 Poster: A snowHead
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Our Feb half term is the same as literally the entirety of Europe according to the chart (week of the 14th). But for us it is still by far the best time for us to go skiing. So where CAN you go that isn't horrible? Norway? Finland? Suggestions welcome.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Switzerland.
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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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It's the Swiss half term too. Don't they go on holiday?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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same dilema, wemt to steamboat
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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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| colw2 wrote: |
| same dilema, wemt to steamboat |
Not sure what that means!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Flipjango, not all at once - its spread out over the whole month and it never feels as busy/ stressful as French resorts at half term.
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Steamboat is a resort in Colorado, USA
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@Flipjango, to be fair, we went February half term every year our daughter was in school. In most places there were lift issues only on the main uplift, or sometimes on another that was a key link between areas (I remember one such in La Plagne, was it Colosses?). Outside of that all the main resorts are easily large enough to absorb the extra numbers.
However until daughter was 12 we went with companies that also did childcare - which was brilliant for both us and her. But that limited the options. That isn't useful information for you, Esprit is no more and Ski Beat no longer does childcare.
After our daughter "graduated" from Esprit we discovered Switzerland. It has a reputation for being expensive, but the prices don't go up for British half term so by comparison they were reasonable. There didn't seem to be a Swiss half term effect, maybe nowhere in Switzerland is so far from a slope that they can't ski weekends with no point in going away for a week. We self-catered and did have to be a bit careful about where we ate out (and alcoholic drinks were expensive anywhere). We had five half term holidays in Switzerland in succession.
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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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Italy. Simple.
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The Apennine resorts in Italy, Georgia, Turkey and the high Tatar spring instantly to mind
I suspect Iran is no longer a viable option.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| j b wrote: |
| @Flipjango, to be fair, we went February half term every year our daughter was in school. …. Outside of that all the main resorts are easily large enough to absorb the extra numbers. |
Same - and we’ve always been to France at half term - chamonix mainly. With judicious timing and avoiding pinch points, it’s never been much of an issue for us, and certainly not as bad as a big powder day in chamonix! Sure, a big lift out of the valley at ESF kickoff time, might have a long wait, but starting at first lift, having an early lunch (or at least skiing through the traditional 12-1 lunch break period) and skiing for the last hour can get you round most problems.
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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 usually go at half term and always with the same objective of avoiding the crowds. Everywhere is always extremely busy, and by February completely booked up anyway. I wouldn't say it is horrible though, even though we're hitting the busiest week and at the busiest time of day (because of course, like everyone else in that week, we are dropping off at ski school).
FWIW - last year we pinned our hopes on a 'lesser known' ski area - Kleinwalsertal. Busy busy!..but during the day it was not difficult to find moments of peace and relatively quiet runs. Home runs though were carnage
The year before, Folgarida - Madonna di Campiglio. Usual crush in the morning in Folgarida and big queues for the uplift at all times of day on the popular mountains in Madonna, but at other times on the 'lesser' mountains I had beautiful runs to myself.
Always the same story in Feb. There is no hack that I know of but it is a lot of fun nevertheless. The biggest hassle is escaping the UK at a reasonable price!
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You know it makes sense.
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| snowdave wrote: |
| j b wrote: |
| @Flipjango, to be fair, we went February half term every year our daughter was in school. …. Outside of that all the main resorts are easily large enough to absorb the extra numbers. |
Same - and we’ve always been to France at half term - chamonix mainly. With judicious timing and avoiding pinch points, it’s never been much of an issue for us, and certainly not as bad as a big powder day in chamonix! Sure, a big lift out of the valley at ESF kickoff time, might have a long wait, but starting at first lift, having an early lunch (or at least skiing through the traditional 12-1 lunch break period) and skiing for the last hour can get you round most problems. |
France is absolutely out. We've done it the last two years and it's been miserable. I'm still a fairly new skiier and I'm absolutely sick of having to negociate around zigzagging flocons on the green runs. I got quite badly injured last year when I was knocked over by a novice snowboarder. And I loathe having to book eveything in order to even get a drink. It will be somewhere else this year.
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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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| johnE wrote: |
The Apennine resorts in Italy, Georgia, Turkey spring instantly to mind
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Can recommend these three countries
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Poster: A snowHead
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Given your bad experience (and the fact that half term is always going to be high season everywhere) maybe you should re-visit your conclusion that you can't go skiing at any other time? Another suggestion, given your nervousness about the "zig zagging flocons on the green runs" is to improve your own skiing - maybe by doing a focussed ski course on your own, at a quiet time of year. You will then be able to negotiate the flocons with more skill and confidence AND be able to spend less time on the green runs, which at half term are always likely to be mayhem.
