 Poster: A snowHead
|
| Mike Pow wrote: |
| Would like to get to Solden for FIS Opener at the end of October |
Keep toying with this myself. Mrs Swskier is in the UK that weekend which makes it tricky with the dog. According to Austrian colleagues it's a massive boozefest, as it ties with the Austrian National day bank holiday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| swskier wrote: |
| Mike Pow wrote: |
| Would like to get to Solden for FIS Opener at the end of October |
Keep toying with this myself. Mrs Swskier is in the UK that weekend which makes it tricky with the dog. According to Austrian colleagues it's a massive boozefest, as it ties with the Austrian National day bank holiday. |
I'm doubly interested
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Early December , Obertauern pretty much guaranteed snow .
Christmas Saalbach , Christmas day snowcat up to Spielberghause , schnitzel and beer then tobogganing back to the village with the Grandkids .
Late Jan Arraba with the lads ,
March family trip to Val di Fassa .
Why , why not .
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Where: Selva val Gardina in the Dolomites. Christmas, January and March. Different hotels for all thee as we wanted a good spa for Christmas and we couldn’t get into the Flora for January.
Why: Got fed up with the expense of France. Found the Dolomites to be better value, better food, cheaper beer and much much better accommodation. Plus it’s got bloomin’ astounding scenery.
All with Crystal. Usually go with a TO as taxi transfers really bump up the price of a DIY if there’s only two of you. Also I organise everything and do quite complicated DIYs for summer trips so I give myself the winter off and let the TO do the hard work.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Jungfrau region .
It works on loads of levels. Not for everybody.
Many friends who live out there
Variety of people to ski with.
Very easy driving to some fabulous ski touring areas. I go out with Swiss Alpine Club on their ski tours.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Sella Ronda incredibly popular with Snowheads 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
3rd January to Superdévoluy, Le Massif du Dévoluy.
31st January to the BB22 in Arabba.
Why did you choose that place?
Never been to Superdévoluy so it'll be a new experience and it was really cheap on Sunweb.
Balance that with returning to the BB later as I loved last year trip.
How are you getting there?
Driving to Dévoluy.
Flying to Venice and transfer to Arabba.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
Flying from Southern Ontario to the Aosta Valley area Feb 1 to 10.
Why did you choose that place?
Wanted Italy as it's the alpine country I'm most interested in visiting. Also the most cost effective with the best food.
Chose Aosta to split time between Monterosa and Aosta (town). Monterosa gives a high vertical multi-town experience without the crowds of places like the Dolomites. It also allows us to hit some of Italy's best off-piste if we get lucky for snow (not counting on this).
Aosta town is the most authentic Italian town to hit connected to skiing (Pila). I want to see what Italian life is like outside of a ski resort. This also allows us to day trip to Cervinia where we're excited to ski to Switzerland as well as several other areas if we're up for it.
How are you getting there?
Scandinavian Airlines and renting a car from MXP. Hopefully car prices will come down closer to when we go. Given we will be returning the vehicle prior to when the resorts are at their busiest (and the demand for cars will be highest) I am thinking they will be sitting on a surplus of vehicles. Of course the Milan Olympics is the x-factor for this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
Christmas - Soldeu, Andorra.
Easter:
Arc 1800. 4th visit to Les Arcs, this time with my brother, SIL, and their sprogs in tow for their first ski trip. Already excited about being back in Les Arcs.
Why did you choose that place?
Andorra:
We had originally booked Borovets, Bulgaria for New Year. However, last week the AirBnB host contacted us to attempt to put the price up (we booked it back in February). We told him to get stuffed. Then when we checked our flights, the airline had moved the flight from 0930-1430 to 1730-2300. I would never have booked an evening flight, so we cancelled it for a full refund.
I had been eyeing Andorra for February, so it became the Christmas trip. This will be our first time in Andorra.
Les Arcs:
A firm family favourite from our very first trip. We love that it's so big, we have loads of variety. Each year is a little bit different as we discover something new, or explore pistes we'd not been on yet.
How are you getting there?
We always DIY.
Andorra: Fly to Barcelona and then drive. Spend the day in Barcelona on the Saturday before evening flight. Eldest is keen to do the stadium tour.
Les Arcs: Train. We buy interrail passes (already bought). We will get the train to Paris on the Thursday for two nights there, which allows us to get an earlier train to BSM on the Saturday. We are having to go the second week of our Easter holidays as that's the only week that matches with my nephews school holidays (niece starts school next September). Paris is always a good idea, so why not use the time we have before skiing. My brother and family are planning to drive down and then go to both Paris and Disney in the second week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where: Hokkaido, Japan. Sort of road trip with guides.
