 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
I am looking at going to St Anton the first week of December. Historically does anybody have first hand experience of the snow cover for around this time. I don't want to book and the pistes be bare (i know there's a risk of this, this early in the season).
Any help is 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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If you are heading out there at that time of year I would seriously take a look at Ischgl which is more likely to have more open given the majority of slopes are above 2000m and they put a lot of effort into snowmaking.
The higher lifts and Rendl will not be open in St Anton, although snow allowing a fair amount of lower stuff will be. From memory I'd say one year in five you could be looking at bare or very thin slopes.
I've certainly been to St Anton and had fun in the first week, but not something I would book in advance.
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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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Jerby, been there 4x at this time and it's been great powder skiing on the grassy slopes but Rendl and other rocky slopes are out of bounds. Leave until week before to book anything you'll have the place to yourself, perfect, I'd say its a 9/10 chance you'll be ok.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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St Anton is not open until the End of the first week in December i.e Friday 5th !!
Operations will be very limited even if there is a lot of snow.
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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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Shock horror Stanton post something that isn't anti UK and is actually useful. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Markymark29, it's a great place, but that's a bit over optimistic. Straight off I can think of two years out of the last 10 where St Anton hasn't run a single lift at the start of December (I know because I was there). Although more to the point is that it won't actually open till 05 December.
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Jerby,
Go higher (e.g. go to one of the glaciers or Obergurgl) or book late and follow the snow.
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Jerby, I am, not iam?! Wahay! 
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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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Really early season Ischgl is usually better as they seem to prioritise getting stuff open even before the resort gets busy.
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nozawaonsen, just because the lifts aren't open doesn't mean there isn't snow to be skied, like I said leave it until week before is my advice.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Markymark29, not really. It was completely green. So I drove on to Ischgl.
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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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Spent the las tfew years doing a Mark Warner first week in St Anton which has been mixed but we have been able to ski, well, over most of the mountain. Snow coverage has been varied from awesome to "glad I'm on hire skis". Would say that every year it has snowed really heavily the last few days there which, in hindight, means the following week would be much better, and more expensive.
As with everything, you pays your money you take your chance!
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We went there second week of Dec last year. The pistes were open, but hardly anywhere to get lunch etc. Almost zero apres. Pistes with stones in the middle of them. I wouldn't gamble any earlier than we did with 2 months to go - much better to aim somewhere more snow sure. Given the fairly limited rain/snow and warm temps in September there is going to need to be a big change fairly soon for the start of the season to be anywhere near guaranteed other than at the very highest resorts this year.
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You know it makes sense.
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Jerby,
If you are flying out the weekend before 5th Dec there's no point going to St Anton. Even if it does snow before 5th Dec there wouldn't be any lifts running and I take it piste bashers would be out in force getting the pistes ready.
Resort opening dates here ....
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=112593
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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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| Quote: |
Given the fairly limited rain/snow and warm temps in September there is going to need to be a big change fairly soon for the start of the season to be anywhere near guaranteed other than at the very highest resorts this year.
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Thats that then
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Markymark29 wrote: |
| Quote: |
Given the fairly limited rain/snow and warm temps in September there is going to need to be a big change fairly soon for the start of the season to be anywhere near guaranteed other than at the very highest resorts this year.
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Thats that then |
The weather in the mountains can change rapidly and, as a British Snowsports enthusiast, never forget the first rule; remain eternally optimistic!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Mistress Panda wrote: |
| Given the fairly limited rain/snow and warm temps in September there is going to need to be a big change fairly soon for the start of the season to be anywhere near guaranteed other than at the very highest resorts this year. |
Since when did September weather have any influence on late Nov/early Dec weather???
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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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kitenski, it doesn't, but if the weather carries on how it has for a few more weeks it will do. If there was snow forecast on the long range stuff for resorts in a few weeks time I'd start being more comfortable taking the gamble of lower altitude resorts. Right now the only safe bets are the very highest resorts, and even they are not safe bets for start of Dec - could easily end up glacier skiing or with quite limited number of runs open.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Mistress Panda, I disagree, it is often warm right up to November.... and long range forecasts are close to useless IMHO......a short cold snap and a decent 50cm to 1m dump in a few days can and often does kick start a season.......
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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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And, moreover, a big dump in mid to late November can get everybody excited and be followed by temperatures well above freezing up to 3000m.
There'll be plenty of accommodation in those resorts which are open and no argument for closing down your options by booking ages in advance.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Just to clarify on behalf of Jerby, by first week in Dec he meant departing on the 6th.
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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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Jerby, there you go then, lifts will be open (if there's snow). Book it a week before or even turn up and knock on a few doors, you'll easy get a room at the right price.
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I would wait until the week before then choose a resort with good conditions, accommodation shouldnt be a problem in Decemberl
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks for the info. It is the right idea to wait and see what the snow covers like.
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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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sorry to jump in on this thread, i have booked for 20th Dec to St Anton and after reading this thread, and comments on another thread that the town is extremely quiet before xmas, am now getting quite nervous. Can anyone give me an idea what to expect? I haven't been to austria before and have spent previous years skiing the large french resorts and always much later in the season.
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benburton83, don't panic, best early season week to go.
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You know it makes sense.
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Markymark29, ok thanks for the reassurance
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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@DB, Some good mountainbiking to be had still 
Dont panic, its coming, my local friends are super-confident!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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@DB, Yep
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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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We're discussing driving round to Ischgl each day, seems to be plenty up there.
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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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Just to point out this is why I was suggesting Ischgl at this time of year.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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He ground is starting to look white on the webcams now. Fingers crossed for everyone going there in the next few weeks (and for myself for a good day be of season snow ).
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@nozawaonsen, the skiing in Ishgl was great, however we all agreed we hated the town. Elizabeth bar is the worst apres spot I've had the misfortune to endure. Surly aggressive arrogant punters and skanky go-go girls. Bloody Orrible.
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Hi chaps as I will have a hire car for my trip to st anton on the 20th i will be mobile and could 'follow the snow' if need be, how long does it take to get to Ischgl seems quite close on google maps? Never done Austria before so I am hoping St Anton will be fine as the hotel I booked wasn't cheap and really don't want to be getting up very early and driving off somewhere, its still meant to be a holiday!!
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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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@benburton83, the road is quite a bit further than as the crow flies; I think it would be around 40 mins?
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@benburton83, @clarky999, 45 minutes given average traffic.
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FAQ
Thanks cinsha. Behind a good bloke is a good women. Ok I got it wrong again 
Slap me later.
