 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Everyone,
I managed to get some free accommodation booked for Schladming 1st-8th Dec 2012. But before I book any flights/lift passes etc I was wondering if anyone had been that early in December and knew, in general, what the snow conditions would be like?
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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abc434589, Too early to say
but they normally make huge efforts to open as early as possible. Usually they open in November. and have a very good record for the beginning of the season.
In fact you only have to book flight in advance (assuming you get them cheaper).
No need to book transfers until last minute and lift passes you can buy in the gondola base station.
If you book Ryanair flights I would only book luggage / ski carriage a few days before departure.
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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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abc434589, Normally one of the first "low" resorts to open and brilliant snowmaking facilities (if it is cold enough) so you should be ok - my favourite spot so I'm a bit biased.
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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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A little on rthe low side I think fro early season. I would think that Oberatuern is a better prospect for early Dec, as tjhe snow reacord is consistantly good early season.
Oh, and Ive been there 1st week dec about 3-4 times 
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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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In 2009,Schladming started the season on october the 18th, see the photo report below
http://www.alpinforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=32931&p=4647275
Obertauern vs Schladming.
Yes, Obertauern is higher. Considerably.
But where Schladming slopes are on pastures (grass), in Obertauern there's lots more rocks to cover.
So they need much more snow, naturally or artificial, to have good coverage.
To compensate for lower altitude, Schladming has invested in a MASSIVE artificial snow installation.
They have 100% coverage (nice). But more importantly: their installation and water reservoirs are massive.
They only need 48-72 hrs of cold wheather, to cover ALL of the pistes.
Look up the slope reports on alpinforum, and you will see that slope conditions in Schladming in early season, are often better than in Obertauern.
It's only in late season (april) when Obertauern has the advantage.
By then the snow depth is high and can survive high temperatures.
In Schladming they also have snow "in store" by creating huge mountains of artificial snow.
But by then snow quantity is not the problem.
Snow quality is the problem. Temperatures in Schladming are 6 degrees higher, so you're skiing in slush by 11 AM.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Last year I got the first week in Dec, or possible a couple of days later. They had the snow cannons going so some runs were open and decent, then got a big dump mid week and ended up even going down the lift cuts in the forest in a foot of fresh
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Thank you all for your insightful replies 
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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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abc434589, If you need more info look up Kooky,Waynos or Flangesax all locals and experts on the area
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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abc434589, Last year no snow in St Anton on 8th December, we arrived on 10th, 30cm new pow. Never been to Schladming but its on my list, go for it. You can always get up to a glacier in the area, worst case.
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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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Schladming generally starts pretty early. Many people bring up the altitude issue but Schladming is a long way east and therefore altitude becomes less of an issue as it would in say a French resort. I skied there a few years ago on the first weekend in December and we had awesome snow. I've skied there pretty much every year for the last 5 pre-Christmas and always had very good conditions. Under normal circumstances you should have no problem from mid-station up.
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You know it makes sense.
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abc434589, Snow canons in place on Schladming  ( also saw them up at Zauchensee and Maria Alm yesterday)
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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briand6868, I bet she has pressure plates set on the roof to set alarms off when the first flake falls 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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FAQ
but flangesax is rapidly becoming a Schladders Guru! 