Why: Good snow (hopefully), great people, good food, different culture.
How: Fly: Manchester - Hong Kong - Sapporo.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
@Owlette, hope you enjoy Soldeu, I’ve been several times. Worth getting to El Tarter, Espunyes crazy discount ski shop (perhaps not early in the season) and the tasty meat grill beside the big supermarket opposite. As I warn everyone, beware of non-EU roaming charges, switch phones to non roaming and use resort WiFi.
Barcelona; I only drove there last August in my brand new car, trying to get to a hotel in the city centre. Never been so terrified.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
What an interesting post!
| tangowaggon wrote: |
| I want to ski the Swiss Wall |
Love that run! Three lines in at the top, don't bother seeing which is the best as they're all the same... huge moguls and steep! Chicken run off to skiers left when you get in with ever decreasing moguls over that way... but that would be cheating!
Where?
Will do the PSB in Nov/Dec in Tignes, booked on the BB in Feb to Arabba, then Tignes again Mar with the Billy Snow Mates Facebook Group. Hope to get a trip in for Jan (don't know where, and happy to tag with anyone that needs a plus one) , and not sure about Apr.
Why
No friends lol (sadly, lost my 16 year old son last year who I used to go away with) so enjoy the SH and BSM trips for the company with other like minded people. The locations are not so important to me.
How
As I live in Moray, Scotland, flying is the only option. So far for the three trips: EDI - GVA, INV - AMS - VCE, and then GLA - GVA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Orange200 wrote: |
@Owlette, hope you enjoy Soldeu, I’ve been several times. Worth getting to El Tarter, Espunyes crazy discount ski shop (perhaps not early in the season) and the tasty meat grill beside the big supermarket opposite. As I warn everyone, beware of non-EU roaming charges, switch phones to non roaming and use resort WiFi.
Barcelona; I only drove there last August in my brand new car, trying to get to a hotel in the city centre. Never been so terrified. |
Fab! Thanks! Brand new to Andorra so all tips gratefully received! I did spot only yesterday about the non-roaming. May look into a local sim card as we did for our trip to Vietnam at Eater. Meant we could still use our phones when out and about (useful if we get separated). Meat grill will be a popular option for Mr. O and the kids. I'm vegetarian, so not so much for me.
Yet to decide how we'll tackle Barcelona City centre. May park outside the city in general airport directio, leave cases in the car, and public transport it in and out if that's an option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| Owlette wrote: |
| May look into a local sim card |
An e-sim may be an option over a physical one. I know of people going that route before.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
Yeah, husband and eldest had them in Vietnam. Youngest and I went for a physical sim each. E-sim was surprisingly more of a PITA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Quote: |
Why: Got fed up with the expense of France. Found the Dolomites to be better value,
|
Perhaps in the winter that is true but in summer the opposite is true. The Dolomites are very expensive. We just did a via ferrata from Sellajoch - parking 20€, lift to the Toni Demetz Hutte 35€ return. So for me, my wife and son the bill was 105€. In Les Arcs the parking would be free and the lift 14€ (that was the price last season I didn't use any lifts this summer.)
Accommodation is also very expensive. I think this is due to the shear popularity of the Dolomites in August as noted in the other thread.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Owlette wrote: |
Yet to decide how we'll tackle Barcelona City centre. May park outside the city in general airport directio, leave cases in the car, and public transport it in and out if that's an option. |
Not sure what to say there, Barça thieves are notorious for targeting hire cars. Maybe others can advise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Yeah I'd be wary of leaving snowboards or visible tourist gear in a hire car anywhere. I've ridden in the Pyrenees out of Barcelona a few times, but didn't particularly do what you're doing there, so don't have a solution. If it's just suitcases, maybe they can be not visible in a car. Or maybe drop car at airport and find some "left luggage" solution there or at a hotel at airport etc. I didn't think driving there was much different from anywhere else, but then I did live in Paris and Lagos, so perhaps I'm not easily phased. It's a hire car though, not like it's a big deal..
---
Back on topic:
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
Chile, starting with Portillo. In a couple of weeks.
Why did you choose that place?
Their resorts are mostly "Club Med" type operations where you pay one price and get 4 meals a day. Sounds awful, but that's what it is. If I have to do that, I'll find the fanciest place in the hope that I can eat the food. Portillo is that.
How are you getting there?
787 with both switches in the "on" position. I hope. I scored some BA air miles, so this time I can avoid being in the back and watching clobber fly around in the Andes' turbulence, and most importantly not have my hand grabbed by the guy sitting next to me. I shall probably still hear the screaming, but I'll have some decent fizz as compensation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
La Tzoumaz
Why did you choose that place?
