 Poster: A snowHead
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Would love to try skiing in the Monterosa area but was in the Italian Alps in Feb. 2023 and the snow was pretty non-existent. Does anyone have experience with the best time to go there? Was 2022-23 just a bad year for snow? Thanks in advance.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Monterosa plans to open from Dec 6, 2024, to Apr 21, 2025.
Peak snow and slope is typically early-Jan to early-Mar.
Feb is usually the surest time to go.
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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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@Plaggenfuss, I wasn't skiing (knackered knee) but we were over in Monterosa March 2022-2023 and it just wasn't a great season anywhere (well, lower France, Italy, etc) iirc.
Monterosa can get amazing snow - we were there mid-late March this year, couldn't ski the Sunday as too snowy for avvy control, limited Monday as avvy control and bumps on piste (normally none) until Wednesday  must have got nearly a meter on the car on the Sunday.
But it's also pretty well cannoned up. So as snow sure as anywhere really (also, it's a bit higher, Champoluc's about 1,600m).
Predicting "best" time to go isn't really possible but main season anywhere's mid Jan to mid-March ... which doesn't really narrow it down much, does it?
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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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Thanks, both of you. Hope to get another shot at it this year if the snow is back.
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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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@Plaggenfuss, well there most probably will be snow …
I checked with Mrs U who was skiing and week 17-24 (or so) was indeed totally fine on piste but sparse off.
We’re usually there 3rd week of March and there’s always skiing.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Plaggenfuss, very hard to predict in advance. It can be dry for weeks and then get hammered as happened last year with the resort closing for a couple of days due to too much snow and blocked roads. It’s mainly South facing so will get lots of sun as the season goes on. Best for a last minute trip if you have that flexibility
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@BobinCH, "very hard to predict in advance" surely applies for *fresh* snow pretty much anywhere?
But "It’s mainly South facing"?? The main system runs West-East 
Biggest issue for anyone wanting the "Freeride Paradise" is the wind accompanying storms. The off piste is often "true" off piste, variable with occasional tufts of loveliness.
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| under a new name wrote: |
@BobinCH, "very hard to predict in advance" surely applies for *fresh* snow pretty much anywhere?
But "It’s mainly South facing"?? The main system runs West-East
Biggest issue for anyone wanting the "Freeride Paradise" is the wind accompanying storms. The off piste is often "true" off piste, variable with occasional tufts of loveliness. |
AIUI last few seasons at least conditions have been more fickle in Monterosa vs the other popular freeride spots, Val D, Cham, Verbier, St Anton, Engelberg etc
And I remember when I was trying to go last year after the big dumps in early March it turned heavy very quickly (I presume due to the aspect with it being on South side of the Alps). That would be much less of a problem in Argentiere or Verbier.
Just my opinion as someone who has it on the want to go back list. YMMV
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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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@BobinCH, I'd totally agree with the fickleness - due location and prevailing winds, also high winds.
I think it was just very warm when the snow hit. And didn't really cool down. It went off very (surprisingly) quickly.
But it's not south facing  I do wonder if the "openness" contributes? In mid March the main slopes are getting sunny pretty early, and if your running off Indren, it IS south (well, -ish) facing
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Monterosa is as snow-sure as any resort in the western alps on 1600-3300 metres height.
Aosta valley gets most of its snow from the south, so there can be extended periods between dumps.
But when it dumps, then there is no comparison to (for instance) Austria; you get 1 metre or more in 2-3 days.
Apart from this:
1. The slopes are east- and west oriented, no south slopes, so never a problem with too strong heating up and slush
2. Snowmaking is massive (also to counter the possibility of extended dry periods)
3. Slope maintenance is extremely good, like in Dolomites
When you require deep offpiste snow, then you are dependent on fresh falls, which you cannot predict, so need last-minute flexibility.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Onnem, actually, (apparently, according to a couple of the resident locals) much of the snowmaking, on the higher slopes at least, e.g. over the Col is to counter wind scouring.
It was quite fun last year when the march mega dump happened to ski bumps everywhere instead of the usual immaculately groomed slopes.
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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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Stayed in Gressoney in March 23 after quite a dry period. Lots of man made snow, but it was absolutely incredible piste skiing. Like everywhere else at the moment, looking a bit dry and warm until this anticyclone clears off!
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@Onnem, Monte Rosa (the skiresort) is not in the western Alps. It's southern Alps. Admittedly, terminology is a bit confusing.
For example Val d'Isere is western alps and largely dependent on snow coming from the Atlantic. Monte Rosa is largely dependent on snow coming from the Mediterranean Sea.
Explanation is the bow-shape position of the main ridge of the Alps, from Nice to Vienna (and hence the confusing terminology; even Wikipedia is messy about it)
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You know it makes sense.
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@under a new name, @Onnem, re. slope orientation - although there aren't many slopes which face directly south, most of the pistes do actually fall within the SE or SW compass quadrants. Almost all of them, in fact. These are still quite sunny aspects for most of the season.
The only main slopes which have no southern element to their orientation are the home run to Champoluc, and most of the Sarezza-Contenery piste. I think @BobinCH's comments re. weather patterns are also spot on.
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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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What would be the best town/village to base one’s self at for good access to the ski area and a bit of life in the town?
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Poster: A snowHead
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@denfinella, only slightlyand I'd say more E/WSE/W than SSE/W seriously, I checked (not counting Jolanda).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@capability, Champoluc is probably the nicest town, charming hamlet feel, Alagna is also nice though. Access isn't a real issue in that you can ski every single piste in the 3 resorts in a day.
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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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@8611 thanks
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