 Poster: A snowHead
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Where has the best maintained pistes in general but also when conditions are bad?
I know totally subjective however, I've been to some resorts where there has been no snow but they seem to maintain runs well or the general make up and geography of the resort means it stands up well.
I've noticed the French seem to take pride in having good pistes and equipment. Val disere stands out.
Any others of note?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@therock, I think many people will say Italy since there is a perception that skiers in Italy prefer to look good between coffee stops hence needing perfectly groomed pistes 
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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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Deer Valley Utah and Courchevel are probably my suggestions.
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Have not noticed any significant differences in Europe. Even JPN is the same.
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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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In Europe, Italy IMHO.
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Italy, especially the Dolomites.
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Vail used to do midday grooming, not sure if they still do or not. Fun to see the procession of groomers heading out 
Beaver Creek, along with Aspen/Snowmass would be up there too
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Lech Oberlech and Zurs - certainly in the days when I used to ski that way from St Anton.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Bones wrote: |
Vail used to do midday grooming, not sure if they still do or not. Fun to see the procession of groomers heading out
Beaver Creek, along with Aspen/Snowmass would be up there too |
That is interesting would certainly help on home runs in some resorts.
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Deer Valley is just downright dangerous - catches sun so groomers get somewhat icy and too many reckless entitled types. I'd say Italy based on lack of natural snow and the fact every Tom, Dick or Luigi is a member of the National Artisan Plumbers race team (or at least that's what their jackets say.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Beaver Creek. The pistes are groomed throughout the day by a fleet of Piston Bullies driving in formation to justify the $209 day lift pass 
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Thu 13-01-22 9:17; edited 1 time in total
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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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La Feclaz. Just perfect yesterday, it's so small that there is probably only one driver. But boy, is he good.
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Some may prefer Winter Parks approach of grooming half the width of the piste so to give the option to ski bumps or bail out.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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| k2bob wrote: |
| Beaver Creek. The pistes are groomed throughout the day by a fleet of Piston Bullies driving in formation to justify the $209 day lift pass |
Wow, I would want to ski all day behind a piste basher for that price.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| k2bob wrote: |
| Some may prefer Winter Parks approach of grooming half the width of the piste so to give the option to ski bumps or bail out. |
I noticed this in 4v last week. It seemed to work well but by the end of the day the pistes were all the same anywya. Which prompted the question.
I noted some icey pistes then 30cm of snow and still the same icy pistes. No work appeared to have been done to fix the icy bit. I was down the piste within 30mins of opening so wasn't late in the day. Just seemed to me like no care was taken juts a piste basher gone over it and on to the next bit. I would have thought with that much snow they could have put some work into it.
I did notice an incredibly high standard of skiing though In the 4v so maybe people not that bothered
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Thu 13-01-22 11:40; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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There used to be (perhaps there still is) a European piste bashing competition. A bit like a farm ploughing competition. For years a guy in Gavarnie (French Pyrenees) won. It was said that he treated his pistes like a Cuban lady rolling a cigar on her thigh. That and the language was of course a long time ago, but the admittedly limited pistes were always immaculate.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I would say that the eastern alps have the most reliable groomed runs in Europe.
The east is cooler, drier and more sheltered than the higher western alps which receive and hold more snow but which can suffer from icy runs caused by saturated pistes and scouring by the wind.
The terrain in the east is also less rocky and the pistes tend to be wider and less steep than the west. The east of Austria and the Dolomites are mostly grassy pasture in summer and do not need much snow to become skiable.
That part of the Alps has evolved a highly managed approach to piste preparation that is not reliant on natural snowfall. In November and December they make enough snow to last the whole season. Natural snow is then a bonus rather than a necessity. Consequently they open early and generally stay open every day until the end of the season.
In the Dolomites they groom the slopes every night. It’s not at the top of the list for deep snow skiing but the quality of the pisted runs has proved a successful formula for reliable holiday skiing.
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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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"Midday grooming", the mirage we all want but don't get. Beyond the obvious cost, those dudes work all night, so there isn't anyone available during the day. Then there is the difficulty of closing a run sufficiently to (a) groom it, and (b) satisfy the offices of risk management and general counsel that they won't kill someone in the process.
