 Poster: A snowHead
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Was in Tignes in Jan and now looking to book a late deal for end Feb.
Given current snow conditions wondering if it might be worth the extra journey to Canada or USA for 7 day hol. Any thoughts?
Have done all my skiing over last 12 years or so in Europe, mostly France. Love the big resorts and great range for upper intermediate level cruising, but have no idea how Canada/USA would compare and whether I'd like it?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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take the plunge and try the US, the tahoe resorts have some great cruising runs with a bit extra if you want to push yourself. The US has great snow and in resorts prices are pretty cheap even with the weaker dollar. Best to book your lift passes before hand and preferably with a UK operator as prices of lift passes in resort are very expensive. For Tahoe we went with Virgin on a flight into San francisco and this included car hire probably the best way to do it as you can then visit all the resorts quite easily.
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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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dkirkuk, Its a long way to go for just 7 days, could you not make it 10 ?
I wouldnt really go to Tahoe for 7 days, much better to head to Utah or Colorado in the US, transfers are so much easier. As for Europe V North America theres been plenty of discussion on it. Its a different experience, as to whether you would like it? Do you like plenty of fresh powder on ungroomed runs between trees etc ? Empty runs and friendly locals, orderly lift queues if a queue at all ? The expense of a car isnt needed if you choose your destination, however the expense of it can be beneficial and make life a lot easier.
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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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For moderate cruising probably Colorado is your best bet - direct BA flights into Denver & plenty of largish (for US) resorts to pick from. Nowhere is anywhere near as big as the Franch/Austrian/Italian mega linked areas so expect to go to a few places if you need to be skiing different runs every day. Tahoe has some excellent skiing but I'd say only Heavenly meets the Euro spec of lots of cruising groomers (& maybe Northstar).
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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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Hi,
If you're only thinking of the US because of the european snow this January, I'd say wait a few days before you decide. Snow is forecast for Mon and Tue across the french alpes, with local feeling that we'll be in for a huge dump once it arrives . . .
Happy planning!
Heather
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Snow and Sunshine wrote: |
with local feeling that we'll be in for a huge dump once it arrives . . .
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No disrespect but I've never heard "locals" with a vested interested in tourist visits talking down potential snowfalls. Though of course no one ever points out that truly huge dumps mean lock down on skiing.
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| dkirkuk wrote: |
| Love the big resorts and great range for upper intermediate level cruising, but have no idea how Canada/USA would compare and whether I'd like it? |
If you want to stay with upper intermediate level cruising, the main benefit that you'll get from North America is empty pistes. On the other hand, you'll sacrifice the big resorts and you'll have to get used to repeatedly skiing the same runs.
If you want to stretch yourself, though, and start exploring powder, bumps, glades and steeps, you'll find the whole experience much more accessible in North America.
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If you do decide to go the USA route, Tahoe has not been getting much snow this winter. Best bet is to look for deals in CO & UT. Blue cruisers abound in places like Breck, Beaver Creek and Vail. You'll find the same in Park City, Deer Valley too.
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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 all the comments.
Found a really excellent deal to Banff with the lift pass included and hotel that in the main has very good reviews on trip Advisor so we have decided to just bite the bullet and go for it.
Realise that it is a fair amount of travelling for 7 days but it feels like a bit of an adventure and will be good to try something new. A friend from the group I've skied with for the last few years has been to Banff several times and reckons we will like it.
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| Quote: |
local feeling that we'll be in for a huge dump once it arrives . . .
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locals round here are sucking teeth and shaking heads....."pas grand chose"
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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We go over to Whistler for 7day and get 6.5 days of skiing in as it is really 8days with the over night flight back.
Loads of runs there to keep you happy and nearly always ok for snow somewhere at the relevant height. In fact most years we get too much.
Super place very welcoming and a reasonable 2.5hr transfer after a long flight. Pedestrian village so no need for a car take the transfer options.
Maybe some cheap deals going at this late stage if you miss half-term and the american holidays.
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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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Bones, when it snows in Whistler you can never see where you are going as it tends to bring cloud too.
Greedy me wants the snow over night !
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You know it makes sense.
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Jake43, Have been and experienced all that Whistler can offer, more than once 
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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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dkirkuk, another consideration is that the big French resorts will be very busy with French school holidays in full swing (till mid March). Unless you specially enjoy lift queues, sounds like a good opportunity to go to N America.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Good choice buddy... they've had some epic conditions lately. I came back at the end of january. 
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