 Poster: A snowHead
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I don't even know if SH is 'alive' at this time of year, but here goes...
I have rashly decided to "do something" this half term with the Offspring. It's horrifically last minute, everything's gone, the Other Half has Views on sensible things like camping so I'm scratching my head a bit.
Now, I was wondering if there was anywhere in Europe super-high which may have a bit of snow/ice/slush left where the Boy and I could to a snowboarding course? As a skier, I figure the slopes will be less of an issue since I will mainly be on my backside. Geography isn't my strong point though, and the Google seems to show most "summer skiing" is just that - starting in June.
Is there anywhere "open" for beginners' snowboarding at the end of may please?
Many TIA!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Passo Stelvio (Bormio Italy) opens on the 30th may. Maybe sooner if weather permits.
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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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Isn't Zermatt open straight through.
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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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I have been to Hintertux for half term several times but I wouldn't describe it as very good for beginners. There were suggestions in another thread on which Austrian glaciers were better.
There is also a recent thread on summer skiing in Norway.
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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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Thank you All!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Wobbler, Stubai has suitable terrain as well as a ski school operating that could deal with beginners. They are open until mid-July-ish, and they probably just received a topping up as the last 2 days were very cold and wet here in the mountains. I know some of the places a wee bit higher than my place got sleet and snow, while we just had nearly 48 hours non-stop rain (ranging from the Scottish mist/drizzle type to monsoon-like downpours.
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Great stuff - many thanks! 
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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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Today was a kayak day, but I'll be at Stubai tomorrow.
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Snowheads is usually a mine of useful information. But this question is where they always dismally fail. There is only one worthwhile answer to your questions:
Riksgransen
That is all
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Vastly overrated IMHO
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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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stryn, zermatt, engelberg, ben nevis, snodome, dryslope....
otherwise google cave skiing.
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You know it makes sense.
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I've been at Stubai the last two days. On-piste conditions are good, and there's definitely enough suitable terrain for beginner boarders.
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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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Hintertux is the best place for snow - heading there in July! Have a lovely time
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Poster: A snowHead
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| TheGeneralist wrote: |
Snowheads is usually a mine of useful information. But this question is where they always dismally fail. There is only one worthwhile answer to your questions:
Riksgransen
That is all |
I'm inclinined to agree but I have been there at this time of year when it had been a trifle warm and the conditions were only so so. Its not exactly extensive unless you get off your backside and onto the back side or are advanced enough to enjoy the heli-skiing . It is a hell of an adventure getting there if you take the train from Stockholm (18 hours).
| Mike Pow wrote: |
| Vastly overrated IMHO |
High altitude areas in the Alps aren't exactly extensive either, or that reliable as cloud can build by late morning making for hideous skiing.
Riksgransen means one thing in particular...midnight skiing. It is awesome watching the sun briefly dip behind the peaks to the North from the top of the lift system.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Claude B wrote: |
| Isn't Zermatt open straight through. |
Yes it is.
There really are two "seasons" though. At present the chairlift up to Furggsattel from Trockener Steg is open. It will be until the end of June. You ski down from there back to Trockener Steg. I really like that stretch. However it is only glacier for about two thirds of the way - hence it having to close for the high summer.
After June the area slightly higher is still open. That is served by drags lifts.
I love summer skiing out there (won't be back until July sadly). However I wouldn't head out from the UK just to do it. It really needs to be part of a walking or cycling holiday (or something) in my opinion.
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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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What would be the best way to get to Riksgransen? They have a rather tempting package over the midsummer - but flights are coming out ludicrously expensive...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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In Chamonix we have 2 seasons in terms of skiing
Lift served piste skiing during the "normal" ski season
and Lift accesed skiing the rest of the year - with a bit of effort it is possible to ski here ANY day of the year.
I hoping to shake my current bout of flu by the time the weather clears and get some pow turns - snowline currnetly at 1700m and dropping.
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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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Looks like non-glacier touring will be resuming in much of Tirol this weekend..
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@clarky999, looks like you might even get some tree skiing too, looking at the Ischgl webcams
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| LukeRibs wrote: |
| What would be the best way to get to Riksgransen? They have a rather tempting package over the midsummer - but flights are coming out ludicrously expensive... |
I flew to stockholm on SAS then took the train from there to Riksgransen - there is a short connection train from the airport to Uppsala. The all in price was pretty reasonable buts not easyjet to Gneva money, and if you fly SAS and they are late for the prebooked train they will sort you out. SAS are also very good for ski gear. When I went it was about 30 quid both ways and that included the boot bag as well and there was no need to prebook on a full moon to get the price. You could just pay at the airport.
Alternatively, as the train runs from Malmo you might consider flying to Copenhagen and catching a train to Malmo from there.
Flights to Nothern Norway or Sweden are seldom less than ludicrously expensive.
Beware, check that Riksgransen isn't just open for a few days at midsummer. They certainly used to open only for a weekend or midweek slot for the midnight sunners. It is a long way to go for three days skiing but I would do it again.
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Went to Riksgränsen midsummer 2015. It's more for the whole experience than for the skiing, as they only open 2 lifts, but there was 1 meter of snow on the piste although it was pretty slushy. Lift opens 10pm on the Thursday evening and you can ski through to 2am. It then opens 9-4pm Fri, sat, sun. Amazing place though and will go back in march or April one year.
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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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Was also up skiing Riksgränsen at the same time. Though only skied the lifts during the night they were open. Snow was pretty good then. Mostly toured which was a surreal experience as we left at 3am on 2 of the days and it was so light. Snow was great higher up, but as the day went on it got very slushy.
Am glad to have done it, and would certainly go back, but maybe 6 weeks earlier. Managed to get some cheap flights from Edinburgh to Kiruna via Stockholm, as well as some pretty cheap accommodation that was booked in February. Great scope for touring, and even trying a few different smaller resorts if you hire a car.
Certainly recommend it though the locals we spoke to said that the snow this year was pretty exceptional relative to the last few years. Someone mentioned it was the most snow they had had for 20 years. No idea how true that is though.
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Snow on the very tops today on the southern border with Italy - Austria that is
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Kind of a lot of snow in Zillertal today. I am not sure how to attach the photo hear, but yath it looks fabulous.
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