 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello,
For the past week I have been tearing my hair out trying to decide which place to spend the season. I have skied both resorts extensively and love them both...However I have never worked in either them. My role is exactly the same. But for different companies... St Anton is with VIPSKI and Valdisere is with Esprit. Which is best for seasonal powder? I am looking for peoples opinions and any assistance will be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Steve
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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For powder, St Anton.
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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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Never been to Val, but St Anton is cracking for a season, and the VIP staff I've come across have all seemed to enjoy themselves. If you go Anton, VIP are based up the Gastig/Stadle end of town, although have a couple of chalets at the Nasserein end of town.
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Thanks Matt, have you been to both? From reading the snowfall history, St Anton has a higher upper slope snowfall?
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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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St Anton coz u cant spel Valdisere 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| steve88 wrote: |
| Which is best for seasonal powder? |
Luck of the draw for that particular season.
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| steve88 wrote: |
| Thanks Matt, have you been to both? From reading the snowfall history, St Anton has a higher upper slope snowfall? |
No I haven't been to VDI, but the NW corner of Austria - Arlberg, particularly Warth, Lech and Stuben - usually gets the most snow in Europe.
Even last season, which was below average for the Northern Alps, Warth got over 8m of snow at 1670m.
More info in this thread: http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=119242
Pertinent quotes:
| Quote: |
| Nearly all northern Alpine resorts experienced below average snowfall. In the French Tarentaise, Arc 2000 saw just 3.50m (average over 6m) while Val d’Isère (1850m)saw 4.00m, (average a little over 5m). |
| Quote: |
| Further west, Lech (1450m) clocked 5.60m (average around 7.00m), and nearby Warth-Schröcken claimed 8.25m at 1670m (average 10.6m) making it this year’s winner of “snowiest ski resort in the Alps” – at least at/close to resort level. |
Of course it depends season on season, but your best chances of scoring regular pow in Europe are normally in NW Austria/East Switz. Or Andermatt - the Gemsstock seems to be a bit of an anomaly.
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val has far more skiing above 2500 m giving better snow late on but parts of St Anton have the highest snowfall I the alps - the stub en pass I'm reliably informed. luck will play a huge part.
Both resorts are full of British and people who ski hard and party hard.
from what I remember St an tons best off piste bit requires you to have a guide with you whereas e K is a bit more do as you please.
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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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For lift served off piste both are fantastic. Both get huge snowfall. Hard to say. Personally I would probably choose Val D'Isere for the skiing and St. Anton for living, but it's really just a question of marginal preferences.
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Both are great. St Anton / surrounding area gets more snow and has more woodland for storm skiing.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@steve88, Go with VIP to St Anton. 
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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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Esprit in Val!!!!! Doesn't that mean rich little brats!!!
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Anton everytime 
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You know it makes sense.
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How do the jobs compare?
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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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St Anton every time, skied 20+ weeks in the 90's in Val, never been back since about 2002 when we went to give is a retry and realised we're in no rush to return, skied last 50+ weeks in St Anton, infinitely better ski area and snow, and lift system is chalk and cheese......VIP good company too.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Markymark29, discussion over
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@pam w,
The jobs are the same KP/NP....I'm starting to lean towards Val as the hotel is literally in the centre of town very close to the lifts, somewhat annoys me that St Anton is cut off by the valluga.... I wish they would build a lift over it....
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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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| steve88 wrote: |
@pam w,
The jobs are the same KP/NP....I'm starting to lean towards Val as the hotel is literally in the centre of town very close to the lifts, somewhat annoys me that St Anton is cut off by the valluga.... I wish they would build a lift over it.... |
They are, not over the Valluga, but they are connecting Alpe Rauz, Stuben and Trittkopf. Not that it makes much of a difference, easy to get there using the free bus, by time you've finished work in the morning you've missed the busy time in the morning, and day off if you get up first thing, you beat the crowds.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Sitter, +1.......its a very small issue IMO, its just a case of being organised and getting out early and being down to Rauz by 9.30 (awesome run from top of Schindler or Ulmerhutte wakes you up!), then you've got a full day over in Zurs/ Lech. We only ever go over there for 1-2 days a season, rest is all round Anton, so much to go at. We ski into Lech/ Zurs more when we are based in Warth, the new Auenfeldjet link there is brilliant.
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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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| Markymark29 wrote: |
| @Sitter, +1.......its a very small issue IMO, its just a case of being organised and getting out early and being down to Rauz by 9.30 (awesome run from top of Schindler or Ulmerhutte wakes you up!), then you've got a full day over in Zurs/ Lech. We only ever go over there for 1-2 days a season, rest is all round Anton, so much to go at. We ski into Lech/ Zurs more when we are based in Warth, the new Auenfeldjet link there is brilliant. |
Same with Sonnekopf too, went over there one day, heading down to Rauz going from piste marker to piste marker the vis was that bad, hit the top of the t-bar to Valfagehr and it was perfectly clear. Only people at the bus stop were other season staff with the same idea. Can't wait to be back out there.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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St Anton all day long for Pow & exceptional Apres Ski but VDI takes Apres Ski to another level ie Le Folie Douce and is a great Base (Espace Killi Region, with Tignes). It's all down to preference and luck of the lovely snow flake.
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@Sitter, Agreed, Sonnenkopf is an awesome ski area too, you out there next season?
