 Poster: A snowHead
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Planning a late season ski trip next year. We really like Val/Tignes, but are a bit bored with it. Was wondering about Austria, but it sounds like not really that snow-sure. Zermatt came up as a highly recommended option, but it's pricey and the transfer's quite long. Cervinia seems at first glance to be a nice way of getting snow sure Zermatt skiing with Italian pricing (even the ski passes for the same area are much cheaper).
However, some people whose opinions I respect have told me not to go there as it's "a dump" and the runs are mostly pretty boring.
I think the choice will come down to Val vs. Cervinia - then in future years when we don't have to go at Easter (or if Easter falls earlier) we can explore Austria, etc. Or even return to Sella Ronda (which was lovely)
What do the panel think?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Plenty of places in Austria are (at least) as snowsure as anywhere else. Check out Ischgl, Zillertal (has a big glacier), Stubai (big glacier), Obergurgl and Soelden for starters.
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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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thewinelake, EoSB. What other late season trip is there? We are in Cervinia in December, and the opinions of various people we'd spoken to about it were that the skiing was ok if a bit samey, but with link to Zermatt opens up a lot of options, and resort as good as any other. Price was significantly cheaper than everywhere else that offered the same altitude and other stuff, so we went for it. Have a search on here, quite a few people seemed to have been and enjoyed it.
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Good to hear this from clarky and panda...
I had heard that, although there is snow in them there hills of Austria, as things get to the tail end of the season, the area gets compact and crowded. While it's nice to be able to ski back to the resort, I guess that's a tradable luxury (against decent snow high up, lower prices, more cosy accommodation). Might anyone like to recommend a tour operator that we'd get on with that specialises in High Altitude Austrian Chalets? A kind of YSE of Austria?
And maybe Cervinia's not that bad - perhaps my informants are a little snobbish?! The lower prices certainly appeal to me, although I'm not sure that it'll be easy to get something as convivial as a French-style chalet without getting very spendy (things like multiple apartments at the St Hubertus are similar, but would work out at the price of an all-in YSE holiday just for the accommodation!) . I suspect that Skipass, equipment hire and any lessons would be substantially cheaper in Cervinia than France, so we must consider the whole package, but it's a shame that chalet-style accommodation (be it catered or self-catering) is so hard to find.
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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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thewinelake, Agree with clarky999, on options in Austria. Specially Ischgl or combination of Solden+Obergurgl (if you after larger areas).
Not been to Cervinia yet, but it is high on my list. I did a bit of research and would not hesitate to go. A bit samey runs but wide and cruisy, so that's fine with me.
Would avoid the link to Zermatt in bad weather though, not too keen on drag lifts if they close the gondola.
Also not sure how doable will be the far ends of Zermatt, as it will take same time to cross over there (and come back).
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Fri 19-04-13 12:21; edited 1 time in total
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We went late April last year, and never thought it was a dump.
The runs were not paticularly challenging, but I enjoyed my time there.
When the link to Zermatt opened up, things got better.
I liked the smaller hotels too. A bit of a change from France.
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I had heard that, although there is snow in them there hills of Austria, as things get to the tail end of the season, the area gets compact and crowded. While it's nice to be able to ski back to the resort, I guess that's a tradable luxury (against decent snow high up, lower prices, more cosy accommodation). Might anyone like to recommend a tour operator that we'd get on with that specialises in High Altitude Austrian Chalets? A kind of YSE of Austria?
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Not in my experience - everything gets much quieter late season, and resorts generally keep everything open until the end (usual caveats about snow, but that's the same everywhere). Of course Easter is a 'peak week' so there'll be more people in that specific week, but again, that's the same everywhere else too. I would expect to be able to ski back to the village in all but the worst snow years at Easter - the resorts I suggested are some of the 'safest' for this, and how the area is managed/kept open shouldn't be any different to French/Swiss/Italian resorts.
Presumably some of the Salzburg ski areas - Schladming/Dachstein sort of way - will be equally good snow record-wise.
Sorry, I don't know anything about Tour Operators, though I suspect you'll have a much greater choice if you look at hotels rather than just chalets.
