 Poster: A snowHead
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Just back from Stuben, having had 4 trips to Obergurgl
Went to Stuben as I wanted to try a different area
Looking back am undecided whether changing was a positive or not
Negatives:
Takes a while to find way around new ski area
Hit and miss trying new ski huts
Bit of additional stress and uncertainty organising, not quite knowing what you are getting
Kids seem to prefer the familiarity of known surroundings (hotel and slopes)
On a short break you spend additional valuable ski time working stuff out
Ultimately from an average piste skiiers perspective, not convinced it makes a lot difference, one set of pistes to the next
I must be getting old.
Discuss....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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On the one hand, I insist on going to a different area every time.
On the other hand, they're all the bloody same so it doesn't really matter.
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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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| Blastfromthepast wrote: |
Ultimately from an average piste skiiers perspective, not convinced it makes a lot difference, one set of pistes to the next
Discuss.... |
Sounds like a fair summary. It might make a difference if you can find better quality snow, fewer crowds, better grooming, you like the experience of "travelling" from one place to another, different scenery etc but from the purely objective perspective of having a surface to ski on, one groomer is pretty much like another (of similar gradient/wear n tear).
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| fatbob wrote: |
| one groomer is pretty much like another (of similar gradient/wear n tear). |
Yes. It's finding the non-groomed bits that's the challenge.
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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 you don't think the view makes a difference try the Sella Ronda.
From the purely physical skiing challenge point of view, the off-piste is the biggest difference but the difference in black runs is also considerable, both in number available and challenge.
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Used to go to new places most years, - but I'm getting very comfy in my annual pilgrimage to Wengen .... except I am beginning to notice the strength of the ChF.
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We often have repeat visits to resports, but do like to fit in an extra somewhere different as well. These days my trips tend to be 1 x Tignes, 1 x Val Thorens, 1 x Canada somewhere new and 1 x somewhere else in Europe, possibly a repeat visit
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Surely part of the fun is in finding those new huts, skiing those pistes you have never skied before and seeing views you've never seen? I find going back to the same place quite boring - often even disappointing as the bar you loved last year has changed or you don't have such a good night as you remembered in that cheesey umpah apres bar.
But then I don't have children to worry about which could make a difference I guess.
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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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Tiger2, or return each year to ESK, where you can have both familiar and new because the area is mahoosive. I try to mix it up with a new place each year (Schladming looking like it might be a regular pre-Xmas jaunt), but I'll make sure I go to ValD at least once a season simply because it's the greatest resort in the world.
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Tiger2, the Brandegg (Wengen) apple fritters will never change for the worse. It would be a National Disaster. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Blastfromthepast wrote: |
J
Negatives:
Positives:
Takes a while to find way around new ski area
The fun of working out on the piste map how to get from here to there
Hit and miss trying new ski huts
Hitting a great ski hut unexpectedly!
Bit of additional stress and uncertainty organising, not quite knowing what you are getting
well, I don't pay much attention on the place I sleep, so no comment here
Kids seem to prefer the familiarity of known surroundings (hotel and slopes)
(they're YOUR kids, their preference probably comes from YOU)
On a short break you spend additional valuable ski time working stuff out
Do a week to a new resort, and only go back if you like it.
Ultimately from an average piste skiiers perspective, not convinced it makes a lot difference, one set of pistes to the next
You may find a resort has better snow, or better grooming, yet another one has more "character" like off-piste
I must be getting old.
Have you ever been young?  (mostly joking, some people simply don't crea for changes, whatever their age)
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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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Excellent discussion
Quite rightabc, , we must have met !
snowball, Have flights booked to Verona for New Year next year -likely to be trying Kronplatz including a couple of days at the Sella Ronda
Met some people in Obergurgl who were returning for the same week, in the same hotel, for the 35th consecutive year. Apparently the tourist office was about to errect a plaque in their honour.
Reckon family trips may become a tradition to the same place (they are pretty expensive beasts to take a punt on), augmented with short breaks with mates or just the kids as they get older which are more adventurous
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To be honest, there's a lot to be said for going back to the same place every year. After skiing for many years, I do have a short list of places I really like and would not hesitate to go back without a thought....
2 years ago, I did a week of spring skiing at St Moritz. The price was low and the snow pack was high. And the people in the hotel I was staying was so friendly we talked about booking the same week next year together (I have no doubt some of them DID before they even finish the week). I was very much tempted. But my job is relatively fluid so I can't be that sure I have the exact same week off the next year. By next year, I was tempted away by another trip instead. Still, I keep thinking about that week, in St Moritz...
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You know it makes sense.
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There are obvious merits of both, but I do enjoy going back to the same place every year - it feels like a home resort where I know all the best off piste and know quite a few local characters. But it's nice to try somewhere different whenever the chance arises.
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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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Blastfromthepast, do you apply the same philosphy to nocturnal relations with Mrs Blast?
Variety is the spice of life - think of Obergurgl as the missionary position with the lights off after 'Lewis'...
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Poster: A snowHead
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I have gone back to PDS and the 3V's, both big areas, which allowed staying in new places and getting a new angle on a familiar area, conditions have varied enough for me to enjoy each and every trip.
