Latest posts for the topic "Schladming or Serre Chevalier?"

Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 15:42:29 GMT

Hi, I am new to this site, but was hoping that someone could advise me on the best place to go skiing end of jan/ beginning of feb. We are torn between Schladming and Serre Chevalier, but are worried about the snow covering at both. Can anyone offer any advise? Thanks )

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 16:13:46 GMT

I can't comment on Schladming, as I have never been there - but went to Serre Chevalier a couple of years ago in early Jan.

It's a huge area - even if the snow down low is poor, there is plenty to ski at mid and high level. Looking at the Serre Che website it looks like most of the resort runs are open anyway even with the relatively low amount of snow there at the moment (35cm at the bottom) - so given another few weeks it should only improve.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 16:40:54 GMT

I went to Serre Che last Feb (early). Big resort with about 250kms of runs, lots of snow, good variety of runs with the advantage that in low light/bad vis you can dive into the tree covered area (70%). WE were able to ski right back down to the resort and on into the town somedays. It is also good for off piste with a natural half pipe.(if you like that sort of thing) Oh...and the beer is OK too!! :lol:

Over to you Tony-H ....where is your review? :mrgreen:

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 17:00:44 GMT

Here is Tony's report

http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/8241.page

Off to Serre Cha in March having read Tony's Report. Also fancy Schladming next season. Both look nice resorts. :wink:

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 19:34:16 GMT

Would go to Schladming if you like your apres; both resorts similar max height , so given that Schladming is further east, probably more snow sure ( although SC is pretty good for snow).
Sure either would be good.
FB

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 20:47:58 GMT

I would love to go to Schladming.
SC is a fantastic resort and the skiing was superb as shown in Tony H's Report.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Fri, 7 Jan 2011 22:49:05 GMT

Been to Schladming 5 times in the last 7 years late January. Have no fear about the snow. Even in the freak winter 4 years ago which was the mildest in living memory for most of the locals the pistes were still great. On top of this they have one of the biggest snow cannon systems in Austria 300 odd to make sure everything is ok. Put it this way even though it is a low lying resort you can ski down to the towns and the surrounding villages all the time.
Excellent skiing, not the British/Irish Apres of some resorts but plenty going on. You will enjoy it.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Sat, 8 Jan 2011 02:18:18 GMT

Yep, I can thoroughly recommend Serre Che. Its high too, and we skied in a metre of powder at Easter last year.
I havent done Schladming but its on my list. Its not nearly as high, but has a tremendous snow record and you won't have a problem.
Being Austrian, the apres will be a lot better, but I have really taken to Serre Che and would go back any day and consider buying a property there too.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Sat, 8 Jan 2011 09:20:11 GMT

If you're woried about snow cover late Jan/early Feb you'll never go to either. It's got to be optimum time.

I've been to Serre Che for a day, so can't really comment - except I loved the skiing and really want to go back.

I have been to Schladming and loved it.

When we went it was a bit difficult to explore as our kids were small and in kindy in Rohrmoos so we had to get back there each day. There was a fair bit of walking to bus stops and gondolas and for us it wasn't convenient (small kids, carrying skis), but I loved it and would definitely go back.

~~The apres ski was fantastic, bars were lively and people very friendly.
We were there for New year and the celebrations were amazing, the town was packed.
In France there tends to a lot less emphasis on apres ski.

Both different places, but both worth a visit.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Sat, 8 Jan 2011 09:37:31 GMT

Never been to Schladming but SC is worth a punt 8)

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Sat, 8 Jan 2011 12:14:45 GMT

Dids1 wrote:If you're woried about snow cover late Jan/early Feb you'll never go to either. It's got to be optimum time.

Can we use this as the standard answer for anyone who posts concerns over snow coverage at this time of year for future reference?

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Sat, 8 Jan 2011 13:14:33 GMT

As long as we spell worried right!! :oops: :lol:

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Sat, 8 Jan 2011 15:12:56 GMT

:oops: oops...I can spell - honest

Snow cover - a dozy comment. I retract it.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Sat, 8 Jan 2011 15:55:39 GMT

Thanks everyone for your comments! It has been very helpful, although I still cant decide! Think they are both good in different ways. May try Serre chevalier this year and Schladming next! Accommodation available is slightly better at serre Chevalier so that may swing it! Thanks once again - when you only get to ski once a year, the snow conditions become a real factor, but its nice to try different resorts each year! :D

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Sun, 9 Jan 2011 15:17:17 GMT

We have been to Schladming twice (and thinking of going again) and to Serre Chevalier four times (and thinking of going again). I really don't think you would be disappointed with either of them. Schladming may have the edge on apres ski but I think Serre Chevalier probably wins with the skiing. I can't think of a run in the Schladming area which once skied, I couldn't wait to go and do again. However, in Serre Chevalier there were several -particularly the red Cucumelle.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Sun, 9 Jan 2011 15:25:49 GMT

Oh yes, the Cucumelle, now served by a new fast chair from Villeneuve mid station too.
And the 2 reds down by the Aiguilette Chair (sp?) are fantastic too.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:50:13 GMT

Update - Serre Che has just had a big dump 50cms - 210cms at the top, 160cms at mid mountain and 35cms in the villages. :wink:

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:16:19 GMT

Minor matter I know but when you are paying 3.50 Euros for a large beer on the mountain as well as the food being lovely and reasonably priced it swings it for Schladming.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:39:17 GMT

Scarlet Fez wrote:Minor matter I know but when you are paying 3.50 Euros for a large beer on the mountain as well as the food being lovely and reasonably priced it swings it for Schladming.

