun couple of days on them but not 5-6 days. On the Italian side they are better at opening stuff if and when the snow and temperatures allow. But at present there is nothing open.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
OK thanks appreciate the reply. We had to travel in November for a couple of reasons and for the skiing aspect we took on a known risk re the snow cover - we thought Zermatt would be good choice for great Swiss resort experience/snow cover assurance. But I’ll still get some skiing in and we are not going to have a bad time there I’m sure of that! Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@Bumpski, good attitude! They were in good condition when we went last month, and was fun to get skiing. But can’t say how good the snow is now if nothing new has fallen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
There has been fresh snow up on the glacier. Just not that much the lower you get. As you say @Bumpski has the right attitude. Even in November there is still some good walking to be done - a hike up to the Breihorn is very special.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
A fair bit of fresh snow and colder temps this week so should be looking better by next weekend
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
@Bumpski, you will I’m sure get more immediately informed opinion, but we may get more snow at just before or around your arrival time. I would hold off buying untill actually in resort, with all the latest info. Keep an eye on this thread! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Winter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brilliant! Enough justification for a pre-arrival multi day pass in my eyes 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Even snowing down at village level.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Italians not wanting to miss out:
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
I've been going to Cervinia/Zermatt in late November(around 25th) for the past 2 years, usually, conditions are good enough for a nice early season. Last year we couldn't ski down to the hotel but still could ski 60%/70% of the resort in both sides.
Usually it doesn't look too good a few weeks before, but on the last week I was always lucky in those past years.
I'm going back Thursday next week, let's hope for good conditions
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
@JohnMo, is that Tasch?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| twoodwar wrote: |
| @JohnMo, is that Tasch? |
No. That was from Zermatt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Great to finally see some more meaningful snow falling. Always heartening to see Riffelberg looking white and less like a golf course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
@JohnMo, cheers did not recognise it that’s all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Could anyone recommend an on mountain restaurant at the Cervinia side that easy to get to and then get back to Zermatt (That could include downloading) . My wife has 5 weeks skiing but is still very tentative, but i think getting her over to the Italian side is doable. Would be good to have a nice stop as a reward of getting over there. Chalet etoile seems to ticket a box but i can't remember how steep that red is that runs down to it, it would mean that its just a couple of lifts back to the Zermatt side.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Chalet Etoile would fit the bill or Bontadini.
Both have a red run to access down from the border and then a fairly simple red or blue depending on what you choose.
I would suggest Bontadini is the easier option and closer to getting back over.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
mmm.... definitely red runs though! If you want Ch. Et. then you can download from Plateaux Rosa to Plan Maison (cable car then gondola) then take the Puncheon Chair - all blue to CH. Et. Or even ski the easy blue from Plan M down to town - I like the Baita Cretaz just above town. I would, though, favour not paying the extra for Into Pass and go to one of the v nice Zermatt resorts with the money saved! I think maybe lunching at Plateaux Rosa is good and is in Italy (though maybe the border has moved!)- after the red from the top which is tricky enough for the tentative...
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
The section of red piste #6 from Plateau Rosa to Theodulpass may be daunting for a 5 week skier. It has quite a steep, narrow section on the downhill bit from the Swiss side but you need to carry a LOT of speed down there if you don’t want to wind up walking up the other side, and there are often fallen skiers to avoid. As a 60kg skier, I have never yet managed to get enough speed not to walk!
However both Bontardini and Chalet Etoile are excellent eating places!
The next section (after another piste joins from skier’s right) can get pretty chopped up / mogully too - its a high traffic narrow-ish bit. Gradient isn’t awful but there is a (netted) drop-off on the left. Generally (IMO) easier than the bit that gets bumpy from the top of the Klein Matterhorn though.