And if you DO decide to go again at half term, book yourself into ski school - then you'll get lift priority and instructors will know the best way of escaping the crowds.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Origen wrote: |
Given your bad experience (and the fact that half term is always going to be high season everywhere) maybe you should re-visit your conclusion that you can't go skiing at any other time? Another suggestion, given your nervousness about the "zig zagging flocons on the green runs" is to improve your own skiing - maybe by doing a focussed ski course on your own, at a quiet time of year. You will then be able to negotiate the flocons with more skill and confidence AND be able to spend less time on the green runs, which at half term are always likely to be mayhem.
And if you DO decide to go again at half term, book yourself into ski school - then you'll get lift priority and instructors will know the best way of escaping the crowds. |
I already am doing a course - Ski Godess, in December. But that doesn't take away the general unpleasantness of France in February. We'd like to go somewhere else. We really can't go any other time as we already have another holidays booked at Christmas, exams after easter and have to go in school holidays as we have kids.
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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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Norway is fairly quiet at half term. And it can be cheaper than France too.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| HilbertSpace wrote: |
| Norway is fairly quiet at half term. And it can be cheaper than France too. |
Thanks. I've heard good things about Norway. Anywhere particular you'd recommend?
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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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| Quote: |
I already am doing a course - Ski Godess, in December. But that doesn't take away the general unpleasantness of France in February
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Great - please do a report on the course. I do agree France is not a good destination at half term. We had an apartment in a French ski resort but were never there for those four French school holiday weeks. Did swaps with other owners who needed the half term weeks and we used theirs outside that time. No cash changed hands.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Flipjango wrote: |
| HilbertSpace wrote: |
| Norway is fairly quiet at half term. And it can be cheaper than France too. |
Thanks. I've heard good things about Norway. Anywhere particular you'd recommend? |
We've been to Geilo and Hafjell, in both places staying in self-catering huts close to the piste. They were quite 'rustic' inside, and may not suit everyones tastes, but for us these huts with their fireplaces and (in one case) private sauna were a big part of the Norway experience.
You will have to fly as it's a bit too far for self-driving. Oslo airport is class though. I also wouldn't recommend Norway if apres-ski is your thing.
You won't find big steep runs with big vertical drops like the Alps. It's more big rolling hills, like Scotland with decent snow. For those who are open-minded it makes a really nice change to the Alps.
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| Flipjango wrote: |
| HilbertSpace wrote: |
| Norway is fairly quiet at half term. And it can be cheaper than France too. |
Thanks. I've heard good things about Norway. Anywhere particular you'd recommend? |
We've been to Geilo and Hafjell, in both places staying in self-catering huts close to the piste. They were quite 'rustic' inside, and may not suit everyones tastes, but for us these huts with their fireplaces and (in one case) private sauna were a big part of the Norway experience.
You will have to fly as it's a bit too far for self-driving. Oslo airport is class though. I also wouldn't recommend Norway if apres-ski is your thing.
You won't find big steep runs with big vertical drops like the Alps. It's more big rolling hills, like Scotland with decent snow. For those who are open-minded it makes a really nice change to the Alps.
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| obmij wrote: |
The year before, Folgarida - Madonna di Campiglio. Usual crush in the morning in Folgarida and big queues for the uplift at all times of day on the popular mountains in Madonna, but at other times on the 'lesser' mountains I had beautiful runs to myself.
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Was there Carnivale week this week which was part Italian and definitely a full on Belgian holiday. I avoided Folgarida proper and the "main" side at Madonna and had relatively few queues. Plus Pejo/Passo Tonale/Pante di Legno on the same Skirama pass are a relatively uncrowded joy.
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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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I've ski Italy every Feb half term for the last 10 or so years, various resorts and and have never found it to be particularly any busier than Christmas and Easter. Certainly nothing like France. Even when it coincides with Carnivale as next year.
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@Flipjango,
The obvious answer is go over the Easter holidays. Less crowded, warmer, longer evenings. Choice of resort would depend on when it falls, year by year.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Not always if you have teens with exams… some are fine with going but some don’t like it and I think it’s a case of different strokes for different folks.
We have ended up going to the same Swiss resort for 10 years at HT
because it is never that busy, not by French standards of busy anyway. But anywhere is busier in half term I guess. Along with high prices it’s just one of the downsides of HT but the upsides are generally more reliable conditions and everything running!
@Flipjango, I remember your previous thread, so pleased you are signed up for Ski Goddess!
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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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| Kenzie wrote: |
@Flipjango,
The obvious answer is go over the Easter holidays. Less crowded, warmer, longer evenings. Choice of resort would depend on when it falls, year by year. |
I worry about the snow at Easter thought. My youngest gets very car sick so long long transfers aren't going to work for us, and as we haven't even had great snow in February the last two years, I'd not risk a lower resort. My eldest also has exams after easter.
