 Poster: A snowHead
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| under a new name wrote: |
| @BobinCH, with 6 days driving? |
Fly to Milan, 3 hours to Cham. 2 hours from Cham to Zermatt, 4 more to Saint Moritz, 3 from there to Dolomites. 3 hours back to Milan. Easily doable after a ski day. 15 hours driving over a month is nothing IMO
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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1st time I went to the Dolomites I got winter tyres (February). Probably useful for getting in and out of the hotel car park. Second time (April) was all booked very, very last minute and I needed to fit chains in the dark to get to Alta Badia as car only had summer tyres. We got completely stuck, in the dark. Not the best time to get acquainted with chains. Having been to both twice, 3Vs and SR are both so big they are essentially endless, especially with a 10 year old. You will run out of time on a day trip before reaching the end of the ski area in both.
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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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In fact, I forgot, I’ve actually been to the 3Vs 3 times: Mottaret, La Tania and Val Thorens.  IME it’s a better area for side piste, off piste and steep long runs. Oh and you will find the odd mogul field. For ridges, with new scenery in the next valley, well the SR has 4 whereas 3Vs obviously has 2!
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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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| ankitind wrote: |
I have Jeep Renegade with snow chains. I have good experience driving in high mountains in Himalayas but not in snow.
I was thinking of itinerary
Milan Airport to Val Gardena
Val Gardena to Kutzbel
Kutzbel to St Moritz
St Moritz to Zermatt
Zermatt to Chamonix
Chamonix to Milan AirPort
6-7 days of skiing in each resort
I am also looking at season passes for Tyrol. |
Revisiting my own thread. After I completed 1 month vacation.
Original Plan & What I Learned After a Month-Long Ski Trip
I had initially planned:
• Milan Airport → Val Gardena
• Val Gardena → Kitzbühel
• Kitzbühel → St. Moritz
• St. Moritz → Zermatt
• Zermatt → Chamonix
• Chamonix → Milan Airport
My idea was to spend 6–7 days skiing in each resort, and I was also considering season passes for the Tyrol region.
At the time, I mentioned I had a Jeep Renegade with snow chains and was experienced driving in the Himalayas — but not in snow.
⸻
Now that I’ve completed the trip (1 month of skiing across the Alps), here’s what actually happened:
• I got a rental car with winter tires instead of using my Jeep.
• Honestly, driving in the Alps was super easy, especially on the major roads.
Coming from India, I found it not just convenient but extremely fun.
• I ended up spending 6 days in each resort, in this order:
1. Serre Chevalier (Chantemerle)
2. 3 Vallées (Les Menuires)
3. Zermatt–Cervinia (parked at Täsch for Zermatt access)
4. Dolomites (split stay between Ortisei and Cortina)
⸻
Highlights & Reflection:
• Zermatt was our absolute favorite, possibly because we got six straight bluebird days — pure magic!
• In hindsight, I should have stuck to my original itinerary — it was better thought-out.
• Also, I regret not going with the Ikon Base Pass — would have saved me a ton of money across multiple resorts.
Lesson learned: Sometimes, your first instinct is your best plan.
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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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make sure that your hire company has included all of the countries that you want to visit on the hire agreement and any cover that they be offering.
Personally I'd prefer to stay with one of the major / international hire suppliers.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@ankitind, Thanks for reporting back. I'd be interested in a fuller trip report of your experiences as a Euro first timer.
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@Bob, If you are doing major countries like - Austria, Switzerland, France you are all good. But yes, its good to check. Also it's better to avoid brokers for car rental and go directly to Hertz, Sixt - otherwise they will push their own insurance (with additional surcharge) and will make stories to exploit you.
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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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| ankitind wrote: |
Val Gardena → Kitzbühel
• Kitzbühel → St. Moritz
• St. Moritz → Zermatt
• Zermatt → Chamonix
In hindsight, I should have stuck to my original itinerary — it was better thought-out.
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I’m curious as to why you felt your original itinerary were better thought out?
Of the resorts you dropped, none are particularly special. OK, Chamonix is special, but more for expert skiers. You gained 3 Valleys and the Dolomites in their place, which are at least as good, if not better.