We get free accommodation there (which is obviously a huge factor), get to ski with extended family in a lovely resort with great access to the Verbier area (and a nice new lift to get us home again rather than bus and old bubble).
How are you getting there?
Live in Paris now so it is an easy train journey...Paris to Lausanne, then to Martigny then to Riddes and a lift up the hill.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
We sold our apartment in Villars which we had owned for 20 years or so a few weeks ago but had already bought a Magic Pass for 2026 earlier in the year in case the apartment didn't sell as quickly as it did.
So we are using the pass to go on a month long ski/road trip in Switzerland in Jan/Feb 2026 taking in Gstaad, Meiringen, Saas Fee, Grimentz/Zinal, Nax and St Luc. Not been to Gstaad or Meiringen before, the others we have visited a couple of times. We are also skiing with some friends in Nendaz for a few days in the middle of it all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
We can only fit one trip in this winter sadly. We will be going to Finland for cross country skiing. We got into cross country because while we love cold and snow, after mrsthecramps cancer treatments and ongoing preventative drugs, bone strength is likely to be an issue, so we tried cross country and discovered we loved it. Hopefully next winter we can once again book two trips and have one of each discipline.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
So planned this year (subject to funds)
Club med Canada (le massif) in Jan as my son is doing a ski season instructor course there.
La plagne club med in March
Cervinia in mid April.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saalbach as usual - all season.
Why?
1. It’s the best ski resort I ever visited.
2. It will be my 20th consecutive Christmas there, and Christmas anywhere else would seem weird.
3. As I own two apartments there, I need to step into my Rigsby mode.
4. It’s an essential part of my sarcopenia control strategy.
5. I want to see if I can beat my vertical meters and downhill distance personal best, which I was pleasantly surprised to establish last season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@tatmanstours, Nice! All season! If you have a room to rent, I’ll join you for a few days skiing. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@whollymoley, apartment in Villar for 20 years and you don't know Gstaad....wow
You have some lovely skiing to explore.
In addition you must go up to Lenk and ski into the Adelboden sector. Too much to mention Engstligenalp. Meiringen highly under rated area. Have a "magic" season.....pun intended!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
Tignes for the PSB and PiPAU in early Dec
Why did you choose that place?
IMO Tignes and VT are the best bets for a decent amount of terrain in the very early season... and Tignes has the glacier as back-up in the worst case scenario (which has only occurred once in 20 years).
How are you getting there?
I'll drive down in the BU5 4 DUB
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
Somewhere random in Austria, mid-January.
Why did you choose that place?
It's on the way to Italy - and I'll know when I get there.
How are you getting there?
I'll drive down in the BU5 4 DUB
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
Alleghe and Arabba in the Dolomites for the PreBBWUW and the Birthday Bash
Why did you choose that place?
Arabba because it's smack on the Sela Ronda circuit, giving access to way more skiing, and importantly way more excellent lunched, than you can fit in a week.
Alleghe because snowMaggedon sent 70+ snowHeads there as refugees, when they couldn't reach the Birthday Bash and they were made so welcome, I was ordered to arrange a return trip - then it was so nice that we stayed.
How are you getting there?
I'll drive down in the BU5 4 DUB
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
The GnalvBuG in Gressoney, early March
Why did you choose that place?
Monterosa area is quite wild and un-developed compared to the mega-domains that we're used to so it makes a nice change. Plus we found such a lovely friendly hotel, it's hard not to keep coming back.
How are you getting there?
I'll fly to wherever I left the BU5 4 DUB and drive up from there.
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
Serre Chevalier for the Spring Off Piste Bash 2nd week of March.
Why did you choose that place?
Being based in Monetier, it's where the best offpiste is in the valley. But we have La Grave just over the pass and Montgenevre and Italy not far in the other direction. So whatever the weather, the guides have always found us something useful.
How are you getting there?
I'll drive over in the BU5 4 DUB from the GnarlvBuG
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
Val Thorens for the EoSB, late April.
Why did you choose that place?
IMO there's nowhere better that late in the season.
How are you getting there?
Depends where the van is. I'll either drive down in the BU5 4 DUB or fly to wherever I dumped it after the SOPiB.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
Meribel in December with @skimottaret and team
Family trip to Big White in Feb.
Why did you choose that place?
Had some great tuition on the InsideOut trip last December so looking forward to another few days with excellent company, and the chance to watch some French hockey.