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| abricotine wrote: |
@Flipjango, I remember your previous thread, so pleased you are signed up for Ski Goddess! |
Thanks! I'm hopefully going for my birthday in December!
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You know it makes sense.
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@Flipjango, my experience of half term skiing is quite old now, except for on the weekends here where we live, and i'll only ski for the morning and get off the mountain as some people are still heading up.
I did spend a week in Val di Fassa during Feb half term quite some time ago, probably 2007/2008 and the skiing there was very quiet away from the Sella Ronda area. I'd say it's worth trying.
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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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as mentioned many times here, and from my personal experience : if the half term is the same week with the carnveal holidays in South Germany, South Tirol and Austria will be really really crowded. Especially Val Gardena , and as @swskier mentioned Val di Fassa the resorts which are in the Sella Ronda. Thats also for Madonna Di Campiglio etc.
The best option for me, is the Ost Tirol, or a little bit further the 3Zinnen Dolomiten. A marvelus area for skiing, usually not so crowded , since has not to do with Sella Ronda, and is a little bit furthrer for the Hollands, Belgium etc
Not so crowded are also the Pitzal resorts (Glacier etc) and Nauders & Schöneben in S.Tirol.
There will be crowded but not so much as tha major other resorts in Austria and S. Tirol
But they are not so big
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Poster: A snowHead
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We've spent the last 10 years going to Switzerland at half term... the only time it tends to get busy is on Saturday and Sunday when locals day trip... otherwise there's been very few issues with overcrowding for us. Even on the worst days the crowds are nothing compared to some of the French resorts I've been to (Flaine easter 2019 was mad for some reason).
Downside is it costs a lot for the privilege. The kids used to ski on free / cheap lift passes and we'd stay in a 4 person family room and drive. Getting harder to keep it going but 2026 here we come...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Funny enough I was actually surprised how Val Disere actually wasn't that bad during half term. I was expecting it to be much worse. Yes there are busy times on the big uplifts but once on the mountain it was fine most of the time. I've had worse queues in Val T during Jan holidays before. I wonder if its because its typically an expensive resort and there also appear to be lots of extended family that don't end up on the slopes
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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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Maybe everyone avoids it now so it’s the pick of the ski weeks 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Rob_Quads, could it also be that some of the mega resorts have invested in decent infrastructure that copes with the numbers?
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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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| Flipjango wrote: |
| Kenzie wrote: |
@Flipjango,
The obvious answer is go over the Easter holidays. Less crowded, warmer, longer evenings. Choice of resort would depend on when it falls, year by year. |
I worry about the snow at Easter thought. My youngest gets very car sick so long long transfers aren't going to work for us, and as we haven't even had great snow in February the last two years, I'd not risk a lower resort. My eldest also has exams after easter. |
How about Stubai? Short transfer from Innsbruck (around 50 euros in a taxi although that was 5 years ago)
Guaranteed snow - the beginner area is at 2600m and there are nice, wide blues from 3000+
Great accomodation - if you like the whole half board wellness thing  It's pretty good value too.
Cheap ski pass and lessons. The pass is free for under 10s iirc
We've been at half term & it isn't 'quiet'- but neither is it rammed. The downsides are that you'll probably need to bus it in the morning to the lift and it can get pretty cold. If there are high winds the lifts will close, but I suppose that is the same as anywhere.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Flipjango, my recollection from your last two trips is that you've had some issues getting the lessons you want. Is that a priority for this trip? If so, you may be wise to factor that into your resort choice.
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| sugarmoma666 wrote: |
| @Rob_Quads, could it also be that some of the mega resorts have invested in decent infrastructure that copes with the numbers? |
Ita a good point - it does have a half decent lift system (and getting better all the time)
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| Quote: |
My youngest gets very car sick so long long transfers aren't going to work for us
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Speak to your Dr about promethazine hydrochloride (there may be a liquid form if your youngest is very young!). It's a game changer. We drive to the Alps twice a year from the UK and I have (had!) a car sick kid. No more. Not for many, many years. Does make him a little drowsy but he's on his phone and eats what he wants when he wants with no issues! It's also used to treat hayfever so it's nothing too strong. Has to be prescribed.
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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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I've been to Schladming on a carnival half term week and it wasn't actually too bad. We were always out by 8:30 (Jnr was on a race training camp so had to be out early).
I'm in Andorra. Carnival is usually busy but manageable. UK half term is usually busy but manageable. Combining the two... I'm not sure. I might use the days I have on my season pass for other places and head to Norway.
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FAQ