(I can sense you weren’t too impressed with the Dolomites, which just about everyone else was raving about)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| abc wrote: |
| ankitind wrote: |
Val Gardena → Kitzbühel
• Kitzbühel → St. Moritz
• St. Moritz → Zermatt
• Zermatt → Chamonix
In hindsight, I should have stuck to my original itinerary — it was better thought-out.
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I’m curious as to why you felt your original itinerary were better thought out?
Of the resorts you dropped, none are particularly special. OK, Chamonix is special, but more for expert skiers. You gained 3 Valleys and the Dolomites in their place, which are at least as good, if not better.
(I can sense you weren’t too impressed with the Dolomites, which just about everyone else was raving about) |
Our trip felt like it was blessed by the Matterhorn itself. I’m just grateful we were there — and that he showed mercy on us with six back-to-back bluebird days. Not a single cloud in the sky, perfectly groomed pistes, and that towering peak watching over us. It was skiing at its absolute finest.
the Dolomites and 3 Vallées were also good — we had a good time skiing the Sella Ronda, though each destination brought its own flavor and feel.
That said, the weather in the 3 Vallées wasn’t ideal during our visit, and honestly, we could’ve skipped that leg with Serre Chevallier.
But Zermatt… that was next level. We got six bluebird days, barely any crowds, and virtually no lift lines. It was dreamy. Someone on the forum warned “avoid Zermatt in January.” I’m so glad I ignored that. Our apartment had direct Matterhorn views, and waking up to that every morning was unforgettable.
Once you’ve skied beneath the Matterhorn, everything else feels second-best. If we hadn’t done Zermatt first, maybe we would’ve appreciated the other resorts more — but skiing under that majestic peak, day after day, is something everyone should do once in their life.
One of our favorite rituals was riding the Furggsattel chair and skiing that piste below Matterhorn— the runs are scenic and surreal, with the Matterhorn towering over you the entire time. We did it again and again.
We also took the cogwheel train from Riffelberg to Gornergrat multiple times — breathtaking views, a different kind of alpine experience. Zermatt’s infrastructure is world-class. Switching between cog trains, massive gondolas, and even crossing between Italy and Switzerland mid-ski made the whole trip feel like a beautifully choreographed experience.
And then there’s the village itself — after skiing, just strolling through Zermatt’s car-free market streets with warm lights, mountain air, and the Matterhorn glowing in the background… honestly, words can’t do it justice. It’s more than a ski trip — it’s something you feel.
People suggest staying in Cervinia to save money — but honestly, the views from the Italian side don’t even come close. Stay in Zermatt, use the free ski lockers at Furi, and fully soak in the experience. We skied Cervinia and Valtournenche too — great wide pistes — but Zermatt just hits different.
⸻
 Dolomites & Beyond:
As for the Dolomites, they’re gorgeous, but come with trade-offs. The black and red runs in Arabba were excellent, but Sella Ronda traffic made them feel crowded. The runs connecting Arabba and Marmoloda were really good. To our surprise, we enjoyed Misurina and Cristallo-Floria more than the much-hyped Tofana.
Special mention: the new black run 68 in Cristallo-Floria. It was my first black ever, and my son cruised down like a pro. I froze halfway the first time, then went back up and skied it twice more — just to conquer it!
Alpe di Siusi was like skiing through a fairytale. At first, we followed the forums and relied on public transport… but we quickly abandoned that plan. Driving and parking near the lifts was so much easier. On the last day, we parked near Sies am Schlern and got to truly explore the Florian side. Peaceful, uncrowded, and unforgettable.
⸻
Contradictory Advice Alert:
I know I’m breaking from the forum consensus here, but:
• Don’t rent a car in the Alps? → No way. I say: always rent a car. It gives you the flexibility to chase good weather, stay outside pricey resort towns, and still ski stress-free. Pay €10–15/day for parking and save big overall.
• Don’t buy the Ikon Pass for Europe? → I completely disagree. If you’re doing a month-long, first-time trip across Europe, the Ikon Pass is 100% worth it. And now that Ischgl is included, it offers even more value.
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Other Realizations:
• Tree skiing? Didn’t love it in most places. The only tree-lined runs I really enjoyed were in Courchevel — wide, smooth, and scenic.
