Best Place For Skiing Week Before Christmas
Discussion
European snow is very variable this time.
My parents go to the Alps every year 2md to 4th week of December. Sometimes the pistes are open, sometimes they are not. They don't care they are retired with almost free season passes.
I've seen photos of them on 50 cm of amazing snow in deserted pistes, whole mountains to themselves, and sometimes they sit in a cafe avoiding the rain for a week.
Organised French Alpine resorts will have the snow cannons on by then for the resort runs, so any "named" resort will be doable. It's a business and that's open season, so they spend the lift pass money on making snow.
But it's variable quality.
My parents go to the Alps every year 2md to 4th week of December. Sometimes the pistes are open, sometimes they are not. They don't care they are retired with almost free season passes.
I've seen photos of them on 50 cm of amazing snow in deserted pistes, whole mountains to themselves, and sometimes they sit in a cafe avoiding the rain for a week.
Organised French Alpine resorts will have the snow cannons on by then for the resort runs, so any "named" resort will be doable. It's a business and that's open season, so they spend the lift pass money on making snow.
But it's variable quality.
I've done opening week in Tignes, which is from 29-NOV this year, the last 4 or 5 years and while aome times the cover's been a little thin/the off piste the domain of shark fins there always has been skiing Le Lac and above - and sone years we've lost days due to too much snow!
So I'd have no worries recommending Tignes for the week before Christmas.
Hell I've done opening week in the PdS when we had an epically s
t start to the season and while the ski area was limited everyone who could aborted so we had it to ourselves. That and a €50 lift pass for the week and having the bars to ourselves in the eveninga too made for a great week (if more technique as opposed to milage focused.
Many people will say "Don't do it, there won't be any snow". Few of those people have ever actually done it though...
So I'd have no worries recommending Tignes for the week before Christmas.
Hell I've done opening week in the PdS when we had an epically s
t start to the season and while the ski area was limited everyone who could aborted so we had it to ourselves. That and a €50 lift pass for the week and having the bars to ourselves in the eveninga too made for a great week (if more technique as opposed to milage focused.Many people will say "Don't do it, there won't be any snow". Few of those people have ever actually done it though...
The_Doc said:
Absolutely.
Just depends how many thousands you are prepare to put down on a chance of good conditions, when same money in late Feb is a far better bet.
IS it though?Just depends how many thousands you are prepare to put down on a chance of good conditions, when same money in late Feb is a far better bet.
I don't have children so can ski any time/often NEED my snow fix ASAP come the winter so have done a number of pre-Christmas trips. Of those only one, 2016 had an actual snow shortage/limited skiing/high temps.
I have friends who do have children though so often ski Feb. half term (accepting the extra cost so I have more skiing friends when their children leave home!). Of those:
Feb 2020 - Eating lunch on the terrace in +20°C sun in Oz en Oisans
Feb 2023 - No sign of snow in Morzine town/warm up the hill.
Feb 2024 - Warm and pissing down one day in Mayrhofen.
See here for some data
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Most French resorts are heavily investing in summer season infrastructure.
Griffith4ever said:
I'd leave it last minute. I've done Dec before, last minute. Both times there was too much snow! Absolutely chucked it down. You have to compromise on accom choice but I always prefer that to no snow.
I think there's a lot to be said for this. Might have to be flexible in re. exact resort and accommodation but very unlikely to be booked out as not a popular week and outside school holidays.I've also have the best week of a season in mid December.
oddman said:
Griffith4ever said:
I'd leave it last minute. I've done Dec before, last minute. Both times there was too much snow! Absolutely chucked it down. You have to compromise on accom choice but I always prefer that to no snow.
I think there's a lot to be said for this. Might have to be flexible in re. exact resort and accommodation but very unlikely to be booked out as not a popular week and outside school holidays.I've also have the best week of a season in mid December.
Only time I book well ahead is for snow sure places like Livigno where accom choices get pricey if you leave it too late.
What you find is that if the snow is good, the locals, be they French Austrian, German etc drive up for impromptu last minute skiing.
Sometimes they hoover up the accom, sometimes they just fill up the weekend.
We'd do the same if we lived <90 mins from a ski resort.
But not some of the yanks, now that lots of resorts have gone to the season pass model, and daily passes are $200. A sub benefit of the model, stamping out the day-trippers.
Sometimes they hoover up the accom, sometimes they just fill up the weekend.
We'd do the same if we lived <90 mins from a ski resort.
But not some of the yanks, now that lots of resorts have gone to the season pass model, and daily passes are $200. A sub benefit of the model, stamping out the day-trippers.
I went a couple of times that week before Christmas and it’s a really nice time to go – quieter slopes and still plenty of snow in most places. I’d look at somewhere like Tignes or Val d’Isère if you want reliable snow and good food. If you’d prefer something smaller and easier, Austria has loads of nice villages where you can get to the lifts quickly and still have cosy restaurants in the evenings.
Sweden...
Lot's cheaper than the Alps and at a much more northern latitude the chances are it will have snow either from the sky or the cannons! It will be very festive too and you have chances of the northern lights.
If you look at Sälen you have restaurants, spa and indoor swimming more so it's not 100% reliant on the white stuff.
We have large chalet booked for 16 of us after new years and it's costing the group just a few grand! :-) about £400 per family for a week.....
Lot's cheaper than the Alps and at a much more northern latitude the chances are it will have snow either from the sky or the cannons! It will be very festive too and you have chances of the northern lights.
If you look at Sälen you have restaurants, spa and indoor swimming more so it's not 100% reliant on the white stuff.
We have large chalet booked for 16 of us after new years and it's costing the group just a few grand! :-) about £400 per family for a week.....
St Anton…approximately 60-70% of the ski area should be open that week and there’s really nice restaurants in the town. Lots of flights into Innsbruck from Gatwick and then either get the train which is 75 minutes or a cab is an hour. Early flight and you can be on the slopes soon after lunch.
The_Doc said:
Sweden eh?
Would you share the info of this chalet?
I'm always interested in new sites.
Just a very quick look and search... 7 nights 4 people, two kids...Would you share the info of this chalet?
I'm always interested in new sites.
https://www.skistar.com/en/online-booking/Catalog2...
If you have younger kids, look at https://www.branas.se/ which is totally magic for them.... the beer is cheap too :-)
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