 Poster: A snowHead
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What I have learnt is that Japan must be over-rated - meters of snow in January 23 but @abc, says it was actually rubbish then even though those who WERE there say it was awesome. Clearly 332cm is not enough and you should not waste your time and money, it will be disappointing.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Mollerski wrote: |
| phil_w wrote: |
| [Lots of things which are not terrible. Which, again, was the point. |
Perhaps my perception of 3v eating is now somewhat historic and maybe I've been spoilt by too many years of chowing down on amazing grub in the Dolomites?  |
Depends what you mean by historic. I have been going for 15+ years and have always found good places to eat. There are some bad places of course but they are easy to avoid. My guess is you just chose badly when you did go which can happen.
I would agree that VFM and average quality in Italy is better as well.
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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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| Mollerski wrote: |
| phil_w wrote: |
| [Lots of things which are not terrible. Which, again, was the point. |
Perhaps my perception of 3v eating is now somewhat historic and maybe I've been spoilt by too many years of chowing down on amazing grub in the Dolomites? |
As with most of the posts in this thread, it is all coloured by personal experiences. Inevitably.
Unless we are professional holiday reviewers, none of have been to enough places, often enough, to be able to give in depth opinions on more than one or two places.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| alex_heney wrote: |
| Mollerski wrote: |
| phil_w wrote: |
| [Lots of things which are not terrible. Which, again, was the point. |
Perhaps my perception of 3v eating is now somewhat historic and maybe I've been spoilt by too many years of chowing down on amazing grub in the Dolomites? |
As with most of the posts in this thread, it is all coloured by personal experiences. Inevitably.
Unless we are professional holiday reviewers, none of have been to enough places, often enough, to be able to give in depth opinions on more than one or two places. |
Hmm. I think a few people here hit a fair few resorts per season.
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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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Over rated:
Courmayeur, Chamonix and La Rosiere.
But I agree that opinions are circumstantial. I went to Chamonix when I was a mileage addicted intermediate and used to large interlinked resorts.. I was disappointed with the supposedly banging nightlife though. LR I found a bit samey (as has been mentioned further up). It was also incredibly slushy even early in the day, due to south facing slopes.
Courmayeur I actually quite like as a place but it has minimal terrain for anything other than a weekend (unless you are lucky with off piste conditions). When I went it was still advertising itself as having 100kms of slopes!
Underrated: Hochoetz; a great little ski area, pass and bus linked to Kuhtai to give a different skiing experience. Perfectly pleasant village, highish, affordable, close to Innsbruck.
Bardonecchia; probably the best value resort I’ve been to (including PDLC in Andorra). A good 100kms of piste Split between two contrasting areas and close with good transport links to Turin.
Probably Le Grand Bornand; only been for a day but enjoyed it. Looks an ideal learners area but plenty for others to get stuck into.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| MAthert wrote: |
| alex_heney wrote: |
| Mollerski wrote: |
| phil_w wrote: |
| [Lots of things which are not terrible. Which, again, was the point. |
Perhaps my perception of 3v eating is now somewhat historic and maybe I've been spoilt by too many years of chowing down on amazing grub in the Dolomites? |
As with most of the posts in this thread, it is all coloured by personal experiences. Inevitably.
Unless we are professional holiday reviewers, none of have been to enough places, often enough, to be able to give in depth opinions on more than one or two places. |
Hmm. I think a few people here hit a fair few resorts per season. |
Yes, but it is only after several visits to any of those that we can really form in depth opinions.
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| zikomo wrote: |
| What I have learnt is that Japan must be over-rated - meters of snow in January 23 but @abc, says it was actually rubbish then even though those who WERE there say it was awesome. Clearly 332cm is not enough and you should not waste your time and money, it will be disappointing. |
If you are trying to put people off, to keep it to yourself, it isn't going to work 
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Jeez if you think 3V on slope restos are bad don’t even think about going to Chamonix!
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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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| BobinCH wrote: |
| Jeez if you think 3V on slope restos are bad don’t even think about going to Chamonix! |
I kinda gave up lunch on the mountain there.
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I love, in no particular order, St Anton, Lech/Zurs, Kitzbuhel, Serre Chevallier, Arabba.
Courmayeur is great for a day trip but I don’t think I’d want a week there - great restaurants on mountain.