• Dolomites are stunning but the lift-to-skiing ratio can be frustrating. You spend a lot of time in cable cars vs. actual runs. The one exception was Marmolada. We ended our trip skiing from the top around 3 PM, and I kid you not — we had the entire piste to ourselves. Not a single skier in sight. Unreal.
• Serre Chevalier was underwhelming. Long lift queues and less character — it just didn’t compare to the magic of Zermatt, the diversity of the Dolomites, or even the better parts of the 3 Vallées.
⸻
 ️ 3 Vallées Notes:
Some parts of Les Menuires were solid — Bouquetin and Jerusalem were favorites — but overall, I preferred Orelle, Méribel, and Courchevel. Smoother layouts, better views, and just more fun. In hindsight, we should’ve stayed in Méribel or Courchevel instead of Les Menuires.
⸻
Pro Tips Recap:
•  Always rent a car — more freedom, less waiting, lower costs. Also driving in major roads in Alps in easy.
• Winter tires are enough — no need for 4x4 or chains on major roads.
• Use car trains like the Simplon Pass when roads are closed — smooth, scenic, efficient.
• Stay in Zermatt, not Cervinia — and drop skis at Furi lockers.
• Buy the Ikon Pass if you’re doing a long Euro trip — especially with Ischgl now included.
• Explore offbeat gems like Cristallo-Floria, Misurina, and Alpe di Siusi — they delivered some of our best days on the mountain.
----
“If you ever get just one chance to ski Europe — make it Zermatt.”
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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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A rumour going round is that Ikon have bought La Plagne which recently was put up for sale...
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You know it makes sense.
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| timlongs wrote: |
| A rumour going round is that Ikon have bought La Plagne which recently was put up |
If that rumour turns out to be true, many regions in Alps might really need to start thinking collectively to counterbalance Ikon’s growing influence. The only major outlier in Ikon pass would be Andorra, which is bit far
Just look at this potential lineup:
La Plagne + Chamonix
Zermatt + St. Moritz
Dolomites
Kitzbühel + Ischgl
Andorra (bit far)
And one of the best parts? Ikon’s 5- or 7-day passes don’t need to be used consecutively—huge flexibility for trip planning.
Of course, it’s still just a rumour for now—but definitely one to watch.
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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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Going all over Europe in multiple weeks is atypical of skier habits. Your trip represents a tiny faction of visitation style.
Most people do 1 or 2 weeks, or a full season in one place. Those are still better served by either buying weekly passes or a single regional passes.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| abc wrote: |
Going all over Europe in multiple weeks is atypical of skier habits. Your trip represents a tiny faction of visitation style.
Most people do 1 or 2 weeks, or a full season in one place. Those are still better served by either buying weekly passes or a single regional passes. |
That’s interesting—and you're right, most skiers probably stick to one or two locations. But I couldn’t help comparing the costs across different passes.
From what I’ve seen, nothing really beats the Ikon Base Pass in terms of value, except maybe the Magic Pass. Snow Card Tirol seemed like the second-best option, especially if you're staying within Austria. Even some of the season passes for single regions—like Dolomiti Superski, 3 Vallées, or St. Anton/Arlberg—ended up more expensive than Ikon Base. But maybe I’m missing something?
For the upcoming season, I’m genuinely torn—should I go for Ikon Base + Magic, or just get Snow Card Tirol and stay Austria-focused?
Also, I found it curious that the Snow Card Tirol discount was only available in person during certain months last year—and they didn’t even sell it online. Could that discount be meant only for locals? Or is there some workaround I missed?
Would love to hear how others think about it—especially those who've done multiple regions in one season.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@ankitind, or Epic, in which case you could do Veriber, 3V, Andermatt & various others. Some local season passes like Chamonix, also cover a lot of other resorts e.g. Verbier, Courmayeur, St Gervais, Megeve etc. Not much help if you want to do multi-country long-distance, but as @abc, says, that's an unusual use case.
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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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| ankitind wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
| ankitind wrote: |
Val Gardena → Kitzbühel
• Kitzbühel → St. Moritz
• St. Moritz → Zermatt
• Zermatt → Chamonix
In hindsight, I should have stuck to my original itinerary — it was better thought-out.
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I’m curious as to why you felt your original itinerary were better thought out?
