Poster: A snowHead
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Hello all,
Trying to pick between two resorts and made a pros cons list. We haven't been to either ski area before and are a group of intermediate/advanced skiers skiing for a week in Feb/March. Can anyone who has been before offer any further insights as to which to pick.
Ischgl
Pros
Large ski area with a good selection of intermediate/hard runs
Great lift infrastructure
More snow sure than Selva?
Better offpiste
Cons
Expensive
We dont generally do much apres ski so its not a draw
Selva
Pros
Large ski area
Great lift infrastructure
Cheaper than Ishcgl
Cons
Not as snow sure
Runs a little tame
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If you're not going to take part in the apres at Ischgl look at staying up/down the valley, rather than in Ischgl itself. Will trim your costs and you can either drive or catch the frequent, free buses that run up and down the valley during the day (upto something like 19:00/19:30).
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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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Thank you Mjit. Good tip.
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I've skied several times in both areas but not actually stayed in either. Most often in Feb.
As pointed out above Ischgl can be done more cheaply by staying in one of the nearby villages which we have done.
I don't think you would be dissapointed with either they are both great places to ski.
I wouldn't call Selva not snow sure unless you are intending to ski the off piste, the man made snow is so extensive and of very high quality that for piste skiing the snow cover is as reliable as anywhere.
There is probably a bit more challenging skiing in Ischgl with the ski routes, though there are plenty of enjoyable well pisted blacks around and near the Sella Ronda.
In my experience at very high season there tend to be rather more queues around Selva than at Ischgl, particularly if doing the Sella Ronda around the Val di Fassa. though there can be queuing at Ischgl it is more readily avoided.
For scenery and mountain restaurants the Dolomites are pretty unbeatable.
Both places are excellent and if you go to one you can always try the other another year.
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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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Both of the places are not snow sure but skiing sure.
If you know how to move and dont bother with sella Ronda selva is relative ok...
Ischgl dont know really. Since 2012 Was not there
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Ischgl or more specifically Paznaun Tel for me, the runs are more suited, and they do an excellent job of snow management, but I'd stay in Galtur as its more cost-effective. The free buses run into the evening so if you do decide to join the Apres anywhere you can still get back with ease.
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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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Thank you for all the tips everyone
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@turboblackbeard, Arabba is higher than Selva with some of the 'tougher' runs in the Ronda - but, it is little more than a hamlet.
Having said that - it is a SnowHeads Favourite, hence the base for the Birthday Bash
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The food is better in Selva/Dolomites than Ischgl
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@albob, Thank you again for the information.
Food is quite high on our priority list
If we were staying in Arabba would you go halfboard or just eat out each evening? We are not interested in self catering. Some of our group is vegetarian if that effects your response.
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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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Arabba is very well positioned on the Sella with easy access to the Marmolada beating the queues that can build up if coming over from Selva at a choke point just above Arabba. Also can ski over the war route which is good fun but a bit of a tight schlep from Selva, The Val Gardena skiing is fairly accessible from Arabba though Alpe di suisi would be a fair bit of travelling but it is fairly gentle stuff once you get there and probably not the most interesting for most skiers beyond earlyish intermediate. (Alpe di Suisi that is the rest of Val Gardena is fine)
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You know it makes sense.
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@turboblackbeard, I think your +/- analysis is close, though Selva's lift system isn't as modern as Ischgl's (few are). And while the Dolomites are not naturally snow-sure, their massive snowmaking system protects us, as it did me during last season. You do have to look a bit more for steep runs, but you can find them. And the laid back attitude and the food make it easy for me to suggest you go to Selva, or another place in the Dolomites. If you can make use of an Ikon pass somewhere else in addition to this trip (you get 5 days in Dolomiti Superski) that might be a tie-breaker for ya. I typically enjoy going out for dinner but I'm sort of a convert to the half-board thang. It works really well in the Alps, especially if the town/village is unfamiliar. No stress finding/getting into restaurants, and its way easier to eat semi-healthy that way, too, as they typically have a salad bar.
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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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Stay in Galtur, plenty of good hotels. I stay in the Alpenhotel Tirol. 15 minutes on the free bus to Ischgl, get off at the tunnel, a few minutes walk to the Fimbabagn or Pardatchgratbahn. Minimal queues.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Don't be tempted by the cheapskate options of the 'down the valley' places near Ischgl. If you go there, stay in the village itself.
Whether you enjoy or endure the 'atmosphere' at least you won't be commuting on the ghastly bus which is the worst possible way to start and end each day
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Having stayed in the valley on numerous occasions I disagree.
Usually used a rental car rather than a bus but in no way was it ghastly or something to endure.
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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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We had 2 weeks in Kappl last April and used the ski bus every day we went to Ischgl, rather than driving (we had a car with us). Using the ski bus was pretty similar to using a ski bus when staying in resort but a way away from the lifts - i.e. a bus every ~10 mins, so just rock up, and it takes 10-15 minutes. However, this was late/low season, and we got a seat almost every trip, whereas in peak season (Feb, or early Mar), I expect the busses will be a lot fuller
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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red 27 wrote: |
Don't be tempted by the cheapskate options of the 'down the valley' places near Ischgl. If you go there, stay in the village itself.
Whether you enjoy or endure the 'atmosphere' at least you won't be commuting on the ghastly bus which is the worst possible way to start and end each day |
Non taken!!!!
As for the "ghastly bus" the twice I've stayed at Galtur, getting on the bus in either direction is never an issue on a morning. Avoid getting on the bus at the Silvrettabahn (avoid anyway) and get on at the pedestrian tunnel.
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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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Ischgl will definitely be better for off piste. It gets more natural snow and is higher. Off piste is unreliable and even frowned upon in parts of the Dolomites.
Selva normally has better weather than the Austrian alps with more sunshine and good shelter in the trees. It has a lower likelihood of lift closures or poor visibility although that is a lower risk in late February. Selva is reliably connected to a larger ski area with more variety of day trips available (over 500kms). As mentioned previously the food and atmosphere of the Dolomites is also excellent.
Choosing between the two is a nice problem to have.
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