 Poster: A snowHead
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We stayed in Hotel Garni Zermatt, near Luchre bus station. The host Richard was very friendly and the apartment was also very reasonable as well.
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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 wrote: |
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 |
If that’s accurate it’d make a great 1 month Euro itinerary. ChatGPT does pretty good itineraries:
Nice mix—1 month chasing groomers and views across the Alps with a blend of big-name resorts and high-quality, lesser-crowded terrain. Here’s your tight, optimized itinerary with smart transitions, snow reliability, and a natural flow from west to east across the Alps.
⸻
Month-Long Ski Itinerary (January–February)
Piste-Focused | Intermediate to Advanced | No Après Priority
⸻
Week 1: 3 Vallées (France)
Base: Méribel or Courchevel
• Kick off with the biggest linked ski area in the world
• High-altitude cruising, massive mileage, perfect for early trip conditioning
• Stay: 7 nights
• Dates: Jan 4–11
• Travel to next stop: Train to Martigny, then Verbier via Le Châble (6–7 hrs)
⸻
Week 2: Verbier (4 Vallées, Switzerland)
Base: Verbier
• Beautiful, long red runs and lift-accessed panoramas
• Well-maintained pistes, but can be busier—mid-Jan is perfect for lower crowds
• Stay: 5 nights
• Dates: Jan 11–16
• Travel to next stop: Train to Andermatt (~3 hrs)
⸻
Week 3: Andermatt – Sedrun – Disentis (Switzerland)
Base: Andermatt (central, with rail links)
• Scenic, quiet, and expansive. Perfect for exploration and progression
• Ideal snow reliability in Jan
• Stay: 5 nights
• Dates: Jan 16–21
• Travel to next stop: Train to Crans-Montana (~4 hrs)
⸻
Week 4 (Part 1): Crans-Montana (Switzerland)
Base: Crans or Montana
• Sunny, wide-open pistes with epic views across the Rhône Valley
• Slightly under the radar—great grooming, and chill vibes
• Stay: 5 nights
• Dates: Jan 21–26
• Travel to next stop: Train + bus or rental to Dolomites (~7–8 hrs total)
⸻
Week 4 (Part 2): Dolomites (Italy)
Base: Corvara (Alta Badia) or Selva (Val Gardena)
• Wrap it up with dramatic scenery, top-tier grooming, and perfect conditions in late Jan/early Feb
• Sella Ronda, Gran Risa, and more
• Stay: 7 nights
• Dates: Jan 26 – Feb 2
• Optional extra night in Venice or Milan before heading home
⸻
Summary Table
Destination Dates Nights Notes
3 Vallées (France) Jan 4–11 7 Huge terrain, early trip high mileage
Verbier (Switzerland) Jan 11–16 5 Iconic, scenic, and varied
Andermatt/Disentis/Sedrun Jan 16–21 5 Quiet, expansive, excellent snow
Crans-Montana Jan 21–26 5 Underrated cruisers + sunshine
Dolomites (Italy) Jan 26 – Feb 2 7 Finale: best scenery + groomed pistes
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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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| 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 |
Or in my case, even you are based in the USA it works out to be a great deal. Currently Epic Local pass is USD783. This is what I usually get because I don't care about skiing weekends or holidays. Epic Australia pass comes in at USD550 for 65 and over (me!), and offers the same access to the US resorts as the Epic Local does; plus much better access to European resorts.
This is a great hack! Thank you for bringing this up, AliAfro. Just bought mine. 
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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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| BobinCH wrote: |
| ankitind wrote: |
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 |
If that’s accurate it’d make a great 1 month Euro itinerary. ChatGPT does pretty good itineraries:
Nice mix—1 month chasing groomers and views across the Alps with a blend of big-name resorts and high-quality, lesser-crowded terrain. Here’s your tight, optimized itinerary with smart transitions, snow reliability, and a natural flow from west to east across the Alps.
⸻
Month-Long Ski Itinerary (January–February)
Piste-Focused | Intermediate to Advanced | No Après Priority
⸻
Week 1: 3 Vallées (France)
Base: Méribel or Courchevel
• Kick off with the biggest linked ski area in the world
• High-altitude cruising, massive mileage, perfect for early trip conditioning
• Stay: 7 nights
• Dates: Jan 4–11
• Travel to next stop: Train to Martigny, then Verbier via Le Châble (6–7 hrs)
⸻
Week 2: Verbier (4 Vallées, Switzerland)
Base: Verbier
• Beautiful, long red runs and lift-accessed panoramas
• Well-maintained pistes, but can be busier—mid-Jan is perfect for lower crowds
• Stay: 5 nights
• Dates: Jan 11–16
• Travel to next stop: Train to Andermatt (~3 hrs)
⸻
Week 3: Andermatt – Sedrun – Disentis (Switzerland)
Base: Andermatt (central, with rail links)
• Scenic, quiet, and expansive. Perfect for exploration and progression
• Ideal snow reliability in Jan
• Stay: 5 nights
• Dates: Jan 16–21
• Travel to next stop: Train to Crans-Montana (~4 hrs)
⸻
Week 4 (Part 1): Crans-Montana (Switzerland)
Base: Crans or Montana
• Sunny, wide-open pistes with epic views across the Rhône Valley
• Slightly under the radar—great grooming, and chill vibes
• Stay: 5 nights
• Dates: Jan 21–26
• Travel to next stop: Train + bus or rental to Dolomites (~7–8 hrs total)
⸻
Week 4 (Part 2): Dolomites (Italy)
Base: Corvara (Alta Badia) or Selva (Val Gardena)
• Wrap it up with dramatic scenery, top-tier grooming, and perfect conditions in late Jan/early Feb
• Sella Ronda, Gran Risa, and more
• Stay: 7 nights
• Dates: Jan 26 – Feb 2
• Optional extra night in Venice or Milan before heading home
⸻
Summary Table
Destination Dates Nights Notes
3 Vallées (France) Jan 4–11 7 Huge terrain, early trip high mileage
Verbier (Switzerland) Jan 11–16 5 Iconic, scenic, and varied
Andermatt/Disentis/Sedrun Jan 16–21 5 Quiet, expansive, excellent snow
Crans-Montana Jan 21–26 5 Underrated cruisers + sunshine
Dolomites (Italy) Jan 26 – Feb 2 7 Finale: best scenery + groomed pistes |
There's a slight problem with that itinerary, the week 4 (part 2) destinations mentioned (Corvara, Selva etc) aren't covered by the pass, which is stated to include the Skirama Dolomites, not the Dolomiti Superski region!  For info here's a map of the Skirama Dolomites which cover the Brenta Dolomites considerably west of the Sella Ronda area: https://images.app.goo.gl/SYGMi4GY3LeBNwU87
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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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Public Service Announcement for anyone looking at buying an Epic Australia Pass - Recent Trump-tariff-related market turmoil has resulted in the Australian dollar dropping against the Pound - so an Adult Epic Australian Pass now costs c. £554 if purchased today.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| AliAfro wrote: |
| Public Service Announcement for anyone looking at buying an Epic Australia Pass - Recent Trump-tariff-related market turmoil has resulted in the Australian dollar dropping against the Pound - so an Adult Epic Australian Pass now costs c. £554 if purchased today. |
Even less if you’re 65+, unlike the US Epic passes, which don’t offer that. So don’t forget to look for that option if you qualify.