Of the resorts you dropped, none are particularly special. OK, Chamonix is special, but more for expert skiers. You gained 3 Valleys and the Dolomites in their place, which are at least as good, if not better.
(I can sense you weren’t too impressed with the Dolomites, which just about everyone else was raving about) |
Our trip felt like it was blessed by the Matterhorn itself. I’m just grateful we were there — and that he showed mercy on us with six back-to-back bluebird days. Not a single cloud in the sky, perfectly groomed pistes, and that towering peak watching over us. It was skiing at its absolute finest.
the Dolomites and 3 Vallées were also good — we had a good time skiing the Sella Ronda, though each destination brought its own flavor and feel.
That said, the weather in the 3 Vallées wasn’t ideal during our visit, and honestly, we could’ve skipped that leg with Serre Chevallier.
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Ah… the weather bias! Just imagine, had you not lucked out with the weather and the Matterhorn was in the cloud the whole time, and 3 Valleys in brilliant sunshine, you might end up thanking the forum to re-direct you to the modified itinerary? 
Also, you’re trying to “cover” as much of Europe as possible, which isn’t the same ski pattern of the majority of this forum. Moreover, the forum demographics is older than you, so all that traveling sounds tiring to many (me included, however, I can remember in my younger days, I would absolutely do the same!). So the advices you got reflects that different bias.
Specifically to the swapping of Val Gardena/Kitzbühel/St. Moritz to 3 Valleys/Dolomite, I’ve been to all but Val Gardena, I can say categorically Kitzbühel/St. Moritz doesn’t measure up against 3 Valleys/Dolomite! My trip to 3 Valleys also didn’t have the best weather, but I could easily see the potential when the weather cooperates. So did you.
If you are convinced your original itinerary was better, you can do those 3 you missed in your next trip. But for me, I’ve put Kitzbühel into my “not to return” list! I would return to St Moritz mostly because I cross country ski also and St Moritz has one of the most extensive xc network. St Moritz also has extensive off-piste potential too, but you’re not into it either. So I’d say you missed very little by not going there.
Basically, you’re suffering a bit of “one trip wonder”. Theres no way you can tell how the ones you missed compared with the ones you end up visiting.
You only “problem” is, now that you’ve visited 3 of the “top tier” resorts of the Alps, your future trips will be harder to measure up.
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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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| abc wrote: |
| You only “problem” is, now that you’ve visited 3 of the “top tier” resorts of the Alps, your future trips will be harder to measure up. |
Not everybody loves the Dolomites, nor the 3V. Plenty of options for the next trip!
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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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| James the Last wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
| You only “problem” is, now that you’ve visited 3 of the “top tier” resorts of the Alps, your future trips will be harder to measure up. |
Not everybody loves the Dolomites, nor the 3V. Plenty of options for the next trip! |
True, plenty of people don’t care for one of them.
But it’s rare anyone not “love” one of the two. Between those two, they capture the widest spectrum of skier preferences.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| abc wrote: |
| James the Last wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
| You only “problem” is, now that you’ve visited 3 of the “top tier” resorts of the Alps, your future trips will be harder to measure up. |
Not everybody loves the Dolomites, nor the 3V. Plenty of options for the next trip! |
True, plenty of people don’t care for one of them.
But it’s rare anyone not “love” one of the two. Between those two, they capture the widest spectrum of skier preferences. |
Infact I would recommend both only after Zermatt.
I really loved the Dolomites—breathtaking scenery, amazing food, and so much variety. That said, I found the Sella Ronda loop a bit too crowded for my taste. I think some of the lesser-known detours like Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, Marmolada and even Floria are seriously underrated—more relaxed vibe and stunning terrain.
In hindsight, I should’ve used the car more strategically—driving to lift bases with better access rather than relying solely on nearby lifts or public transport. Lesson learned for next time!
Curious if others have favorite quiet corners in the Dolomites they’d recommend?
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| Quote: |
Curious if others have favorite quiet corners in the Dolomites they’d recommend?
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Hidden Valley. Make sure you take the horse tow
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| abc wrote: |
| ankitind wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
| ankitind wrote: |
Val Gardena → Kitzbühel
• Kitzbühel → St. Moritz
• St. Moritz → Zermatt
• Zermatt → Chamonix
In hindsight, I should have stuck to my original itinerary — it was better thought-out.
