 Poster: A snowHead
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So....semi retired & there's now a bit of a break between contracts from around Xmas to mid February (when we have to be home for a big family birthday). First time we've had the freedom to do anything like this. Exciting 
Plan driving & will head off as soon as we can reasonably escape all the family commitments post Xmas.
The big question is where to!
We've both been skiing since our 20s. Mostly on piste (I worry more about falling these days, back injury) but still like playing around on the edges. We'd like a pass that would allow us access to different ski areas, maybe from one or 2 bases if I can find anywhere to stay. I'd like to try out cross country skiing too as there's a chance to carry that on where we live in Scotland in winter.
Austria preferred, but open to any suggestions, thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Not Austria sorry, but Haute Maurienne Valley taking in Val Cenis, Valfrejus, Aussois, La Norma and the hidden gem of Bonneval Sur Arc…annual pass currently on offer giving access to all these for €416, this also gives you access to 200kms of cross country including the resort of Bessans. Annual pass also allows you to take in Bardonnechia, Montgenevre, Praglonan la Vanoise. All easily driveable.
https://www.haute-maurienne-vanoise.com/en/ski-and-snowboard/the-haute-maurienne-vanoise-space/
Have a great trip, wherever you go.
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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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@malarkey99, are you looking for a base in a ski area, or a central base and prepared to drive every day to ski somewhere?
The suggestion of Innsbruck works well for the second option, but if you want a more ski resort base there's plenty of options too.
In Tirol there's the Tirol Snowcard, this covers you for everywhere except St Anton. You could quite easily pick any of the major destinations, Ischgl, Zillteral, Ski Welt, Kitzbühel. Perhaps split half and half between a couple of those locations. It's then very easy to travel to other areas also.
https://www.snowcard.tirol.at/
There's also the Super Ski card which is predominantly Salzburg areas, but does also include places in Tirol such as Zell am Ziller, Alpbach, Ski Welt and Kitzbühel. Again, you could focus on one place or a couple, Saalbach-Hinterglemm would also feature on many people's ideas of locations to go to.
https://www.superskicard.com/
Then there's also the Ski Amade. Some of this crosses over with what's included on the Super ski card.
https://www.skiamade.com/en/Tickets/All-In-Card-White
That's your best options for Austria i'd say.
Another idea would be Italy and the Dolomiti Superski pass, and again you could base yourself in a few different places and have loads of skiing options.
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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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If it was me I'd go for this
https://www.snowcard.tirol.at
Has almost any resort you'd want. Innsbruck base would work.
Includes Seefeld which has a good rep for cross country
Only downside is no Alberg for St Anton etc.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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if it were me I would go to somewhere in the Chamonix valley, gives you easy access to Morzine & PDS, Megeve & Les Contimens, Chamonix & then a quick drive to Aosta through the tunnel
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Brilliant! Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I knew you would all be far more knowledgeable about it than me!!! 
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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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We've done similar(ish) the last 3 seasons. 4 to 6 weeks from the first weekend in Jan (i.e. as soon as it quietens down after New Year), and each time with the Tirol Snowcard. One trip was 4 weeks Kirchberg and 2 weeks in Alpbach, next was 4 weeks Kirchberg, and last was 4 weeks in Zell am Ziller. So, I'm a bit biased towards the Tirol Snowcard option.
One consideration is if you are out during Xmas or New Year weeks, as accommodation would be much harder to find, and more expensive. If you do, I'd find somewhere up till when it gets quiet (Sat 4th Jan this season), possibly out of resort - e.g. Innsbruck, Landeck or Worgl. Then get somewhere in resort from Sat 4th Jan. You could leave the decision re 4th Jan till the last minute (all but one of our trips, we only booked accommodation the day before arrival) depending on snow conditions. If snow is limited, I'd go high (e.g. Ischgl, Solden, Mayrhofen (for Hintertux glacier)), but if snow is plentiful, go wherever you want
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Great time to go, once you're past New Year week everywhere will empty out. 
If you're there 6 weeks, you need one of the season passes that covers multiple resorts in @swskier's post, then base yourself in 2 or 3 convenient spots and hit the nearby resorts. Or pick 6 of the larger resorts and do a week in each.
