J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Wanderer

Courmayeur is only a short drive away. Its not a big area but might suit for a short stay. If you are up to it, you could consider the Vallee Blanche tour from there. Haven't done it myself but it sounds amazing. Italian hotels might be more accommodating of short stays as well.

Well, at least it was not expensive :thumbup:.

Oh wait - the lift pass for 6 days comes in at over $700, ski/boot hire over $300 and a fortune for lessons :evil:. Even before the collapse of currencies against the dollar, these prices are ridiculous :evil:. Your experience shows up the marketing spin that the resorts are far better maintained/managed than in Europe:shock: .

I have often coveted a ski trip the States but the more I look at it, the more I conclude that it is simply not worth it on many different levels, not least of which is the exorbitant cost :evil:.

The Skiwelt area (Soll/Westendorf/Ellmau,etc) is only 90 minutes or so from Munich airport and is a super area with some great skiing/apres ski available. However, 18th March is late for the area because it is relatively low - nearly everything less than 1,800m. If there is late snow/cold weather, it could still be great but equally, it could be awful by then.

I am heading out myself through Munich around that time. At the moment, I am looking at St Anton - it is much higher and more snow sure but a much longer drive from Munich. Same goes for Ischgl. Another spot to consider might be Mayrhofen. Its not that high itself but if conditions are not great, you still have the Hintertux glacier further up the valley which should be fine. Its about 2 hours from Munich. Zell am Zee (c.2.30hrs) would be something similar with Kaprun glacier available to guarantee some decent snow.

If you are able to, it might be worth waiting until shortly before you go to decide on resort and then pick based on conditions at the time.

bald-eagleman wrote:

Are you sure that the person in the second last picture is going on the right trip - a surf board might not be the best for getting down the mountain :mrgreen:

J2SkiNews wrote:
Unfortunately the Italian Dolomites are not currently expected to get any snow, and they need it badly – although as with most ski areas lacking much natural snow, they have successfully opened thousands of kilometres of runs with snowmaking.

Adders, as I am heading to the Dolomites for half term, I was a bit concerned about this aspect of your report. However, as you know any self respecting skier does not rely on a single weather forecast. A minimum of at least 3 different forecasts must be checked daily. Those not forecasting snow must be immediately discounted while whichever one is forecasting the most snow must assume the status of a cast iron guarantee of fresh snow :mrgreen:. On this basis, I reviewed snow-forecast.com yesterday(sorry for mentioning the opposition) and they were indicating snow today for the Dolomites. I see that your own model is now saying the same :thumbup:.

Hopefully, they will get a decent dump shortly to replace the snow cannon snow with the real stuff :wink:.

NIIIXSY wrote:I've just come across this article it's a tad worrying lets do that snow dance!


[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4101478/Thousands-holidays-Alps-face-ruined-region-declared-drought-zone-forcing-resorts-switch-snow-cannonsd.html

i think somebody else has already clarified that the article may be a bit misleading in that it refers to access to public water supplies. Apparently, most of the big resorts have their own reservoirs and so are not dependent on public water supplies. In any event, given the current snow falls, this fear has probably been overtaken by events (thankfully).

I would always be a strong advocate of ski-school for the first few times that you ski (and for occasional lessons for ever thereafter -)). Any half decent ski instructor will be totally aware of exactly the capabilities of each of the students in the class and will push them just enough to bring them on but not enough that it becomes deeply uncomfortable or worse still dangerous. It is a much more comfortable environment for an early skier when they don't have to worry about whether or not they are good enough to get down a particular slope. With all due respects to your hubby (and to any other friends, etc), he is not trained to know what you are capable of, no matter how good a skier he may be himself :!:.

Quite apart from the stress/safety dimension, ski school is nearly always good fun with a few other learners at the same stage of development as yourself. You will have plenty of time to spend with hubby in the evenings and, by taking a structured approach to your skill development will speed up the time when you will feel comfortable joining him on the slopes.

Anyway, hope that helps and that you discover (or rediscover) the great joy that is skiing on your forthcoming trip :thumbup:.

You obviously haven't checked on this site - snow every day for the next week!