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I’m curious as to why you felt your original itinerary were better thought out?
Of the resorts you dropped, none are particularly special. OK, Chamonix is special, but more for expert skiers. You gained 3 Valleys and the Dolomites in their place, which are at least as good, if not better.
(I can sense you weren’t too impressed with the Dolomites, which just about everyone else was raving about) |
Our trip felt like it was blessed by the Matterhorn itself. I’m just grateful we were there — and that he showed mercy on us with six back-to-back bluebird days. Not a single cloud in the sky, perfectly groomed pistes, and that towering peak watching over us. It was skiing at its absolute finest.
the Dolomites and 3 Vallées were also good — we had a good time skiing the Sella Ronda, though each destination brought its own flavor and feel.
That said, the weather in the 3 Vallées wasn’t ideal during our visit, and honestly, we could’ve skipped that leg with Serre Chevallier.
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Ah… the weather bias! Just imagine, had you not lucked out with the weather and the Matterhorn was in the cloud the whole time, and 3 Valleys in brilliant sunshine, you might end up thanking the forum to re-direct you to the modified itinerary?
Also, you’re trying to “cover” as much of Europe as possible, which isn’t the same ski pattern of the majority of this forum. Moreover, the forum demographics is older than you, so all that traveling sounds tiring to many (me included, however, I can remember in my younger days, I would absolutely do the same!). So the advices you got reflects that different bias.
Specifically to the swapping of Val Gardena/Kitzbühel/St. Moritz to 3 Valleys/Dolomite, I’ve been to all but Val Gardena, I can say categorically Kitzbühel/St. Moritz doesn’t measure up against 3 Valleys/Dolomite! My trip to 3 Valleys also didn’t have the best weather, but I could easily see the potential when the weather cooperates. So did you.
If you are convinced your original itinerary was better, you can do those 3 you missed in your next trip. But for me, I’ve put Kitzbühel into my “not to return” list! I would return to St Moritz mostly because I cross country ski also and St Moritz has one of the most extensive xc network. St Moritz also has extensive off-piste potential too, but you’re not into it either. So I’d say you missed very little by not going there.
Basically, you’re suffering a bit of “one trip wonder”. Theres no way you can tell how the ones you missed compared with the ones you end up visiting.
You only “problem” is, now that you’ve visited 3 of the “top tier” resorts of the Alps, your future trips will be harder to measure up. |
That’s really interesting—and now you’ve got me curious: what made you put Kitzbühel on your “not to return” list? Was it the low altitude and snow reliability? Or perhaps the terrain felt too mellow, more suited to families and intermediates? Or maybe it was just too crowded or lacked that “wow” factor?
I’m asking because for next season, I’ve been seriously considering getting the Snow Card Tirol, and had planned to spend about 8–9 days between Kitzbühel and SkiWelt since they’re close by. So now I’m second-guessing whether that’s the best use of time—or if I should reshuffle things a bit.
I totally get that everyone’s preferences are different—and I appreciate your point about how forum advice often reflects the demographics here (slightly older, less inclined toward fast-paced travel). But I’m in that phase where I actually enjoy mixing destinations and packing in variety, even if it means a bit more driving.
And yes, you’re right—weather plays a massive role in how we perceive a resort. Had the skies flipped—Matterhorn hidden in clouds and 3 Vallées in sunshine—I might have walked away with a totally different opinion.
I do feel like I was incredibly lucky on this trip. But you're right again: one trip isn't enough to truly judge. That’s part of why I'm already daydreaming about a follow-up tour to hit Val Gardena, Kitzbühel, and St. Moritz—just to complete that original route and compare with fresh eyes (and hopefully fresh snow too!).
Would love to hear more about your experience in Kitzbühel—what stood out, and what didn’t work for you?
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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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| Quote: |
Would love to hear more about your experience in Kitzbühel—what stood out, and what didn’t work for you?
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First of all, I’m not against going there. It’s a fine resort. Just I’ve no intention to return because there’s really nothing special about it that I can’t find in other resorts in the Alps.
In other words, in retrospect, I couldn’t care less about it. I’m not missing much had I never been there.
