 Poster: A snowHead
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So, I'm a skiier, my wife is not (after 7 attempts and 3 broken bones we both agreed it was time for her to retire, at 29). However she does love snow and pretty alpine villages for a spot of R&R.
We've just been to Madonna di Campiglio for a week in which I did ski and she enjoyed the spa and the village (shopping, snowshoeing, etc). In March it is her 30th birthday and she wants a long weekend in the mountains - this time I'm not allowed to ski either (hey i love the mountains and if it's a choice between the mountains not skiing and anywhere else in the world - also not skiing - I'll take the former!).
It needs to be a) snowy at village level b) a pretty alpine village c) contain a decent 4 star spa hotel for about £300-£400/night d) somewhere we haven't been before
Which rules out: Kitzbuhel, Aspen and Madonna di Campilgio - but these would have fitted the description otherwise
and: Val Thorens, Val d'isere, Avoriaz & Mammoth - which wouldn't be right for this sort of trip anyway
I'm thinking Switzerland or Austria but that's not set in stone. Zermatt maybe?
What do you think?
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 23-01-12 22:20; edited 1 time in total
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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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ishay, Baden Baden, but you might not have snow.
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| ishay wrote: |
It needs to be a) snowy at village level b) a pretty alpine village |
Difficult to guarantee in March unless you go fairly high.
May be worth checking out the places that specialise in weekends - I know some places are very much Saturday to Saturday bookings only.
You mentioned Zermatt. One option might be the Riffleberg hotel that is above the main town and accessed by train. I think it's 5*. Don't know about the spa but presume it has one. The Sonne is Zermatt is 4* with excellent spa.
Obergurgl?
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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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What's the rationale for not allowing other people to ski there?
St Wolfgang is v pretty and the skiing is a longish bus ride away so it's not all about the skiing, but it's low, so snow on the ground in March is not guaranteed (although also not completely improbable).
I think DCG might be right, in that if there was a pretty, snowsure, village with good hotels, someone would have thought to put a skilift in. Is there anywhere where the landscape would not allow skiing....but then nobody would have bothered to build hotels I guess...
D
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Bad Kleinkirchheim?
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Ooh what about Kandersteg in Switzerland?
Or back in Austria, Hallstatt is very pretty but again who knows whether there will be snow on the ground in March? Hallstatt popped into my head as I was trying to think of somewhere where the landscape would preclude skiing.
D
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Davos? Not sure but think there is only limited skiing (might be expensive mind)....
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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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ishay, Saas Fee in Switzerland should fit the bill. Pretty much guaranteed snow at village level still barring disastrous conditions, its at 1800 meters. It's picture postcard pretty, it is pricey but think still should fit within your budget. The Ferienart is a fancy 5 star hotel with spa, haven't stayed there as was beyond my budget but popped in for a look and it looked fantastic:
http://www.ferienart.ch/
Worth a look, its 5 star. There are also some other nice 4 star hotels there but don't know which if any have a spa.
Lots of non ski stuff to do there.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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ishay, If you want guaranteed snow, and outstanding natural scenery (although without alpine villages) then you could consider the following places in North America:
Canada:
In the Rockies: Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper. Of these, Banff is the largest town, and the Banff Springs Hotel falls into the 4 star spa hotel category, as does the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the Jasper Park Lodge.
In Quebec: The Chateau Frontenac. Quebec is the only walled city in North America and has lots of historic areas to visit like the Rue Petit Champlain. Nearby are the frozen Montmorency Falls
USA:
A bit more off beat, but if you both like snowscapes, then to my mind the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is in Winter! No crowds, you get transported into the Park with your luggage on caterpillar tracked snowcoaches - the driver stops en route to describe various sights of interest, and then you can stay at Old Faithful accommodation. The contrast between the snow and the geothermal features is amazing. Accommodation info here (they also have hot tubs), and info on winter activities here.
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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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+1 for Saas Fee
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| sweaman2 wrote: |
| Davos? Not sure but think there is only limited skiing (might be expensive mind).... |
Great place but doesn't pass the "pretty village" test. There's lots of skiing.
