 Poster: A snowHead
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Probably a really dumb question ... but here we go:
Do pistes open / lifts run for skiing on Christmas day?
I'm thinking of sneaking off to Austria (possibly Obergurgl) for an early does of snow - but when I was speaking to the travel agent (Direct Line Skiing), they seemed a bit vague as to whether the lifts would actually be running on Christmas day.
It would drive me nuts to have sit around a hotel not being able to ski for a whole day ... but I can't seem to find any info on Xmas opening times on the Obergurgl website, or for that matter any of the major resorts websites.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yers...and they do 
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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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abj,
IIRC, they might close early for Christmas eve, but Christmas day is a normal day for them in Austria
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... thought so.
I did push the nice lady at 'Direct Line Skiing' on this point ... but her exact words were: "there might be one or two lifts open, if you're lucky". She even went off and checked with her manager!
Another case of well trained call centre staff 
(edited for spelling)
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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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abj, My knowledge is that in the majority of ski resorts run as usual throughout the christmas and new year holiday period. This is a key time for them to cash in outside of February.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| abj wrote: |
... thought so.
I did push the nice lady at 'Direct Line Skiing' on this point ... but her exact words were: "there might be one or two lifts open, if you're lucky". She even went off and checked with her manager!
Another case of well trained call centre staff
(edited for spelling) |
I'd suggest then finding another agent that actually has a clue about the product they're selling...
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abj, As JT said, Christmas Day is a normal day in Austria. Families traditionally have their special meal on Christmas Eve, so many shops in resort will be closed the afternoon of 24th Dec (but the pistes will stay open as normal)
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abj,
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Christmas Day is a normal day in Austria. Families traditionally have their special meal on Christmas Eve, so many shops in resort will be closed the afternoon of 24th Dec (but the pistes will stay open as normal)
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When I was in St Anton on Christmas Eve a few years ago entry to bars/clubs in the evening was by ticket only and there was no music allowed in them.
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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 thought I'd replied to this but in my experience; Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day and all the days in between are normal days!!
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They do in the 3V, and probably everywhere else.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Skied in Obergurgl for the last 5 Christmases. The Spar shuts early on Christmas eve and you need a reservation for dinner on Christmas eve if your dinner's not part of your deal. On the snow every day's the same. 3 years ago had Christmas night dinner in the Nederhutte which was a real experience!
PS Get another travel agent!
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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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I'm quite amazed a travel agent specialising in skiing wouldn't know the answer. The lifts everywhere close a bit earlier at that time of year because it gets darker earlier, but they're all open right through Christmas. The only thing to look out for if you're in Austria on Christmas Eve is traditional religious festival events going on in the snowy streets with all the trees lit up with thousands of little white lights and twinkling away, and people letting off bangers and fireworks all over the place, while everyone is partying away outside the apres ski bars - quite magical 
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Thanks for the replies.
Steve Sparks, what's it like at Christmas? Is it likely that the whole ski area will be open and how busy is it (are we talking long lift queues)?
For all those suggesting finding another agent ... I absolutely agree. Only problem is that they were offering the holiday at a rather low price - and significantly cheaper than going to the tour operator direct.
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You know it makes sense.
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abj, depends where you go. Christmas isnt normally as busy as February half term and New Year.
Been skiing for the past 2 christmas's and loved it. Going again this christmas. It is strange not being at home, it is so different at christmas there. Its a different atmosphere. There is a distinct lack of extravagent lights and going over the top etc Which is found in Britain. I dont miss that in the slightest.
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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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We've had a few Xmas in the Alps - just like any other day really.
We had our family Xmas the week before we went - dinner, prezzies the lot. A note was left for Santa to deliver a few little prezzies to the Chalet
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Poster: A snowHead
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Christopher, Santa will be walking around Monetier on Xmas Eve giving away sweets and chocolates. Lots of lights, but nothing over the top, and a really good atmosphere in the village after skiing. Enjoy it, I wish I was there for Xmas, but won't be arriving until the 28th.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Helen Beaumont, Cheers. Im sure we'll be in the baths for christmas after skiing and tartiflette. 
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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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Christopher, make sure you book it well in advance then, as it will be very popular.
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| RachelQ wrote: |
| I'm quite amazed a travel agent specialising in skiing wouldn't know the answer. The lifts everywhere close a bit earlier at that time of year because it gets darker earlier, but they're all open right through Christmas. The only thing to look out for if you're in Austria on Christmas Eve is traditional religious festival events going on in the snowy streets with all the trees lit up with thousands of little white lights and twinkling away, and people letting off bangers and fireworks all over the place, while everyone is partying away outside the apres ski bars - quite magical |
Are you sure you have not got Xmas Eve mixed up with New Years Eve?
Xmas Eve is quiet in Austria. All the local familes get together at home then go to Mass at midnight. Many Austrian resort workers travel back to there home towns in other parts of Austria & return the following day (Xmas Day).
Everything closes at 5pm. Restaurants are only allowed to open with special permission from the Mayor of the town. It is so much hassle to get the permit many do not bother. Apres Ski is quiet.
If you let off fireworks on Xmas Eve you would probably be arrested (No joke).
IN other words Xmas Eve is a night in, early to bed in Austria.
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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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| stanton wrote: |
| IN other words Xmas Eve is a night in, early to bed in Austria. |
Sounds good to me ... I'm determined to avoid the British madness that always accompanies Christmas!
