 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
New to forums and have just come back from Banff after a wonderful week. Thinking ahead to next trip, we'd like to go to Europe (only to cut down on air time) so I was wondering if you guys knew if there was any where comparable to Canada's huge wide pistes and friendliness? We're beginner/intermediate standard looking for great skiing and good restaurants. Thanks for any help.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Wengen? Soll?
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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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europe?
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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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Chrystal tips, Welcome to snowheads. There are many things in Europe that are better than Canada, ski in/out, the lift systems, altitude, the haircuts. There are some things that Canada is better for, like lots more power snow most years.
In short there is not anywhere the same, huge pistes are however plentiful. If you want friendly try Austria.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
Canada is better for, like lots more power snow most years
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any stats for this one??
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....just stating something on this one not arguing one way or another... but WHERE on the mountain the (weather) measurements are taken is often forgotten e.g. here in Val d'Isere the official weather station is at the BOTTOM of the mountain whereas in Whistler it is at the TOP of the mountain so immediately the data is not as straight forward to interpret as one would think.
Besides if there are beginner / intermediate standard then the chances are that lots of snow is likely to become a hinderance to progression and predictable and groomed slopes are going to be better.
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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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Nope, food and Bier are beter everywhere in Europe..
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And, N America doesn't do real coffee.
Or Apres 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Bob, I seem to remember (with difficulty) some fantastic apres time in Banff. I also remember drinking some of the local micro-brewery beer in Whistler and Squamish that was waaaay better than most of what I've drank in europe.
My favourite place to ski anywhere in Lake Louise, although that may change when I get to explore Val D'Isere more than I did this season (due to injury).
Best mountain food I've had is in Italy - that's where the US/Can really need to pick up.
Best on mountain banter is at Glencoe 
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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: |
In short there is not anywhere the same, huge pistes are however plentiful. If you want friendly try Austria.
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And France
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| Chrystal tips wrote: |
Hi,
I was wondering if you guys knew if there was any where comparable to Canada's huge wide pistes and friendliness? We're beginner/intermediate standard looking for great skiing and good restaurants. Thanks for any help. |
Second vote for the Dolomites - I'm quite biased but the locals are super friendly, the skiing is great and the food is superb 
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You know it makes sense.
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St Anton is #1 for Apres... on and off the mountain.
I've yet to experience the treats and banter in Glencoe - Maybe one winter I'll make it up
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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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Dolomites at the beginning of March - sunshine, food, friendly helpful locals, drink, gentle runs if you want them; all good.
But sadly, you will not find a match for a proper Canuck Backcountry Mullet anywhere beyond the nation's borders. Not even in Australia.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Yep, the skiing in Canada is preety damn good. Impossible to get the scale or variety in Europe.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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In general resorts and mountains are much bigger in Europe - often covering several interlinked valleys. Pistes, however, are not very different, except that they are often already existing pastures (often with with privately owned restaurants beside them and pre-existing villages at the bottom). Consequently there is a bit more variety of piste width.
The main difference is off-piste. In Canada there is in-bounds off-piste which is avalanche patrolled. In Europe there are very much larger and very exciting areas of off piste which can be accessed from lifts (and, of course, much more if you are prepared to walk a bit), not just between pistes but going off the back into other valleys. But this is not avalanche patrolled. It is similar to the much smaller lift accessed out of bounds in Canada (in resorts which have it and allow you to ski it).
Not much in the way of really difficult pistes in the Dolomites but otherwise it is fantastic.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Tue 10-04-12 16:05; 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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OP Killy Espace, but not at all folksy
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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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Some of the Germans you see in Ch and Aus have decent mullets though they neglect the classic lairy Skidoo jacket.
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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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Chrystal tips, Would help if you told us what you liked about Canada? Have you skied in Europe before at all? I worked and lived in Banff for a season I loved the place but I reckon for the beginner and intermediate piste bashers Europe as previously mentioned has huge resorts and more of them.
As said I enjoyed my time in Canada but I can't fathom why a recreational skier based in the UK/Europe would go to the expense to go to Canada/NA over Europe.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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If you liked Banff then Europe is really not the place for you.
Sadly you'll be hard pushed to find anywhere that requires lengthy bus trips every day to the slopes.
You'll strugle to find food of a similar quality....most food in Europe is really good.
The lift systems tend to be much, much bigger in Europe too, and the off piste is almost limitless in places, and you can almost always find a local bus to get you home too.
There are literally hundreds of small resorts too, Canada must have a couple of dozen though, so I'd stick with it instead.
Don't bother....stay in Banff.
Europe sucks.
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Comparing one week from one of Europe's worst seasons (and one of NA's best) on record isn't really proof of that...
IIRC, Stuben am Arlberg gets very similar snowfall to much of NA, but as mentioned where snow depth measurements are taken from plays a massive part.
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clarky999, i couldn't even be bothered to rise to the debate on that one... what a useless graph!
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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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