OK, I’ll elaborate a bit more. It was my first trip to Europe. I was looking for something spectacular, to “knock my socks off”. It did, but it didn’t.
The skiing is somewhat disjointed. Although I had a car, I didn’t care for that “skiing a small sector each time” thing. It didn’t help when I was there, it was busy. Long queues, or just pushing and shoving! 
I went to St Anton afterward, which I like a lot better. Though it wasn’t entirely a fair comparison. I met up with people who knew St Anton well. Was taken to various interesting bits, including an itinerary or two (I don’t even know where I was, only it’s good skiing and interesting terrain). I had every intention to return, but haven’t happened yet.
So on a trip of two resorts, Kitzbühel compared less favorably. Moreover, I’ve been to a few more European resorts since. I just don’t remember anything special about Kitzbühel. Yes, it lack that “Wow” factor.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Mon 31-03-25 18:14; edited 3 times in total
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I don't think there is anything wrong (except perhaps for your future wealth) in falling in love with Zermatt. No doubt the Matterhorn is iconic but the weather will have influenced you to a very great degree. Happens everywhere. Some people will tell you the Whistler is the best place they ever skied, others that it rained all week and the alpine never got opened. I've had sufficient dry/patchy days in Utah to be confident that "Greatest snow on Earth" is more of a marketing slogan than a guarantee. And its not a surprise that you have a low opinion of Serre Che. Ski theft plus being there the busiest week of the year over NY will probably do that. The sHs who were whooping up pow the other week would clearly contest that.
Because skiing is so weather and other people dependent it is really hard to optimise. And when there is basically an infinite choice of resorts in a relatively contained geographic area such as the Alps-Dolomites then any choices you make mean missing out on equally viable alternatives round the corner. The trick, I believe is to be more zen about it. Place some bets and then go with it. Sometimes you'll be skiing perfect powder, other times you might be ekeing out scratchy groomers (and taking lots of time out). Worst - sometimes you'll commit the cardinal sin of leaving good snow to go ski bad snow.
Re the travel thing - yep a 4 week road trip around Europe is highly atypical. Mind you its also atypical in the US but I've done it (over 3+ weeks) with an Ikon pass and hit 11 resorts across 4 states. There can be enjoyable or memorable adventure in the (offputting to some), travel bit.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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By the way, if you’re so very much impressed with the cog train/cable car/lift combination of Zermatt, you might want to take a look at the Jungfrau area (Wengen/Murren). The area is served by an intricate combination of a bunch of different mode of public transportation. It’s also interesting to share the train with tourists in fur coats while you’re in your ski boots.
At least I found that interesting, on the first ride that is.
But by the n’th time, I was tired of taking my skis off, walking in my ski boots around the station, or standing in crowded cable car… give me a chairlift, or even a t-bar if need be! I want to ski, not ride transports. So I ended up spending more time just skiing at First or Wengen sector where the chair lifts are.
Scenery is (supposed to be) fantastic too. But I sadly had the misfortune with weather being cloudy for the entire week! So yeah, I may one day return to the area. But I’m more incline to do it in the summer to mountain bike instead.
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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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You know it makes sense.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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If your not based in USA then Epic Australia pass might be worth a look. (It doesn't have the full unlimited access to all the USA resorts that the US pass has).
Currently AUD1179 which works out at £570 and gets you the following access within the Alps:
15 DAYS TOTAL LIFT ACCESS IN SWITZLERAND
5 days unrestricted lift access each in Crans-Montana and in Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis
5 consecutive days restricted lift access in Verbier 4 Vallées (Restricted peak dates apply)
7 DAYS LIFT ACCESS IN FRANCE
7 consecutive days unrestricted lift access in Les 3 Vallées.
7 DAYS LIFT ACCESS IN ITALY
7 consecutive days unrestricted lift access in Skirama Dolomiti.
3 CONSECUTIVE DAYS LIFT ACCESS IN AUSTRIA
3 consecutive days of unrestricted access with a lodging purchase at participating properties at Ski Arlberg.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@AliAfro, it's just not quite enough, is it. A week in 3V (€456 next week) and a week in the Dolomites (€384 next week) will put you well in profit straight away. But the Arlberg offer is useless, and Switzerland is Switzerland prices - and it's only five days in each place; I guess you can buy yourself a sixth day.