I was very disappointed by Vail, I thought Isola 2000 was dreadful & I’ve not discovered the love for Gressoney in 2 trips.
Nowhere else really stands out in my memory either way.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Gordyjh, I think Gressoney is quite marmite. It is a very quiet spot for a start, with a painfully slow chairlift out of it. But cute, convenient for the network and the people are lovely.
Champoluc has more going on (still definitely not party town though!), especially some good restaurants.
The areas pistes are not extensive. But the main lifts are fast and long, so the pistes have big vertical and its easy rack up a lot of it in a day. There are some good mountain restaurants scattered about too. Some of the off-piste routes are epic (but you need luck to have good conditions). If you insist on never skiing the same piste twice (or indeed you get bored repeating runs) then it is definitely not for you though. There is really no challenging on piste skiing, a few blacks but only one short section is genuinely steep. A couple of limited areas of piste side bumps sometimes. It is all best suited to quite good and fast skiers who enjoy the big mountain feel, are good enough to know that pretty much every time you ski a piste it is (or you can make it) quite different, who like a good (and relaxed) lunch, and who think that a good glass of wine or cocktail in a civilised environment is the best sort of apres.
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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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| alex_heney wrote: |
| zikomo wrote: |
| What I have learnt is that Japan must be over-rated - meters of snow in January 23 but @abc, says it was actually rubbish then even though those who WERE there say it was awesome. Clearly 332cm is not enough and you should not waste your time and money, it will be disappointing. |
If you are trying to put people off, to keep it to yourself, it isn't going to work |
Well I was, sort of!
I don't think that was what @abc, was trying to do though. Felt a bit more like simple BS while attempting to show off how knowledgeable/worldly she is, which was a bit silly to do here about snow conditions as there is invariably someone here who has been to the place you were talking the BS about.
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| Quote: |
I thought Isola 2000 was dreadful
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Unless it is the only place with decent snow in the area, or you go right after a retour d'Est (which typically won't reach far across the Italian border), I do not really get why people beyond beginner/low intermediate level go to Isola 2000 when Auron exists: much more varied, longer pistes, and much prettier. Isola 2000 sets the bar really low in terms of resort esthetics, same category as the likes of Superdevoluy, La Toussuire & Le Corbier for me.
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You know it makes sense.
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| balso wrote: |
| Quote: |
I thought Isola 2000 was dreadful
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Unless it is the only place with decent snow in the area, or you go right after a retour d'Est (which typically won't reach far across the Italian border), I do not really get why people beyond beginner/low intermediate level go to Isola 2000 when Auron exists: much more varied, longer pistes, and much prettier. Isola 2000 sets the bar really low in terms of resort esthetics, same category as the likes of Superdevoluy, La Toussuire & Le Corbier for me. |
Isola 2000 is one of the ugliest ski resorts on planet Earth.
But it's high, has a long season, and very easy to get to by car, coach, or copter from Nice or Monaco.
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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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In no particular order . . .
Over rated
Tignes / Val D - controversial as its actually an excellent vast and snow sure area but the fact that its overpriced and filled with complete tw*ts (primarily British) throughout the entire season etc
Morzine / Avoriaz - ditto exactly as the above (but quicker and easier to get to); but with a lower class of complete tw*t (primarily British) 
Saalbach / Zell - also controversial as I go to the area annually but its becoming busier and busier with every year that passes and the general tw*t level seems to be becoming more prevalent. Still has the best apres barring none and some fantastic and varied skiing however maybe familiarity has made me too complacent . . .
Under rated
Saas Fee - weird low light conditions and too many silly long T bars but the car-free tinsel town atmosphere, excellent snow and generally quiet slopes more than make up for it
Obergurgl - a bit like skiing on the moon at times and a dismal apres scene but the conditions are always excellent with far more grey hair (that can presumably more easily afford the silly expensive hotels) making it a really safe and generally snowboarder free resort. Proximity to a busier Solden next door also gives it more options if the serenity gets too much
Montgenevre - limited for some but for mixed group skiing its fantastic. Multi-level routes from the top of Les Gondrans that end up in the same place means all abilities can ski socially without feeling disappointed. Being able to ski over to Italy for lunch creates additional variety . . .
