@Langerzug, I wondered about that. So I guess Lech has two great runs
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Snow&skifan wrote:
You're a knowledgeable skier . Which resorts in The Alps do you rate for groomed pistes? I don't mind a long list!
Depends on what you want.
I went to the obvious big names many times (3V, Paradiski, Tignes, 4V, Arlberg, Dolomiti etc).
I' ve seen enough of the big industrial ski areas, and rather now go to sizeable, but less overrun and more authentic.
So in France, Maurienne and Hautes Alpes, not Tarentaise.
Valloire (centuries old) and Valmenier (drawing board, but human size). Val Cenis. Risoul. Serre-Chevalier. If you prefer blue slopes, SC is least of these, but still good.
In Italy, Aosta.
Valtournenche (just below Cervinia, same ski area) - old village, still the same massive ski area; 30% less exspensive and you're treated like a person, not a walking wallet.
MonteRosa ski. We go to Gressoney in one week's time. For me that is a bucket list item. The ultimate paradise for someone who wants to pull G-forces on extremely long (1100 meters height difference) reds.
@Onnem, Moos is a great run. In fact, I always thought Passo Salati to STafal would make a great "Inferno" type race, rather than the one down the other side to Alagna that has been run intermittently in the past.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Mike Pow wrote:
Here's a controversial statement
Nearly every Swiss resort is overrated.
Not because of the skiing and snow on offer but due to the cost.
Many alternatives of similar / better quality at fractions of the prices.
I would love to ski Switzerland more. I just can't afford it.
That being said, for Switzerland there's not much chatter about it and I think Crans Montana is underrated.
So much easily accessible off piste.
I was there last weekend and had an absolute ball.
Not sure where you can rival the skiing in Zermatt, Verbier, Engelberg, Andermatt for a fraction of the price!
Of course Switzerland is not cheap, but it has some of the best ski resorts in the world!
Locals would say Crans is overrated. It’s still one of the more expensive for property but southerly aspect means snow gets quickly baked and the glacier at the top is flat. You got lucky in a cold spell. Usually it’s better for golf and sun bathing than pow skiing IME.
Some smaller Western Swiss places that are popular with good skiers include Glacier 3000, Val d’Anniviers, Nax, Les Marecottes and Arolla. As mentioned above, Silvretta Montafon just over the border in Austria is another good one.
Monte Rosa is another fabulous area when snow conditions are good. And there’s a very atmospheric 3000m descent available from near the top of Dufourspitze if you put your skins on and have good lungs!
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Fri 6-02-26 8:08; edited 1 time in total
Not because of the skiing and snow on offer but due to the cost.
Many alternatives of similar / better quality at fractions of the prices.
I would love to ski Switzerland more. I just can't afford it.
That being said, for Switzerland there's not much chatter about it and I think Crans Montana is underrated.
So much easily accessible off piste.
I was there last weekend and had an absolute ball.
Not sure where you can rival the skiing in Zermatt, Verbier, Engelberg, Andermatt for a fraction of the price!
Of course Switzerland is not cheap, but it has some of the best ski resorts in the world!
Locals would say Crans is overrated. It’s still one of the more expensive for property but southerly aspect means snow gets quickly baked and the glacier at the top is flat. You got lucky in a cold spell. Usually it’s better for golf and sun bathing than pow skiing IME.
Some smaller Western Swiss places that are popular with good skiers include Glacier 3000, Val d’Anniviers, Nax and Arolla. As mentioned above, Silvretta Montafon just over the border in Austria is another good one.
Monte Rosa is another fabulous area when snow conditions are good. And there’s a very atmospheric 3000m descent available from near the top of Dufourspitze if you put your skins on and have good lungs!
IMHO: Switzerland has the best skiing in Europe
Best snow, scenery, infrastructure and mountain ambience...
Every side valley filled with hidden gem resorts.
The only downside is indeed the exchange rate / weak £
Prices not expensive in CHF (and hardly increased in last 20 years). However my friend has a swiss wife from near Zurich - they frequently ski in Austria simply because it's so much cheaper.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
The problem is CH has priced itself out of the market.
We went to Valais last summer.
I have been to Valais many times in my youth, so I was prepared for high prices.
Even then, I was appalled.
We bought groceries at the local Lidl.
