 Poster: A snowHead
|
Aloha everyone,
I am originally from Germany and have been to Hintertux and other ski areas in the alps during my youth but I now live on Maui/Hawaii with my family and would absolutely LOVE to get my son (and hubby) on the snow during our trip to Europe this May. He tried to ski 2 days last year at Mount Hood / Oregon and he did so well with a wedgie and a backpack harness so I want to give him the chance to try again this year.
I have just done some googling so far and it sounded like Hintertux or Passo Tonale are two areas that have good snow and are great for kids but what I am trying to figure out is, which of the two also has great options for kids in May (Mount Hood is open all year round too but the kids slope closes end of April) as well... like are the easy slopes open and easily accessible for a preschooler? what kind of lifts are there for him to use? Any other kid friendly things I need to know?
Then of course I would also love to know how the pricing compares at the two places? Italy sounds more affordable when it comes to tickets and lodging? But how easy is it to get to both with a little kid? The food in Hintertux looks pretty epic? 
I am so sorry, I feel so far removed from the alps over here and would truly appreciate any input from anyone that has tried either or both at that time of year with a little one in tow.
Mahalo (thanks so much) from over here,
Kris
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@KriSol, welcome to Snowheads. Mid May is after the season will have ended at most European ski resorts. Passo Tonale looks to shut 1st May and even Tignes and Val Thorens are scheduled to close 5th May. It'll probably only be the glacier resorts, such as Hintertux, and maybe some Scandinavian resorts that are open by mid May.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
I have been to Hintertux in May several times, have had fresh snow twice. Getting up to the top is easy, there are a series of gondolas, t-bars are the lifts you use once up there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
I can't recommend Hintertux for beginners at all, there's nothing up there that's easy enough for a beginner to learn on. The real beginner slopes are down in the village at 1500m and these will be closed for sure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
the best glacier to lern is Stubai. Check out if its open in May. Usually yes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
According to the Pontedilegno/Tonale website the glacier offers skiing into May but really that is going to be the very end of things and by June it’s usually tucked up in bed for the summer. They cover it up with heat reflecting sheets over the summer.
The glacier alone would be no good for beginners in my opinion, I was there last week and it’s not a slope to learn on! It is reasonably wide and steep at the top, narrowing to about 30m and gentle slope at the bottom. The gondola takes you to the top only so it’s all or nothing!
Passo Tonale IS a good resort for beginners (lots of nursery areas and very good ski schools) but only during the normal ski season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| swskier wrote: |
| I can't recommend Hintertux for beginners at all, there's nothing up there that's easy enough for a beginner to learn on. The real beginner slopes are down in the village at 1500m and these will be closed for sure. |
I agree 100% hintertux glacier is no place for beginners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zermatt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Quote: |
| I have been to Hintertux in May several times, have had fresh snow twice. Getting up to the top is easy, there are a series of gondolas, t-bars are the lifts you use once up there |
| Quote: |
| I agree 100% hintertux glacier is no place for beginners |
Spot on @Whitegoldsbrother. Getting to the top is indeed easy - but then it's steep-ish red runs only from the top station.
Stubai Glacier has a gentle beginners area served by a magic carpet lift in a tunnel, plus a slow chair that serves a nice gentle run. You'll need to check on opening dates but I've skied great snow there at the end of May.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@KriSol, if I were you, I'd stay in Innsbruck with a hire car and drive there for whatever days you may or may not ski, and then be able to explore Innsbruck and the surrounds also. It's about a 50 minute drive between the two.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
My recollection is there is no accommodation at Stubai?
Europe in mid May is really not a place to be skiing or learning to ski to be honest. Scandinavia might be better. Maybe Kaprun might also still be open, it has accommodation and might be better for kids.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
I referred to this article here: 
