 Poster: A snowHead
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I thought I was going to stay in north America for the February break. But we’re in a bit of a draught. So looking across the pond as a potential…
2 quick questions.
1) February being half-term, which country will be least affected? As in… can still find lodging, and not play bumper cart with other slope users.
2) Seeing as we’re already in late January, which region is still not fully open that I should avoid?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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1) Italy
2) denfinella was reporting some slopes shut in the Maurienne. A guy a work with who is in Bansko said today the rain had washed away the home run. It's been a weird season - dump, drought, dump, not quite drought. And with the climate as it is lower slopes if not cannon fed will struggle. I think Italy hasn't been great. In short, to get really good conditions you'd have to hope a bit on the weather.
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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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1) If you're talking 14th-21st Feb, this year it's a perfect storm of coinciding school hols...2/3 of France, UK HT, 25% of Germany, as well as parts of Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Czechia & Switzerland are off that week, so kinda rules out France, Austria & Switzerland.
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=171512
Italy doesn't have a full week off, but there are caveats, as some regions have a long weekend for Carnevale and also Germans come in large numbers to German speaking South Tyrol.
I would say places like MonteRosa, La Thuile & Madonna di Campiglio would be good bets. Some resorts in the Southern Dolomites would work too, as Germans don't venture that far.
2) Most places in the Alps have now got decent snowcover with more forecast. Snow arrived in the Dolomites this weekend and more this week, though Dolomites make snow and were pretty complete from mid-Dec...just look at the forecast map for next 6 days...
https://wepowder.com/en
https://wepowder.com/en/weblog/2026/01/26/pa5-update-20-to-50-cm-of-powder-on-tuesday-and-wednesday
Not sure how things are looking in Scandinavia, but if you wanted more tranquil slopes in mid-Feb, Norway might be a good bet.
Spanish Pyrenees might be a good shout too, been some recent snowfalls there and no school hols in Feb.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| luigi wrote: |
| 1) If you're talking 14th-21st Feb… |
Unfortunately it is that week we’re talking about… 
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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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Canada - head to the interior again. They started the season ok, having a bit of dry spell but snow set to return Feb.
We're heading there later in Feb. through to mid March and its set to epic 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Bones, it’s only “ok” (because everywhere in NA is so bad)
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| abc wrote: |
| @Bones, it’s only “ok” (because everywhere in NA is so bad) |
No, Both Revelstoke and Lake Louise had their best starts to a ski season this winter - which is basically what I said.
Those conditions have enabled them to have better skiing now, than most of the rest of NA.
There are storms rolling in - West BC getting one end of this week, with more on the way through Feb. 
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@abc, From watching TV, you seem to have a bit more snow now, but I guess it may be enough to cause chaos in the cities but not enough to help ski resorts.
I have done several trips to MonteRosa during the equivalent week and it was fine, empty during the week but a bit busier at the weekend with people up from Milan and Turin.
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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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| rjs wrote: |
| @abc, From watching TV, you seem to have a bit more snow now, but I guess it may be enough to cause chaos in the cities but not enough to help ski resorts. |
Pretty much it. Too much snow in the south where they don’t know how to deal with it. Ski resorts are still hurting.
| Quote: |
I have done several trips to MonteRosa during the equivalent week and it was fine, empty during the week but a bit busier at the weekend with people up from Milan and Turin. |
Monte Rosa! I’ll look into that. I’ve been to the Dolomite on the Birthday Bash, how’s the skiing (and scenery) in Monte Rosa compare with Sella Ronda?
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| abc wrote: |
| Quote: |
I have done several trips to MonteRosa during the equivalent week and it was fine, empty during the week but a bit busier at the weekend with people up from Milan and Turin. |
Monte Rosa! I’ll look into that. I’ve been to the Dolomite on the Birthday Bash, how’s the skiing (and scenery) in Monte Rosa compare with Sella Ronda? |
Different! 
