 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi. I'm looking to book a ski break for myself and my girlfriend. Leaving on preferably the 27th Nov, or the first week in December somewhere in Europe.
Any recommendation of where to go for guaranteed snow, easy access from airport, with nice hotels, and good ski area? We are both intermediate level.
Or any recommendations for travel agents that have package deals at this that of year? The dates seem too early for most of the tour operators .
Thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The dates seem too early for most of the tour operators .
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That's because the dates are too early for most of the resorts, and most of the snow.
Of the places I know, I'd recommend Tignes. I haven't been to the Austrian glacier resorts but lots of people here have and will no doubt be along with suggestions. The vast majority of resorts open in mid December.
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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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Thanks for the reply Pam.
I'm going to look up some info on Tignes now.
I was looking at Saas Fee as a possible location. I'm just afraid there will no snow at that time.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Jack E wrote: |
Hi. I'm looking to book a ski break for myself and my girlfriend. Leaving on preferably the 27th Nov, or the first week in December somewhere in Europe.
Any recommendation of where to go for guaranteed snow, easy access from airport, with nice hotels, and good ski area? We are both intermediate level.
Or any recommendations for travel agents that have package deals at this that of year? The dates seem too early for most of the tour operators .
Thanks. |
There are the glacier resorts of course. In addition:
Ischgl opens on the 26th of November. Snow cover looks quite good at the moment. 90% of the ski area is above 2000 metres, so the snow that's there will stick around. Nice car free resort, great lift system and fantastic apres.
Obergurgl will probably be open and is high. Good choice for Austrian charm or there is Solden down the road if you prefer nightlife.
They are all close to Innsbruck.
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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 just afraid there will no snow at that time.
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The glaciers should be guaranteed snow and it would be very unusual for Tignes and the other really high resorts (Obergurgl etc) not to have a fair amount open (I did a week in Tignes, beginning 5 December, some years ago and although the resort was by no means fully open there were a good number of runs to choose from, not just the glacier). But you're right to be concerned and a warm and windy few weeks can easily melt a lot of snow at lower (below glacier) levels. The freezing level is all over the place at the moment and quite likely to be over 3000m at times over the next few weeks. The best thing, really, is to wait till the last minute - then you can be sure. Resorts which are open are usually pretty quiet in early December so you don't run a big risk of finding no room at the inn.
The TOs have holidays to places like Obergurgl in early December, don't they?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Book flights for one of the big alpine airports (Innsbruck/Zurich/Geneva/etc) now, book your accommodation the week before you go and chase the snow. You shouldn't have any problems getting accomm, that early in the season most resorts will be dead, and hotels/guesthouses will be grateful for the income!
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that early in the season most resorts will be closed. Not a lift moving. 
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Lol, there will be a few open though. Think St Anton opens around the 23th Nov...
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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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Thanks for the replies folks. They really are a great help.
Considering everything I think we should wait until the last minute and see how the weather is looking.
I don't want to be stuck over there looking at green fields.
Our other option would be to go to Canada or USA skiing. But I'm not even sure if there is guaranteed snow over there this early.
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DOnt think twice, take a look at the snow record for this time of year. Then goto to Whistler.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Jack E, I think the likelihood of getting lots of good snow is better across the pond, however the high Alpine and certainly the glacier resorts in Europe are fairly safe. I've been to glacier resorts preseason a few times over the last few years and haven't had poor snow yet. That said the forecasts for the next few weeks in Switzerland (I haven't checked France or Austria specifically) have freezing levels going over 3000m at various times!
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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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Jack E, Several of the Higher Austrian resorts will be open. Ischgl, HochSolden, Oberatuern, Obergurgl, Serfaus/Fiss. You can access all of these via Innbruck, except Obertauern, which requires a flight to Salzburg. Not sure if there are any scheduled flights to Salzburg yet. But BA are running a scheduled service to Innsbruck.
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks Guys.
I think I'll book flights to Geneva or Zurich for the dates we want and book the resort closer to the time. I would much prefer to ski in Eurpoe given the travel time, as opposed to Canada, and I'm sure the mrs would too.
Its a surprise trip for her, but she loves skiing as much as myself so I've no doubt she'll love the idea. Its to mark a 'special' occasion, so I'm looking for somewhere suitably romantic.
We've both been to Ischgl, so I'd like to try somewhere else. We'd like to stay in the same hotel / resort for the week, and not have to move around 'chasing the snow'...its a holiday too!! Also I'de prefer somewhere we can get a train from the airport to. I dont want to have to bother with hiring a car and driving on roads I'm not sure of in bad conditions.
So far I'm looking at: ...and opinions are welcome on what you guys think would be the most suitable. I'm also looking for hotel recommendations. Preferably close to lifts and town centre. (not asking for much so, eh )
Zermatt -I hear the town itself is very spread out?
Tignes
Saas Fee - It there a large enough skiing area to keep us occupied for a week?
Hintertux
Kaprun
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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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Saas fee has plenty skiing. It kept me occupied for a whole season last year so you'll be fine. Already got snow in the village and when I turned up last year in the first week of December there was already about a metre and a half at village level
Try www.otp.co.uk for packages including accommodation, rail transfers and ski pass. Tell them mike sent you 
Anythin else you want to know about the place then just ask
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Poster: A snowHead
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I'd knock tignes right off the list if you want both romantic and reachable by train; Tignes is neither.
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