We've spent the last few years since Covid either in Sun Peaks or Banff, and Big White has been on the list for a while. We've rented a condo this year for two families, which is around half the price of last year's hotel in SP. Also, I quite fancy Kelowna as a retirement plan and we're there for the Kelowna Rockets - Kamloops Blazers derby game.
How are you getting there?
Air miles are covering my trip to Meribel. I'd love to take the train but it adds a whole additional day on the return.
Standard Air Canada via Vancouver for Big White.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@PisteOffice, wrote,
“@tatmanstours, Nice! All season! If you have a room to rent, I’ll join you for a few days skiing. ”
Yes, I’ll send you a P.M.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
Alleghe and Arabba in the Dolomites for the PreBBWUW and the Birthday Bash
I presume this means the PreBBWUW is going ahead even though it's not listed in the forthcoming events?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| thecramps wrote: |
| We can only fit one trip in this winter sadly. We will be going to Finland for cross country skiing. We got into cross country because while we love cold and snow, after mrsthecramps cancer treatments and ongoing preventative drugs, bone strength is likely to be an issue, so we tried cross country and discovered we loved it. . |
Best wishes with all that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Likely:
Kaprun
Tignes
Sainte Foy
Grimentz
Andermatt
Sainte Foy
Georgia?
Sainte Foy
Pitztal
Norway
Tignes
Hintertux
Norway
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Where are you planning to go in Norway?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| Quote: |
Where are you planning to go in Norway?
|
Probably Lyngen & Finnmark (touring).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Aosta, the coffee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Where are you going skiing/boarding?
PSV for most of the season. We will probably spend some time in February at Serre Chevalier, Sestriere, Les Deux Alpes, Alpe d'huez.
Why did you choose that place?
It would not have been my first choice location but there is a world schooling hub at PSV this season so the benefit of being with over a dozen families is a big draw. Hopefully it will give our daughter more opportunity for friends than in previous seasons. Also a number of group are into touring so it should be easier for me and my wife to find touring partners as we really enjoy off piste. We get free days at the other locations with the PSV season pass so might as well use them!
How are you getting there?
Driving our camper.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Where are you going skiing?
Booked:
Hinterglemm in January, lads weekend
Gaschurn (Silveretta Montafon) in February half term week.
Looking at:
Somewhere in December, possibly Switzerland
Possibly Val Thorens in mid to late March
Why did you chose that place?
Balance of budget, somewhere new and ski area. We love Austria for the half term trip and tend to do it on the weekends away too. I have a google maps set up with all the villages/areas I want to go to, and which airports you can reasonably go from, then work from there.
How are you getting there?
Ryainair flights then DIY transfers all the way for me. A group of 13 for the family means we book a whole bus and a 7 for the lads will be a taxi I'm still to sort. I might do a Heidi style package for one of the possible trips.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We’re doing our first two weeker in early Jan.
Flights to INN (BA Avios).
We have a week booked with Sunweb for an apartment in Santa Christina in Val Gardena.
We then go back to INN to drop off adult son for his flight back home and then train to the Arlberg for our second week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Going to Obergurgl for Christmas, Arc 1950 in January and Courchevel in March.
Obergurgl offers a snowsure charming atmosphere for Christmas, going there by renting a car from Munich Airport.
I consider Les Arcs adventurous and will go with my and my partners family; will rent a van from Geneva airport.
Finally, Courchevel is a sort of village we never experienced before (good hotels and restaurants), we will go alone, haven't decided for the transportation means from Geneva.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Geo21 wrote: |
Going to Obergurgl for Christmas, Arc 1950 in January and Courchevel in March.
Obergurgl offers a snowsure charming atmosphere for Christmas, going there by renting a car from Munich Airport.
I consider Les Arcs adventurous and will go with my and my partners family; will rent a van from Geneva airport.
Finally, Courchevel is a sort of village we never experienced before (good hotels and restaurants), we will go alone, haven't decided for the transportation means from Geneva. |
If you don’t mind me asking, why not Innsbruck Airport for Obergurgl?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Snow&skifan wrote: |
| Geo21 wrote: |
Going to Obergurgl for Christmas, Arc 1950 in January and Courchevel in March.
Obergurgl offers a snowsure charming atmosphere for Christmas, going there by renting a car from Munich Airport.
I consider Les Arcs adventurous and will go with my and my partners family; will rent a van from Geneva airport.
Finally, Courchevel is a sort of village we never experienced before (good hotels and restaurants), we will go alone, haven't decided for the transportation means from Geneva. |
If you don’t mind me asking, why not Innsbruck Airport for Obergurgl? |
I'm travelling from Athens. No direct flight to Innsbruck, so Munich is faster.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