I think Silver Star in BC sets itself apart in the grooming realm by having more winchcat-groomed black runs than any other place I've been. Their Powder Gulch chair may serve more long, interesting groomers than any other lift I can think of.
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| Peter S wrote: |
I would say that the eastern alps have the most reliable groomed runs in Europe.
The east is cooler, drier and more sheltered than the higher western alps which receive and hold more snow but which can suffer from icy runs caused by saturated pistes and scouring by the wind.
The terrain in the east is also less rocky and the pistes tend to be wider and less steep than the west. The east of Austria and the Dolomites are mostly grassy pasture in summer and do not need much snow to become skiable.
That part of the Alps has evolved a highly managed approach to piste preparation that is not reliant on natural snowfall. In November and December they make enough snow to last the whole season. Natural snow is then a bonus rather than a necessity. Consequently they open early and generally stay open every day until the end of the season.
In the Dolomites they groom the slopes every night. It’s not at the top of the list for deep snow skiing but the quality of the pisted runs has proved a successful formula for reliable holiday skiing. |
This is interesting. There is general perception that bigger and higher is better when Brits book their annual ski holiday. So tend to gravitate towards the west. Rather than look elsewhere for reliable slopes. I'm sure if resorts could market smooth ice free runs there would be some demand.
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| Scooter in Seattle wrote: |
"Midday grooming", the mirage we all want but don't get. Beyond the obvious cost, those dudes work all night, so there isn't anyone available during the day. Then there is the difficulty of closing a run sufficiently to (a) groom it, and (b) satisfy the offices of risk management and general counsel that they won't kill someone in the process.
I think Silver Star in BC sets itself apart in the grooming realm by having more winchcat-groomed black runs than any other place I've been. Their Powder Gulch chair may serve more long, interesting groomers than any other lift I can think of. |
Interesting looking resort. Is somewhere like that mainly used by locals or would it be a holdiay destination? 5hrs from Vancouver
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Told my mrs I want to spend a night in a piste basher for my 50th - she wasn’t impressed….
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
This is interesting. There is general perception that bigger and higher is better when Brits book their annual ski holiday. So tend to gravitate towards the west. Rather than look elsewhere for reliable slopes. I'm sure if resorts could market smooth ice free runs there would be some demand.
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Shhh, that's why those of us that know go to the Dolomites where it's quiet and civilised and leave the majority of our compatriots to queue all day in 3V or Val etc!
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@therock, excuse me for saying "both". Yes, Silver Star is for the locals in Vernon, just like Sun Peaks is for the Kamloops locals, and Big White is for the Kelowna locals, etc. But also, these three have perfected the ski-in, ski-out thing, so any of them are great for holidays as well. Silver Star's colorful village paint scheme is....not for everyone, but I don't choose my ski resorts based on that. SS also has some really fun and unusual beginner tree skiing, and a fab bakery. I love skiing down to the lift in the morning, and skiing down to my room in the afternoon. Can't do that very many places. But those black groomers....and the super long Gypsy Queen and Sunny Ridge...you can spend all day on that lift. A tip: it is one full notch colder back there.
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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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I remember Staying in Courchevel at the end of the season a few years back. The pistes were superbly groomed. Meribel however was shocking, would have been better off not bothering just frozen ruts and death rocks all over the place. Got the feeling the 1st year apprentice was driving the piste basher.
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Anywhere that's quiet.
Anywhere that's busy will have pistes which are a poo-poo-show by midday.
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You know it makes sense.
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Best maintained pistes - probably Deer Valley as stated, but as a snowboarder I'm fortunately not compelled to check it out. I guess I don't really see the issue: if people want to ride frozen corduroy... well it's going to be a bit teeth rattling whatever they do with it. I guess I'm just unconsciously picky where I ride, so I don't really have any problems with "grooming" anywhere, if that makes sense. If it's all frozen I'd probably know that already and be somewhere else.
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Off topic but I'm a big fan of Silver Star, Sun Peaks and Big White, which have the advantage of not being marketed to people who want to be "hardcore", so the untracked remains untracked there longer. Silver Star does have better baked goods - I wasn't sure why but if they actually have a real bakery, that'll be it. I was in Big White a few days ago... "grooming" wasn't really the issue. Here's the massive early morning line-up.