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@Markymark29, I am indeed, living in Pettneu tho. Hoping for a good snow year and making the most of my time on the hill, possibly skiing more than boarding as I've been getting right back in to larking around on two planks as opposed to one this summer 
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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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@gravystuffing, oi!
@steve88, I've only been to St Anton once and Val d'Isere a few times. I think the off-piste in Val is more extensive but my trip to St Anton was marred by lack of snow. The Duc is nice and close to the piste and you can get to pretty much the whole of EK from there. My memory of St Anton was buses and early morning slogs to the lifts. I've rather taken to Val and I'm going back with Esprit this year. So if you choose Val I will celebrate/commiserate your choice with you in January! Unless you're in that posh new place, that is.
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St. Anton is really an awesome place to ski!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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@Markymark29, I take it you are amazed how right I am? 
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| Markymark29 wrote: |
@Sitter, Welcome back from the dark side eh?! 
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Ask me again when the lifts are open and the powder days start!
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You know it makes sense.
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Guys, it has started snowing in Austria today, so the season could start earlier as expected since the summer was so hot!
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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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@SchneiderC,  it's a nice thought, but this snow won't stick around for long (other than the glaciers). It's normal to get a big dump or two in Sept and Oct, but (other than steep, protected, shaded slopes) nothing really sticks until November at the earliest.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@henzerani, not amazed, just surprised, each to their own. Espace Killy is a good ski area but nowhere near near same quality skiing as Arlberg.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| SchneiderC wrote: |
| Guys, it has started snowing in Austria today, so the season could start earlier as expected since the summer was so hot! |
There is a whole bunch of snow in Tirol, so first people are already getting ready for the season to open. That was unexpected tough!
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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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St Anton without a doubt.
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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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| Markymark29 wrote: |
| @henzerani, not amazed, just surprised, each to their own. Espace Killy is a good ski area but nowhere near near same quality skiing as Arlberg. |
Disagree with that. Espace Killy is an amazing ski area, equal in every way to the Arlberg. Given the choice I would probably prefer to ski in Val D'Isere over St.Anton, but there's not much in it.
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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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One good thing about St Anton is that it is on the railway. If you are skiing a whole season I think it's good to take a day off from time to time maybe just for a rest or, if the conditions are not much or maybe to rest an injury.
A day out to Innsbruck for example is very easy to do and I am sure there are other places easy to get to by rail.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Steilhang,
| Quote: |
equal in every way to the Arlberg
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You sure?.....How about investment in lift infrastructure? The lift system in EK hasn't had significant investment since the Alberville Olympics in early 90's has it? Arlberg is adding better infrastructure every year, eg Rauz/ Trittkopf/ Albona project 2016, soon after Galzigbahn, Rendl, Nasserein, Tanzbodenbahn, Auenfeldjet, Valfegehrbahn etc? List served freeride is IMO not as good in EK compared with Arlberg, there's much more hiking. Mountain restaurants are of a lower standard, ski guides and ski schools better, après is not on same page, and access via Alberville/ Moutiers/ Tarentaise funnel is a real pain compared with access from Bregenz or Munich. Also Arlberg lift pass is cheaper isn't it?
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| richjp wrote: |
One good thing about St Anton is that it is on the railway. If you are skiing a whole season I think it's good to take a day off from time to time maybe just for a rest or, if the conditions are not much or maybe to rest an injury.
A day out to Innsbruck for example is very easy to do and I am sure there are other places easy to get to by rail. |
The rail link is a big plus, especially when cabin fever kicks in. Innsbruck as has already been mentioned, Bludenz for a half day, ditto Landeck, little further afield there is Bregenz and some even did Zurich. Having said that, VIP have a minibus, not too sure what usage staff have for getting out and about (I know Esprit do in a lot of resorts too, but not supposed to be for staff jollys)
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@Sitter, people do day trips to BLUDENZ?! Feldkirch (and Landeck, just about) I can understand, but Bludenz?!
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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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@clarky999, yeah Bludenz not exactly Salzburg is it?!
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| Markymark29 wrote: |
@Steilhang,
| Quote: |
equal in every way to the Arlberg
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You sure?.....How about investment in lift infrastructure? The lift system in EK hasn't had significant investment since the Alberville Olympics in early 90's has it? Arlberg is adding better infrastructure every year, eg Rauz/ Trittkopf/ Albona project 2016, soon after Galzigbahn, Rendl, Nasserein, Tanzbodenbahn, Auenfeldjet, Valfegehrbahn etc?
Hard to argue that EK lifts infrastructure is not first class, including 2 underground railways, and the massive Bellevarde gondola, the likesbof which I have not seen in St Anton
List served freeride is IMO not as good in EK compared with Arlberg, there's much more hiking. I am not sure I agree. In fact my impression is that both areas get v quickly tracked, but accessible stuff in St Anton gets tracked fastest
Mountain restaurants are of a lower standard
I won't defend EK here but they aren't that bad
, ski guides and ski schools better,
That's completely unsubstantiated. There is a massive choice of ski schools in EK, some of which are extremely high standard
après is not on same page
It is not. Is that good or bad..?
, and access via Alberville/ Moutiers/ Tarentaise funnel is a real pain compared with access from Bregenz or Munich
Agree
. Also Arlberg lift pass is cheaper isn't it? Dont know |
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