 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello Snowheads,
I'm trying to put together a trip through the alps this winter (febuary 7 - march 14) and wanted to bounce an idea or two of those in the know. This is my first trip to europe. 
First: To book solid or not? My idea is to pick a few spots along the way to get reservations but remian flexible to follow snow or stop and stay when something feels right.
Second: How many days will I need to budget for guiding out of a week? We are very accustomed to making our own snow /route decsions here but don't get on glaciers much in north america.
The short list, please comment
Engelberg
Verbier
Alpe d'Huez
Aiguille du Midi (what's the deal w/ this one???, 3000m?)
La Grave?
Italy or Austria?
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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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bridgerpow, Welcome to SnowHeads. You are very lucky to be able to spend so much time having fun. Well done you and your friends.
A quick caveat then on to the fun stuff. You are going to be here during the European school holidays. That's not such a good thing - so plan accordingly.
In French holidays, book solid or avoid France. You will almost certainly have to book Saturday to Saturday, which isn't a problem in big areas (e.g. the Tarentaise - Val d'Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs, St Foy, La Plagne).
If you can get to and book La Grave, do it. It has been on my list for some time, and before anyone jumps in with cheeky comments, yes, I know, this year, maybe.
Aiguille du Midi? Do that too. I know a very good guide. I'll PM you. PS I'll include comments on accommodation....
Italy - check out the Dolomites and Monterosa.
Guiding? - Europe is different to the US. You won't actually (I don't think) be in glaciated terrain that often, so you don't need to count on getting a guide so much - if you are experienced and comfortable in BC (whihc I assume you are).
Have a brilliant time! I very much hope to check out MT some time!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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David Murdoch,
Aiguille du Midi? Do that too. I know a very good guide. I'll PM you.
Please could you PM me too?
Thanks
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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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Hi bridgerpow, - sounds like a fun trip; just be aware that w/c 10th and 17th February are UK half term weeks (as well as some other areas of Europe), and the first week of March is French half term. Many resorts are already completely booked for those weeks (I work in travel so am very conscious of this!) so you may not have a much flexibility to stop as and when you fancy. Wherever you DO go, have a fab time 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for the resposes,
Any ideas for getting a list of the holiday schedules for respective countries?
I'd love to try to schedule around those. If accomodations are week to week for the most part maybe I should park my "follow the snow idea" and get some booked now.
Any advice on transportatin from Amsterdam to the ski areas in question? I've heard talk of cheap airfare around Europe but havn't done much research
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bridgerpow, ....welcome to snowheads...
You can check out this list of Holiday Schedules
What type of accommodation are you looking for....Hotel, apartment...? Do you want to cook your own food or eat out? We call it 'self-catering' in europe.
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bridgerpow, from Amsterdam you can get EasyJet to Geneva - it's probably doable by train as well. If you're then travelling around the distances involved are small enough to use public transport or hire a car.
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Thanks for the list. The kind of accomodations we will end up with will ultimately be governed by cost. Self catering would be great but we probably don't want to pay a lot more for kitchens.
Accomodations are one the big variables I'm trying to get figured out soon (get it booked sooner than later). Again it's just 2 skiers looking for beds. I know some resorts might have hostel type lodging nearby but haven't found any specifics. I guess if any of the above destinations ring any alarms as expensive let me know.
I think I'd like to find a place in Northern Italy close to good skiing to book for a week and possibly one at another destination. Then hotels or hostels that you can book daily. Please correct me if this is poor logic, or expensive logic...
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