 Poster: A snowHead
|
How's the snow historically at this time of year? I fancy going back for some skiing but also to try out some more spring/summer activities as well?
I take it the slopes down into the resort are fairly sparse but maybe at the top of the chairlifts/bubble cars might be a starting off point?
thanks!
sarah
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
queen_sheba, obviously the earlier in the month the better. It varies hugely - there are usually some nice snowfalls in April, but they don't last long. If it's warm and sunny, the grass will be green in the bottoms of the valleys, and the spring flowers starting. If it's cold weather overnight, reckon on skiing a few hours hours, between, say, 10.30 when the pistes will be thawing out, and about 2pm when they will be becoming slushy. And try to find somewhere with some north/east facing slopes. Les Contamines could be a good bet at that time of year, from the point of view of slope aspect. More important than altitude, sometimes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
You will probably not be able to ski the whole PdS in April, however for the last 6 years there has been fantastic snow in Avoriaz in April, would not suffer so much from aspect as in other resorts. A lot of North facing slopes that hold the snow well. Shame of you to be thinking of spring/summer activities when the snow is lying around!
I appreciate it is a generalisation but my advice would be, for April I would keep away from Les Gets and Morzine. January - March would be better to go to those areas,
When is your trip to the PdS? I read a thread that you are taking a group or have I mixed you up with someone else?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
lol...yeah fair point....although i saw people parapeting and it looked fun!
i was taking a group - we came back yesterday!! boo.... 
but an amazingly successful group...18 of us and we all got on famously
yeah fancied going back to the same chalet in les gets...but as you say...april is gonna be questionable. i'm also toying with the idea of zermatt in summer but mildly put off by the altitude...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
If you want an idea of where is consistently good, you might check Snow Report History on www.igluski.com/viewSnowHistory.cfm
This gives a month by month description of snow depth over 5/6 years, although it seems to have run out of steam a year or so ago. You can however make a judgement on snow depth consistency.
Zermatt is a must on your "go there sometime list". The altitude is not bad for most people, and even so, the effects seem to be alleviated once you start skiing. Went last year. going over the hill this year to Saas Fee.
However, before then, having one week in Bridet les bain, and two weeks in Niederau........ can't wait
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
queen_sheba, Morzine/Les Gets are both great in April Roy Hockley, is a little bit too generalistic with his comment.
We have had some of the biggest dumps in April and some of the best skiing - empty slopes, cheap deals - what more would you want!
Also you can enjoy more of the year round activities i.e. parapenting, the 'Fantasticable' in Plaine Dranse opens in March/April - before this it can be too cold.....
As pam w, the orientation of the slopes is a lot more important than altitude!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dave Mac, welcome to snowHeads 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowandtrek, sorry I thought I agreed that slope orientation would be more important and I did say that over the last 6 years we have seen a lot of snow at that time of year. I have benefitted from it myself. My preferred time to go to the lower parts of the PdS would normally be a month earlier, I do accept however that the slopes are less croweded!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