In Italy, the Dolomiti Superski pass gives access to 12 ski areas of different sizes spread over quite a large geographical area, some very Austrian feel areas in South Tyrol (Kronplatz, Drei Zinnen, Seiser Alm, Val Gardena, etc) and more Italian feel in the Trentino & Veneto (Cortina d'Ampezzo, Civetta, San Martino di Castrozza, etc), if you wanted to mix it up a bit...
https://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en/Landingpages/Map
No prices yet for this season, but was €925 (age 16-65) last year if bought before Dec 24th.
Of course it's a bit further to drive than the Tyrol in Austria.
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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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We are going for six weeks from the 4th January, so come home by half term for the UK and NL. We are in the process of booking apartments in various resorts, all within the Salzburger Superski pass area. Loads of resorts all on the one pass, and the season pass is still good value, especially if you buy it well in advance.
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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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| malarkey99 wrote: |
Update Switched to the Dolomites instead! Quite like the idea of mini trip overnighters at the refugios, so I'm sussing that out too.
Finding somewhere to stay in the area I'd like has been a bit more challenging though at this quite late stage, but I've just secured 3 weeks in January in Corvara. I'd like at least one more week & the current train of thought is to pick another area we can't get to as easily either on skis or by car.
Looking at the Val di Fiemme map, thought maybe Moena or Predazzo to be able to access the Alpe Lusia area as well. Anyone been? Any advice?? Or any betters ideas!!?
Thanks for all the input so far |
Great choice! You will love it! 
Val di Fiemme becomes Val di Fassa between Predazzo & Moena, but it is essentially the same valley of the Torrente Avisio river. In Val di Fassa, they are traditionally Ladin speakers. Val di Fiemme is a Trentino dialect area.
Great spots though, any of the villages between and including Cavalese, Predazzo, Moena & Soraga will be a lot cheaper than Corvara & other Sella Ronda resorts. Access to a number of very worthwhile ski areas along the valley: Latemar is varied and pretty, Passo San Pellegrino/Falcade has some great views, Alpe Lusia has some great runs, Carezza is super-quiet midweek. Not tried Alpe Cermis, but impressive vertical on north facing slopes. You can also get up to the Sella Ronda, but I suspect you will have done that to death in the previous 3 weeks!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Lech = 2 weeks
St Moritz = 2 weeks
Chamonix = 2 weeks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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| Quote: |
Lech = 2 weeks
St Moritz = 2 weeks
Chamonix = 2 weeks |
Too late! The OP has said he/she is off to the Dolomites.
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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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Chamonix? Really? For a mostly-piste skier? I've always resisted suggestions of going there.
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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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| swskier wrote: |
@malarkey99, are you looking for a base in a ski area, or a central base and prepared to drive every day to ski somewhere?
The suggestion of Innsbruck works well for the second option, but if you want a more ski resort base there's plenty of options too.
In Tirol there's the Tirol Snowcard, this covers you for everywhere except St Anton. You could quite easily pick any of the major destinations, Ischgl, Zillteral, Ski Welt, Kitzbühel. Perhaps split half and half between a couple of those locations. It's then very easy to travel to other areas also.
https://www.snowcard.tirol.at/
There's also the Super Ski card which is predominantly Salzburg areas, but does also include places in Tirol such as Zell am Ziller, Alpbach, Ski Welt and Kitzbühel. Again, you could focus on one place or a couple, Saalbach-Hinterglemm would also feature on many people's ideas of locations to go to.
https://www.superskicard.com/
Then there's also the Ski Amade. Some of this crosses over with what's included on the Super ski card.
https://www.skiamade.com/en/Tickets/All-In-Card-White
That's your best options for Austria i'd say.
Another idea would be Italy and the Dolomiti Superski pass, and again you could base yourself in a few different places and have loads of skiing options. |
Ski Amade is included in Salzburg Super Ski Card so there is no need for a "special" Ski Amade card. Maybe the only reason for Ski Amade card is that it's cheaper than SSSC but he will have to ski only Ski Amade regions.
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