 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello
We are going to go boarding in mid january for a week and have narrowed our preferences done to just a few resorts. I have read reviews all over the shop but i wanted to know what the good people of snowheads think? Our priorities are good snow, good park, tree runs and perhaps some open bowl too (not too much to ask eh?)
Options:
Kitzbuhel
Laax
Scheffau/Westerndorf
Les Carroz (Flaine)
Leysin
What do you guys 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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Westendorf has a very very good park, plenty of fun tree runs, the snow has always been good in the 6/7 weeks I've spent there (apart from one year -2007? which was shite all over the Alps), but there isn't so much in the way of big bowls. There is one very gnarly face with relatively easy access (short hike form the lift above the park and drop over the other side), but I've never been confident enough in my avalanche assesments to drop into it - VERY steep.
I've only skied one week in Kitzbuhel, so don't know so much about it. There were plenty of open faces/bowls around, but I was there in April and the combination of fresh snow and swiftly rising temperatures wasn't so conducisive to more exposed/consequential offpiste. I found the pistes pleasent but fairly mediocre. No idea about park there either, it's not something I'm really into.
I'm not a boarder btw though.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Mon 22-11-10 22:52; edited 1 time in total
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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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Though I cannot claim to be a boarder, of the Austrian areas you mention I think Westendorf (with a good park) is probably best. There is a small fun park above Scheffau but probably more for beginners. The fun park I know in Kitzbühel is on the Kitzbüheler Horn and I would describe it as more restricted.
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Though I cannot claim to be a boarder, of the Austrian areas you mention I think Westendorf (with a good park) is probably best. There is a small fun park above Scheffau but probably more for beginners. The fun park I know in Kitzbühel is on the Kitzbüheler Horn and I would describe it as more restricted.
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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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klang180, I went to Laax last February and I think it ticks all your boxes.
good snow - I think it's got a pretty good record, up to 3000m
good park - I didn't use it but It looked good, one of the best in Europe I believe
tree runs - runs down to Flims and Murschetg are tree lined
open bowls - there are several ungroomed, patrolled, itinerary areas that fit this
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Thanks for all the help, thus far it looks like Westerndorf or Laax.
Keep them coming guys!
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klang180,
Why the random selection of resorts if you don't mind me asking? Have you been to them before or just like the look?
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Hey Leeds Skier
Well we don't want to fly, want half decent accomodation and do not want a concrete mega resort like Les Arcs or La Plagne (where wehave visited before).
These places have actully come about after a really long search that considers acco booking, travel, snow, parks, km piste, tree runs etc. but it is still hard. I have a feeling that we'd be happy wherever we go but i have put so much research and come up with this rather odd bunch!
I know they are not really the same but i don't think there is a resort out there that combines all that we want and believe me i have tried a lot!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Well I think you would have good snow in any of the resorts with the time of year you are looking to go.
I've only been to Kitzbühel out of the one's on your list and, although it was a very good resort I can never remember being wowed by a Park (not that I seek them, but I obviously notice a good one), as mentioned there is a small park on the horn, but nothing in the scale of somewhere like Avoriaz which has a massive park.
Sorry I couldn't be any more constructive than that 
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Westendorf does have a great park not much in Scheffau but both are linked on the Ski Welt, however if you want something too do in the Evenings both resorts are very small and quiet. Soll would be the best place to stay on the Ski Welt and you can get to Westendorf each day with your lift pass. Austria is looking good for snow at the moment but the ski welt area is fairly low so end of the season can be a bit dodgy. Would say Kitz has nothing more than any other resorts in the way of a park.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Richiavo, Gotta love the Wunderbar in Westendorf though, I've had a few hilarious nights in there, and the Nails Bar (sorry that's what we call it lol, can't remember the proper name) at the top of the nursury slopes usually has fun apres. That is about the limit of the drinking scene though.
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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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| Quote: |
| do not want a concrete mega resort |
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You know it makes sense.
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Voice of Reason - Les Carroz (linking into Flaine) is not a concrete mega resort but a traditional and beautiful village.
Klang 180 - of all the resorts you list I have only skied in the Grand Massif out of Les Carroz
good snow - best snow record over a season (as in shadow of mont blanc)
good park - in Flaine with specialised area away and apart from skiers
tree runs - superb runs in Carroz, Morillon and bottom half of Flaine
open bowls - Col du Veret, Vernant Valley and Gers (HUGE offpiste bowl is snowboard off-piste heaven!) to name but three...
