Which Resorts in Austria/Switzerland for November?

[denis]

Hello chaps,

Which resorts in Austria or switzerland would you recommend for the beginning of next season? Used to the French resorts like Tignes or 2 Alpes, I would like to find a new spot
Many thanks

Denis

[Hans]

By many the fav. is Tux (Hintertux), after that I think Soelden and Stubai. Watch the weather and the snowheights closely by then: http://www.tirolergletscher.com/white5/ ... /index.php
http://www.alpinforum.com/forum/index.p ... 116ce372e6

[denis]

Many thanks Hans, I'll try hintertux - looks great for the early days!
D

[Felix]

Depends on what you want. If you need big resort or small is beautiful (but slopes are great and empty) then I would simply wait where the snow comes first.

Great in early season (except on weekends where some people show up) is usually the Hochkar in eastern Austria (usually opens in mid november, sometimes October, sometimes end of november) - or Zinal if they open as early as this year. Yesterday on Hochkar it was so empty, that in the morning speedskiers went down the slopes without any closed of sections (at up to 150km/h). Simply too few people to make it worth to rope off any sections. (maybe 80 people in whole resort). Today was fuller - maybe 400-500 people, over Christmas can be around 8.000 people on full days - carving on raceboard perfect until around 11:30, then longboards would have been the material of choice because we have temps like in July/August. Hochkar is open till 3.May - opening was late though (26.11).

But then don't expect any party or similar. During the week until mid december usually no more than 50-60 people show up (and some skiclubs at around 2PM).

The glaciers are usually crowded in the early season and don't offer anymore than the early season small resorts.

The resorts around Schladming, though they usually strive to open as early as possible too are too flat for my taste. Not really good for extremecarving.

It's difficult to tell now, what will be good. This year early season place to be was Julian alps in Italy (in Slovenia Kanin opened up late in the Julian alps because they got so badly dumped in November/December). If there is alot snow in november - booking late is no prob. If there is few snow early booking at the glaciers is recommendable - but then they are so crowded it's not worth it IMHO.

I think glaciers are great for May/June, but early season is best in small resorts with early snow - usually much better than the glaciers.

As for the glaciers - I would recommend Hintertux too.

[fivat]

In Switzerland I would recommend Saas Fee, which has a very good glacier with some steep parts.
Many many teams come there for training in summer.
http://www.saas-fee.ch/en/welcome.cfm

Patrice Fivat

[Hans]

Saas Fee is a very good option. But I can spend my euros much better than in Saas Fee. One week Saas Fee is two weeks in Austria

[Transistor Rhythm]

In Switzerland I would recommend Saas Fee, which has a very good glacier with some steep parts.
Many many teams come there for training in summer.
http://www.saas-fee.ch/en/welcome.cfm

Zermatt seems to have more slopes and lifts in operation at summertime if I just compare the two trailmaps. But the slopes in Zermatt are just not steep enough?

I was also thinking about summer boarding this year, don't have enough time right now during the season.....

[fivat]

It's steep enough for the international teams which are training in the slaloms, and for some good carving and extremecarving.
Check these old pictures out: https://www.extremecarving.com/photos/photosjuly02.html

Patrice Fivat

[denis]

Many thanks to all for your inputs. Looking forward to the next season now!! Talk to you soon.

Denis

[Willow 15]

Hintertux is good but I would recommend Saas Fee even though I have not been there (if guys like Fivat recomend it it will bee good). My reasoning is the chf being better value than th €. I was in Verbier two seasons ago, and even though it is known to be an expensive resort it was way cheaper than France. (£28 for two portions of chips, jambon sandwich, 1 beer and a coke in Flaine this April. Mental).