 Poster: A snowHead
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Went on our first ski holiday in 20+ years at Christmas to La Rosiere in the Tarantaise, and loved it.
Unfortunately work prevents me from going any time from Jan to April (not great!) so seeking ideas on where to go December 2023 - looking at the week before Christmas so approx. 16th to 23rd December.
Additional criteria:
- Europe but not France (we'd like to try somewhere different)
- Plenty of blue runs for us brittle wrinklies
- If not ski-in/ski-out then at close as possible
Currently considering Obertauern in Austria for being a good bet snow wise, though I also love the look of the Dolomites for the scenic factor. We prefer to book our own flights, accommodation and car hire for transfers, and we won't be looking for lessons/tuition so less obvious ideas are welcome.
Thanks in advance!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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This early in the season is always a bit difficult.
May be little or no snow in some areas ,might be stormy with plenty of snow.
Accommodation is seldom a problem pre Christmas.
Personally I would book flights to somewhere centralish like Innsbruck or Zurich and wait and see where the snow falls much closer to the dates.
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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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At that time of year, you have to aim high if you want as good as chance as possible as getting good snow. The only issue with going high is that in bad weather, it can be pretty bleak as there is little to no shelter/tree skiing. But on a blue bird day......then wow.
So, if you are ruling out France then a few other options.
Obertauern as you have already mentioned but also Obergurgl which I'd be slight more inclined for. It's pretty much ski in/out and has a good selection of hotels.
Livingo in Italy is pretty snowsure and has plenty of blues and reds to cruise about on but would not have many, if any ski in/out places. But has excellent food options. It's a bit of a transfer to get there though.
The Dolomites are a different level of beautiful. However you have to be prepared to be skiing on man made slopes through fields. They have excellent snowmaking, but early season can be hit or miss. However, the food, views, people and off piste activities there make up for it. And there are so many resorts to choose from you are spoilt for choice. You could base yourself somewhere on the Sella Ronda (I've think the Alta Badia would be perfect) or head for somewhere like Madonna or Cortina.
You could look at either Zermatt (lovely, but you are paying Swiss prices) or Cervinia as well.
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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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@Halitosis, you won't need ski in and out in Austria with wheels, big carparks(mostly free)at the lift stations.
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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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| Quote: |
Accommodation is seldom a problem pre Christmas.
Personally I would book flights to somewhere centralish like Innsbruck or Zurich and wait and see where the snow falls much closer to the dates
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This is good advice
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Cervina seems to tick the box. Plenty of blue runs, and I don't recall the reds being tricky. I have only visited by the day - so can't comment on accommodation personally, but a quick google leads to ski in ski out places being available.
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Lech, You wont need a car.
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Don't book anything. Wait until the week before. You'll have the conditions and the forecast. If you're of a nervous disposition, your sphinx will be twitching like a rabbit's nose but keep your cool.
Using that philosophy I've skied PdS, Val Gardena, Solden, Sierra Nevada and Val Gardena another twice in recent years in brilliant conditions. There's direct Edinburgh Verona flights, skoosh on public transport to Val Gardena.
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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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Ischgl opens at the end of November and has reliable early season snow, though December can be stormy. Better than Obertauern which can be rather bleak, Obergurgl is fairly small. Innsbruck is the ideal airport (look at KLM via Amsterdam, they fly from even tiny UK airports like Humberside) but Zürich is OK too (train to Landeck then taxi)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Halitosis, where are you flying from? We had family here from mid-December who flew into Salzburg. They flew out of Gatwick and I know there were Luton options too. It’s possible that the dates for December 2023 haven’t all been released yet. Given that many resorts open in early - mid December, I’d be amazed if there are no earlier flights.
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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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@Halitosis,
I'm flying to Innsbruck this year on a non direct flight, but your right in the Alps so the drive time is likely to be less. We are off to the Dolomites but you're in a pretty good position for Ischgl, Hintertux etc.
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