 Poster: A snowHead
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| Peter S wrote: |
I'd say Alta Badia is the most sheltered and the least likely to suffer from poor visibility or lifts closed by high wind or avalanche risk.
It's got loads of easy skiing and probably the best range of mountain restaurants in your list. At the moment it is just over half open (70kms out of 130kms) but with temperatures dropping from Saturday I would expect more runs and lifts to open with more snow making next week. Indeed the Sella Ronda is forecast to open tomorrow.
https://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/Experience/Ski-areas/Alta-Badia/Webcam |
Alta Badia is very tempting and I do really want to go however looking at the webcams it seems like lower down is mainly WROD. Checking in the weather thread it looks like the Dolly's are only getting 10cm max, and that's high up. Maybe best to wait until some other time?
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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 wrote: |
| Actually, a lot of resorts - including Les Saisies - won't be properly open till the Christmas week, even if they're buried in snow. |
Yeah, good point.. another thing to check out.
I believe the likes of La Rosiere and Ste Foy open on the 15th but yeah, you need to check.
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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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@südtirolistdeutsch, As others have commented, see what the weather does this weekend. If it dumps, as forecast, Saalbach could be a good choice for you - huge 270km, fully lift-linked area, one of Austria's top three and 4th most visited resort in the world (tho' not busy in mid-December!). Known as an intermediates' paradise with 140km of blue runs - many tree-lined for good visibility in white-out conditions, 70 lifts (fastest lift system of any resort worldwide, also highest number of gondolas), nice village, great restaurants (60 of them up the mountain), reasonable prices (especially compared with some on your list - e.g. Lech, St Moritz, Courchevel), cheap flights, short, easy transfer. PM me your email address if you'd like my 20 page guide to the area.
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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 can’t believe nobody has suggested Courmayeur!
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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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It’s the classic early season gamble. Do I go where the snow may be deepest but risk closed lifts or do I play safe at a southerly resort sheltered from the bad weather 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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La Rosiere opens 15th Dec., its dumping down there now and there are 2 new lifts opening up Mont Valasain (previously off-piste) with 5 new pistes.
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Courmayeur is really small, and not very snowsure in my experience.
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| tatmanstours wrote: |
| @südtirolistdeutsch, As others have commented, see what the weather does this weekend. If it dumps, as forecast, Saalbach could be a good choice for you - huge 270km, fully lift-linked area, one of Austria's top three and 4th most visited resort in the world (tho' not busy in mid-December!). Known as an intermediates' paradise with 140km of blue runs - many tree-lined for good visibility in white-out conditions, 70 lifts (fastest lift system of any resort worldwide, also highest number of gondolas), nice village, great restaurants (60 of them up the mountain), reasonable prices (especially compared with some on your list - e.g. Lech, St Moritz, Courchevel), cheap flights, short, easy transfer. PM me your email address if you'd like my 20 page guide to the area. |
Saalbach is one of my top choices, however I didn't include it because I didn't think they would be able to open up the majority of the pistes in time even if it did dump. I suppose I'm completely wrong?
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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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@südtirolistdeutsch, The lift company has published a long list of the lifts and pistes to be opened this weekend and has in fact just announced that all main lifts and the links between Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Leogang and Fieberbrunn will be open by 14th December. The amount of snow that falls between Saturday and Monday inclusive will be important and the forecasts look encouraging. I’m travelling there on Monday morning - all being well! Hope not to land at Salzburg in the middle of a blizzard.
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With a user name of südtirolistdeutsch why not consider the Südtirol? Plenty of varying piste grades especially around the San Cassiano / Corvara area. Or Kronplatz for a bit of a different trip. Self catering at San Vigilio gives good slopes for beginners and the Kronplatz summit has options for those progressing a little more
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| PeakyB wrote: |
@TQA, agree fully with your suggestion about Lech.
Do you really think St Anton suits early intermediates? I was a fairly confident skier with 10 weeks experience when I first went and found it quite challenging. Around the same time I had no problem with Val D’Isere, 3 Valleys, Kitzbuhel, etc.
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The OP is going very early and I would follow the snow rather than risk going somewhere like Alta Badia which is likely to get rain at 1300m
If cost is not an issue then Lech is the obvious choice. St Anton will be significantly cheaper and possibly negotiable.
St Anton should get a share of that dump that is coming they are forecasting 180 cm ! I would and did advise any timid intermediate to ski the area called Rendl at St Anton. It will be less crowded and there is plenty of gentle stuff. Just don't try to ski back to St Anton DOWNLOAD! The run down is red with a couple of evil bits unless they have got a bulldozer in.
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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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| TQA wrote: |
| Just don't try to ski back to St Anton DOWNLOAD! The run down is red with a couple of evil bits |
Red with injuries and medic logos!!
We spent an afternoon having lunch and chilling at one of the restaurants at the foot of that run - unbelievable number of accidents requiring crossed skis and stretcher assistance  - at one point there must have been 3 on the go at the same time!
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| Quote: |
Saalbach is one of my top choices, however I didn't include it because I didn't think they would be able to open up the majority of the pistes in time even if it did dump. I suppose I'm completely wrong?
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29 lifts now open, and the rest to be opened by 14th December (latest news  )
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You know it makes sense.
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| JohnHSmith wrote: |
| With a user name of südtirolistdeutsch why not consider the Südtirol? Plenty of varying piste grades especially around the San Cassiano / Corvara area. Or Kronplatz for a bit of a different trip. Self catering at San Vigilio gives good slopes for beginners and the Kronplatz summit has options for those progressing a little more |
Would love to go but they don't have as much snow as I would like atm
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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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| tatmanstours wrote: |
| Quote: |
Saalbach is one of my top choices, however I didn't include it because I didn't think they would be able to open up the majority of the pistes in time even if it did dump. I suppose I'm completely wrong?
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29 lifts now open, and the rest to be opened by 14th December (latest news ) |
Just saw this, exciting stuff! Hopefully it dumps!
By the way, I replied to your email.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
tatmanstours wrote:
Quote:
Saalbach is one of my top choices, however I didn't include it because I didn't think they would be able to open up the majority of the pistes in time even if it did dump. I suppose I'm completely wrong?
29 lifts now open, and the rest to be opened by 14th December (latest news )
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The simple answer to the concern about getting the pistes groomed and open following a major dump is that, in my experience, once the weather clears, it's done overnight.
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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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Have a look at Montgenevre, there's a good range of posted, the reds in the bowl are lovely and wide and not difficult. If you feel more adventurous you can go over to Italy, and the conditions are looking good
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FAQ
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