But if they get themselves a couple of other decent resorts in there then it might quite quickly make an impact on resorts that aren't in their club.
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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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@James_the_last Yeah - I know what you mean, but it might be of benefit to someone doing say 2 x trips a year + a weekend break or 2...
I also like the look of the Ski A La Carte which (for EUR29) gives decent pass price discounts on an ad hoc basis and with every 5th day free after your first 9: https://www.skialacarte.fr/gb/
Resorts included:
Les Arcs
Grand Massif
Peisey Vallandry
La Plagne
Serre Chevalier
Les 3 Vallées
Sainte Foy Tarentaise
Valmorel Le Grand Domaine
La Rosière Espace San Bernardo
Tignes
Val d’Isère
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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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| AliAfro wrote: |
If your not based in USA then Epic Australia pass might be worth a look. (It doesn't have the full unlimited access to all the USA resorts that the US pass has).
Currently AUD1179 which works out at £570 and gets you the following access within the Alps:
15 DAYS TOTAL LIFT ACCESS IN SWITZLERAND
5 days unrestricted lift access each in Crans-Montana and in Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis
5 consecutive days restricted lift access in Verbier 4 Vallées (Restricted peak dates apply)
7 DAYS LIFT ACCESS IN FRANCE
7 consecutive days unrestricted lift access in Les 3 Vallées.
7 DAYS LIFT ACCESS IN ITALY
7 consecutive days unrestricted lift access in Skirama Dolomiti.
3 CONSECUTIVE DAYS LIFT ACCESS IN AUSTRIA
3 consecutive days of unrestricted access with a lodging purchase at participating properties at Ski Arlberg. |
Haha, I feel a bit silly now — I just looked up the Epic Australia Pass again and realized I had assumed the price was in USD, not AUD. That really changes things!
Thanks for pointing it out — at that price, the Epic Australia Pass + Ikon Base Pass combo offers incredible value, especially if you’re planning to cover multiple regions across the Alps like we are.
Appreciate the heads-up — this definitely sends me back to the drawing board!
Now I’m re-evaluating between:
• Ikon Base + Magic Pass
• Ikon Base + Epic Australia
• or Snow Card Tirol + Arlberg (6 days)
Each combo has a unique appeal
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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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| ankitind wrote: |
| Each combo has a unique appeal |
Yes, they’re catering to different needs.
Figure out what YOU want. The decision may be obvious.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I am just wondering, how do you buy an Epic Australia pass from Europe? The price looks really tentative.
Two years ago, I did a season with Snow Card Tirol and really good choice as you have low to glazier resorts.
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| javiopolis wrote: |
I am just wondering, how do you buy an Epic Australia pass from Europe? The price looks really tentative.
Two years ago, I did a season with Snow Card Tirol and really good choice as you have low to glazier resorts. |
Great question — and I’ve actually gone down this rabbit hole myself (complete with three open tabs, mild existential dread, and a surprisingly helpful customer support chat). I reached out directly to Epic Australia Pass support, and good news: yes, anyone can buy it, even from Europe. There are no residency restrictions, and the entire process — from purchase to activation — is online and pretty straightforward. No VPNs or shady hacks required. Just a credit card and a dream.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. There are two main passes — the Epic Pass (a.k.a. the “go-everywhere, pay-more” version) and the Epic Australia Pass (a.k.a. the “budget globetrotter who’s not heading to Vail” version). They’re built for different audiences, and their benefits reflect that.
Epic Pass (Standard Global Version):
- Unlimited access to the big dogs in North America: Vail, Whistler, Breckenridge, Park City, etc.
- Unlimited access to select European resorts like Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana.
- Priced accordingly — usually in the $900–$1,000+ USD range, depending on when you buy.
Epic Australia Pass:
- Unlimited access to Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Creek during the Aussie winter (June–October).
- 5 consecutive days each at Verbier, Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis and Crans-Montana (Switzerland) during the Northern Hemisphere season.