I've found the same true in the Alps, with the "hard core" places being a bit of a bun fight for lines, and the "family" resorts being much easier to get fresh tracks in.
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| Is somewhere like that mainly used by locals or would it be a holdiay destination? 5hrs from Vancouver |
Kelowna is an international airport. I think in truth they're mainly locals and in normal times there's a significant Australian contingent because of the resort ownership.
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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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| stevomcd wrote: |
Anywhere that's quiet.
Anywhere that's busy will have pistes which are a poo-poo-show by midday. |
yeah but thats my point, its how they then get them back into good shape after. I skied down many home runs that are a mess then next day still a mess but also resorts where you think its going to be horrendous and its perfect. Those are the ones that seem to be the well groomed and looked after ones (or there is some other factor at play maybe).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| 3offthetee wrote: |
| I remember Staying in Courchevel at the end of the season a few years back. The pistes were superbly groomed. Meribel however was shocking, would have been better off not bothering just frozen ruts and death rocks all over the place. Got the feeling the 1st year apprentice was driving the piste basher. |
Interesting you say that as I had a similar experience on the other side VT and Les Menuire was in good shape but Meribel pretty awful but slightly different heights so probably better snow on the whole in VT and Meribel probably has more traffic.
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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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Meribel melts like nowhere on the planet at the end of season yet still has heavy traffic - South facing slopes on a sunny day are basically no goes in the afternoon and I like my slush. Altitude + aspect + traffic.
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| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
| Meribel melts like nowhere on the planet at the end of season yet still has heavy traffic - South facing slopes on a sunny day are basically no goes in the afternoon and I like my slush. Altitude + aspect + traffic. |
That doesn't excuse the poor quality grooming, just looked as though one piste basher had been up and down missing more than he groomed. Total death trap early doors before it softened.
Not seen anything like it before of since and can't blame slushy pistes the afternoon before for an inabilty overlap the tiller passes when grooming.
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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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We arrived in Schladming a few years ago after a longish spell without any snow and the pistes were in brilliant condition. Was really impressed.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Scooter in Seattle wrote: |
"Midday grooming", the mirage we all want but don't get. Beyond the obvious cost, those dudes work all night, so there isn't anyone available during the day. Then there is the difficulty of closing a run sufficiently to (a) groom it, and (b) satisfy the offices of risk management and general counsel that they won't kill someone in the process.
I think Silver Star in BC sets itself apart in the grooming realm by having more winchcat-groomed black runs than any other place I've been. Their Powder Gulch chair may serve more long, interesting groomers than any other lift I can think of. |
Does daytime pisting even work? I once heard the snow had to 'rest' afterwards to let the water filter out of the snow's agitated state to get a good result.
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| DidierCouch wrote: |
Does daytime pisting even work? I once heard the snow had to 'rest' afterwards to let the water filter out of the snow's agitated state to get a good result. |
I certainly need to 'rest' after skiing it and give time for the beer to filter out! 
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| 3offthetee wrote: |
| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
| Meribel melts like nowhere on the planet at the end of season yet still has heavy traffic - South facing slopes on a sunny day are basically no goes in the afternoon and I like my slush. Altitude + aspect + traffic. |
That doesn't excuse the poor quality grooming, just looked as though one piste basher had been up and down missing more than he groomed. Total death trap early doors before it softened.
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You can't actually groom snow that is still isothermic.
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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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@therock, yeah, for sure, but you're kind of missing my point. Go somewhere quiet, the pistes are good all day.
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@DidierCouch, it is best to allow a groomed slope to set up for a few hours so it'll last a while before getting bumped out. If you've ever actually followed a cat down a slope, that five-second-old cord ain't too shabby. But soon its an egg carton.
Some areas tell you if the slope was groomed PM (from closing the day before until midnight) or AM (midnight to opening). They typically groom the green runs in the AM so they're softer and more forgiving at opening, and since they have gentle slopes they are not as subject to getting carved up as much as something steeper. This AM/PM difference is important and especially big in spring: the PM groomers are hard as a rock for 2-3 hours while the AMs will take an edge right away. By knowing this and watching the sun, you can find good slopes until your legs are shot.
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