If the snow is good (and hasn’t all been blown away) the “Ventina” (#7) is a nice red to Italy. It does have a couple of steepish bits with an odd camber but they’re wide. If you’ve managed to ski from Klein Matterhorn there’s nothing that should freak you out there. The restaurant marked on the map by pistes 35 and 36 is meant to be quite good, although I’ve never eaten there myself. You can then easily get back to #7, and down to the cable car to get back to Plateau Rosa.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Or, if you decide neither of those routes appeal, the Refuge des Guides at Plateau Rosa is usually good, although gets very busy - and again will involve an uphill walk for most.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Or, stick to the Swiss side if you are based there anyway. You have heaps of choice and if you are worried about 'pushing' a 5 week skier then keep it simple.
A week filled with Findlerhof, Zum See, Fluhalp, Blatten, Aroleid Kollective and a few self service should do the trick. You'll have a much lighter wallet but a very happy wife.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The restaurant marked on the map by pistes 35 and 36 is meant to be quite good" - it is good, but more of a cafeteria style not a treat like CH. Etoile or countless restos Zermatt side IMO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| JohnMo wrote: |
| Wow, I hope he knows what he is doing. There are a huge number of crevasses around that section. You can just about see some of them in the video. There was some great snow last weekend but not enough to create stable bridges over the crevasses. I was up there 10 days ago (very much on piste for now) and several people had got some turns in areas they really shouldn’t have - but no-one as far across as that. |
Sam Anthamatten repeating your advice@JohnMo. I guess this was taken on one of the Zermatt glaciers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cervinia opening up next Friday (25th). No details yet as to which pistes will be open. Been really good snow and the Italians are always good at opening when they can. The Swiss still in we have a timetable and we will stick to it mode.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Now it's official, at 25th Cevinia will open:
"Next weekend, the lifts that go up to Plan Maison , Cime Bianche Laghi and Plateau Rosa will be joined by the Plan Maison , Fornet, Bontadini chairlifts with slopes 6, 6.0, 6.00 , the Plan Maison treadmill , the Goillet chairlift with slopes 35, 37, 38, the Ventina slope (n. 7) up to Cime Bianche Laghi and the Gran Sometta chairlift with slope 12 ."
https://cervinia.it/news/lo-sci-riparte-a-cervinia-venerdi-25-novembre-riaprono-le-piste-del-versante-italiano-con-nuovi-impianti-tanto-divertimento-e-ski-test-gratuiti
Anyone? I'll arrive there Thursday at night.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@Run28, @Wildsmith, @KNoceros, Thanks all for the very detailed info. I think the piste 7 route is the one i had in my mind as fairly easy, also with the option of getting the gondola / cable car either down from there's into Cervinia or going back if she's not loving it. Also that restaurant next to piste 36 might be worth a go for the same reasons.
The psychological safety of having a way out is the key to my wifes skiing confidence. I know those reds on the swiss side are relatively easy back to the matterhorn express top station (weren't they blue?), then she can download from there. Not sure i'd get her down the from Trockener steg to Furgg but we'll see how it goes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Russeh wrote: |
@Run28, @Wildsmith, @KNoceros, Thanks all for the very detailed info. I think the piste 7 route is the one i had in my mind as fairly easy, also with the option of getting the gondola / cable car either down from there's into Cervinia or going back if she's not loving it. Also that restaurant next to piste 36 might be worth a go for the same reasons.
The psychological safety of having a way out is the key to my wifes skiing confidence. I know those reds on the swiss side are relatively easy back to the matterhorn express top station (weren't they blue?), then she can download from there. Not sure i'd get her down the from Trockener steg to Furgg but we'll see how it goes. |
The short red and then blue that leads you from Testa Grigia down to Trockener is simplistic. The initial gradient can be a bit tight but it turns into a motorway.