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Onnem, no, no, no, no. You never want to go to Gressoney. Massively overrated
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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@abc, Would you like a bigger shovel?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Overrated:
Solden
Whistler
Obergurgl
Underrated:
Hochoetz
Silver Star
Hochkonig
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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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| zikomo wrote: |
| @abc, Would you like a bigger shovel? |
I can have yours when you’re done
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Think I’m around day 28 in Japan currently (lost count last week  ) - but I’ve had two bluebird groomer days, two days where everywhere was closed and every other day has been minimum 15cm new snow, but a few over half a metre. Hokkaido snow really is unique. Honshu was a bit heavier but even that would rival the best I’ve ridden anywhere else.
Been so much fun. I’ve deliberately avoided bigger places and had a blast going to smaller ski areas or touring - being a kiwi I have a well honed ability to enjoy one lift and 400m of vertical for a day or two.
Today was the first time on this trip I went somewhere bigger - Kiroro. Won’t go back in a hurry. Good terrain but la-La land in terms of the vibe and the crowd, to the point that it started to get in the way of the good times. One of my kids is working the season in niseko and said the same thing, so I won’t bother going there either.
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Underrated: Flaine.
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Overrated West NA:
- Aspen... Snowmass is too disjointed and Highlands is kinda small. I find the 0.1er% village rather soulless but maybe I'd think otherwise if I was one of them.
-Sunshine Village... Great beginners and experts mountain. Otherwise it's also disjointed and lacks extended vertical for intermediate and advanced level skiers. So many better options reachable from Calgary.
Overrated East NA:
-Tremblant... Lineups, subpar snow, and just ok terrain. I go to snowboard and could care less about a village.
Underrated West:
-Brighton (Utah)... I've never had less than an awesome time here. Best tree skiing anywhere.
Underrated East:
-Quebec Eastern Townships (except Bromont)... Mont Orford, Mont Sutton, and Owls Head might only have 1500ft vert or so, but they make up for it with great snow, fun terrain, and few crowds. Will go here instead of Tremblant 10 times out of 10.
Meets the hype:
-Snowbird... I haven't been since 2020, but I've always had a great time here, even when it hasn't snowed in a while. My worst visit would still be in my top 20% of ski days. Usually go midweek and generally go to smaller resorts on powder days, so I've never seen bad crowds.
-Lake Louise... Awesome groomers, awesome views, and awesome terrain off piste. Go here.
-Whiteface (Lake Placid)... Has the Iceface rep (maybe a bit over exaggerated), but when it's good it's real good. Love the Adirondacks 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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| BobinCH wrote: |
| Jeez if you think 3V on slope restos are bad don’t even think about going to Chamonix! |
I agree re the Brevent/Flegere options, but I think you're missing out on the other areas. Ever tried the Cremerie (Argentiere), Cafe Comptoir (Vallorcine) or Les Ecuries (Le Tour)? Or, cheating slightly because you have to walk 200m and it's a nursery slope, you can get to Satsuki in Chamonix from the Savoy slope.
The raclette place on the slopes at Argentiere is also excellent, and can feed a family of 4 for E30.
There's also a couple of excellent ones at Les Houches, but I can't remember the names as it's been a few years since I bothered to venture that far down the valley to ski.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| JoeSchmoe wrote: |
Overrated West NA:
- Aspen... Snowmass is too disjointed and Highlands is kinda small. I find the 0.1er% village rather soulless but maybe I'd think otherwise if I was one of them.
-Sunshine Village... Great beginners and experts mountain. Otherwise it's also disjointed and lacks extended vertical for intermediate and advanced level skiers. So many better options reachable from Calgary.
Overrated East NA:
-Tremblant... Lineups, subpar snow, and just ok terrain. I go to snowboard and could care less about a village.
Underrated West:
-Brighton (Utah)... I've never had less than an awesome time here. Best tree skiing anywhere.
Underrated East:
-Quebec Eastern Townships (except Bromont)... Mont Orford, Mont Sutton, and Owls Head might only have 1500ft vert or so, but they make up for it with great snow, fun terrain, and few crowds. Will go here instead of Tremblant 10 times out of 10.
Meets the hype:
-Snowbird... I haven't been since 2020, but I've always had a great time here, even when it hasn't snowed in a while. My worst visit would still be in my top 20% of ski days. Usually go midweek and generally go to smaller resorts on powder days, so I've never seen bad crowds.
-Lake Louise... Awesome groomers, awesome views, and awesome terrain off piste. Go here.