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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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snowheadvirgin, that answers my question, thanks.....
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Poster: A snowHead
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pleasure..... check out the www.lescarroz.com site - (not a brilliant site but gives a taste of the village)......
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thanks everyone that is really helpful.
A late surge from Les Carroz there to put it in the running.
I think from teh research it seems that it is either Ski Welt, Laax or Les Carroz all with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Leeds Skier - seems Kitz is probably out. It is expensive and the resort is quit spread out so i don't see the point of paying a premium.
Richiavo - Thanks for your advice, we are a fairly hardcore boarding bunch and don't go in for the evening stuff as we're just too knackered! Your advice is well recieved though as it gives me an idea about teh nature of Ski Welt and of course Kitz, which i have now discounted.
Boabski - we have been to Ischgl and it was brilliant, honestly one of my favourite resorts but alas i want to try something new.
Snowhaed Virgin - great job in selling me Les Carroz and you have put it right back in the mix. Will defo consider it as a good option now whereas before iw as worried about it being a bit of a let down.
Clarky - Thansk for your assesment of Kitz, again i think you were the first to plant the seeds of doubt about Kitz and other have followed so it was very useful along with the stuff abotu Westerndorf.
Espri - thanks for your input, useful stuff and another vote of confidence in Westerndorf.
Colin B - i don't know if it is your gleaming recommendation or i am a sucker for the Laax websit but for some reason Laax has emerged as my favourite option so thank you for your info!
If anyone else has anythign to say it is gratefully recieved.
regards
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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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klang180, No problem. I did a trip report too, here, with some photos also.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Although Flaine has a reasonable park, it would take some time to get to from Les Carroz as it on the far side of the Flaine bowl (which is superb btw) and the access from Les Carroz is on the other side. If you can put up with the Flaine concrete and skiing is more important to you than a pretty village then it would be more convenient to stay in Flaine (which has the best GM skiing anyway).
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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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but not the best tree skiing!!that is definitely Les Carroz. LOL and the col du veret on the way...... WOW!!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Avoriaz would suit you also! Although I dont do the "park scene" it is meant to be good. It also has the new "Stash" fun park, which is very popular with boarders! The nightlife is not particularly hectic but good food and a bottle of wine is what we look for!
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snowheadvirgin,
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but not the best tree skiing
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Agreed. Although I've skied a lot in Flaine and Samoens and the interlinking valley I'm not that familiar with Les Carroz. Isn't "Marvel" (sp?) in Morillon also a rated tree run? Still got that to do. I have to say that I'm never that drawn towards Les Carroz or Morillon or Samoens come to that, as the Flaine bowl is so much better IMV. It doesn't help that my OH hates Tourmaline and Dolomie (the link pistes) when conditions are bad as they tend to be packed with out of control bodies. Flaine's link to the GM is not the best.
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Billb - thanks fo rthe update very helpful indeed and certianly a consideration. Not sur eon teh conrete stuff as it tends to mean really packed out pistes when all of these people decant onto the slopes although i suppose it being mid jan might help?
We have visited Les Arcs, La Plagne and Avoriaz before and just found the mega blocks too much and it did have the ramming as many on to the slopeseffect as well! True they have brilliant parks and decent lifts but you pay the price dodging newb boarders and skiiers everywhere whilst simultaneously trying nto to get knocked down by the boarders with egos or skiiers trying to prove a point! Ahh honestly they aren;t that bad, just not what we are looking for.
Thanks for all the advice!
Oh and Colin B i'll check out the report!
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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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klang180, why not have a look at La Rosiere, small and friendly with a great ambience, the bonus of international skiing, the ski area is shared with La Thuile in Italy. There's a snow park, a patrolled, dediacted off-piste are, a boarder/skier cross course, heli-skiing and board/ski kiting. Go to www.larosiere.net for more information.
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klang180,
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Not sur eon teh conrete stuff as it tends to mean really packed out pistes when all of these people decant onto the slopes although i suppose it being mid jan might help?
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Mid-Jan will be OK. I teach so can only go in school holidays so see it at its busiest and it's still not too bad. As others have said Flaine is not big on tree runs - the best pistes are wide and open. Plenty of them although more blue / red than black.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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klang180, Unless you are a beginner you will not see Avoriaz's architecture! I have never had a problem with lifts in the PdS, I tend to go xmas time, January, March and April. I do miss New year and French half term holidays though!
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