Early December

I have an unexpected free week beginning 3rd December.

Which resorts are likely to have decent snow at that time. I don't want to go to Val Thorens (going later in season) or Zermatt (Too expensive and a hassle to get to) and I don't realy want to fly more than 7 hours.

Seems like my choices are:
-Chamonix
-Tignes
-Banff
-Trembelant
-Norway?
-Ischgl, Austria?
-Obergurgl, Austria?


Looking at most tour operators, they mostly don't advertise package deals departing before 10th Dec. Are there any good operators that specialize in earlier dates?

Any ideas?

Having looked around a bit - I fancy Obergurgl, Austria. It looks nice. They open in November, but again, most tour operators only start from Dec 10. Any thoughts?

I wonder if phoning iglu ski and ski solutions, both travel agents rather than tour operators would help?
www.igluski.com/
www.skisolutions.com/
Also if it were me I would only be looking at resorts with glaciers.
But - if the USA/Canada is an option some of their resorts look like they have more reliable snow early on.
Also look at resort websites for opening dates and accomodation.
www.booking.com will give you an idea of whats available accomodation wise - but do check direct with hotel etc before paying/confirming.
Enjoy - lucky you, I dream of getting an unexcepted weeks skiing in :lol:

Times and val will be open by the 3rd dec and tines has glacier skiing with plenty to offer any ability within your party.... It's a great linked area with plenty to explore with plenty on offer after the skiing has finished... This is where I'd put my money.

Tignes.... Sorry

I am off to Chamonix on 16th but the weather reports do not look promising today. I hope it will get colder soon :lol:

Don't want to disappoint you but Tremblant will have very little snow (if at all) the first week of December. Unless the province gets snow early this year. And if that were the case, and you were coming from Europe :?:, you must try Le Massif in Petite-Rivière-St-François (3 hours drive from Montreal airport, 1.5 from the Quebec city airport) or Sutton before Tremblant. Less Tremblant'ish but at least you will be on the right slopes for great skiing!

I respectfully suggest that Obergurgl might not be a good bet. I am going there this season. True, it is a high resort, but in 2 of the last 4 years, there has been no snow in November or December.

J2ski has one of the best filters for this kind of info search.
Look at http://www.j2ski.com/snow_forecast/ Skim down the page and you can find the best conditions, by country. The green/red dots indicates the lift situation. I am off to Kaunertal on Friday. (I wish)