My curiosity has been sparked by debates about big ski areas and super lift systems etc. Also, looking at videos of our New Year trip to Wengen, friends who had been in 3 valleys kept noting how empty the pistes were in Wengen.
I once (and never again) skied in Avoriaz, seduced by the 'size' of the ski area, efficient lift system and all that. Yes it was big, but I was staggered by the numbers of people, both getting on and off lifts but more importantly, on the pistes. And I didn't like it much.
This got me thinking (not rocket science), that an important consideration, certainly to meet my priorities when I ski, is a combination of kms of piste combined with the number of tourist beds.
So the 3 Valleys, whilst promoting itself as the worlds biggest ski area (650km?) has also managed to squeeze in 100,000 tourist beds. So that's 100,000 people in coaches and cars, getting on lifts etc. Plus 100,000 / 650 = 154 skiiers per km of piste - a JohnSkidensity of 154.
Comparing this to Monta Rosa, which I think has about 10,000 beds across Champoluc, Gressonay and Alagna - and about (reports vary) 180km of piste. JohnSkidensity = 56
So, have I gone potty, or could this help some choose where they ski!
JohnSki
Other JohnSkidensities!!
Ischgl 9,000/215 = 42
Alpbach 2,500/52 = 48
bla bla bla
Big or Small
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Started by Johnski96 in Ski Chatter 26-Jan-2010 - 13 Replies
Johnski96 posted Jan-2010
Dec: Stubai. Feb: Alagna
Acarr
reply to 'Big or Small' posted Jan-2010
Works for me cos I don't like loads of people around me. Anywhere. Well done Johnski. Please do some more! Admin could put the results on the site.
:mrgreen:
Allie
:mrgreen:
Allie
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity
Gadgetgirl79
reply to 'Big or Small' posted Jan-2010
Cervinia is the best for the area/skiers ratio. I've been during February half term week, and not once did I have to queue more than 20 seconds for a lift, or wait for a piste to clear as there were too many people.
I remember Gressoney being similar-ish, although slightly busier.
I remember Gressoney being similar-ish, although slightly busier.
AllyG
reply to 'Big or Small' posted Jan-2010
Thanks Johnski,
That's very interesting.
Don't forget about the locals though (who don't need beds), in your calculations. In some places loads of locals turn up at the weekends.
Ally
That's very interesting.
Don't forget about the locals though (who don't need beds), in your calculations. In some places loads of locals turn up at the weekends.
Ally
Dorset Boy
reply to 'Big or Small' posted Jan-2010
You also need to factor in the uphill capacity in there somewhere, unless you love standing in a queue!!
AlistairS
reply to 'Big or Small' posted Jan-2010
I like it, good common sense data. Perhaps you should copyright this and sell it to Where to Ski and Snowboard Guide. I would look out for the JohnSkidensity score! :D
I just love the gravitational pull
JonG
reply to 'Big or Small' posted Jan-2010
Hi,
I think another consideration is when you go on your trip as much as where, Les Arcs again is a large resort in it's own right, and now linked with La Plagne one of the largest ares in the world ( Paradiski, but i find many people who ski both resorts combined stay in one or other of the areas and only use the lift pass that gives a single day in the other).
Les Arcs still has not reached the point of say Val D'Isere or Tignes where they have been developed to such an extent that the pistes can be extremely crowded at times ( the last run down from the top of the Toviere chair at the end of the day springs to mind)...again picking the right week is as much of a consideration i find the picture below was of the run down into Arc 1600 during the first week of April this year....
And this was about as busy as it got all week, i usually go the very last week of the season and some years it's almost as if you have your own private ski area :thumbup: .
jon.
I think another consideration is when you go on your trip as much as where, Les Arcs again is a large resort in it's own right, and now linked with La Plagne one of the largest ares in the world ( Paradiski, but i find many people who ski both resorts combined stay in one or other of the areas and only use the lift pass that gives a single day in the other).
Les Arcs still has not reached the point of say Val D'Isere or Tignes where they have been developed to such an extent that the pistes can be extremely crowded at times ( the last run down from the top of the Toviere chair at the end of the day springs to mind)...again picking the right week is as much of a consideration i find the picture below was of the run down into Arc 1600 during the first week of April this year....
And this was about as busy as it got all week, i usually go the very last week of the season and some years it's almost as if you have your own private ski area :thumbup: .
jon.
www
jonathan
www.ski-bourgstmaurice-lesarcs.co.uk
Esrg
reply to 'Big or Small' posted Jan-2010
yeah i agree about Cervinia and the lack of queues there - its also a brilliant resort with loads of blue and red runs to check out. The area lift pass also covers Zermatt, which is great as well, but a little busier.
It definately is a consideration when choosing a resort - that one week of the year is so precious, that you want to maximise time on piste, and minimise time in queues!
It definately is a consideration when choosing a resort - that one week of the year is so precious, that you want to maximise time on piste, and minimise time in queues!
Topic last updated on 28-January-2010 at 13:07