Latest posts for the topic "Glacier skiing November in Europe "

Glacier skiing November in Europe

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:42:05 GMT

Glacier skiing early November in Europe. Where's best for long weekend flying from UK? Has anyone skied the Alps in November?
Appreciate that there will be limited skiing pistes open etc.. Looking for possibilities that will tailor for a one off birthday present for my wife.
Really appreciate any suggestions, only thought the idea up tonight but it's one of those birthdays that needs to be celebrated, not looking for luxury just skiing.

Finn

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:00:41 GMT

I would suggest Hintertux. There is a real possibility of good snowfall at that time of year and it is likely to have the largest area in Europe open. I did it the first weekend in October in 2008, waking up to 80cm new snow and about 50km of runs. Airport access is easier than Zermatt or Saas Fee, it is cheaper and better terrain. Can't talk about France as I've never been out of season.

There are also sone great deals to be had in some very nice hotels. I like the Badhotel Kirchler myself, great service, nice food, lovely pool area etc.

Good luck!!

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:40:07 GMT

Thanks for the info Tino.

Travel dates probably 12th to 15th Nov, some good deals to be had. Badhotel Kirchler has only two twin HB rooms left proving its popularity. Found hotel deal offering twin room HB for under GBP300. Can get good flights to Munich airport for GBP86pp & Audi A4 car hire for GBP136 so with a bit of luck I may well be able to do the whole package for under GBP700.

Finn

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:45:12 GMT

Sounds like a plan to me!!

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:56:14 GMT

Finn,
Last October we went to the Ski and Board camp at Tignes, and we're going again. We thought it was extremely good value for money.

November prices are from GBP125 per person for 3 nights stay and 3 days ski-ing all inclusive of transfers to and from Geneva airport, meals, ski pass and use of their gear (you don't have to use it if you don't want to) and shuttle bus to and from the glacier.

Our flights were about GBP70 return each with Easyjet from Gatwick to Geneva, but I don't know what the prices are like now. Also, of course I don't know that the Chalet hotel Melezes has any vacancies for the dates you want.

You might get 3 days ski-ing for the two of you for only GBP400 in total.

http://www.mountainsunltd.com/special_offers/view/ski--board-camp-2010

Ally

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:05:30 GMT

Thanks Ally
Tignes was the place that first sprang to mind but after looking at the Tux & the out of season set up... It looks excellent.
Wouldn't mind I have skied Mayerhofen & not made the Glacier because we have had the children with us.
No children on this trip.

Finn

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:53:34 GMT

Hintertux should be a good option for you. Their official winter season starts in October so I believe they might have a lot open by November. If you thinking of renting a car you could combine this with Stubai glacier. It is not that far away and usually good for early season. More cuuisy terrain and modern lifts up top.

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 00:18:20 GMT

AllyG wrote:
Last October we went to the Ski and Board camp at Tignes, and we're going again. We thought it was extremely good value for money.

http://www.mountainsunltd.com/special_offers/view/ski--board-camp-2010

Ally

Ally

Having reviewed package again I have to say that it is exceptional value for money. Look forward to hearing how you get on.

Finn

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 00:27:49 GMT

Tom W

thanks for the suggestion of Stubia, really surprised by the amount of terrain that is likely to be open. Just a shame it's only a weekend trip.

Finn

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 07:49:57 GMT

Finn,
We went last year and I wrote a full report on it here:

http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/6855.page

What surprised me (I'd never been ski-ing out of season before) was the way that most things were shut. There was a cafe open at the bottom of the glacier, and the restaurant at the top of the funicular was open, but as far as I could see most of the resort was shut and the free ski bus to the chalet wasn't running. So I was very glad the chalet people were there to deliver and collect us from the glacier.

The only very slight snag with the deal at Tignes is that they only collect and deliver people from Geneva once per day. It's nearly a 3 hour drive from there to Tignes. So, if you're flying from a regional airport you might not get a flight to fit in with this, because it's out of season, and have to stay in a hotel in Geneva, which would considerably put up the total cost of the holiday. There are plenty of flights to Gatwick though.

We had so much fun last year that we're doing it again this October half-term. I just hope the weather is okay and they don't have to shut the glacier because of a blizzard or something.

