Poster: A snowHead
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We've previously had three or four single days skiing in the Dolomites (Madonna di Campiglio and Cortina) but never been for a lengthy stay.
All that was meant to change this season, with flights to Verona and car hire booked for 6-15 January 2016. No accommodation sorted yet as I've been hanging fire and monitoring snow conditions. It's still not looking like any significant snow coming any time soon for the Dolomites.
I know that they have impressive snow making and there are loads of runs open but the question is do we stick with the Dolomites and its man made snow? Or do we drive to somewhere like Aosta with its more recent natural snow cover and winter wonderland appearance?
Is there natural snow at altitude in the Dolomites? Or is it all green/brown with snow only on the ski runs - which largely seem the case on the webcams I've been checking.
Cheers!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@mountainaddict, currently in mdc it's white over only at the top at Groste bare lower down, plenty of pistes open with more opening this weekend - the man made is really good and wide pistes and with lots of tree lined runs in a naturally very pretty place you don't really notice the lack of snow
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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tough question. Dolomite skiing is about piste skiing, value and stunning scenery. All of this will still be there In January without a significant dump.
The milky way offers a lot of piste skiing ( bit more French - lots of runs in the same bowl. Not the same level of charm, value or scenery. But - theres been a lot of snow there which means off piste will be on offer.
I'd go for the dollies but go somewhere linked to the sella ronda so you've got a lot of options.
MDC is always charming, with or without snow.
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Thanks Atomic_Mick and cameronphillips2000 - food for thought there....
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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was in Corvara mid January 2014 with very little natural snow and had a fantastic time. As long as the Sella Ronda remains open, unless you are both extensive off piste skiers, I would recommend sticking with the plan. My wife is a lower level intermediate, skiing for about 10 years (since meeting moi), and this remains her favorite ski trip of all time.
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As lovely as the Dolomites are I'd head to somewhere with more snow if you have no accommodation booked. To me skiing on a white strip of man made just doesn't seem like a proper ski trip. Think Aosta Valley / Monterosa is a great plan. With a car you might be able to day trip to Cervinia as well (happy to be corrected there.)
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I think its been pretty warm across the alps since the last snow fell in Western Italy. As such, it may be whiter but I'm not sure the off piste will really be worth changing your plans (or driving from Verona which would be a fair chunk further - prob another 3 hours?). Off piste is only really good within two to three days of fresh snow when temps have been low. It becomes pointless more or less immediately if temps are high.
The more interesting q is what do you do if Eastern Austria gets hit next week? Either way I'd hang on till last minute and decide then.
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I booked my Dolomites holiday in August, so am committed -- Webcams showed snow cannons in Selva going full blast last night.
Aosta is a long drive from Verona - as 8611 hints, Austria may come into the equation...
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