Latest posts for the topic "Late skiing?"

Late skiing?

Sun, 28 Feb 2016 18:42:02 GMT

Hi all
I want to take my two sons skiing on 19th March. One has skied before, the other hasn't. Is it a bit late in the season then or can anyone recommend where snow should be good? I've skied in Seefeld before and there's some good deals but was in the beginning of March and snow a bit iffy. Places like Tignes and Plagne are coming up. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Re:Late skiing?

Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:01:26 GMT

Tignes or Le Plagne would be good as the snow this year has been plentiful. If you plum for Tignes get in one of the higher towns for even more snow

Re:Late skiing?

Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:02:52 GMT

March 19 is not late; the third week of April is late. The third week of March is my favourite time to go. Tignes and La Plagne will be in full swing.

Re:Late skiing?

Sun, 28 Feb 2016 19:45:39 GMT

Thank you. Can't find much from my airport but can see Plagne 1800 if that's any good? Most of them seem to be in Austria which I think is lower altitude.

Re:Late skiing?

Sun, 28 Feb 2016 21:41:41 GMT

Get a flight to Geneva, there are umpteen hundred flights everyday from UK to there and then you have any amount of skiing within 1.25hr to 1.5hr transfer and being those dates all resorts will be in full flow.

Re:Late skiing?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 00:55:00 GMT

There is an issue here that some folk put up their fave resort, without due consideration of the full range of parameters
I can see three considerations, and listed in importance, ~ suitable for a young person that has not skied before, snow conditions, and accessibility from the preferred airport.

I would suggest looking at the inside back page of the Inghams brochure for 5 stars for the beginner category.

Then check Iglu/snow reports/snow history/countries/resorts.

Finally, check the accessibility from the preferred airport.

Re:Late skiing?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 07:54:27 GMT

Thanks all and Dave thanks for that. That's one of the reasons why I thought about Seefeld as I learnt there and it's fairly easy which would suit me and my eldest that's all skied, but even more so my youngest. Airport is also ideal, I'm just unsure of snow conditions at that time. My understanding of looking at reports is that it's okay now, but not sure 3 weeks time?

Re:Late skiing?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 08:08:55 GMT

March 19 is not late season. Especially these days when seasons tend to start a month later than normal.

Re:Late skiing?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 08:57:17 GMT

Hi Vivalas

Don't risk Seefeld-much too low for this time of the year, in fact, pretty low for most of the season. Take the other peoples advice-Tignes, La Plagne-both are a good height and have glacier skiing as well. You could also consider Zermatt, Obergurgl in Austria, Flaine and Val Thorens in France. As you are running into the Easter holidays you may find it difficult to find accommodation but best of luck.

Re:Late skiing?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 09:33:53 GMT

Zermatt is a great resort but perhaps very intimidating for a 1st time skier?

Re:Late skiing?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 10:19:38 GMT

What's intimidating about Zermatt? It has plenty of gentle terrain from where downloading is possible. Lot of reds are more like blues, and runs on the glacier at the top are almost flat. Unless altitude is a problem I would think it's great for beginners.

Re:Late skiing?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:09:52 GMT

I agree that its possible to find gentle slopes for beginners in Zermatt but it's not at all obvious from the town. Part of learning to ski is in the mind (in terms of confidence) as much as it is developing proper techniques.

I wouldn't have wanted to learn to ski in Zermatt. In fact, I actually think Val d'Isere is a better place for beginners despite the justified criticism of the piste grading. The beginner area is immediately near to the main base and it's a quick chair/telecabin up to green runs above Solaise.

Re:Late skiing?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 13:08:57 GMT

Not late at all. Of the resorts I have skied, Risoul is good for beginners. Some nice long greens and blues. Hemsedal would also be good (but Scandinavia not to everyone's taste)

Re:Late skiing?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 13:52:53 GMT

There are definitely worse places to learn than Zermatt. For once, flatter areas are higher up the mountain so they are snow sure compared to many obvious from town beginners areas that tend to be useless at Christmas and Easter - when they would be in most demand. I often watch lessons early and late season - on flatter sections of red slopes, sidestepping back up every time. Inconvenient and tiring for both a student and an instructor. Zermatt beats this experience hands down. Plus mountains look like mountains and from their day one skiers can have this great experience, even if they spend the whole week on learning slopes they can say that they've skied in the mountains, not on a bunny hill in the village :)

Re:Late skiing?