As long as I can get 6-days full skiing in - I'm a happy camper
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By the way, what's the instruction like in Austria?
Thinking about getting some lessons ... but not if it's all 'bend the the knees and follow me' (I know this method suits some people, but watching my instructor dissappear over the horizon, carving perfect turns, doesn't really do it for me).
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abj, That's one of the main reasons we go to Obergurgl - I've never queued for more than a few minutes and that's only when the ski schools start off after lunch. The lift system is excellent and you'll think it's quiet compared with most other resorts. Put it this way - I've got a season's pass for Verbier but chose to go to Obergurgl for Christmas and in effect pay to ski two resorts simultaneously to avoid the Verbier crowds. Plus the snow CAN be better in Obergurgl.
The ski school there is great- they do teach Austrian style, but then it is Austria! It sounds like that would be up your street.
Assuming the snow is adequate,which is has been for the last 5 years, all but two of the lifts have been running. And the 2 which aren't primarily serve some couloirs which won't be right until the spring.
stanton, It may be because Obergurgl is a tourist town, but every restaurant is open on Christmas eve. Never seen any fireworks that night, but lots of germans buying austrian super fireworks to take home for NYE as they're not allowed real super howitzers in Germany.
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It sounds fabulous - wish I was going away for christmas - lucky boogers !
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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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Steve Sparks, thanks for the info ... much appreciated.
By the way, as a matter of interest what do you mean by 'Austrian style' teaching? Never been to Austria - so it's all new for me 
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It tends to be a bit more technical than some other nations. The Austrians still tend to keep their skis closer together than some other styles, but it's really marginal and learning different approaches to doing the same thing can only improve you. I enjoy going there early season and having a few lessons as they get my piste skiing up to scratch and counteract the effect of skiing steeps and deeps the rest of the season.
One thing I do like there is that the ski school does all day lessons which are two hours morning and two hours pm and 3 days of that at the beginning of the trip is good stuff and enables us to spend the rest of the time blasting about.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Steve Sparks, sounds ideal. Although I'm guilty of quite a wide stance, so I guess I'll need to be ready for a change in style!
Do the instructors speak good English, or do we need to be careful if/when we book it?
Also, do you have any experience of the Crystal Hotel?
[Sorry for all the questions ... but it's great to talk to someone who know the place]
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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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| Steve Sparks wrote: |
abj
stanton, It may be because Obergurgl is a tourist town, but every restaurant is open on Christmas eve. Never seen any fireworks that night, but lots of germans buying austrian super fireworks to take home for NYE as they're not allowed real super howitzers in Germany. |
I should be more accurate. The Hotel restaurants are open doing Xmas Gala dinners (which cost €€€). Local cafes,etc nearly always close.
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abj, No worries on instructor language skills.
I've not stayed at the Crystal - it always looks very impressive. It's very near to one of the lifts and about 15 minutes walk from the village centre. That could be a disadvantage if you're having lessons as the lessons meet at the other end of town. Alternatively you could go up the lift near the Crystal and have a warm up ski down to the meeting point which is about a 25 minute trip.
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You know it makes sense.
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Steve Sparks, Waiting for a brochure as we are hoping to go for a few days (not Christmas). Any suggestions for hotels which would be central for a near beginner and one who only ventures onto easy reds occasionally - prob with an instructor!? Also was wondering whether ski school takes you over much of the area?
Many thanks
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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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Xmas day is just another day in yer average ski resort. None of the drawn out crap that we have to put up with for 6 weeks over here. Why do u think going skiing at xmas is so popular?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Most ski resorts typically only get 100 to 150 days per year to make some cash.
They can't afford to close down on Crimmy day.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Late starter, It's not a big village. The Edelweiss and Gurgl is the most central, but none of the hotels are more than 15 minutes walk from the village centre. The ski school will take you across the entire area and Hochgurgl as well. If you have group lessons they run all day with a break for lunch.
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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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Steve Sparks, Thanks thats great
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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A great way to spend Xmas. Escape from the shopping frenzy & commercial madness. Go to midnight mass on Xmas eve, open token presents, go skiing Xmas day & then have a festival dinner.
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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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I'm spending xmas away this year. Taking my dad to Chamonix for a week. Got to be better than here
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Scarpa, went to Chamonix for xmas a few years ago and loved it, as Lechbob, said it's great to escape the shopping frenzy & commercial madness over here, spoke to some locals who said they went out to get their xmas prezzies on xmas eve,just little things like chocolates and small gifts, which they then took to a family xmas eve dinner before all going to midnight mass, couldn't understand why we brits feel the pressure to buy up the whole of currys/comets from october onwards made it feel like what xmas should be like
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I've spent the last 18 Xmas's skiing/boarding all over the place and I've never known any lifts being closed due to it being christmas (there was one year in St Anton when it was dumping to such a ridiculous extent they couldn't open anything...we spent a lovely day drinking beer and spent a fabulous boxing day in powder heaven!!). 
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Thanks to everyone for the advice.
It's all booked! Got a pretty decent deal, which included free lift passes too!
Steve Sparks, thanks for the tip on getting to ski school. I looked at a map this morning, and catching the nearby lift and skiing down to the ski school seems far more civilised that having to walk 15mins in ski boots!
Roll on the 20th Dec!
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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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| abj wrote: |
| Roll on the 20th Dec! |
I second that!
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abj, Free lift passes are a result!!! One of the reasons the pistes stay quiet is that it ain't cheap. You must be chuffed
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