I am a tourist on piste 2/3 trips a year person, and there is a comfort to knowing a bar or restaurant will not let you down. Also with both ski areas being so large leaves plenty for another trip.
My OH went to Megeve and loved it in February, and fancy giving it a go next season( subject to lottery win)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Because I organise a group of experienced skiers the week before Christmas I have been limited to large, snowsure areas. We have tended to return to a resort for a second year if we like the accommodation etc. and move on to a different one after that. I like the security of knowing what to expect for the second year and can relax a bit with the organisation. If it were just me or a smaller group I would probably try somewhere different each holiday as I can only go once and occasionally twice a year.
As I've gained in experience and started to venture off piste, I am happy playing and picking a route down, perhaps staying in one area for quite a while. A couple of years ago I was more interested in going fast and travelling as far as possible. I can see the advantage of knowing somewhere well to get the best out of a resort.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Blastfromthepast wrote: |
Excellent discussion
Quite rightabc, , we must have met !
snowball, Have flights booked to Verona for New Year next year -likely to be trying Kronplatz including a couple of days at the Sella Ronda
Met some people in Obergurgl who were returning for the same week, in the same hotel, for the 35th consecutive year. Apparently the tourist office was about to errect a plaque in their honour.
Reckon family trips may become a tradition to the same place (they are pretty expensive beasts to take a punt on), augmented with short breaks with mates or just the kids as they get older which are more adventurous |
Were they from Inverness / North of Scotland by any chance?
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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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Generally, I like to try different places, but there are a few I'd go back to. Kitzbühel being one (went back there this season), SkiWelt because 3 days there wasn't enough to explore properly, Madonna because I only had one day there and really enjoyed it, and maybe Courmayeur. I don't think I'd go back to La Plagne, Andorra or Val Thorens.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Bergmeister,  superb
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I love trying lots of different resorts, and I return to the ones I like the best. I find it doesn't take long at all to get used to a place, and it's fun reading the piste map.
I especially like going to a different Austrian resort each year - so far the only one I'd be really excited to go back to is St Anton.
I've skied in quite a few French resorts, several of which I've returned to three or four times.
The ones I'd go to again include Val D, Tignes, Alpe D'Huez and Courchevel. I'm a bit bored with La Plagne now, but I'd still go again one day.
No missionary positions for me 
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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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Skiing is an elitist sport you elitist  !!!
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red 27, Nothing wrong with the missionary position but "Lewis" -now you're just being hurtful
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Think I am one of those like trying different resorts.
Did 23 overseas skiing trips and have them recorded in a spreadsheet with a macro to interrogate the details of the resorts.
The number of different resorts visited so far in France/Austria/Italy/Switzerland/USA are 31/33/18/18/16 respectively.
Haven't run out of choices yet. There are only 132 resorts entries in 14 countries so far since 1999 from a skier who learned to ski by himself after turning 50.
I know many like to stay at one place but there is nothing to stop us ski as many resorts as we like in a trip. It is just taking the car along.
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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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This is realy interresting,, how we think about this, In one way, Its difficult to learn to find the best skiing in a new area, but that is in the superareas, like 3V in france or Waisse Ring in Austria, but in smaller area its not a problem. Its also interresting to see new places, different countrys, making roadtrips for 2 weeks for example in the pyreenees, and skiing the real small resorts for one day, and go further next day. When I go skiing with my family, we go to resorts we know, and make reservation long time in advance. but when I´m skiing with my friends or my self, I decide not earlier than one week in advance to be sure to have the best snow, so it can be France, Austria, Spain, Norway and even Greece, or for next year, why not Scotland? There is one resort that I coming back to every year since 1978, Its not realy a good lift system, the skiing is outspread and not connected with with each other, and the powderdays its complet hysterical, and quite expensive. so why did I coming back,, Chamonix is Magic
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I have not yet returned to the same resort. At the back of my mind I have my A level economics teacher talking about marginal utlity and how the first bite of a mars bar is the best and each subsequent bite not quite so good. My worry is that you have a great skiing holiday in a particular resort when you return it might not be quite so good particularly if there is less snow and you lose the excitement of trying a new place. Nevertheless next year for the first time we will return to a resort we've already been to and stay in the same accommodation. I think the children will enjoy returning somewhere familiar and we will know our way around and hopefully fit more skiing in.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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I am another one who likes to go to new places, however I do also have a list of places I will go back to. However for the first time (since I have controlled where I am skiing, as my parents did take us to one resort for a second time but all other ski holidays with my parents was to somewhere new), we did go back to the Courchevel. We stayed in 1550 on my first skiing holiday with my husband, and 10yrs on we actually returned there but staying in 1850 this time. I love discovering new routes, pistes and huts.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I've been to Vallandry/Les Arcs for the last 10 ski trips
We keep having the same discussion about going somewhere else, but keep coming back to the fact that:
1. We like it there
2. The apartments we book are ideal for us as a family
3. We know what's what
4. I know where I can take kids safely without them (i.e. me) getting tired and where to stop
A bit predicatable maybe but for us it just suits in current situation
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If one goes to places like Aspen, Beaver Creek, Zermatt, St Moritz, St Anton, Ischgl etc one doesn't need to get used to it. Just enjoy what the resort has got.
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FAQ
