 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi, I'm looking to arrange a ski trip during February half-term (I know it's not the best time but as teachers we're stuck with it). Problem is, one of my mates is getting married on the 1st Sunday - so we can't go until Monday. I was thinking of looking at a Swiss/Italien?Austrian resorts as they may be quieter (I don't think those countries have half-terms when we do). Specific resorts I've looked at are Cortina, Davos, Films-Laxx, Schladming, Maria Alm. Anyone got any ideas whether or not these resorts would be very crowded at this time of year? Or got any better suggestions?
Thanks for your help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Half term week is busy over the whole of the Alps, even though the local holiday periods will vary. Cortina and Davos, being the bigger of the 5 you pointed out, will probably be the busiest. Schladming wont be quiet either. Flims/Laax and Maria Alm are probably gonna be the least busy, but having never been to either i cant say for certain!
Resort choice all depends on your abilities really, beginners will be fine at a much smaller resort obviously which be far less busy. Advanced skiers will want more terrain, thus bigger resort, thus busier! Good luck in choosing 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
johnseymour, my daughter and SIL, both teachers, are coming out at Christmas and, if they're feeling rich enough, will come again at Easter (we have an apartment and so their costs are kept low). Half term can be avoided! It's my daughter's first proper year teaching, last year she was doing a PGCE, and she reckons she's going to need half term in February to (a) be ill for a few days and then (b) catch up with sleep and (c) do some lesson preparation.
Easter could be a better bet. Far quieter, great weather if you're lucky, still plenty of snow about. and you could do a full week!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| pam w wrote: |
| ...Easter could be a better bet... |
I would agree with that.
Alternatively again, this academic year isn't it possible to get a full week in over New Year?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
It'll be interesting to see what Easter is like this year, as for the 1st time in quite a while, all the schools have holy week as their 1st week of the hols, so it isn't staggered like usual. I suspect it will be quieter than Feb though!
johnseymour, your main issue will be what to do over accomodation. You may find it hard to get a place from the Monday, so may end up paying for a full week anyway. Flights should be cheaper on the Monday, so you'll probably win there.
Austrian resorts will probably be busy with UK, Dutch and Scandinavian schools, but my experience is that if you can avoid a few key pinchpoints at certain times, then you should be okay - as long as you don't want to ski blues all day!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
All
Easter's very late this year - April 12th... while conditions may be fine then only a brave man would commit to that more than a couple of weeks in advance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| red 27 wrote: |
All
Easter's very late this year - April 12th... while conditions may be fine then only a brave man would commit to that more than a couple of weeks in advance. |
Oops! That's me stuffed then 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
red 27, Not so - anywhere with summer skiing will be fine! Mid April really isn't all that late either as far as many of the resorts are concerned. After the end of April is another matter though! Most are closed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Isn't a full week at New Year always possible? Our kids have never returned to School at New Year other than on a Monday (or occasionally on a Tuesday)?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| red 27 wrote: |
All
Easter's very late this year - April 12th... while conditions may be fine then only a brave man would commit to that more than a couple of weeks in advance. |
I remember committing to a week in Mayrhofen around that date, 06/07 season, a couple of months in advance 
It was absolutely fine, except for the fact that they shut the resort whilst we were there (we went midweek to midweek and the intervening weekend was the season end - OOPS!) and we had to keep getting the bus to Hintertux instead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Quote: |
the intervening weekend was the season end
|
yes, the lower resorts will be shutting from mid April - need to check that. But there are plenty of places which shut later in the month - L2A, Val Thorens, Tignes and other high places there should be masses of skiing. Our apartment is at 1550 and we have been able to ski out till mid April for the last six seasons. Snow at that stage of the year is a lot more reliable than it is at Christmas/New Year, and the weather incomparably nicer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Quote: |
Sucker!!
Where are you taking them?
|
Schladming. Never been there before. We went to a great place last year called Mautendorf and were able to ski at another resort called Fanningberg. Snow was great (fresh powder everyday), runs were quiet and we left the kiddy winkles with the instructors for a couple of hours to do a bit of off piste  We've also taken parties to Kitzbuhl, Saalbach and Radstadt. It's great for me - I usually go to the larger French reorts (and have also been to the Sella Ronda) as we like to cover a lot of milage - so it's nice to see some smaller resorts for free (the only cost being you have responsibilty for the kids morning, lunchtime and evening!).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| Quote: |
the only cost being you have responsibilty for the kids morning, lunchtime and evening!
|
sounds like you earn your free hours. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
! Bearing that in mind - am I being greedy trying to get a few days at half term as well? Might actually go back to Scotland if the snow is good. Here's hoping. Thanks again for all your advice - now bring on the snow!