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The contrast between Zermatt & Cervinia is striking; chic & shabby, expensive & reasonable. The skiing in Cervinia is not so challenging but has good food at a reasonable price. Don't rely on the link to Zermatt to be open every day. Cervinia got the brunt of the wind whilst we were there, stripping the slopes whilst Zermatt was sheltered but I can't say if that is normal. Frankly I would stay in Zermatt, there have been lots of chalets to be had at a discount+ 241 lift passes this season & then lunch in the sun on the Cervinia side to get best of both worlds.
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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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| Quote: |
I suspect that Skipass, equipment hire and any lessons would be substantially cheaper in Cervinia than France
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I suspect they wouldn't, actually. the international ski pass, to include Zermatt, looks more expensive than the Espace Killy. Accommodation and food/drink would probably be the main savings.
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Cervinia=flat
dull skiing....dullest I have ever skied
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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thewinelake, what aspect of Val/Tignes are you bored of. The place or the skiing? Why not go to Paradiski or another French resort? Or are you wanting a chance from France?
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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 liked the main street in Cervinia, it had some Alpine charm and nice shops/bars/hotels, but admittedly some of the hotels are eyesores. The skiing is generally very easy and can be a bit bleak and treeless. The snow was really quite rubbish when I was there (end of Feb 2012). I preferred the skiing in Zermatt but didn't really get to see any of the town. However, the cost of a nice lunch in Cervinia is a fraction of that in Zermatt.
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thewinelake, Have a look at the Monterosa ski resorts, such as Chamoluc, and Gressoney. The piste skiing is mainly intermediate standard, but the area is famous for its off piste.
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You know it makes sense.
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We liked Cervinia. The runs are wide and gentle, but this just makes it quicker to get home after playing about up high or on the Zermatt side!
As for the town, it didn't bother us at all, but if it did I'd just turn around and look at the mountains.
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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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@Layne - a good question... The place and the lack of the unknown in terms of exploring. I sense that it probably is about the best place in terms of skiing - we love the variety (and moguls!) but visiting new places is exciting - at least for the first few days! We've been to Paradiski - we found a cafe (called "La Boule" or something like that) near Les Arcs which became a fixture of our morning's skiing. Last year in Sella Ronda we loved the scenery, the food up the mountains, the low price of everything compared to France, but missed the bumps - most of the skiing was a bit too cruisy, although we didn't get over to the Marmolada glacier. We don't do off piste - maybe something for the future! Do they have moguls outside of France?
We tend to spend most of our time on the mountain or in accommodation - so the actual town itself is not such a factor for us.
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Poster: A snowHead
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thewinelake, if you want plenty of onpiste moguls, get yourself to St Anton. Though with a late Easter pretty much everywhere should be forming lovely slushy moguls at the time you're looking.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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thewinelake, if you've only been to Paradiski once I would go again tbh. I've been numerous times and I've not tired of the place. And for late season it's very safe. clarky999 suggestion of the Arlberg isn't a bad one.
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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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thewinelake, go somewhere new. Cervinia isn't bad, loads of very cruisey runs, but to my eyes doesn't come close to the EK. Run to Valtounreche is good, centina (?) is also a nice scenic cruiser. Just go, if it's the unknown and exploring you're after, why not?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
Do they have moguls outside of France?
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The French hold the patent on the best mogul-making machine, so other countries tend to either have inferior moguls or just not have any at all.
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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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Ha! I try telling the kids that and they don't believe me either! 
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Arlberg includes St Anton, right? I've been offered a great deal for there from 13th April, but phrased in such a way that makes me think I'd be mad to risk it!
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thewinelake, yes, it's the 'main' village of the Arlberg.
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April 13th is pushing it, hence no doubt the deal. Our schools break up on the 4th. And assuming we go we will head be out that weekend.
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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 get the impression Ischgl is reasonably safe.
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Ischgl has lots of North-facing terrain, so yes, a bit more secure late season.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks - that's good to know. Now just a question of finding an apartment for 10 people....
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