 Poster: A snowHead
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I’m looking into flying in from USA for a solo 3-day ski trip from Feb 13–15. My original plan was 3 Vallées, but a landslide on RN90 forced me to rethink. I’ve mostly skied in Northern Italy and Zermatt, so I’m looking to try somewhere new.
Key criteria:
• Last-minute hotel availability
• Not crazy amount of crowds (school holidays..)
• Excellent groomed runs (no off-piste needed). Larger resorts preferred!
Any recommendations for a fresh, exciting European ski resort? Thanks in advance for your tips!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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With those dates, you are just ahead of UK half term….There will be some French holidays already started.
You didn’t say which airport… if Geneva, lots of options… Avoriaz is part of the Portes De Soleil (PDS) linked area, the blurb usually says 650 km of pistes (as it encompasses Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets, Châtel and onwards to Switzerland- Les Crosets, Morgins, Champoussin, Torgon- plus a few more). Avoriaz itself is mostly self catering…
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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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Austria? The big Carnival holiday is early March this year so you avoid that, and you avoid the French.
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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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| Orange200 wrote: |
| Austria? The big Carnival holiday is early March this year so you avoid that, and you avoid the French. |
Yes, good suggestion. You can definitely get direct flights from NY to Munich airport and from there you can either rent a car or if you don't want to drive you can travel easily from the airport to many Austrian resorts by train or using transfer companies.
Edit: although if you've already bought your flight tickets then I guess you'll be flying into Geneva?
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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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@Alastair Pink, For much of Austria and also Switzerland, Zürich is a better option. Much better for trains too.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@interskidient, its dry in Europe with nothing in forecast. And that’s hitting peak holiday weekend. Wait until March and after it snows again
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Really need to know which airport you're flying into. Is this part of a wider trip? long way to come for 3 days. For short durations I'd be all about maximising time on the slopes so shorts transfers/ease of getting from the airport to resort. For short trips hiring a car can make sense if you want more options.
Engelberg
Airport: Zürich (1h 30m train)
Pros: Excellent groomed runs, high-altitude snow reliability, fewer crowds than Zermatt.
Direct train from Zürich airport, no rental car needed, and good last-minute hotel options.
Andermatt
Airport: Zürich (2h train)
Pros: Great mix of long groomed runs, stunning Alpine scenery.
Direct train from Zürich, no crowds, luxurious but still affordable options.
Dolomiti Superski – Val Gardena (Italy)
Airport: Innsbruck (1h 30m) or Venice (2.5h)
Pros: Best groomed runs in Europe, stunning scenery, excellent food.
Massive ski area with last-minute hotel options. Fewer school holiday crowds than France.
Kitzbühel (Austria)
Airport: Munich (1h 30m train) or Salzburg (1h 20m)
Pros: Good pistes/rus, fast modern lifts, no major lift queues.
Quick airport transfer, charming village, world-class groomed slopes.
Ischgl (Austria)
Airport: Innsbruck (1h 20m)
Pros: Fantastic pistes, high-altitude snow, fewer school holiday crowds than France.
No rental car needed, great for solo skiers, massive ski area.
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@Grizwald, Train from Munich airport to Kitzbühel is around 2.5 hours, minimum 2 changes more likely 4 changes so not ideal for a short trip. Car hire better but even that would be around 2 hours .
@interskidient, As I suggested above Zürich is probably your best option a large airport with a number of direct flights to the US and easy connections to various ski areas. In Switzerland for example both Arosa and Klosters/Davos are easy to get too (plenty of other spots too). In Austria St Anton has a direct train connection with the station in the middle of the village, Ischgl easy enough too. I was skiing in the Arlberg (St Anton) over the weekend and conditions are good as long as you are not looking for off piste, issue probably is cost. It is on one of the US passes but you have to stay in certain (expensive) hotels. All these places easy with a hire car too.
The more eastern Alps are less impacted by concentrated "half term" weeks than in the French places but February (and this year early March) is high season and most places will be busy. Some places do attract certain groups in certain weeks eg the Zillertal and "Dutch week"
A minor additional thought, non Schengen passport queues, no personal experience but suggestions on here that waiting time can be up to 2 hours in Geneva. Munich not as bad but from what I can see 30 mins or so is fairly normal (though think US passport holders can use the machines). Not been through the long haul passport bit in Zürich but UK folk only have a minimal queue 5 to 10 mins at most on arrivals from UK. For short trips this is a consideration too.
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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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That's actually one of the worst week to come to France (Tarentaise or not) due to holidays, please don't add to the load!
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| patrick! wrote: |
| That's actually one of the worst week to come to France ... due to holidays... |
Just on that.... I was looking at a last minute trip to the Alps to sandwich between a couple of other trips I have in my calendar, and whilst early February was possible, it was also stupidly expensive for directly booked hotels. Basic B&B type accommodation was listed at fancy hotel style prices. It's easy enough to do a search.
Cheaper rates were available - sometimes in the same places - "last minute" with UK based tour operators. Presumably they buy inventory in bulk at a time when there is capacity, and are selling off any excess. But these are "packaged", so have other costs / limitations.
If you're there anyway, well I'd look more at locals' resorts, the not destination resorts.
Use public transport or a hire car (those are cheap still...) and drive from somewhere with ordinary accommodation prices to the skiing.
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