-Whiteface (Lake Placid)... Has the Iceface rep (maybe a bit over exaggerated), but when it's good it's real good. Love the Adirondacks too. |
Love the Whiteface mention here. When it's good, it's the best skiing in eastern NA. Problem is that it does not thread this needle often. Meaning it will need to have a lot of snow, not howling winds, and not crazy cold, all at the same time, in order to be enjoyed for what it is, which is amazing. Does not often hit all three at the same time.
As for Eastern Townships, Bromont is close enough to Montreal that it gets day trippers, which makes it crowded often, which is probably why it is off your list. Sutton is a tree skiing niche mountain that would be completely foreign to a European skier, but hopefully in a good way. It will suffer in bad conditions as it is hard to blow snow in the trees. Orford and Owls Head are great and as you said, will always lack crowds. Eastern Township mountains are, for most people, hit once a trip type of places, meaning you only need one day at each of them.
I do like Tremblant more than you do. If you stay in the village the logistics of getting up the mountain and skiing back to the hotel are great by NA standards, so you can usually avoid the queue getting up initially. It has a lot of good runs in my opinion.
Also like Sunshine Village more than you do. Your critiques are not wrong, but almost everyone mixes it in with Lake Louise, and maybe other western Canadian locations, on a trip, so I think its qualities will outweigh its negatives for a one or two day hit. Its mid-mountain base, its views, and snow conditions are good, and it has a lot to offer. Sunshine Village, like most of NA, requires lapping chairs, something rarely needed or done in Europe.
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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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Overrated: Whistler. Not as big as I expected but more importantly the weather! Its very cloudy/rainy and the snow is very wet. Not just a bad sample, its well known but obviously not pointed out in brochures..
Underrated: Courchevel, particularly 1650, which has some epic off piste. I also think La Plagne is great. Sure, its busy, but theres a reason for that.
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Overrated:
Niseko: Not a good resort imv. Disjointed and pretty meh on the slopes without the JaPOW! Awful supermarkets for self catering - I mean come on all we had was like a petrol station shop to get brekkie stuff and snacks/ lunch for the mountain. We did find another further up but it was just an overpriced posh shop. Eating was ok, not as good as Tokyo. It was 20quid for a bowl of broth pfff!
Banff: Not the wow factor we were hoping. Food was average at best, resorts were ok but there weren't enough to enjoy for 2 weeks.
Bansko (post 2020): Its just not worth going any longer. Too expensive, ridonkulous queues, crap food, miserable locals that tried to rip us off at every chance. No pride in their country - awful really.
Underrated:
Bansko (pre 2012): Last visit was 2012 until i went in 2021. It was great back then, cheap, good food, no lift lines apart from the top of gondola. Locals were more hospitable and welcoming.
Whistler: We were worried about the weather so left it late to get to Whistler. What can I say, the snow on both our trips was just awesome, food top notch, friendly and welcoming locals. Great value. Walkable town and easy to get everywhere. Spot on!
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You know it makes sense.
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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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I’ve never been to niseko and going on what I hear from mates working there I never intend to.
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Poster: A snowHead
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For me..
Overrated - LDA (is it even? Or do most people think it’s rubbish?  ) really dislike the lift infrastructure of that place. Seemed to spend most of the time on a lift.
Underrated - Montgenevre , really liked it here. And access to via lattea. Makes for a good ski trip.
Flaine - I think the GM is a fabulous ski area.
Places fab.. and they know it? 3V, Val D, La plagne, Verbier, zermatt. Thoroughly enjoyed all of my holidays there.
And to buck trend.. I rather like La thuile/la rosiere as a ski area. Just enough for a week if it’s all open and not closed by winds. Some superb and good value restaurants on La thuile side. Who doesn’t love some salsiccia/polenta?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| under a new name wrote: |
Anyone suggesting Chamonix is over-rated, have over-estimated their skiing abilities.
And most people haven't skied enough, in enough resorts, in enough conditions to make an over- or under- rated judgement. Simply, lack of data. |
I dunno, as a resort skiing area it’s ‘ok’ (if occasionally a pita to get around without a car) but I’d say Chamonix is really about ski mountaineering which isn’t for everyone ?
The thing that gets me about Chamonix is the pure cynicism when it comes to their coffee, overpriced crap served with a frown
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FAQ
How dare you even mention “without the JaPOW”! 