15 Dec - Zermatt or Val Thorens for reliable snow?

We're planning an early trip to either Zermatt or Val Thorens out of Geneva airport on 15 Dec.

We skied Val Thorens last year at about the same time and had some amazingly good early season conditions. We were thinking of trying Zermatt this year. I know there is Glacier skiing in Zermatt. However, will any of the winter areas be open by 15 Dec? If so, will these areas be any good, and what are the chances of decent snow at that time of the year? (i.e. for early season, we're not expecting 40 cm fresh)

Any thoughts?

In any remotely decent season, both should have good conditions by mid-December so toss a coin now or wait until nearer the time and follow the snow...

I'd probably pick Zermatt for being a bit easier to get to from Geneva (I think!).

Looking at the data for the last 4 years, Village Level/Mountain level:
VT ~ 74/100, 78/105, 108/131, 29/46
Zermatt ~ 44/123, 53/250, 32/181,32/134

Firstly, in good statistics, you would lose the worst year, because 1996/97 was a once in every 20 year event.
The other consideration is the comparative elevations, Village/Mountain:
VT ~ 2300/3266, ie 966m vertical
Zermatt ~ 1620/3820, ie 2200m vertical

Of course at VT, you can drop down to the neighbouring villages.

Zermatt has the Matterhorn, ~ the best view in Euopean skiing. Zermatt day costs are cheaper than VT.
And if you run out of money, just give Tino a knock, he will buy the beer......

I'll be buying a beer about twice a month I reckon once I move Seriously though, already know where some of the cheaper establishments are!!

Just been packing boxes

Zermatt fully opens on the 27th November, however many lifts on the Matterhorn side open mid-October (beyond those that are open all year). Cervinia opens 30th October apparently.

Sorry, Tino, should have qualified that ~ just send me the bill.

Thanks for the stat's Dave. I guess Zermatt's edge, is that there will always be some decent skiing up high, even if its a slow start to the season.

Zermatt is looking like the leader at the moment. 1/2 an hour extra from Geneva airport according to Google maps, but probably worth it.

Dave Mac wrote:

And if you run out of money, just give Tino a knock, he will buy the beer......

I had planned to do this bit in December, then I read this...

Tino wrote:
I'll be buying a beer about twice a month I reckon once I move Seriously though, already know where some of the cheaper establishments are!!

He's already pleading poverty, and he's not even resident yet

1 large beer and 2 straws then!

Tino's idea of poverty, and my idea, may be on a different scale!