 Poster: A snowHead
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morning all,
so my better half and myself find ourselves with a week off on the 12-19 dec. We normal go skiing quite early season (chistmas and new year) and we tend to stick to some fairly high snowsure resorts
(Tignes & Val). last year we wanted to branch out to other ski areas and went to Sauze and it was a very hit and miss, skiing was alright at the top, but completely none existent lower down, this obviously meant that the slopes were rammed (mostly with angry Italians).
so now we find ourselves a bit torn, we'd like to go to somewhere different again this year but with the weather warming up again where are our best bets? obviously high resorts like VT and Zermatt are going to be alright, but are there any resorts that have done well with the early season snow and are looking good for December???
so where are people heading this winter, any hidden gems out there??
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Welcome to SHs, @Jimmymalloy  Of French resorts, Tignes is actually looking like the best bet. Not much chance of significant snow in much of the alps for the next 10 days. I would give VT a miss, because with lots of hopeful people thinking that loads of the 3V is going to be opening next weekend there might be quite a few disappointed Meribellers etc up at VT!
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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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Jimmymalloy,
Why not try Austria?
We skied Hintertux and Stubai Glaciers last week and conditions were excellent! If you fly to Munich, Innsbruck or Salzburg and hire a car you could visit any of 6 glaciers - the above 2 plus Kaprun, Solden, Pitztal and Kaunertal. Last year we did an October road trip and skied 5 glaciers in 10 days, with no more than a 90 minute drive from one ski area to the next.
The above would guarantee great snow in December but skiing then won't be limited only to the glaciers as other valley resorts will be open. We usually self cater these days in Austria for about £20 pp per night, but you will also be able to find B & B on spec from that price (via booking.com, hotels.com or via the resort websites) & food and drink for less than half the price of the resorts you mention in France eg Spaghetti Bolognese on the mountain for €8.
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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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At the moment its looking like the northern Alps will have the best pre-Christmas conditions, so that favours Northern France, Austria and parts of Switzerland. As @Bergmeister, says, some of the Austrian glaciers would be a good call. I'd consider Solden or Kaprun.
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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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Alpe D'Huez was absolutely fine last weekend, they opened a few runs early, official opening is this Saturday. Les Deux Alpes looks superb, can't wait for Saturday  Anywhere around here will be fine I think.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We went to Zell am See last year, which is open now and right next door to the Kaprun glacier. It's possibly the most picturesque place I've ever visited and the apres is great. Not far from Salzburg either.
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Tignes.
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@Jimmymalloy, We had that week last year, when it was not good early season. Went to Mayrhofen - a decent amount was open there, and also some at all the other Zillertal ski areas. Also had a couple of days up at Hintertux where the conditions were fantastic. I'd much prefer that to Tignes.
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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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I'd stick to Tignes & Val, although La Plagne is looking pretty good for opening on the 12th (Excluding the lower villages).
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Quite a few places are probably looking a lot better now than they will be after 12 days with a FL around 3000m.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I have the same week available for skiing. Last year I flew to Turin, but this year I'm driving so I can chase the snow...
feeling absolutely desperate, and we may end up in Cervinia again - Zermatt is too dear for my pocket book
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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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@HeidiAmsterdam, Cervinia probably isn't the best bet, being in the currently fairly snow-less Southern Alps. Any of the higher resorts north of the main alpine ridge would be better - like Engelberg, Andermatt, Ischgl (would be my choice), Arlberg, etc.
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HeidiAmsterdam,
As Clarky 999 says - Austria?
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
with the weather warming up again where are our best bets?
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best bet is either to book one of the resorts with access to a glacier or wait - accommodation shouldn't be in short supply that week. And if, as we all hope, it gets cold and starts snowing, you'll be spoilt for choice.
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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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Flaine is opening and if you go to their facebook page and LIKE it they are reducing the tariff by every 1000 likes! Les Carroz is already down to €1!
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
| they are reducing the tariff by every 1000 likes! Les Carroz is already down to €1! |
Tariff for what  ....Accommodation? Lift passes? Food and drink?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@clarky999, I'm meant to be in Sauze later that month, so favoring somewhere that is more or less 'on the way'. Engelberg and Verbier fit the bill, Chamonix as well - VT....
I'll book last minute, but wanting to select a couple of possible options and get a hit list for myself on accommodations, so that when I select a location, I have my lodging short list. Requirements are slope slide - ski in-out, swimming pool, and catered as a bonus service. Then of course, friendly on the budget.
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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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On the other hand, what the hell... I'm going where the skiing is very good, even if I have to spend an extra day in the car to get to Sauze from stop 'A'...
watching and waiting...
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