 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello all I am new to this forum ... I have what is probably an extremely stupid question to anyone who's skied at Christmas before, but it's been bugging me for a few days ...
I've just booked a family ski trip over the Christmas week and was wondering if all the ski lifts, etc are open on Christmas day? I've skied before but never at Christmas time! Also wondering about the lessons as my brother will be taking some.
I hope so, as after a quick present opening session we're hoping to get out and enjoy some powder rather than stay in watching Only Fools and Horses and eating copious amounts of quality street.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Paulfender1, welcome to snowHeads 
IME (in France at any rate) everything is as normal on Christmas Day on the mountain. Christmas Eve afternoon/evening could be quieter as people celebrate with their families etc but there will probably be some sort of entertainment in many resorts Pere Noel, torchlit descents ...
Where are you off to? Someone here can probably give you more specific info
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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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I;m not suire the resorts in Scotland open on Christmas Day, but the continental resorts certainly do. You;ll have a great time
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Thanks guys, we're staying in Soldeu, Andorra. Only ever skied in France before so not sure what I'm letting myself in for in Andorra either but I guess you have to try these things!
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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.
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We skied Seiseralm/Alpe de Suisi on Chrissie day. Had a great day with the place to ourselves. I remember that day as I ploughed head first into powder and did a cartwheel. Not a good feeling with ski boots and skis on 
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Even the dustbin men work on xmas day in French ski resorts on Xmas day!
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| Boredsurfing wrote: |
| Even the dustbin men work on xmas day in French ski resorts on Xmas day! |
and more importantly so do the gendarmerie to nick you / tow you for parking in the wrong place...
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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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bertie bassett, the voice of experience?
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I always go skiing at Christmas. Everything is open Christmas day but in some resorts things may be close down during the late afternoon/ evening of Christmas eve. It is much better in a ski resort over Christmas than in England.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I've not had a Christmas in the UK for well over 30 years for exactly the reasons quoted - sitting around on the sofa bickering about crap TV and stuffing yourself stupid out of sheer boredom! If I'd been in the UK every year, I'd have been done for murder long long ago!
Christmas Eve is the important day in Europe with lessons, lifts, shops and restaurants all closing/stopping either slightly earlier (lessons and lifts sometimes) shops at midday and restaurants depending entirely on the owners. Even in hotels many of the staff are often "missing" as they go home to their families, but the are has always been enough people to ensure guests have a really good evening. Christmas Eve is the family time, with most families having a special dinner (not turkey!) and then exchanging presents after the meal.
I've spent Christmas in French, Swiss, Italian and Austrian resorts over the years and have to say that I have never lost snow time as a result and the one time I lost lesson time it was made up for in bucket loads by the instructors either Christmas Day or during the rest of my time with the ski school. Staying in hotels in Austria these days, it reminds me more of the kind of family-based Christmas I had as a small child rather than the orgy of receiving (and the pressure to give presents), eating and drinking it seems to have become in the UK.
I think you will have a fabulous time wherever you are if you embrace the local traditions rather than bemoan them which is what I'm afraid I have all to often seen and heard British tourists do in the past.
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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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Hey Paul, have a look at http://www.grandvalira.com/en for some more info, it will be open for Christmas day.
I have not decided if I will heading that way or over to Arcalis, I guess it will depend on snow conditions. Although the thought of doing a naked ski from the top of Arinsal down to the village is not without merit (maybe a small Union-Jack thong to protect the innocent).
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Samerberg Sue, when you put it that way it makes me wonder why we're at home this Christmas. Apartment is empty so far, but no chance of getting away.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hells Bells, go for it! You will never have another Christmas in the UK once you've tried it! 
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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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Mt Baker doesn't open Xmas day as we found out once, fortunately with enough time to drive down to Alpental which did and was brill.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I have to agree with Samerberg Sue, . I first skied 8years ago at Christmas and spent the next 6 Christmas' skiing. We did New Year last year so had Chrismas at home... never again! Christmas morning is great as the slopes are relativly quiet with hardly any locals out, due to the big night on christmas eve.
Only downside is the often limited snow but you do get quite good with icy conditions.
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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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Lizzard, wouldn't have thought it was a particularly silly question. Seen far more daft ones than that here.
Still, phew and all that, at least one snowHead won't make a twit of himself at the ticket office.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Thanks for all the advice guys.
You'll also be safe in the knowledge that despite being new I have plenty more stupid questions where that one came from!
Went to the slope in Hemel today... Excitement levels are reaching new heights and I asked myself a question I haven't asked for a fair few years ...
Is it Christmas yet!?
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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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| airbornebadger wrote: |
| Although the thought of doing a naked ski from the top of Arinsal down to the village is not without merit (maybe a small Union-Jack thong to protect the innocent). |
Anyone have a large flag they can lend me so I can join Airbornebadger!?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We skied xmas week in france and xmas day was a little disappointing. Everywhere was open, it was business as usual and just like a normal day.
There were no real festivities and we cam e home feeling liked we had 'missed' xmas completely.
This year we are staying home and skiing new year.
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I spent Christmas in Lech once and absolutely hated it. More graven images, schmalzy music and dirndls/lederhosen than you could shake a stick at. I had an almost uncontrollable urge to shout 'Achtung, Spitfire!' in a lift queue.
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We spent xmas with the kids (3 -5) in Oz en Oisans one year - Santa arrived by parachute! That was all we needed, it was fantastic!
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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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Er, yes, Xmas... dead time at work, crap time in the UK as everyone is vomiting in the streets or rabidly buying junk for each other... I always go to the snow then.
In North America xmas itself can be very quiet as Americans at least like to stay at home at that time. It's therefore the cheapest time of year to rent a helicopter for example.
The main problem these days is that the seasons have moved later, so you can't be sure of good snow conditions in resorts.
Of course it's "just like a normal day" - that's why I like it; I like normal days.
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Most ski resorts only have a limited window of 10 to 20 weeks every year to fleece their visitors.
Every day is precious.
Your ski resort will be fully or near-fully open on Santa's Day.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Not a silly question at all. Most if not all of the smaller resorts in the eastern Pyrenees close at lunchtime on Christmas Day. I don't know about Andorra though... and my guess would be that neither of the (relatively large) resorts close since they're so international. That's only a guess though.
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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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At our resort we have a torchlight parade on Christmas Eve, so there is no night skiing (lifts close at 4pm) for the public. Christmas Day is usually fun, Santa skis around with his elves and hands out candy to everyone, and the mountain is usually quiet. We start getting busy after lunch on the 26th as everyone drives in then.
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| Quote: |
We skied xmas week in france and xmas day was a little disappointing. Everywhere was open, it was business as usual and just like a normal day.
There were no real festivities and we cam e home feeling liked we had 'missed' xmas completely.
This year we are staying home and skiing new year.
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Isn't that the point of skiing at Christmas? To miss the dismal time in the UK.
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You know it makes sense.
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| johnE wrote: |
| Quote: |
We skied xmas week in france and xmas day was a little disappointing. Everywhere was open, it was business as usual and just like a normal day.
There were no real festivities and we cam e home feeling liked we had 'missed' xmas completely.
This year we are staying home and skiing new year.
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Isn't that the point of skiing at Christmas? To miss the dismal time in the UK. |
That really depends on whether or not you view xmas in the uk as dismal.
We tend to enjoy xmas day at home, we have a young daughter who still enjoys waking up to masses of presents and the arrival of family bearing more gifts.
Whilst away we could obviously not take all her gifts with us so ended up taking just one present each. Xmas mornin g in a small hotel room was pretty drab.
On the plus side the slopes were great and i really enjoyed that. We made an effort with seasonal hats (santa style) but got strange looks from everyone else. I felt like shouting 'ffs is xmas everyone'.
I love my skiing but wouldn't do it again until the little one has left home.
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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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Corduroy, we ski at Christmas most years (but not this one). We have an apartment, and drive there, so take pressies with us, mainly ski related. Champagne for breakfast, good lunch out , then we cook a meal in the evening (all prep done the previous day) There's usually a lot of people in Santa hats and a couple of years ago, we bumped in to the whole Nativity scene out skiing, including a 6ft 2 baby Jesus with a beard. As the French tend to celebrate on Christmas Eve with a festive dinner,Santa is in the village in the afternoon giving out sweets, and there is vin chaud and torchlight skiing followed by fireworks. Christmas morning on the slopes tends to be quiet, but I quite like it that way.
Now remind me again why we are staying at home this year?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Can anyone tell me what the traditional French fayre is on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Tarantaise?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Has anyone got any more tips for xmas get away?
As mentioned on the other xmas thread, we are looking to go the 3valleys as we have been before. Staying previously in
La Tania and Courchevel 1550 and La Praz.
I was thinking Val Thorens, mainly due to the height of the resort.
Would welcome any tips and reccomendations for places to stay.
I keep going round in circles and am conscious that time is getting on.
My girlfriend is competent boarder but is more comfortable on blues.
Thanks
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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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Hmm, Christmas away sounds v tempting, kids with Ex, dad in Oz with big sis so just me and the cat here! May well start bargain hunting in 3 or 4 weeks time!
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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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| Quote: |
6ft 2 baby Jesus with a beard.
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My brother is moonlighting 
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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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| Corduroy wrote: |
| johnE wrote: |
| Quote: |
We skied xmas week in france and xmas day was a little disappointing. Everywhere was open, it was business as usual and just like a normal day.
There were no real festivities and we cam e home feeling liked we had 'missed' xmas completely.
This year we are staying home and skiing new year.
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Isn't that the point of skiing at Christmas? To miss the dismal time in the UK. |
That really depends on whether or not you view xmas in the uk as dismal.
We tend to enjoy xmas day at home, we have a young daughter who still enjoys waking up to masses of presents and the arrival of family bearing more gifts.
Whilst away we could obviously not take all her gifts with us so ended up taking just one present each. Xmas mornin g in a small hotel room was pretty drab.
On the plus side the slopes were great and i really enjoyed that. We made an effort with seasonal hats (santa style) but got strange looks from everyone else. I felt like shouting 'ffs is xmas everyone'.
I love my skiing but wouldn't do it again until the little one has left home. |
Maybe try a catered Chalet holiday. It does cost more but generally the Chalet Hosts plan to have a fun Christmas because its also their Christmas. But being away doesn't suit everyone 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| CaravanSkier wrote: |
| Can anyone tell me what the traditional French fayre is on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Tarantaise? |
For Reveillon on Christmas Eve, there tends to be a lot of oysters, smoked salmon and foie gras in the shops, and I think they tend to have beef instead of turkey. They will follow this with a cheese course, then Bouche de Noel is the traditional dessert, with most of the boulangeries and pattiseries selling them if you don't want to make your own. Different regions of France have different traditions.
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Thank you Hells Bells, I knew about some of the traditions in other regions of France but not in the Tarantaise.
I would be interested to hear what foods, and where, Snowheads have eaten in the Alps for Reveillon and on Christmas day.
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CaravanSkier, Christmas day tends to be just like any other I think, the Christmas eve meal is the main one.
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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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Though I have skied in Austria over Christmas we didn't have the Austrian traditional Christmas meal of fried carp. Has anyone had it and what is it like. Is it worth a trip to Austria to sample?
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| Quote: |
traditional Christmas meal of fried carp
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I had to re-read that.
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FAQ
