 Poster: A snowHead
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This past winter my wife and I spent 3 months in the Dolomites. Spectacular scenery and LOTS of groomed runs. It was amazing and fun, but we're considering doing a month next winter somewhere that has more off-piste opportunities. Ideally we'd like to be in a town with some shops, restaurants, etc. Some obvious places come to mind like St Anton, Verbier, Val-d'Isère, but I'd love to know of other similar places, maybe some hidden gems?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@pgostovic, If you dont mind not staying in a resort have a look at Landeck. St Anton is a short train or bus trip away, Serfaus / Fiss is very nearby, Ischgl is a bit further but less than an hour on the bus plus there are a couple of smaller areas, Kappl & See before you get there. St Anton is a top place for off piste but is getting pretty expensive & crowded so you could pick your days for mid week after fresh snow. One downside is that the Arlberg is not covered by the Tirol area pass.
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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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@pgostovic,
What dates are you looking at, and what type of accommodation?
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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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what @munich_irish, says.
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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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Andermatt. Not huge in terms of the areas you mention but lots to do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Val d'Anniviers would be another option. And if you get the Magic Pass that'd cover you for some day trips away
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@Kenzie, nothing set in stone but I was thinking February.
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1. Verbier
2. Chamonix
3. Lech
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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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Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass?
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| pgostovic wrote: |
| @Kenzie, nothing set in stone but I was thinking February. |
Then you may want to avoid France and any resorts with links to France - half term is a busy period.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Courmayeur
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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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Will you have a car?
If so, Aosta
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@pgostovic, do the dolomites not do off piste? 
Strictly speaking, anywhere has off piste.
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You know it makes sense.
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The advice for Europe if you want to do good off-piste is to hire a guide. He will find you untracked snow long after the last snowfall. Most off-piste routes are not obvious, and are you equipped to assess their avalanche risks? For example the Dolomites are a fabulous area for tough off piste, but you need to know where it is (see below - but this is the best known route, so well tracked).
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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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The issue with the Dolomites is that it is just it has just about the driest winter climate in the Alps. There are a few seasons (like the one just gone) when the weather systems align and there is plentiful natural snow but many years it can go considerable periods with little or no snow. It is usually cold, hence the abundance of snow making kit. So very reliable for piste skiing not as good a bet for off piste as say the Arlberg or Chamonix valley.
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Poster: A snowHead
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If you want offpiste, head for north Japan or west US.
Much deeper, drier, and fluffier than the European Alps.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Whitegold wrote: |
If you want offpiste, head for north Japan or west US.
Much deeper, drier, and fluffier than the European Alps. |
Fair point but if skiing in resort the competition for powder in North America is generally pretty insane. I find I have a better chance skiing fresh in Europe with a guide (sometimes days after snowfall) than I do in resort in The States or Canada.
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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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| viv wrote: |
| Val d'Anniviers would be another option. And if you get the Magic Pass that'd cover you for some day trips away |
This is a interesting option. Decent sized and varied area but not as busy as the big resorts, Freeride zone which allows you to ski off piste in an avi controlled area. Excellent scenery and views. Cheap lift pass (Magic Pass) that also opens up the option to visit some other nice spots (but you’d need a car)
https://www.skiresort.info/best-ski-resorts/magic-pass/
Aosta valley is another option that opens up lots of interesting ski resorts with a car but you’re staying in a town rather than resort.
https://www.skiresort.info/best-ski-resorts/aosta-valley-valle-daosta/
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FAQ