The MR ski area is quite linear with a couple of side bowls above Champoluc & Gressoney, but long runs with good vertical. The mountains are more pyramidal with deep v-shaped valleys all under the brooding 4600m MonteRosa massif. Wilder and less developed than the Dollies, but not as pretty IMHO.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@abc, the snow is excellent in the Pyrenees at the moment. That said, you'll still suffer from busy pistes because half of Europe is on holiday that week. Spain, however, only has holidays for a few days of that week and then they're back to work/school.
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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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@luigi, yes, I think Carnaval falls under the free choice days for Catalonia. I'm not 100% sure about elsewhere (I just know they don't have half term), but most of the visitors come from Catalonia and Aragon anyway.
Sunday afternoons are the best time to ski here. The local-ish weekend trippers head home at lunch time and it's change over day for TO visitors!
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You know it makes sense.
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| luigi wrote: |
The MR ski area is quite linear with a couple of side bowls above Champoluc & Gressoney, but long runs with good vertical. The mountains are more pyramidal with deep v-shaped valleys all under the brooding 4600m MonteRosa massif. Wilder and less developed than the Dollies, but not as pretty IMHO. |
How do you get about the area? What would be a good base? Is a hired car necessary, or at least the preferred mode of getting around?
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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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| abc wrote: |
| luigi wrote: |
The MR ski area is quite linear with a couple of side bowls above Champoluc & Gressoney, but long runs with good vertical. The mountains are more pyramidal with deep v-shaped valleys all under the brooding 4600m MonteRosa massif. Wilder and less developed than the Dollies, but not as pretty IMHO. |
How do you get about the area? What would be a good base? Is a hired car necessary, or at least the preferred mode of getting around? |
Best base in terms of being close to the centre of the skiing would be the low-key hamlet of Staffal at the head of the Gressoney Valley, you can ski both ways from there, to Champoluc & Alagna.
There's a bit more life in Champoluc village, but less well placed for the skiing.
As to getting there and getting about a car would be preferable, but I think you can do it by public transport...
https://www.gressoneymonterosa.it/en/experiences/come-raggiungerci-22407
You need to ask the Dutch guy on here @Onnem, he loves it there and I think is going that same week. He's on the Monterosa snow report thread...
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=5528204
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Poster: A snowHead
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| hammerite wrote: |
@luigi, yes, I think Carnaval falls under the free choice days for Catalonia. I'm not 100% sure about elsewhere (I just know they don't have half term), but most of the visitors come from Catalonia and Aragon anyway.
Sunday afternoons are the best time to ski here. The local-ish weekend trippers head home at lunch time and it's change over day for TO visitors! |
Cheers for the up to date info! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@luigi, Thanks for the intel. I'm in a similar situation and leaning towards a base in Staffal. I am going to reach out to Onnem as you suggested, as I'm solo and would like to meet some like-minded skiers.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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While it is definitely bad here, not everywhere is sucking. BC is fine, as are Targhee & JH. Better there than with teeming hordes during half term?
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The SW Alps have had a lot of snow lately with more to come early next week. The French side (e.g. Serre Chevalier, Vars, Pra Loup, Auron) will be tricky with school holidays, but the Italian side could work. Sauze d'Oulx or Sestriere are probably the sounder choices for a week.
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Japan
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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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@Layne, Maurienne is better now following the recent snowfalls. Probably 90%+ open. I think it's probably still a bit low tide, particularly further up the valley, but nothing desperate.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@abc, IIRC you do nordic too? If you go to Silver Star you can also ski the adjacent Sovereign Lake Nordic Facility. I can't speak for it other than to say that many Olympic teams train there and others have used the term "world class".
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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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@Scooter in Seattle, yes, I do nordic. But if I do go to Canada, flying into Calgary, there’s another “world class” nordic facility at Canmore that I must pass through. The xc venue for the Calgary Olympic. I’m told the Canadian Olympic team trains there? (I’ve already skied there once a couple years back. Fabulous!
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Thanks for sharing, looks beautiful there!
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FAQ