The exact bottle of wine we drink at home.
Not 40% more expensive (that was what I expected). No, 90% more expensive.
The swiss on our camping also complained and said they normally go abroad, because for non-bankers it has become unaffordable.
Grimentz is beautiful.
Loetschental is beautiful, even if small, but massive height difference and offpiste.
But for what it offers, the price difference is simply too large.
Crans Montana is very nice, if you want to admire Range Rovers, Cayennes, fur coats, silicone, botox and bleached teeth.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Onnem wrote:
The problem is CH has priced itself out of the market..
That statement incorrect
In 2008 the exchange rate was 1.8chf to £1.
It's now 1.1 chf
Prices in swiss francs have hardly changed in last 20 years. Inflation is minimal. The problem for Swiss is they are seen as safe haven currency in times of global uncertainty. The exchange rate really bad news for tourism. However the hotels and ski resorts still have wages to pay...
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.
Onnem wrote:
The problem is CH has priced itself out of the market.
We went to Valais last summer.
I have been to Valais many times in my youth, so I was prepared for high prices.
Even then, I was appalled.
We bought groceries at the local Lidl.
The exact bottle of wine we drink at home.
Not 40% more expensive (that was what I expected). No, 90% more expensive.
The swiss on our camping also complained and said they normally go abroad, because for non-bankers it has become unaffordable.
Grimentz is beautiful.
Loetschental is beautiful, even if small, but massive height difference and offpiste.
But for what it offers, the price difference is simply too large.
Crans Montana is very nice, if you want to admire Range Rovers, Cayennes, fur coats, silicone, botox and bleached teeth.
I’m not sure prices have increased significantly for the Swiss - inflation is very low here for some time. The problem is the strength of the CHF vs Euro/GBP.
But even then when I’ve recently been to Chamonix, St Anton, Montafon and paying for lift passes, lunches, drinks, chalet etc it was typically cheaper but not always and not significantly so. For example 6 day lift pass Verbier 4 V is 399chf (435 euros). The equivalent lift pass is 450 euros in St Anton and 480 euros in Chamonix. A beer was 10 euros in Chamonix vs 8chf in CH (wine was cheaper in France). I’m surprised about your Lidl experience. There are very drinkable 5chf bottles in our local Lidl! VAT is only 8% here so imported goods are often no more expensive. Protected sectors like Meat is what is very expensive compared to Europe/UK.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Underrated resort in Switzerland: Scuol / Motta Naluns
Not very big, but with a lot of skiing per lift. Most slopes are above 2,000 m, and there’s a nice long run from about 2,700 m down to ~1,340 m (you need to take the bus at the end, though).
Scuol itself is a small, charming town with a mineral bath, and it’s generally not very crowded.
Another hidden gem, although very small, is Vals 3000.
If everything is open, you can ski from 2,800 m down to 1,350 m, including blue, red, and a nice black run to finish. Probably one of the strangest resorts in Switzerland, but also maybe the cheapest:
CHF 41 for adults, and kids up to 16 ski for free.
Ironically, it might be the only resort where the thermal baths are more expensive than the skiing.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Underrated Resorts:
- Family friendly resorts outside of school holidays.
- Unattractive purpose built resorts.
- Anywhere with slushy snow if you have a snowboard.
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.
Onnem wrote:
Snow&skifan wrote:
You're a knowledgeable skier . Which resorts in The Alps do you rate for groomed pistes? I don't mind a long list!
Depends on what you want.
I went to the obvious big names many times (3V, Paradiski, Tignes, 4V, Arlberg, Dolomiti etc).
I' ve seen enough of the big industrial ski areas, and rather now go to sizeable, but less overrun and more authentic.
So in France, Maurienne and Hautes Alpes, not Tarentaise.
Valloire (centuries old) and Valmenier (drawing board, but human size). Val Cenis. Risoul. Serre-Chevalier. If you prefer blue slopes, SC is least of these, but still good.
In Italy, Aosta.
Valtournenche (just below Cervinia, same ski area) - old village, still the same massive ski area; 30% less exspensive and you're treated like a person, not a walking wallet.
MonteRosa ski. We go to Gressoney in one week's time. For me that is a bucket list item. The ultimate paradise for someone who wants to pull G-forces on extremely long (1100 meters height difference) reds.
