Latest posts for the topic "best location for skiing in march"

best location for skiing in march

Sat, 3 Dec 2011 08:30:56 GMT

Hi all after some great help on other topics i thought i would throw this one out there. i heading away in the new year for a week with my partner shes of a good level but nervous at first and need a couple of days to get her confidence up on more gentle slopes. also shes a self employed personal trainer so the first 8 weeks of the year are her busiest. with that in mind we planned to head off on march 4th. can anyone advise the best location to go. im slightly concerned as its that bit later in the season as i always ski first week of feb. will there be any issues with snow fall and temp ( average of course no one is god and can see the future ) been looking at la thuile in italy and soldeu in the grand villara...... any help really appreciated. had a bad experience in borovets this feb and really dont want to repeat it .

thanks in advance

Re:best location for skiing in march

Sat, 3 Dec 2011 08:34:45 GMT

Early March normally has about the deepest snow depth of the season as loads (hopefully) has fallen and it hasn't started to thaw yet.
Weather can be very variable from blue skies and remarkably warm in the sunshine to very cold, loads of snow especially higher up.
You could just watch the forecasts and see where is looking good until late Feb and then book?

Re:best location for skiing in march

Sat, 3 Dec 2011 08:40:35 GMT

That really is my gut feeling but i am terrible at wanting to have something pinned down. my concern is if the snow in europe is inconsistent then the resorts with snow will be that much more expensive. Just hoping for a wide spread good season . also looking at the current economic climate i can see there being a slightly smaller number of people and especially families being able to afford this year. reckon i might just wait till feb and see where the snow is. weird thing is i hate skiing in warm weather. i like my winter vacation wintery.......

Re:best location for skiing in march

Sat, 3 Dec 2011 08:40:46 GMT

I'd actually opt to go a week later. The week you're going for is that last of the European school holidays.
As long as you opt for a reasonably high resort snow shouldn't be an issue any time in March.
Last year we went mid March and benefited from the first proper dump of snow in about 9 weeks.

Re:best location for skiing in march

Sat, 3 Dec 2011 09:09:20 GMT

Just follow the webcams and take your pick :roll:

Re:best location for skiing in march

Sat, 3 Dec 2011 18:34:55 GMT

We have been to El Tarter/Soldeu for the last three years, and always the middle of March.

Conditions have been very good each year, with quality snow cover all the way down to the resorts.

This was taken from a bar in Soldeu when we had to get off of the mountain because of a snowstorm on March 17th 2011 (if I recall correctly).

This one near the top of the Gondola from El Tarter on March 20th 2010. We had a few beers and waited for it to stop.

This is what it's like the day after. :D :D :D

There was already masses of snow all over Grandvilara. It made for perfect conditions.

Re:best location for skiing in march

Sat, 3 Dec 2011 23:07:43 GMT

We had a lovely time in Obergurgl mid March this year. No fresh snow, but there was plenty left from previous dumps. It was typical spring skiing, blue skies and the snow at village level was smushy by 3pm.

Allie

Re:best location for skiing in march

Sat, 3 Dec 2011 23:31:09 GMT

Hi Matt,

You have not pushed in the direction of any resorts or countries, so it sounds as though you retain an open mind. Bearing in mind the European economic situation, it is unlikely that you would be disadvantaged by waiting for a month, just to see what happens with the weather.

A few weeks during a ski season can make a collosal difference in snow depths, and also in which countries and areas the snow depth favours.

Open a bottle of wine, and watch some ski videos.....

Re:best location for skiing in march

Sun, 4 Dec 2011 08:12:09 GMT

We have skiied Les Deux Alpes for the last 2 years running going 5th/6th March. Whilst the snow on the nursery slopes was poor last year, as soon as you got up to where the bulk of the slopes are, it was great. Lots of blue runs if your OH is nervous at first, nice wide slopes, and as it's an "upside-down" resort, these are all high up and so the snow wasn't an issue.

Whilst we found it quite busy, it's nothing compared to Borovets - been there too!! No queuing for 45 minutes for the gondola, I can assure you.

Re:best location for skiing in march

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:11:13 GMT

If you don't mind drag lifts try Are in Sweden, the days are a lot longer by march, theres around 100km of piste, my partner and I had a great time there March of this year and had awesome conditions, unlike like a lot of europe you can go pretty much anywhere between the pistes and theres some fun to be had in the trees, not a lot of real stretching runs if your advanced tho, your girlfriend would be well catered for on the plentiful greens, blues and reds, you get a real sense of travelling across the area. Whilst not cheap for eating and drinking out it does not have to cripple you, warming huts and bbq's throughout the slopes where you can make a hot drink or cook yourself something.Self catering suited us and the system bolaget which is the only place you can legally buy alcohol other than bars works out about the same as our local off licence here- GBP6 for wine GBP14 a bottle of vodka GBP6 a six pack etc. Check out skistar.com for deals, lift pass prices etc. I used them to book a couple of private lessons (I'm about your GF's level) and the tuition was excellent.No queues, few Brits (neilson only uk TO), no language barrier as the swedes spoke great english. Flights, transfers, accomadation, equipment carriage/hire and liftpasses came in around GBP500 quid

Re:best location for skiing in march

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:22:11 GMT

March trips I have done when snow coverage was excellent:

Verbier
Serre Chevalier twice

March trips when snow was patchy:

Mayrhofen
Sauze d'Oulx

I think the simple rule is go somewhere with high slopes, but possibly be careful with Alpe d'Huez as later season it suffers with the amount of sun it gets.

Re:best location for skiing in march

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:50:28 GMT

Since when has snow cover ever been a serious issue early March-ANYWHERE?! OP where are you going ealier in the season? I've been to resorts late March where the alt tops out a little over 2000m and never turned up with nothing to ski.

If you can wait then do. If not Le Thuille is nice also consider Cervina-bigger and lots of intermediate crusing. Fancy Austia?