Snow

Ok, heres something I dont get. So we are all aware of the slow start to the season, and how we were all bricking it about the lack of snow for so long. And now it looks like theres almost too much snow according to some reports, what with transfer buses getting stuck and the like.

So what I dont get is why do people book ski holidays in low lying resorts where the chance of warm or poor weather would ruin the skiing, and then come onto websites like these asking if anyone knows what conditions are like, or why its raining, or is there any chance of a cold snap please.....?

Surely if you go for a weeks skiing you dont want to take the chance of the skiing being rubbish or slopes being closed?

Maybe its just me, but I wont now go anywhere that hasn't got skiing above 2000m, or lowest slopes at at least 1500m. Last time I did, the conditions were poor compared to other nearby resorts with higher slopes, and that was just after lots of snow just after Christmas 2008 when there was hardly a shortage of snow around.

Can anyone explain why you would take this kind of risk, bearing in mind for some people it may be their one and only trip of the season?

Perhaps some people just arent as smart as you Tony. :!:

I tend to do two things January I tend not to worry too much about height of resort as normally ( Apart from last year) it is cold enough to maintain good quality snow down to 1200 mts, March things get a tad warmer lots more sunshine so I aim to book somewhere at about the 1800 mts mark.
As why people book to go to the lower resorts it is my opinion that they are influenced by inexperienced others.

my main criteria is altitude, this year I decided on Val Thorens to be safe given last season indifferent snowfall.
its a playoff- snow sure resorts or low tree lined runs

I tend to go high myself for the reasons you outline - that said I went to Kitzbuhel one year without thinking about altitude (It's got a classic downhill run - it must have snow right?) and suffered with runs down into town (though on top is high enough).

Kitz town is only around 900m - what other "great classic" resorts are low too but people dont necessarily think of the altitude because they are famous names?

The was lot of snow so far this season but not so many cold days, freezing level is quite high so Tony makes a very good point. The best skiing to have at the moment is between 2000 and 3000 meters. Actually always the higher you ski the better the snow, because every 1000 meters temperature drops 6 degrees, and snow needs cold.

I'm that paranoid I only book resorts with glaciers!

I am that concerned about it, I let Tony H book all my ski holidays. Guaranteed Snow.