If your wife is tired after lunch I would avoid skiing down to Furgg - 66-63 all have quite challenging sections as they drop down into the Furgg station.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Zermatt will open up from Trockener Steg down to Furgg on Saturday. With the existing Swiss pistes and the Italian ones opening on Friday that is quite a nice area open now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| ster wrote: |
Does anyone know what is up with SBB ticketing at the moment? Looking to buy tickets for late October (Geneva airport to Zermatt). When I looked a few weeks ago and trains and pricing were coming up, now you can see the trains but cannot get any pricing or buy tickets on either the SBB website, SBB app or even thetrainline.com.
This issue has been going for a few days, I know they were doing maitenance early this morning as a message popped up last night, but it has not changed/fixed the issue. |
Slightly O/T, but it looks like this thread is as good a place as any to comment / ask...
Just trying to book train travel on SBB's website and there doesn't seem to be a return option any more, unless it's a day return.
I'm flying into Geneva on Monday 12th December (probably going to Interlaken) and then flying out on Friday 16th, but you can only initially search for single journeys and you can only then click on return if there's enough time that day to make the same return journey.
The only way I've found of cheating it is by picking an early outward train (and a Saver Day Pass) then turning it into a return journey, and amending the date of the return. But that means I can't choose a Supersaver ticket for the outward journey. Or by treating them as two separate single journeys and booking accordingly.
I'm pretty sure this used to be possible though. Am I missing something?! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Dec 10th, 11th looking exceptional. Obviously a long way out, but this is the name of the game!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
For tourists/leisure travellers, and if you’re just going point to point airport to Zermatt and return, the Saver Day pass is usually what’s recommended. It’s valid on any train on the day of travel, just buy one for the day of travel and one for the return date. I guess you know to tick the box ‘no discount card’ unless you happen to be a frequent traveller with a half fare card?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
And the sooner the better. I hesitated when it was available, 60 days before our arrival. 2 weeks later each ticket was 18 CHF more
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| scotsgirl wrote: |
| For tourists/leisure travellers, and if you’re just going point to point airport to Zermatt and return, the Saver Day pass is usually what’s recommended. It’s valid on any train on the day of travel, just buy one for the day of travel and one for the return date. I guess you know to tick the box ‘no discount card’ unless you happen to be a frequent traveller with a half fare card? |
Yeah, I knew that I probably should just go for Saver Day Pass on the way out (especially as my outward flight has been delayed before and I'm assuming the ticket inspectors are pretty strict when it comes to enforcing the reduced point-to-point ticket conditions), but it seemed odd that the site didn't seem to be working as intended / it used to.
And yes, I know to tick the "no discount card", but thanks for checking. Might not have known if I hadn't consulted this site before my first trip with SBB though, so always worth repeating 
| drporat wrote: |
| And the sooner the better. I hesitated when it was available, 60 days before our arrival. 2 weeks later each ticket was 18 CHF more |
Too late 
I'm an excellent procrastinator, and had been considering rescheduling my flights for an extended trip in March, but change fees are £50 each way now and would pretty much negate the savings I made on my £1 snowboard bag from the early days of COVID and the free "hands free" small luggage option because it was booked before their conditions changed.
Think I've finally decided NOT to go back to Zermatt, so should probably just get on and book Interlaken and leave this thread for those who do intend to go there!
Thanks again to you both 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Valtournenche open this weekend plus pistes all the way down to Breuil Cervinia. Good start to the season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Thanks @JohnMo
Just what I needed to hear after deciding late last night to head back to Zermatt for 4 nights from Monday 12th.
Just couldn't find any other area that was likely to be fully open and having found a single room in Zermatt itself for less than £90 per night, I figured this would be about as good as it gets.
Bit of a jump from the £175 I spent for 4 nights B&B (with spa access) in Täsch in Jan 2020 though!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@jebroni3_16, at £90 a night, the Zermatt tourist office will be trying to close them down 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| twoodwar wrote: |
| Dec 10th, 11th looking exceptional. Obviously a long way out, but this is the name of the game! |
Any update on this, please and thanks in advance?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@jebroni3_16, your wish is granted.
Better still go on the Zermatt website and look at the webcams. Town is now white over, and still coming down
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
