Poster: A snowHead
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I assume because of New Year's and the school holidays that this will be a crowded week. For people with experience, how busy will it be? Any thoughts on places where the crowds might not be so big?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Any where not in easy reach of a major city. The down side being long transfers.
Livigno? Not a large ski area tho.
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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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Yes, it is busy and is my least favourite week to ski. (even Feb half term beats it in my book) Having said that, much depends on the snow - if it's an absolutely stonking start to the season and all the slopes are open and preferably there is good off piste to be had then, it's not too bad at all. If however it's a below average start and the hordes are being concentrated on relatively few lifts and slopes then it really is beyond 'orrible. Definitely stay away from the big French resorts as the French 'do' New Year rather than Xmas but as for where might be bearable, I'm sure someone with a more positive outlook will be along soon.
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I did Valloire a few years ago at New year and it was not overly busy, no queuing to speak of.
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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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It will probably be the busiest week of the year.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Definitely stay away from the big French resorts
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Not sure I agree with that. I have been in Tignes five out of the last seven New Year weeks and never had a problem. It's busy of course but the ski area is enormous and the lift system is built to handle big numbers. And of course the altitude means that there is a decent chance of there being good snow by then.
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chraya, I'd say your biggest problem will be getting flights and accommodation at this late stage.
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I'm sure someone with a more positive outlook will be along soon.
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I'm here.
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Definitely stay away from the big French resorts
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I agree with Bogusman, I'm not sure I agree with it either (actually I'm editting my post, I think I definitely don't agree with it!). I've new yeared in France quite a lot, mainly 3V but also Alpe d'huez quite a bit and La Plagne and Val d'isere. It is busier than christmas week and "all the usual bottlenecks" can get queues, but if you ski cleverly you can easily spend the whole period without meeting anything more than a few people and often even less than that!!
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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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chraya, I'd never go again at New year - mega crowded and also the greatest amoount of accidents and reckless / feckless skiing I've ever seen. But as others have said if you can pick somewhere a bit out of the way you might be OK.
St Moritz might work
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The only time I ever had a pleasant experience at NY was in Ste Foy, but that was many years ago before it was famous. Might still be worth a look.
If were to go again at NY I'd look for smaller resorts, maybe lower altitude too - snow seems good this year so it's not going to be too risky. When you get there I'd get on the lifts early, have lunch early and just accept that there'll be a few queue and don't stress it.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I am going to the 3 valleys, it will be busy, but I will be skiing, so I do not care.
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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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I will be skiing, so I do not care
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exactly
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You know it makes sense.
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I've skied both Whistler and the 3V at New Year's, and while it was busy it definitely wasn't unbearable.
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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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but if you ski cleverly you can easily spend the whole period without meeting anything more than a few people and often even less than that!!
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+1 to what andyrew, says. Have been in Serre Che, Les Arcs and 3V Mottaret at those times and it is ok. Avoid bottlenecks as has been said, and if you can't be prepared to queue. But nothing like in the main school holz IMO.
Enjoy.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks for all the replies. I have decided to pass on New Year's. I hate crowds. A 5 minute wait for a chairlift is too long for me. I'm looking at 3V the first week of Feb. instead and possibly Zermatt the first week of April.
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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've been in St Anton and Saalbach for new year, busy but not all that bad.
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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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chraya wrote: |
Thanks for all the replies. I have decided to pass on New Year's. I hate crowds. A 5 minute wait for a chairlift is too long for me. I'm looking at 3V the first week of Feb. instead and possibly Zermatt the first week of April. |
If you really hate crowds then this is a good move. April trip to Zermatt sounds particularly appealing to me, keep meaning to do that
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If you hate crowds I wish you well coming out of those Zermatt cable cars onto pistes that seem to be three feet wide.
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