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You know it makes sense.
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Seefeld? Alpine skiing is a short bus ride out of the town, to help you avoid the tempation. Lots of nice snow walks, and maybe you could interest her in cross country skiing?
We stayed at the Alpenpark a couple of years back when my OH was expecting and thus couldn't ski (though she's not that keen anyway!) and enjoyed it. There are two spar area's, one adults only and one for families. There was lots of snow at village level in late March when we were there, but not sure it's guaranteed.
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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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Zermatt for me. A bit of a grind to get too, but a beautiful village , will go there when daughter is a bit older and wife will learn to pack less, stayed in a level hotel cannot remember name 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Zell am See?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Megève?
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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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Hotel Schweizerhof Saas Fee would be my choice - gives you everything you want although you'll be sorely tempted to sneak a few hours on the slopes.
Not in a village but have a look at Schloss Elmau in Bavaria. Magical place with best spa facilities I've come across. No downhill skiing, only x country, so you won't be tempted!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Another vote for Saas Fee 
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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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Actually, lots of pretty alpine villages (almost by definition at low altitude) are getting a bit grotty in March. Why not go in June, when the pastures will be green and full of cows with bells, knee deep in flowers, whilst the mountain tops will still be snowy white?
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I was about to suggest Saas Fee too!
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Murren?
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To those I've confused, I didn't mean it shouldn't be a ski resort, just that I wouldn't be skiing (and yes I may try to sneak a morning in somewhere along the way 
It has to March because that's when her 30th b'day is.
I went to Baden Baden on my stag doo...
Hadn't thought of Saas Fee so it was worth asking
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From personal experience I can recommend the Cervo hotel in Zermatt for a romantic weekend. Although it would seem a shame not to ski (or board) while there. There is a lift from the town that hotel guests can use 24 hours - to save you walking the steep hill home.
I haven't been but Saas-Fee by all reports would be the perfect resort. It's supposed to be picture postcard pretty, and high enough to be guaranteed snow. Again a shame to o and not hit the mountains. Maybe you could get some skiing time for good behaviour
Jack.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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There is a nice big hotel up on the slopes in Zermatt. Can't remember the name, but you can ride up and down the train to the town.
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You know it makes sense.
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Riffelalp resort. Actually its probably too pricey but try booking.com or other such sites
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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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1. Zermatt;
2. St Moritz;
3. Cervinia.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I stayed in saas fee for my honeymoon (we also did some alpine mountaineering in this trip....so my wife had some stories about sharing a bed with 30 men on her honeymoon (OK it was in a mountain hut...)! Still not sure how i managed to pull that one off! )
Anyway, it would certainly fit the bill, its a magical spot, surrounded by 4000m peaks, with some excellent hotels/restaurants/bars etc to choose from.
Zermatt also a good choice, its feels quite a bit bigger than Saas Fee and has more options for most things, and with the incredible Matterhorn towering overhead
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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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lapland and see the northern lights?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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DB, I like the look of that - how far to the nearest skiing if I do blag a morning?
What about Wengen?
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| ishay wrote: |
| DB, I like the look of that - how far to the nearest skiing if I do blag a morning? |
Looking on the map Sölden is less than 10 miles away = circa 15 min in a taxi. Obergurgl is a nice snow secure alpine ski village which would also be worth a visit circa 17 miles = 30 min taxi ride away. Probably more chance you will get away for a ski if the other half has a large therme baths than just a small hotel spa to play with.
Note: the thermal hotels can be very expensive but a local hotel, pension or B&B within walking distance can work out a lot cheaper.
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We went to Saas Fee last year on a family ski trip but my wife wasn't skiing. She had a great time walking, taking in the sites, coffee stops etc. There seemed to be quite a bit to do in the village, and as others have said it was very pretty with stunning mountain views from all parts of the village.
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Megeve - more michelin restaurants than any other ski resort (I think). Tres chic and a wonderful location for a girl's 30th! 
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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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I wouldn't count on snow in Megeve town in March.
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