I'll happily ski any piste, but on family ski trips for diplomatic reasons I need gentle groomers close by .
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
AliAfro wrote:
Underrated Resorts: ...
- Anywhere with slushy snow if you have a snowboard.
My snowboard loves slushy snow! That's one reason snowboards are so good: they work in the sorts of conditions skis don't.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@phil_w, totally agree. Slush is such heavy going at times on skis, very happy to have a board under my feet when it's like that.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Haggis_Trap wrote:
Onnem wrote:
The problem is CH has priced itself out of the market..
That statement incorrect
In 2008 the exchange rate was 1.8chf to £1.
It's now 1.1 chf
Prices in swiss francs have hardly changed in last 20 years. Inflation is minimal. The problem for Swiss is they are seen as safe haven currency in times of global uncertainty. The exchange rate really bad news for tourism. However the hotels and ski resorts still have wages to pay...
In Lidl Amersfoort (NL) it costs € 3.99
In Lidl Sierre it was CHF 7.95, July 2025.
And that is just one example.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
under a new name wrote:
@Onnem, Moos is a great run. In fact, I always thought Passo Salati to STafal would make a great "Inferno" type race, rather than the one down the other side to Alagna that has been run intermittently in the past.
First time I have disagreed with you! I am not really a fan of Moos, it is a game of top half being really fun and the bottom being a looooong road! Wish it was all like the top bit! Not sure why it is a black either, nothing on it is that steep. Maybe the fact it is in shade and can be a bit firm at times?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Onnem wrote:
Haggis_Trap wrote:
Onnem wrote:
The problem is CH has priced itself out of the market..
That statement incorrect
In 2008 the exchange rate was 1.8chf to £1.
It's now 1.1 chf
Prices in swiss francs have hardly changed in last 20 years. Inflation is minimal. The problem for Swiss is they are seen as safe haven currency in times of global uncertainty. The exchange rate really bad news for tourism. However the hotels and ski resorts still have wages to pay...
In Lidl Amersfoort (NL) it costs € 3.99
In Lidl Sierre it was CHF 7.95, July 2025.
And that is just one example.
Yeah - but the dutch super market doesnt have to pay swiss wages or overheads. If the exchange rate was like the old days (say 1euro:1.5 chf) then the bottle of wine costs the same in Netherlands and Switzerland.
The Swiss haven't put their prices up to rip off tourists.
Rather the exchange rate became unfavorable.
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?
I will pay the Swiss premium because the slopes are quieter, safer, closer. If you’re going to Verbier, Zermatt, Crans then thats a different world but I haven't felt ‘stung’ or priced out (Swiss resident non-banker).
I will pay the Swiss premium because the slopes are quieter, safer, closer. If you’re going to Verbier, Zermatt, Crans then thats a different world but I haven't felt ‘stung’ or priced out (Swiss resident non-banker).
That’s not entirely relevant. Proximity trumps all else.
If you could roll out of bed and hit the slope by first chair, be home for dinner after the last, cost is a very different calculation.
And when you’re paid in the local currency, the perception of “expensive” is also relative.
Everyone on snowheads talk of skiing North America in the tone of “dream/fantasy”. But it’s daily reality for me. (Ok, weekly ). There’s no “NA premium” for me.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@abc, i’m talking about ski holidays not daily skiing. It was cheaper for me to go the flat I owned in Morzine, but I don’t like it with kids so we paid to rent & holiday in CH. Proximity surely relevant if time constrained but less so when you’re on 7-14 days.
Everyone on snowheads talk of skiing North America in the tone of “dream/fantasy”. But it’s daily reality for me. (Ok, weekly ). There’s no “NA premium” for me.
You are quite deluded. Many, many people on snowheads ski in NA regularly. It us certainly not a "dream/fantasy".
Quite a trip from NYC to skiing every week...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@turms2,
Sounds superb, Thanks.
Added to my to do list!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Nadenoodlee wrote:
@abc, i’m talking about ski holidays not daily skiing. It was cheaper for me to go the flat I owned in Morzine, but I don’t like it with kids so we paid to rent & holiday in CH. Proximity surely relevant if time constrained but less so when you’re on 7-14 days.
OK, geographic proximity doesn’t applies then.
Still, being paid in local currency does color the perspective when it comes to the “Swiss premium”. Or the lack of.