I love Austria and it will be my first time skiing in France at Serre Che in March. I will be better placed following this to report the costs etc however, I have been informed that Serre Che is slightly cheaper for running costs than many other French resorts. I am not a big beer drinker during the day and run on hot drinks most of the time. I would agree with you that Austria takes a lot of beating for all the creature comforts from accomodation through to food and drink. I will be going to Schladming, hopefully next season because I enjoy tree skiing and the Austrian hospitality however, I am also looking forward to skiing Serre Che because it comes highly recommended and two thirds of the ski area is made up of tree runs. Skiing will always take priority over other considerations :wink:

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 23:43:46 GMT

Correct on all fronts Al. Austria will always in general be cheaper than France, but as far as France goes Serre Che is cheaper. And I found it much more chilled than the 3 valleys for example.
As far as the skiing goes, you should really enjoy SC. I would like to try Schladming as well.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:30:02 GMT

Because its on a lot of peoples wish list perhaps we should explore the possibilty of a J2ski Rally in Schladming in January 2012. If nice Mr Admin :wink: can pull a few strings he may be able to get us some discount for a block booking and have some T shirts made. :)

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:47:04 GMT

AlistairS wrote:Because its on a lot of peoples wish list perhaps we should explore the possibilty of a J2ski Rally in Schladming in January 2012. If nice Mr Admin :wink: can pull a few strings he may be able to get us some discount for a block booking and have some T shirts made. :)

T Shirts???
January ?????
Do you know something about the long term weather forecast??

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:01:51 GMT

:lol: Andy, I wish I could predict the snow conditions. The T-shirts would be for the apres ski. We could then recognise the J2skiers in amongst the very serious party animals. :wink:

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:02:56 GMT

sounds good to me, i would be up for that!!

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:12:34 GMT

boo_yay wrote:sounds good to me, i would be up for that!!

Boo:thumbup: depends if we can get enough interest, plenty of time to make arrangements etc.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:34:31 GMT

I am a snowblader though - any objections?

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:45:25 GMT

boo_yay wrote:I am a snowblader though - any objections?

No, not unless their made by Wilkinson Blades :wink:

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:46:36 GMT

nah they are the new Salomon Crossmax 120s but i haven't tried them out yet!! :)

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:07:01 GMT

boo_yay wrote:I am a snowblader though - any objections?

There was a very nice lady on snow blades in my group lessons last year, and she seemed to be able to go everywhere we could, and the only time she had difficulty keeping up was when we were schussing. I was most impressed with the blades :D

Can you get to Schladming on the train (from the U.K. I mean)?

Ally

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:35:10 GMT

boo_yay wrote:I am a snowblader though - any objections?

A snowboarder with attitude ..... thats different :D

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:53:00 GMT

AllyG wrote:

boo_yay wrote:I am a snowblader though - any objections?

There was a very nice lady on snow blades in my group lessons last year, and she seemed to be able to go everywhere we could, and the only time she had difficulty keeping up was when we were schussing. I was most impressed with the blades :D

Can you get to Schladming on the train (from the U.K. I mean)?

Ally

Ally, I will try and find out.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:57:23 GMT

AlistairS wrote:

AllyG wrote:

boo_yay wrote:I am a snowblader though - any objections?

There was a very nice lady on snow blades in my group lessons last year, and she seemed to be able to go everywhere we could, and the only time she had difficulty keeping up was when we were schussing. I was most impressed with the blades :D

Can you get to Schladming on the train (from the U.K. I mean)?

Ally

Ally, I will try and find out.

i gotta pair Ally, they are ok for a couple of days then it all becomes a bit boring, have not used them for a few years.

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:31:05 GMT

i use them instead of hiring skis, i used to have 99cm one with non release bindings but got some 120cm long new ones for Xmas so still yet to try those out and they have ski bindings

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:12:31 GMT

boo_yay wrote:i use them instead of hiring skis, i used to have 99cm one with non release bindings but got some 120cm long new ones for Xmas so still yet to try those out and they have ski bindings

Have a good time fella :thumbup:

Re:Schladming or Serre Chevalier?

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:50:21 GMT

Will try but looks like it is going to be wet snow so either wax will be needed, but am preparing myself for a couple of tumbles if i end up water-blading....