Who is going skiing and where 2015?

[Steviesam]

I got one bexuase half the time my cards wiont work...it just spits them out. And then there is the scramble to fond money to pay.

Its just easier with a tag. And I was also mega impressed when I was in car parks....some of them just use the tag as you exit!

[anonymous-user]

Tallow said:

Just popped my head back in to say thanks to Streetrod and 5potturbo for the extra Whistler info. Much appreciated guys, I can't wait!

Another question in case anyone has any suggestions - I'm thinking of a quick end of season shorter break towards end of March/early April. Any ideas of pleasant yet inexpensive resorts that aren't utterly rammed?

To add to what's already been said about Whistler in Jan: be prepared for anything. We've had spring snow in Jan and temps in the minus 30s with icy clear blue skies. They say that the weather can change very quickly in the mountains, and that's never more true than at Whistler.

So, the clothing tips for conditions like that are (a) layers, with a poly prop base layer, and (b) a waterproof and ideally breathable outer shell layer. One good thing about that time of year is that generally the weather will be consistent during the course of a single day; it may change rapidly over a 2 or more day period though. But what you wear first thing should see you through the day.

As for late Mar/early Apr, I'd say wait until you've been to Whistler and see whether you want to go back. That time of year is my fave: you can sometimes get the full four seasons in a day. We've had deep dry powder to soft wet moguls; rain to bright sunshine; fog to 100 mile visibility. But a "typical" (haha) day is clear, cold in the morning with hardpacked snow that's been groomed and refrozen overnight, softening during the day to soft wet snow with warm (high teens low 20s) sunshine, and T shirts on the terraces post-skiing.

[T1berious]

Just seen this thread!

Off to St Anton early Jan and Whistler Early March. Hopefully the snow next week will be the start of decent snowfall in St Anton.

Whistler looks awesome already! (As usual)

[eyebeebe]

Just found out that I need to organise a stag weekend, probably in St Anton or Ischgl weekend of 6th March. Does anyone have any ideas for getting reasonably priced accommodation for a weekend in either place? On booking.com basically everywhere wants you for a Saturday to Saturday or is crazy expensive. If it were a normal weekend, I'd just chance my arm and rock up to the tourist centre in the town and get something on the day, but that's a bit risky for something a bit more organised.

[OscarIndia]

prand said:

OscarIndia said:

Who are you getting it through? That sounds a lot more than I am paying, I think mine is direct through SANEF.

That's the Eurotunnel website that directs you to http://www.saneftolling.co.uk

Looking at the French SANEF site, linking through to "Bip & Go", it does look a fair bit cheaper, but it looks like it won't allow a non French address or bank card.

Ah, that may explain it! I have a French address and bank account.

[Marcellus]

eyebeebe said:

Just found out that I need to organise a stag weekend, probably in St Anton or Ischgl weekend of 6th March. Does anyone have any ideas for getting reasonably priced accommodation for a weekend in either place? On booking.com basically everywhere wants you for a Saturday to Saturday or is crazy expensive. If it were a normal weekend, I'd just chance my arm and rock up to the tourist centre in the town and get something on the day, but that's a bit risky for something a bit more organised.

Not sure if they cover these resorts but try; skiweekends.com or Ian at Snowbeds.com

failing that chaletsdirect.com/solutions room

[//j17]

eyebeebe said:

Just found out that I need to organise a stag weekend, probably in St Anton or Ischgl weekend of 6th March. Does anyone have any ideas for getting reasonably priced accommodation for a weekend in either place? On booking.com basically everywhere wants you for a Saturday to Saturday or is crazy expensive. If it were a normal weekend, I'd just chance my arm and rock up to the tourist centre in the town and get something on the day, but that's a bit risky for something a bit more organised.

Can't comment on St Anton but think you'll struggle with Ischgl. It's a ski resort in the middle of ski season, so they obviously want to get 14 (2x Sat-Sat weeks) nights money off of people rather than 2 or 3 nights (Fri-Sun/Mon), then empty the rest of both weeks. It's also not a cheap resort - but IS worth the money.

You could look at staying outside Ischgl, in Mathon, Kappl, etc and just accept getting the bus in/taxi back (plenty of minibus taxis around). This is what the German weekenders do - drive to resort and stay down the valley, then shuttle in. There's ski lockers up at Idalp, so you don't need to lug your skis/poles around all evening.

[Marcellus]

//j17 said:

You could look at staying outside Ischgl, in Mathon, Kappl, etc and just accept getting the bus in/taxi back (plenty of minibus taxis around). This is what the German weekenders do - drive to resort and stay down the valley, then shuttle in. There's ski lockers up at Idalp, so you don't need to lug your skis/poles around all evening.

As Chalet Operator we used to love long weekend bookings at that point of the season, after the half term peaks you want/need a little easing off the pedal before Easter.

Mind you we wouldn't just charge 4/7th of the weekly rate

[Dominic H]

Booked 3 trips trips this year, starting by taking the family back to Soll for Christmas. It's been very mild recently and is just starting to get a decent covering, phew! Back for a week and then off with a group of mates to Cervinia. All the fun of Matterhorn skiing, Italian motorway reds and Zermatt access without the spiteful wallet shafting for staying in Zermatt. A couple of weeks and probably a couple of kilos of ibuprofen and I'm off to Ischgl, which I know nothing about and am hoping for good things.