Last edited by After all it is free on Fri 6-02-26 18:08; edited 1 time in total
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.
@zikomo, if you want to take my quoting the collective moaning of your countrymen as an insult, be my guest.
Quote:
Quite a trip from NYC to skiing every week...
It ranges from a road trip of 3-5 hr to a flight of 4-6hr. Is that considered “quite a trip” to do weekly? Lots of people do that…
(I’ve had jobs that entails that kind of travel weekly. Don’t see why I couldn’t do the same for fun)
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
zikomo wrote:
abc wrote:
Everyone on snowheads talk of skiing North America in the tone of “dream/fantasy”. But it’s daily reality for me. (Ok, weekly ). There’s no “NA premium” for me.
You are quite deluded. Many, many people on snowheads ski in NA regularly. It us certainly not a "dream/fantasy".
Totally true
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@abc, we are not all millionaires who have lost touch with life outside the swiss bubble
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.
As an intermediate piste skier who likes a pretty village and isn’t too bothered by aprés:
Overrated - Verbier - busy and expensive - I preferred other parts of the area.
Underrated - SkiWelt if you’re based on the Brixen / Westendorf side and get the ski ticket that lets you ski KitzSki as well as SkiWelt - train stations in the villages make it really easy to get to and to get between Westendorf / Brixen / Kirchberg / Kitzbuhel.
Underrated - as others have said Fieberbrunn side of SkiCircus - ski in ski out, huge area, quite quiet.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Overrated; Sierra Nevada, if you are expecting a week skiing. Couple of days on the snow with Spanish food and the Mediterranean, great. But usually too windy (closed lifts), too icy (wind blows the snow off), too warm (er, Southern Med)…That’s from several of my colleagues as well as me. Andorra by comparison was a revelation.
Underrated: I’ll say Baqueira just because I went once and really enjoyed it, would go back.
I can bear grudges for decades against Tignes and Vail but the people have probably changed since the mid 90s!
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@Chickenkeeper, very mixed feelings about Ski Welt it’s a great ski area with fantastic lifts but its proximity to Germany means that it is rammed at weekends and holidays, particularly Dutch holidays. The ski pass is expensive and snow record not great though the snow making is excellent. In the afternoons there are often groups of pissed men skiing recklessly fast on crowded pistes. It’s neither over or under rated.
Fieberbrunn can be amazing especially when it snows as the off piste potential is superb however like Ski Welt its proximity to Germany means that it is the gateway to the Ski Circus for coaches at the weekend. The good news is the coaches stay away when it’s dumping. I suspect because they can’t get up the hill to the lifts. It’s also best to have a car as the village is a few miles from the lifts.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Can’t say I’ve got much motivation to go skiing in the US again. Crazy lift pass prices and frankly everything prices with tax and tips, Vail/Epic-ization of the whole skiing experience, Huge weekend queues if there’s a hint of powder, and a terrible snow season in Colorado, Utah etc. Europe never looked so good
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
turms2 wrote:
Overrated:
Avoriaz: I love the car-free vibe, the sledges, and the evening atmosphere, but the skiing itself isn’t anything special. Worst of all, the whole PDS seems to want to go there. I wouldn’t bother going again—just go in with low expectations for skiing.
St. Anton: Only overrated for slope skiing. Off-piste? That’s a different story.
Oberjoch (Allgäu): I have to go there three times a year with our ski club, and I always ask the same question: Why???
Underrated:
The Swiss side of PDS
Kaunertal Glacier
Flaine—just because some people think it’s ugly… who cares?
Was about to write the same (Avoriaz vs Flaine)!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
BobinCH wrote:
Can’t say I’ve got much motivation to go skiing in the US again. Crazy lift pass prices and frankly everything prices with tax and tips, Vail/Epic-ization of the whole skiing experience, Huge weekend queues if there’s a hint of powder, and a terrible snow season in Colorado, Utah etc. Europe never looked so good
Agreed
I had the best of it between 1998 and 2006 I think
Reasonable prices for eveything. Was cheaper than Europe at one point.
With passes like the IndyPass and even the Epic or Ikon if you're prepared to move around and drive from a town to the skiing (under 1hr) then it can still be reasonable.