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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? |
This is the message I received from support at Epic Australia Pass
Customer Support Executive (Epic Australia Pass)
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As the RFID technology used in our Australian resorts is different from the technology used in the Northern Hemisphere resorts, you will need a different Mountain Access Card for use in each hemisphere.
Pass Collection in Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis & Crans Montana
To collect your Epic Australia Pass in Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis or Crans Montana, present your Customer ID number XXXXX along with a valid photo ID that states your full name and date of birth (this could include your Passport or Driver's License) at an Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis or Crans Montana ticket window. The ticket agent will use the Customer ID number to search for your account in the system and issue your new Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis or Crans Montana access card with a deposit of CHF 5 (Swiss francs).
Pass Collection in Verbier 4 Vallées
As Verbier 4 Vallées is a new addition to the Epic Australia Pass, we kindly request you reach out to us in August for further information as we are still finalising the pass collection process.
Pass Collection in Les 3 Vallées
To collect your Pass in Les 3 Vallées, please follow the steps above, there is no deposit required to collect your pass in Les 3 Vallées.
Pass Collection in Skirama Dolomiti
To collect your Epic Australia Pass in one of the eight Skirama Dolomiti resorts, please follow the same steps as above. The ticket agent will use the Customer ID number to verify your account and issue you with a magnetic key card upon payment of a deposit of €5.00 per Pass holder. The deposit is refunded when the magnetic key card is returned to the ticket office in good condition at the end of your visit.
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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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This "hack" looked good to me also, but per that link;
Access to Verbier 4 Vallées in Switzerland is not included with the Epic Australia Pass. Looking for access to this resorts? You may be interested in the Epic Pass
And ski arlberg
No Restricted Peak dates, lift access days must be consecutive and a minimum night lodging purchase is required
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Confused now, here says
https://www.epicaustraliapass.com.au/pass-access/europe
5 consecutive days restricted lift access in Verbier 4 Vallées (Acces starts in 2025/26 season. Restricted peak dates apply
Ps, the oz seems to also include 2 x 5 days in Japan and various places in North America
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Confirmed by email
I am pleased to confirm that the 2025 Epic Australia Pass includes five (5) days of lift access in Verbier 4 Vallées, Switzerland in the 25/26 Northern Hemisphere winter season. Any references on the website to Verbier not being included relates directly to the 2024 Epic Australia Pass, and will be removed in the coming weeks.
Though i think for those living in Europe, the full pass is better value, about eur 260 more than the oz version, which gets unlimited access to Andermatt and crans Montana
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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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| Quote: |
i think for those living in Europe, the full pass is better value, about eur 260 more than the oz version, which gets unlimited access to Andermatt and crans Montana
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Kind of depends on whether one plan to ski Andermatt and crans Montana, and how often, to be worth the extra 260 euro
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| abc wrote: |
| Quote: |
i think for those living in Europe, the full pass is better value, about eur 260 more than the oz version, which gets unlimited access to Andermatt and crans Montana
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Kind of depends on whether one plan to ski Andermatt and crans Montana, and how often, to be worth the extra 260 euro |
I personally don’t think the Epic Full Pass offers significantly more value over the Epic Australia Pass — at least not for my situation. I’m already holding the Epic Australia Pass, and even with its 5-day limit for Andermatt and Crans-Montana, I’m struggling to fully use those days.
In my current plan, I’m skiing 4 days in Andermatt and maybe 2–3 days in Crans-Montana. That’s well within the Epic Australia limit. So for me, the extra €260 for the Full Pass doesn’t really justify itself.
Of course, if someone’s planning to ski extensively at those two resorts, the Full Pass might make more sense. But otherwise, Epic Australia covers a lot.
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You know it makes sense.
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Ah, I but did preface that comment with "for those of us that live in Europe". You 2 are n America and India, whereas I'm in Luxembourg, so a 5h 30m drive. Given the cost of day passes, eur260 would only gets 3-5 days
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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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@DTB, but just because someone "live in Europe" doesn't necessarily means they want to ski a lot of days in Andermatt and/or Crans-Montana.
Are Andermatt and Crans-Montana so good everyone living in Europe would want to spend their season there?
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FAQ