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 15:55:15 GMT

After my first visit to Alpe D'Huez at the end of January I was amazed at the quality and quantity of novice/beginners slopes all around above the main town at 1850m.
I can't think of any resort I have visited where there is such abundance of green runs that are both gentle (in slope) but also interesting in the way they wander around all over the place.
Brilliant place to learn and progress.

Re:Late skiing?

Tue, 1 Mar 2016 10:50:24 GMT

Hi guys
Thanks for all the responses and ideas. Decided against Seefeld based on what you said and had a good look at whatever was on offer. In the end I've booked Flaine. Can fly locally, transfers under 2 hours, excellent reviews on the accommodation and also the snow is supposed to be pretty good. It's a lot higher altitude than Seefeld. Reviews also say good for beginners and intermediates. Only downside is that there doesn't appear to be that many restaurants or things to do in the evening, which at the end of the day isn't as important as learning to ski.
Hopefully we'll have a great time :-)

Re:Late skiing?

Tue, 1 Mar 2016 11:02:02 GMT

Vivalas wrote:In the end I've booked Flaine.

Good choice I think! Plenty of snow, more on the way this week and staying cold next week.

The only thing to watch out for with Flaine is that some of the on-mountain cafes charge stupid prices, so check prices before ordering... but, apart from that, there's lots of good skiing to be had there so enjoy.

Re:Late skiing?

Tue, 1 Mar 2016 12:45:14 GMT

Thanks I'll remember that - more to the point I'll remind my two boys of that :-)

Re:Late skiing?

Wed, 2 Mar 2016 10:56:11 GMT

I skiied Seefeld a couple of days at half term, really good snow base and heavy snow on the Friday before we left. I don't think you would have too many issues ⛷❄️❄️❄️

Re:Late skiing?

Sun, 6 Mar 2016 17:52:21 GMT

Okay I've taken a big gamble - moved my booking from Flaine to Seefeld. Possibly a huge risk but my girlfriend is coming and she's 22 weeks pregnant. There just didn't seem that much in Flaine to do and we only had self catering. Managed to get a fantastic hotel with loads of facilities and she loves Seefeld anyway.
Snow won't be as good, but I'm hoping it will be okay. We're beginners to improveso not looking at the best anyway.

Re:Late skiing?

Sun, 6 Mar 2016 19:56:50 GMT

We went to the Gschwandtkopf ski area - great for beginners to intermediate as it has button and drag lifts for beginners and a good intermediate slope too reached by chair lift. Restaurant serves a cracking half chicken and chips for 8.50 Euro. There was a lot of snow at half term. Great little town too. Have lots of fun. ⛷❄️

Re:Late skiing?

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 10:00:49 GMT

Heading off to Saalbach 26/03, forecast not looking good with warm temps over weekend and rain for the week we arrive! Anyone calm my fears?

Re:Late skiing?

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 10:29:30 GMT

wetweatherwinger wrote:Heading off to Saalbach 26/03, forecast not looking good with warm temps over weekend and rain for the week we arrive! Anyone calm my fears?

That's still a week away... and the forecast models have been swinging between a warm and cold progression so certainly not locked in yet... keep the faith!

(but make sure your gear is well waterproofed just in case...)

Re:Late skiing?

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 10:34:12 GMT

Cheers admin

Re:Late skiing?

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 13:22:06 GMT

Vivalas wrote:Okay I've taken a big gamble - moved my booking from Flaine to Seefeld. Possibly a huge risk but my girlfriend is coming and she's 22 weeks pregnant. There just didn't seem that much in Flaine to do and we only had self catering. Managed to get a fantastic hotel with loads of facilities and she loves Seefeld anyway.
Snow won't be as good, but I'm hoping it will be okay. We're beginners to improveso not looking at the best anyway.

I hate to say this, but you may well regret this decision. No brainer going to Flaine over low lying Austrian meadows this time of year, with the odd exception of a really long cold winter or a late chilly snap.
Hope you have the best time you can, I know I'd rather be there than sat on the M25......

Re:Late skiing?

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 11:58:26 GMT

Hi all , it's been a while since been on here, thanks Admin for sorting .

I have booked La Plagne first week in April and am guessing it will be fine due to the altitude but snow forecasts for a late dump look slim.

My question is will I be stuck on the pistes or will I still get a chance of a bit of the off piste action ?

I do understand the freeze/thaw conditions that give a slim window of time in the day for the best snow

Anyone been that time before ?

TP