- 7 consecutive days at 3Valleyes
- 7 consecutive days at Skirama Dolomities
- Much more affordable — around ~€580
These passes are strategically designed. The Epic Pass caters to skiers who are primarily planning long trips across North America and Europe with full access and maximum flexibility. In contrast, the Epic Australia Pass is an excellent value-for-money alternative for those of us who are looking to ski in Europe and not North America. (including Australia)
One small caveat (and I say this with the confidence of a guy who’s been wrong before): I believe that the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn connection between Andermatt and Disentis is included with the ski pass, since it’s all part of the same interconnected ski region. But I haven’t found a definitive FAQ entry confirming that. So let’s call that educated optimism.
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| ankitind wrote: |
| javiopolis wrote: |
I am just wondering, how do you buy an Epic Australia pass from Europe? The price looks really tentative.
Two years ago, I did a season with Snow Card Tirol and really good choice as you have low to glazier resorts. |
Great question — and I’ve actually gone down this rabbit hole myself (complete with three open tabs, mild existential dread, and a surprisingly helpful customer support chat). I reached out directly to Epic Australia Pass support, and good news: yes, anyone can buy it, even from Europe. There are no residency restrictions, and the entire process — from purchase to activation — is online and pretty straightforward. No VPNs or shady hacks required. Just a credit card and a dream.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. There are two main passes — the Epic Pass (a.k.a. the “go-everywhere, pay-more” version) and the Epic Australia Pass (a.k.a. the “budget globetrotter who’s not heading to Vail” version). They’re built for different audiences, and their benefits reflect that.
Epic Pass (Standard Global Version):
- Unlimited access to the big dogs in North America: Vail, Whistler, Breckenridge, Park City, etc.
- Unlimited access to select European resorts like Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana.
- Priced accordingly — usually in the $900–$1,000+ USD range, depending on when you buy.
Epic Australia Pass:
- Unlimited access to Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Creek during the Aussie winter (June–October).
- 5 consecutive days each at Verbier, Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis and Crans-Montana (Switzerland) during the Northern Hemisphere season.
- 7 consecutive days at 3Valleyes
- 7 consecutive days at Skirama Dolomities
- Much more affordable — around ~€580
These passes are strategically designed. The Epic Pass caters to skiers who are primarily planning long trips across North America and Europe with full access and maximum flexibility. In contrast, the Epic Australia Pass is an excellent value-for-money alternative for those of us who are looking to ski in Europe and not North America. (including Australia)
One small caveat (and I say this with the confidence of a guy who’s been wrong before): I believe that the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn connection between Andermatt and Disentis is included with the ski pass, since it’s all part of the same interconnected ski region. But I haven’t found a definitive FAQ entry confirming that. So let’s call that educated optimism. |
Thank you for the info shared. I was simulating the shopping process few hours ago but the issue was the mountain access card. It looks like you can only pick up it in Australia resorts. No post to your address. So, not sure if the partner resorts will ask for the mountain card. Have you check with them about this?
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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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| javiopolis wrote: |
Thank you for the info shared. I was simulating the shopping process few hours ago but the issue was the mountain access card. It looks like you can only pick up it in Australia resorts. No post to your address. So, not sure if the partner resorts will ask for the mountain card. Have you check with them about this? |
https://www.epicpass.com/regions/europe.aspx
The page says - Mobile Pass on the My Epic app cannot be used for lift access at Partner Resorts. Mobile Pass can be used as proof of a valid Pass to receive lift tickets for eligible Pass Holders.
Last time, I saw someone holding an IKON pass (not a physical) used his mobile app/pass to get Zermatt ski pass (physical) at the counter in Zermat town.
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Sounds like you had a fantastic trip. I also skied 3 Valleys and Val Gardena for a week each in January. Was terrific, although bluebird days on old snow throughout. Still, the grooming was fine and the food terrific - especially when compared to what we have here in the US resorts. Hard to pick a fave - loved the overall vibe of VG, staying in Selva Gardena where we could walk to the lifts. Food was great, too. As someone else mentioned, got tired of taking skis off all the time for the gondolas, which seemed to be everywhere. We had a guide everyday and saw a lot of of it during the week we were there. 3V probably had better food, and was easier to get around. We were ski in/out, but a gondola ride away from Meribel. No car.
Setting our sights on Zermatt next year.
| ankitind wrote: |
| Our apartment had direct Matterhorn views, and waking up to that every morning was unforgettable. |
Would you mind sharing the details on the apartment you stayed at?
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FAQ
