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Europe in January

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rfoubi
Posts: 51 - Karma: 10
Ok so a few of us are going to have around 6 days in the alps to ski in early january (2-6th) and we are trying to figure out what we should hit.  First of all, how is accomodation at this time of year?  are we going to have to book stuff in advance or is it fine to just wing it?  I dont want to end up sleeping in the car, but i also dont want to book some place that ends up having shitty snow when there pow somewhere else.  Aside from that, basically we are driving down from frankfurt, but location doesnt matter too much since were used to epic road trips for skiing (last year road trip =4500km, 4 states and BC in the same time frame).

So basically, does anyone have recommendations for good resorts?  We like big mtn terrain, cliffs, easily hikeable stuff (were bringing transceivers, etc but no touring gear) as well as pretty much everything else the mtn has to offer.  Preferable places that arent too crowded and have a big variety.  Park is a bit of a consideration, but not crucial.  Ive heard about so many resorts and ive been to a few in the summer (laax, zermatt).  Ive only skiied hintertux in austria and it was june so i didnt really get a great idea. 

any ideas/suggestions/info would be much appreciated.

thanks




Dec 6 2007 4:58PM
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Billiards.
Posts: 6853 - Karma: 816
IF it comes to the point where your desperate for a place to stay for the night I could probably help you out for a night in Chamonix, just PM me when the time comes.
Dec 6 2007 5:16PM
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amsterdamned
Posts: 160 - Karma: 43
Europe is pretty white, and it's not stopping in the near future. snow will not be a problem this season I think.

Go from frankfurt to st Anton, not only do they have lots of snow, their mountains are one of the best in europe.

After that you can go east to engelberg, small resort but only huckable cliffs. all with landing. its epic.

and the you can move up to verbier or something, or go to the smaller resorts in between these areas.

these are the main big mountain attractions of the alps though.



Dec 6 2007 5:48PM
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amsterdamned
Posts: 160 - Karma: 43
oh yeah, and chamoni of course. and there are many other places, but these came to my mind.

maybe verbier is to far away anyway.


Dec 6 2007 5:50PM
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rfoubi
Posts: 51 - Karma: 10
yeah st anton was definately on the list, chamonix looks epic as well, pretty sweet mtn terrain around there.  
Dec 6 2007 10:36PM
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SteezyasPie
Posts: 1160 - Karma: 15
I took a trip to Innsbruck in 06 and of the mountains i went to, i liked axamer-lizum (sp?), St.Anton, Kitzbuhel, and Stubei Glacier the best (Stubei is mostly groomers from what i can remember, but It was still really nice, you may want ot check it out)
Dec 6 2007 10:53PM
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SteezyasPie
Posts: 1160 - Karma: 15
Yeah, sry bout the groomer thing i didnt read your whole post, but The Hotel Innsbruck is very nice (4 stars i think, got discount rates as i went with a group but ive checked the prices for a possible trip back and they werent overly bad, dunno what your budget is though) and in the old section of Innsbruck
Dec 6 2007 10:56PM
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rfoubi
Posts: 51 - Karma: 10
well if the snow is garbage good groomers are definately necessary, but lets just assume the snow is going to be epic.  As for budget we are looking for somewhat cheaper accoms, but really it isnt too big of a deal.
Dec 7 2007 12:00PM
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Matty_C
Posts: 2598 - Karma: 236
Even if you like to travel, there's no point going any further from germany than northern switzerland or austria, besides thats where the most early season snow has fallen (a fuckin lot btw!). St Anton or Ischgl in Austria are good options and Davos, Arosa, Engelberg or Laax are all within easy reach of Germany and offer a super good range of skiing. Plus the ski towns of Mayhrhofen and Innsbruck are pretty sick. Even Garmisch in Germany is worth checking out.

What I'm saying is although there are endless options all over the alps, these areas are as good as any and there's no point travelling any further for the same result. Laax has the best park in the Alps (Mayrhofen and innsbruck are good too) Davos one of the best pipes and Engelberg, St Anton and Arosa some of the best freeriding. Whatever you want can be found in these places- take your pick and enjoy what looks like being a cracking season!

Oh, and you prolly wanna book- new year's week is busy with a capital B! pm michael_bc if you want to discover some lesser known hidden gems! If you go to laax, stay at riders palace, its sick! (and cheap)...
Dec 7 2007 1:15PM
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njinrome
Posts: 54 - Karma: 10
Besides Veribier and Chamonix, most of the mountains mentioned are a little farther north...perfect for someone travelling from Frankfurt. 

I'm gonna be in Italy (rome) from jan to may and want to go on a number of weekend trips to the alps.  if anyone has any recommendations big mtns with a shitload of off-piste and excellent snowfall, i'm all ears.

the closer to rome, the better. 
Dec 11 2007 11:12PM
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Shorton
Posts: 2889 - Karma: 13
saas fees nice in the winter, pitty quiet and epic pow and bc lines
Dec 12 2007 12:45PM
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Matty_C
Posts: 2598 - Karma: 236
^^ monterosa ski area (alagna, champoluc,gressoney. sick in the head freeriding. do it. courmayeur also worth checking out but a little further. if you want park, hit livigno. byt yeah, monterosa for big mtn for sure.
Dec 12 2007 5:01PM
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