Ally

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Sat, 4 Sep 2010 23:45:09 GMT

Just booked for Hintertux, had to bring the escape plans forward so now going on the 15th Oct..
Kids are going to love staying at home with grandma. :twisted:

40 days & counting down.....

Finn

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Sun, 5 Sep 2010 10:57:51 GMT

Finn wrote:Just booked for Hintertux, had to bring the escape plans forward so now going on the 15th Oct..
Kids are going to love staying at home with grandma. :twisted:

40 days & counting down.....

Finn

Be sure to let us know how you get on!! Are you staying at the Badhotel Kirchler? I got a lovely birthday email from them on Friday. Nice touch.

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Sun, 5 Sep 2010 18:39:15 GMT

tino_11 wrote:

Finn wrote:Just booked for Hintertux, had to bring the escape plans forward so now going on the 15th Oct..
Kids are going to love staying at home with grandma. :twisted:

40 days & counting down.....

Finn

Be sure to let us know how you get on!! Are you staying at the Badhotel Kirchler? I got a lovely birthday email from them on Friday. Nice touch.

Couldn't get in the Kirchler totally booked up so opted for the half price deal with Aktiv & Wellness Hotel Bergfreid. Got to say I think we got a good deal on this one.

Thanks for the help Tino.

Finn

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 15:26:41 GMT

Could anyone tell me what the likely kms of piste open by last week September?

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 21:57:34 GMT

dixie dean wrote:Could anyone tell me what the likely kms of piste open by last week September?

Current conditions 9/21 lifts running serving 20km piste.
Last year 50km piste open by early October. Always the risk of not getting on the Glacier if the weather closes in.

Finn

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 22:27:23 GMT

Finn wrote:

dixie dean wrote:Could anyone tell me what the likely kms of piste open by last week September?

Current conditions 9/21 lifts running serving 20km piste.
Last year 50km piste open by early October. Always the risk of not getting on the Glacier if the weather closes in.

Finn

I've been on the Tux in some very interesting conditions, they don't seem to like closing it.

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 22:32:19 GMT

That's reassuring to know Tino, especially as we will only be there for the weekend.

Finn

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 22:36:13 GMT

Finn wrote:That's reassuring to know Tino, especially as we will only be there for the weekend.

Finn

My Hintertux report from 7th/8th/9th November of November last year........

http://towid.blogspot.com/2009/11/hintertux-7th-8th-9th-november.html

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 22:38:20 GMT

Thanks guys, might try to fit a few days in there as well then. This Autumn holiday is getting more interesting all the time :D

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 22:41:00 GMT

I love spring and autumn riding, much quieter both on the piste and in the mountain huts, a more relaxing day all round. Saying that I am quite fond of winter too )

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 22:53:36 GMT

Good report Tino, easy to get lost in conditions like that!

That was a fancy looking hot toddy.

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 7 Sep 2010 08:59:19 GMT

After recent snowfall glacier looks quite good

Look at this report from 5th of September

http://www.alpinforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=36299

I usually google translate them, this German forum is quite good for up to date trip reports with photos )

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 20:53:11 GMT

Could anyone tell me the order of ease of the red runs from easiest to hardest? The reason I ask is my wife is only just getting onto reds and I would like to try them in the best order and not frighten her with the first run!

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 08:27:56 GMT

latest conditions looking pretty good.

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:41:00 GMT

Too right, that picture just screams "carving practice" :)

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:33:07 GMT

Yep certainly looks like good conditions............. for Austria :lol:

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:12:38 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:Yep certainly looks like good conditions............. for Austria :lol:

Austria, snow coverred mountains, snaps, good bier & when the skiing conditions are not that good then there is always this guy! :lol:

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:07:23 GMT

I bet the winter ski nights fly by :lol: :lol:

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:55:34 GMT

Finn, if you are really 'lucky', Helmut aus Mallorca might be performing in Tux whilst you are there.

This is a once in a lifetime experience which I missed, twice. ;)

Re:Glacier skiing November in Europe

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:39:07 GMT

tino_11 wrote:Finn, if you are really 'lucky', Helmut aus Mallorca might be performing in Tux whilst you are there.

This is a once in a lifetime experience which I missed, twice. ;)

I'll be disapointed if he isn't.

Can't get that dam catchy song out of my head. :oops: