 Poster: A snowHead
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Peter Hardy's ski report for the Telegraph this week looks at the annual pressure on ski accommodation and facilities at February half-term, suggesting avoidance strategies. There are tips on when to ski with the kids, and where to go.
Here's the article.
Any comments?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The man certainly can do his research. How on earth do you find out the dates of school holidays in Finland and Slovenia??!!
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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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He probably gives somebody a Bell.
Sorry.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I'm getting fed up of articles like this. Probably the best snow in the alps is in February, but hey, we don't want to go then because it might be busy. So, let's go January - but, best not go then because the snow might not be good early in the season. If you read 'Where to Ski & Board', you wouldn't actually go anywhere other than the 3V, Zermatt or St.Anton because all the other resorts are either: too low, too full of Brits, too full of Germans, too boring, only for experts, not enough to keep an intermediate happy....
Where the blazes should we go?
Erica (having a very bad day)
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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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Personally, we're not going in Feb this year , but only because the 2 weeks rent we can get for half-term will pay for the apartment cost for a couple of months. Normally we go as hubby can't get Christmas holidays, but the boss has allowed him to take tham this year due to our new apartment being ready then. Even in places mentioned as having serious queues it hasn't been too bad. Worst queues ever were in La Plagne at Bellecote gondola in March.
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Helen,
Just checked your site - how big / many rooms has your place?
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NorthWestFace, 1 bedroom, sleeps 4 adults (will sleep 5 if a child).
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erica2004, although the disadvantages of skiing at other times of year might be over-emphasised in some articles, I would say that with regard to skiing in the big French ski stations at half-term Peter Hardy is absolutely correct. Like Helen I'm also avoiding February this year, so Jane and I will ski at Christmas and possibly Easter but give February a miss.
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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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ski, do you also ski at Christmas and Easter? For us (Jane is also a teacher) we have the choice of ski at half-term OR ski at Easter because she doesn't want to spend every one of her winter holidays skiiing. Given that choice, our preference is Easter.
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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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Mrs H has returned to teaching - I must admit that I'm rather taken with Easter ski-ing. Although we've only done Val Thorens so far, we also did Saas Fee over New Year which was good - I find the snow reliability a bit anxiety generating at that time of year though.
I feel I should try somewhere else at Easter but Val Thorens has snow down to resort level and access to a huge ski area.
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We're actually going in Feb this year, which we never usually do. And going to Big White in Canada which is on Peter Hardy's list of places to go in half-term. Hope not too many people take his advice!
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You know it makes sense.
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| Martin Bell wrote: |
| The man certainly can do his research. How on earth do you find out the dates of school holidays in Finland and Slovenia??!! |
I imagine he uses Google like most journalists.
Finnish School Holidays 2005 - 2006
Autumn holiday 24.10. - 28.10.2005
Independence Day 6.12.2005
Christmas holiday 23.12.2005 - 8.1.2006
Winter holiday 27.2. - 3.3.2006
Easter holiday 14.4. - 17.4.2006
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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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| davidof wrote: |
| I imagine he uses Google like most journalists. |
Goggle is also good when the facts are a fog
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Poster: A snowHead
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This link is handy for European half term dates.
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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 went once in Half term, because of of our group was involved in 'Education' and had to set an example  (It was several years ago). I can easily say never again.
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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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La Rosiere first week in Feb last year was very easy. No waiting for anything, heavy fall of snow on the seconed day. Took the boy out of school and went with a load of fanatics at the last minute and got a great deal with ski olympic. First time lucky maybe?
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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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sean, welcome to snowHeads! The first week of Feb is a good time to go as it is before most schools start their mid-term break (so resorts shouldn't be too busy), but you should have a good chance of decent weather & snow. Last week of January or the first week of March is my favourite time to go.
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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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We went to Breckenridge during US spring break two years ago and saw very little difference in crowds or queues. However this may have to do with the fact that the lift system is incredibly efficient and there are dozens of slopes.
The only difference I saw really, was the increase in people being stretchered off the slopes. But that probably has to do with having overconfident teenagers on the slopes trying blacks when they should be trying blues.
But hey we've all been there as teenagers haven't we? 
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Civilserpent, sean, welcome one and all to snowHeads 
I've never skied at half term, but I have it in my head that everything would packed with people. I went through Geneva once over Christmas / New Year and that was pretty heaving.
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| David Goldsmith wrote: |
| davidof wrote: |
| I imagine he uses Google like most journalists. |
Goggle is also good when the facts are a fog |
I can merit this pun with a small, 'goggle' tee hee 
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sean, welcome to snowheads, another good plug for La Rosiere.
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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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Trying not to cut my own throat, but we did La Rosiere last Easter when, allegedley, every bed in resort was let. No queues. My theory is that most short break or day trippers will go to La Plagne, Les Arcs, Tignes, or Val D'Isere, and not bother with such a little tin pot place. We did have a greqt deal in La plagne as an option but ended up in La Rosiere for this half term due to our "quiet" Easter experience.
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Frosty the Snowman, We also have to take our holiday at Half Term and after reading previous comments about skiing at half term have booked to go to La Rosiere.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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kevinrhead, We are there 19th Feb, How about you?
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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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Frosty the Snowman, Unfortunately our Half Term is week before.
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FAQ
, or Feb half term on skis 
