Skiing the week before Christmas

[Powerkiter]

I'm looking for resorts to go skiing the week before Christmas. I've never skied this early in the season, I've typically skied late January to early March.

At the moment looking at Val Thorens due to the altitude and north facing slopes.

Are there any others that I should consider? Happy with France, Austria, Italy or Switzerland.

[Griffith4ever]

Livingo, Italy. Very high, almost snowsure. Oh, and tax free :-)

[//j17]

To be honest with you I've done this many, many times and unless you go somewhere that doesn't have any height/go in with unrealistic expectations that it WILL be balls-deep powder (though you can get that) you'll be fine.

I was in Morzine for opening week the year we had a really poor start to the season (2016?) and whiile the whole Morzine-Les Gets area was closed/the Pleney slope back into town still green parts of Avoriaz were open, empty, and accessible for about €20/day. Queue a very enjoyable week catching first bus to the Prodains gondola/skiing through to a late lunch/drinking Rose on the chalet balcony in shorts and t-shirts by 3pm.

Last year I did a double-header of the opening week in Tignes, followed by the opening week in the PdS and had great snow in both. Looking to do the same again this year too.

[JEA1K]

Always a gamble as you don't know what you're going to get ... have seen epic pre Xmas and awful. We used to head out opening weekend (first week in Dec).

I would say Cervinia or Zermatt on the basis of the glacier ... you're then 100% guaranteed to ski. Everywhere in Europe has been bone dry this summer and is still v mild. Fingers crossed you get some great snow wherever you end up!

[shunt]

We normally do opening week in Obergurl around 20th November. Never had anything other than perfect conditions and very quiet slopes.