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?
really Underrated:
some resorts in Ost Tirol, like Sillian or Obertilliach.
a resorts that is Overrated and Underrated according to how much you pay
Andermatt / Sedruns / Disenits
really Overrated if you pay the normal price, but if you have tha Abo and you pay 49 CHF for a one day ticket, then its worth a visit.
Another underrated : Tschiertschen
If there is enought snow.... You cannot drive until the lifts, you have to park outside the village and take tha bus, and even the mini bus cannot go through the village streets and you have to walk a little (if you find the way)
Not so cheap, although kids till 10y old for free, but from 1350 till 2440 hight its relative good, and you have a really nice feeling , its like skiing in the old times
Zillertal Arena has one of the longest descent in the Alps. From 2500m (Ubergangjoch) to the bootom of the valley at 575m (Zell Am Ziller) - almost 2000m of continuous descent and not a single blue run in it. You have reds 22, 19, 11, and a proper black 10. And I mean proper black run!
The run from Klein Matterhorn to Valtournenche is not continuous, as you need to take a short lift to Colle Cime Bianche.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
BobinCH wrote:
Can’t say I’ve got much motivation to go skiing in the US again. Crazy lift pass prices and frankly everything prices with tax and tips, Vail/Epic-ization of the whole skiing experience, Huge weekend queues if there’s a hint of powder, and a terrible snow season in Colorado, Utah etc. Europe never looked so good
... I would tend to agree North America is "over-rated" if you live in Europe.
Caveat: Only skied there once.
Circa 2006 spent two weeks skiing at Kicking Horse in Canada.
Admittedly a fun mountain with interesting terrain. Ski touring up at Rogers pass was incredible.
BUT: the resort felt quite small (compared to Verbier, Cham or La Grave being the euro equivalents).
We also got 2 weeks of hardpack and moguls. Certainly not the Canadian champagne pow.
If I was going to fly 10hrs from Europe, then would be much more likely to go back to Japan.
Cheaper, better snow, more interesting culture.
... We also got 2 weeks of hardpack and moguls. Certainly not the Canadian champagne pow. ...
Is this whole thing not really people listing places they've been in poor snow?
The first time I went to Golden it was over-the-head powder.
Is it possible that snow conditions are somehow important? I wonder how that might possibly affect peoples' experiences?
Haggis_Trap wrote:
... Caveat: Only skied there once.
I take it back. People listing places they've only been once, in poor snow.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
phil_w wrote:
Haggis_Trap wrote:
... We also got 2 weeks of hardpack and moguls. Certainly not the Canadian champagne pow. ...
Is this whole thing not really people listing places they've been in poor snow?
The first time I went to Golden it was over-the-head powder.
Is it possible that snow conditions are somehow important? I wonder how that might possibly affect peoples' experiences?
Haggis_Trap wrote:
... Caveat: Only skied there once.
I take it back. People listing places they've only been once, in poor snow.
That is a fair point.... However I would add the interior of Canada has very continental climate. So while blower pow is possible longer cold dry spells are also to be expected.
Dont get me wrong : I enjoyed skiing in Canada (even if we did ski a lot of chalky moguls!). Terminator and CPR ridge was great. Just never felt the need to go back given Europe is closer / cheaper / easier. If I was going to travel 10hrs to ski then Japan would personally be higher on the list.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Haggis_Trap wrote:
If I was going to travel 10hrs to ski then Japan would personally be higher on the list.
Have you skied in Japan more than once?
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.
abc wrote:
@zikomo, if you want to take my quoting the collective moaning of your countrymen as an insult, be my guest.
Quote:
Quite a trip from NYC to skiing every week...
It ranges from a road trip of 3-5 hr to a flight of 4-6hr. Is that considered “quite a trip” to do weekly? Lots of people do that…
(I’ve had jobs that entails that kind of travel weekly. Don’t see why I couldn’t do the same for fun)
Weird that you think I was insulted. No idea where you got that idea from. I think you are ill-informed at best, and seem willing to make grand statements about how UK based people see the world, most of which are plain wrong. Like we all see NA skiing as the ultimate fantasy.
And I do not believe you. More hyperbole.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Should we not also be considering the quality of the restaurants, the fun of the Après & the ease of transfer?
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
. Which resorts in The Alps do you rate for groomed pistes? I don't mind a long list!
.
