 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all!
I have the option of skiing few days before Christmas (16.-19. Dec) somewhere close to Milan Malpensa - and want to make the most of it.
After doing some research it seems like Cervinia and Monterosa is my best bet, but as I've recently visited Cervinia my aim is set at Monterosa.
Although I know Monterosa reputation is largely from its great off-piste - my group focus is mostly on piste skiing (mileage) good restaurants, scenery and nice weather.
I've been looking at accommodation in Gressoney and it looks like a bargain for these days. I worry if that's because most of the lifts/piste will still be closed at that time? And the connection between the three valleys in Monterosa?
Their web page says the resort is open from December 1st - but should I just be expecting a few lifts/piste open pre-Christmas with no valley runs open and connections between valleys? I know this probably varies between years - but does anyone know what I should realistically be expecting in terms of open lifts/piste at 16. - 19. Dec based on previous years situation at that time?
And also, should I maybe be looking at other resorts that could have more piste milage so early (ViaLattea, LaThuile or maybe drive all the way to Livigno?)
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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Pila should be fully open by then, if not then everywhere else will be struggling.
Gressoney has a lot of snowmaking and lifts that you can lap without needing to go all the way down to the valley.
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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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@leifur26, we usually/often do a weekend in Champoluc the first-ish weekend in December as they try and open most pistes that weekend for some religious/satanic* holiday or another. At least, you can usually do the main rsystem runs. Most mountain/Champoluc restaurants start opening properly about then.
Not guaranteed, YMMV ...
* I can't tell the difference.
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Thanks for the replies! 
@under a new name - when you say "you can usually do the main rsystem runs" does that mean I can do the Monterosa circle (Champoluc -> Stafal -> Alagna and back) without having to download a lift?
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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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@leifur26, generally, yes. But not always. Not (obviously) guaranteed. I think our last easrly trip, Dec 2021, we couldn't get to Alagna, but that may have been due to kids and a very fine lunch elsewhere.
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The one time I've been to Champoluc - for a two week Christmas/New Year holiday, they had precisely one run open for the Christmas week. To be fair, it was a very nice run, but it did get a bit boring. I think I was very unlucky and I keep meaning to go back to Champoluc when it's got decent snow. Even with limited skiing it was a lovely place.
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@Valkyrie, when was that? It's a bit unusual, although not unknown (they have pretty good snowmaking) - I'm trying to recall if I remember it. Maybe ?? 2016- ish or something when the whole alps were pretty dry? We certainly weren't skiing whatever year that was out of Chamonix
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