Changed sides on the helmet debate too. After skiing 45+ weeks since 2001, and hitting speeds you'd get points for here. Also taking into account the injuries suffered by Michael Schumacher, I've now bought a crash helmet. I used it in Jan to go to St Anton, after 5 mins of wearing it you forget its there.....

Have a good season everyone!

[lordturpin]

St Johann in Tirol - thinking the 3rd week of Feb. I have been told its risky to book now as its too low, that its best to book the week beforehand.

Is that the case or is my advice somewhat over the top ?

[lemmingjames]

I dunno but im meant to go skiing this weekend and nowhere seems to have snow. Plus what little there is will no doubt be skied hard by everyone else next week when the uni's rock up.

So yeah id wait to see how the season pans out.

Also, have a buddy out in Val D at the mo and she informs me that to get from there to somewhere to ski is around about an hours journey time up the mountain

[telford_mike]

lordturpin said:

St Johann in Tirol - thinking the 3rd week of Feb. I have been told its risky to book now as its too low, that its best to book the week beforehand.

Is that the case or is my advice somewhat over the top ?

If you wait you're unlikely to get in - it's half-term and everywhere will be full.

[a311]

lordturpin said:

St Johann in Tirol - thinking the 3rd week of Feb. I have been told its risky to book now as its too low, that its best to book the week beforehand.

Is that the case or is my advice somewhat over the top ?

My usual advice is that if resorts couldn't supply reliable skiing at that time of year they wouldn't be able to operate. Although lower on average the Austrian resorts are further east so as a rule colder and snowier-there can and have been bad years but you can pretty much guarantee if it's really bad here it won't necessarily be much better anywhere else. If you're flexible the advice is always hang on and see how things pan out. It would be very unusual to turn up and not have plenty to ski.

A lot of peoples arses are nipping at the moment who've December trips planned which is usually the case at this time of year. Last year was much the same, good early fall then nothing at all in December until just in time for Xmas week.

If you can avoid half term, or mid Feb to mid March anywhere in France.

[a311]

lemmingjames said:

I dunno but im meant to go skiing this weekend and nowhere seems to have snow. Plus what little there is will no doubt be skied hard by everyone else next week when the uni's rock up.

So yeah id wait to see how the season pans out.

Also, have a buddy out in Val D at the mo and she informs me that to get from there to somewhere to ski is around about an hours journey time up the mountain

Where are you headed? I've a mate who works out in Tignes that I was chatting to last night. Said that it's at least got cold enough for the resort to hammer the snow cannons all day to try and get the lower runs open and seems to be forecast to stay cold. The race due for next week (?) in Val d'Isere has been cancelled.

Really is a gamble on average at this time of year buy guess you pays your money and takes your chances.

[lemmingjames]

Managed to.convince my mates to head to val thorens on the promise of 2' of snow by monday.

Was going to head to val d but the snows or lack of has put me off as well as an hours trek up n over to get to the snow (second hand info as not sure where my mates staying in val d).

However nothing is booked at the mo so if it starts to dump it down somewhere hard, ill end up there.

Desperate to get away just to try my new skis out really 😄

[OscarIndia]

At least you have a glacier to play on if all else fails!

[a311]

lemmingjames said:

Managed to.convince my mates to head to val thorens on the promise of 2' of snow by monday.

Was going to head to val d but the snows or lack of has put me off as well as an hours trek up n over to get to the snow (second hand info as not sure where my mates staying in val d).

However nothing is booked at the mo so if it starts to dump it down somewhere hard, ill end up there.

Desperate to get away just to try my new skis out really ??

By all accounts Val Thorens has had a decent dusting today and most lifts were running anyhow. Problem is if things don't improve every man and their dog will head to anywhere that can offer at least some skiing. Tignes would be another option but Val T seems to be offering more mileage at the mo.

Have a good one and report back what you end up doing. Wont be heading abroad until the new year hope to get a day or more if conditions allow up in Scotland-seen some pics of skiers up in borders today.

[VEIGHT]

Finally decided on Tignes!

Leaving on the train at 6AM on Friday! Fingers crossed for some snow!

[timlongs]

Sat down here in Bourg it's definitely getting a lot colder. A lot of resorts can now run all their snow cannons fully but don't want to as apparently they'll run out of water quickly.

Was up in Tignes 2 days ago and it's very busy (3000 students there this week) and pretty green. Val D has students, the army, and everyone else in the area trying to share a tiny bit of snow!

I'm going to try go for a ski on Wed/Thurs so will post an update if I manage to get out.

[downthepub]

Heading to Tignes a week Wednesday, all fingers and toes crossed for plenty of snow. Powder please! Can hardly wait!

Then planning some late season skiing in early April, unfortunately 'er-indoors has work commitments which preclude anything before then. At the moment it's looking like either Åre in Sweden or Mammoth Lakes in California - both repeatedly are recommended for late season swishing. Any comments on those places?