I realise that this is a bit like a how long is a piece of string question but here goes...
I have a trip to Austria planned in early March and would like to go on the BB in early Feb. This means that my annual mostly off piste trip is likely to have to be in early/mid Jan as for work and personal reasons I really need to have at least 2 weeks between trips!
Last year I had a fantastic week in Andermatt in mid Jan as they had loads of snow just before I arrived so power each day and sun for several. I realise that I am unlikely to achieve this again but would like to avoid grass skiing... Any suggestions on where has reliable snow depths ideally allowing long off piste runs in early/mid Jan? Currently looking at Engelberg (as hopefully similar to Andermatt-I'm sure I have seen posts from someone who knows a lot about it?), 4 valleys and possibly 3 valleys or Chamonix.
Thanks!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Arlberg, Ischgl, Montafon
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Mon 11-09-17 12:52; edited 1 time in total
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clarky999 wrote:
Arlberg, Ischgl
Ischgl's a possibility, I'm in Lech in March so will try to avoid 2 trips there in one season! One is expensive enough...
I'm a big fan of Ischgl and it's a fantastic, predominantly piste resort but it's not in the same league as the Arlberg area as an Off-Piste resort. I think that as an area that's likely to have great off-piste in January then Arlberg is going to be very hard to beat almost anywhere in Europe.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
downhillalltheway wrote:
I'm a big fan of Ischgl and it's a fantastic, predominantly piste resort but it's not in the same league as the Arlberg area as an Off-Piste resort.
Sorry, but I think you just didn't look in the right places... Ischgl doesn't have quite as *much* offpiste terrain (without skinning anyway), but there's still plenty of it, with some really great terrain that stays untracked much longer. I much prefer Ischgl on a powder day, and in early Jan it's particularly quiet - I've had powder days there at that time of year where me and my mates have been literally the only ones skiing offpiste. There's a bunch more just down the road in Kappl too.
One other thing worth bearing in mind about Ischgl is it can actually pick up quite a bit of snow from the South. So even though it never gets as deep as the Arlberg does in a good Nordstau, you probably have a slightly higher chance of fresh snow in a one week trip.
There is a Snoworks trip to St Anton which might fit so will bear that in mind. Can't find any organized trips to Ischgl or Gressony for those times. The latter is definately on the list at some point having skiied with some guides from Alagna who were obviously very keen on the Monte Rosa!
Anyone have any good knowledge of Engelberg or Verbier area at that time of year? Part of the reason for those is that there are trips I can book at the right sort of time.
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@mmgg1988, Verbier could be excellent but it really depends on snow conditions at that time and how much snow falls in November/December. I remember skiing some amazing deep powder mid December 2012 in Verbier - that whole season was pretty epic though. With typical conditions it might be a bit early - rocks lurking etc.
Engelberg is one of my favourite resorts for off-piste but i've only skied it mid-late April.
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Have booked the week of the 8th Jan off work as that fitted in with other people and the BB which I have booked off too. Don't have to commit to anything yet so will wait a bit
@musehead, if Engelberg was that good in April, hopefully things would be similar in Jan, possible lack of snowfall rather than snowmelt I guess!
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Verbier/4V is very inneralpine already: dry.
Definitely not like Arlberg, Andermatt etc...
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