 Poster: A snowHead
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A few pals have asked me to go in Jan. All I've heard is bad things about the place; basically, that it's a snow-free dump.
Can anybody confirm or deny this?
Cheers.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Thu 26-10-06 22:48; edited 2 times in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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moot_point, Sauze d'Oulx had a very poor start for snow last season, it doesn't mean that it will be the same this year but the resort has grown a bit of a bad reputation for it. I've been there myself, went at the end of March 2004, and the snow was good in the higher areas but, as to be expected at that time of year, slushly at resort level.
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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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I didn't dislike the town itself, but when I went - which was January a couple of years ago - the snow was pretty thin on the ground. From previous posts on here I suspect this has been quite a common situation for a while. If you search around the internet you'll probably find records of Sauze's snow fall from previous years.
try here.
http://www.igluski.com/viewSnowHistory.cfm?rid=246&from=res&countryid=Italy&resortid=Sauze%20d'Oulx
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Thu 26-10-06 13:06; edited 1 time in total
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I really like Sauze. The lift system is not the best there is (nor is it the worst) and the snow cover is somewhat sporadic. That said, it has a lot of good intermediate skiing, the village itself is very pleasant and it has some entertaining nightlife. I would happily go there again.
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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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moot_point, I've been quite a few times and January wouldn't be my choice (got a mate with an appt. there). Town itself is fine, good, reasonable price restaurants and (very) lively bars. The ski area is OK but the (Sauze) lifts are pretty cr*p and there are two key drags that can become horrendous bottlenecks. The lifts in the rest of the area are fine, especially Sestriere. Over the last 4-5 of years the pattern for snow has been a reasonable dump early on, then not much of anything until late Feb at best or March. They were very lucky with the Olympics.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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It has been widely reported that average snowfall in the lower regions of the Italian Alps has dropped by some 40% over the last two decades. This could be cyclical, or it could be a permanent trend, nobody knows. Either way, it seems logical to head high if you must go to Italy. Cortina, not Sauze, would be my recommendation -- it is lower in the valley but higher up top. It is also prettier and classier (although, its lift system is still c***).
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went there in Macrh 1993 ... snowed non stop for the first 3 days dumpng over 3 metres ... then had 10 days of perfect sunshine .. superb .. not sure why we've never been back
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moot point,
I went to Sauze with a group two years ago in late Jan and we had a blast ! The snow did get very thin at the end of the bottom run but up higher was fine. Plenty of areas to ski as well and I don't have any recollection of having any huge problems at the lifts ! The village itself had a dodgy reputation some years ago but we found it fine...good cheap skiing mate !
Ben
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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 went to Sauze in '98 and I have good memories of the skiing then but would agree about the antiquated lift system. I don't know how much it might have changed following the Olympics though and if they've installed new lifts. The runs were mostly wide and cruisey and flattering (typically Italian) We did the Montgenevre thing one day though and nearly had problems getting back as they closed one of the key drag lifts early! (can't remember exactly where but I think it was somewhere between Sansicario and Sauze) However, they relented and reopened it when they saw how many of us there were (a good dozen people trying to get back to Sauze)
One thing I didn't like was that our hotel was at the bottom of the hill. We did discover pretty quickly that you could leave skis and boots part way up the mountain and then in the morning go up the first chair in shoes/walking boots. Can't for the life of me remember which chair it was though! 
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moot_point - I've been twice (one of those with geetee!) and love the place. But you've got to love it for what it is - cruisy runs with lots of (excellent) chocolate stops...
It depends when in January you're going. Personally I'd avoid the beginning of January, but if it's towards the end of January then you're in with a fighting chance of good snow.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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PhillipStanton, ooooh yes I'd forgotten about the hot chocolate. You can't get decent hot chocolate on the hill in Whistler.
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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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PhillipStanton, I think maybe I should be going back to Sauze d'Oulx!!!
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You know it makes sense.
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That reminds me. I was introduced to Bombadinos in Sauze  I might have to rethink my plans for the future.
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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 went last January, but booked too far in advance without knowing the snow situation, and it was poor to say the least. And the snow making certainly is not up to par. We didn't have a problem with the lift system...Because most of them were shut! 
The board school left alot to be desired.
I liked the town though, the old town especially is very pretty.
We stayed in a really lovely hotel.
The apres is apparantly lively, but we were too nakered to experience it most of the time. There was however a lovely wine bar in the old town that we used to go in just before tea time.
Still had a wicked time though.
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| That reminds me. I was introduced to Bombadinos in Sauze |
Ahhh that alone was worth the trip! We were introduced to them by a boarding instuctor who said we needed to relax a little, and these would do the trick! Well they didn't do the trick, but boy-o were they yummy! Still have some of the creamy baileys type stuff they use in the kitchen! May get it out now that winter is upon us.
My advice...Book last minute, see if the snow is any good. If not then go somewhere else! I would not risk it.[/quote[/quote]
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I am going on a girls trip (we do this trip every year) in Febuary. Every time we go the conditions are different but as it is normally a 3 day trip if the snow is not good we can always find a bar or 2 (well I do go with Michelle ).
I would be reluctant to book a week unless doing it as a late booking.
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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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Ray Zorro, Ha, I've been greenlighted on this one. I learned my lesson last time. 
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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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I was there a couple of weeks before the Olympics this year. Despite Sestriere being closed to recreational skiers we had a great time. The snow cover was good although the run back to the bottom of the Sportinia chair was "closed" (made for an interesting trip back). skiing at Montgenevre and Claviere was good too.
moot_point, I'd give it a go, there's plenty for a weeks's skiing and if you've got transport there are other resorts a short drive away if you get bored.
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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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Phil Jordan, Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, it doesn't make for very promising reading.
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