 Poster: A snowHead
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Looks like I will be able to get a week at Easter.
I have never been dolomitic skiing ,generally I look for decent altitude and plenty of North facing stuff but am not bothered whether or not there are glaciers. Has anyone got much experience of the dolomites at this time of the year. Are they worth skiing or will I basically get a morning and then be on slush?
If they are worth skiing which is the best place to go for, on paper Arraba looks the most reliable but does it get very crowded because of the Marmolada?
If not the dolomites any other suggestions? Recent easter trips have been Maurienne, Zermatt , Nendaz & Serre Che, all have worked well.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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T Bar, these guys from TGR went to Arabba in early April 2006, looks like they found some good snow:
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53437
Note the temperature on the car dashboard on the drive up to Arabba, but obviously the altitude makes a difference.
March/April is probably the best time for some of the high altitude itinerary stuff off the Pordoi and Marmolada because of a whole seasons accumulation in the couloirs and the heaviest snowfalls of the season often come at this time of year as spring storms feed up from the Adriatic/Med and fall as snow at altitude.
Arabba's main area below Porta Vescovo is north-facing and normally has some of the best piste conditions in the area, but piste links across Passo Padon to the Marmolada and the Sella Ronda have some sunny runs that would likely be suffering at that time of year, I remember the sunny nursery slopes just above Arabba being very soft in a mild, sunny mid-March.
The busiest lifts and runs are those that are the designated Sella Ronda routes, anywhere off these sees a dramatic reduction in traffic. The Marmolada wasn't busy when I went in Jan.
You are actually further north than all of the French Alps and most of the Swiss Alps, but you are on the southern slope which is sunnier and subject to milder influences. Can't help thinking you might find reliably better conditions further north in Austria, Lech or Ischgl?
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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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luigi,
Thanks, It will be a family holiday and easy off piste a possibility but the above trip definately not on the menu.
Had considered Austria but we are off there in Feb. Also having looked at flight prices Munich which I was considering has moved upin price since I got confirmation of Easter off. Have just booked to fly to Milan, will probably rent a car.
I guess it puts decent chunks of France Italy and Switz in reach but probably not Austria.
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T Bar, Depending on which "Milan" airport, it could be a long way to the Eastern (Dolomitisuperski) Dolomites resorts. But the Western (Brenta) Dolomites would still be in reach (Passo Tonale, Madonna, etc.). And if necessary tere is the glacier at Val Senales if you are in the Western Dolomites area.
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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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If flying to Milan could also possibly going west to Vallee D'Aosta resorts
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T Bar, if it's Milan-Bergamo, that's OK for Val Gardena resorts as it's motorway all the way to Bolzano, Arabba is a bit trickier as there are 2 mountain passes to cross if approaching from the west.
Lower and south-facing parts of Val Gardena will probably be suffering by April, best snow will be above Plan de Gralba up to the Sella Pass and Col Rodella. Great effort is put into keeping the Sella Ronda links open til the end of the season (Easter), but if it's 20C...... Great for an ice cream as you watch the sun go down after a hard day's skiing! 
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It's Milan Linate, I will probably keep an eye on snow conditions and decide later.
Looking at the map I guess Livigno /Bormio, Engadine, Andermatt/Disentis , Monte Rosa, Val d'Aosta, Cham, Valais, Piedemont, Maurienne, Serre Che are all within reach. Would welcome any other suggestions.
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