First EuroBBI Thursday March 21, 2019

[Buster Highmen]

just trying to say: if you are around Thursday to Sunday and want to see Engelberg and SkiArena go Engeberg first and SkiArena for the week end..

These are actually wise words, especially if it gets sunny. E-berg can be NYC subway crowded at the base in the morning.

Once up on the mountain, it's not so bad, but with all the high speed lifts, yes, it tracks out fast.

At Anderm@, I have seen huDge crowds on sunny weekends too where the Gemsstock wait was 4 tram cars. But the nice thing about Anderm@ is the lack of lifts.

Airolo might be another option, but it's a little more complex (requires a 10 minute bus ride from the bahnhof to Airolo Pescium, bus every 30 minutes) and just ain't what E-berg is in terms of awe.

FWIW: I have to leave the evening of Friday the 22nd.

[hafjell]

6. can you just bring boots and rent skis with dynafits?
SURE, IF YOU WANT I CAN ASK FOR PRICES AND SELECTIONS

Here's a price list for a shop in Andermatt. You may be able to get a better deal through your hotel.
This is the pro's move, btw. My wife did this last year (brought boots only) and it was so easy. She actually skied better/newer gear on vacation than she does at home. I'm bringing boots only this year too. Can't wait.

[alias_rice]

Question for Euro vets: I’m checking out of Vendul’s place on the 22nd, but don’t fly out of Zurich until the 29th. How long can I wait and watch conditions before deciding my route back? Do lodging options typically fill up quick in March? Also any advice on stops that offer good lift serve and touring options?

[oftpiste]

^^ you'll always be able to find a place wherever you go. Might have to pay last-minute pricing but there's always somewhere. Head over to Verbier for some FWT shenanigans. First few days are a pretty good party as the streets shut down and there's a lot going on.

[Buster Highmen]

Question for Euro vets: I’m checking out of Vendul’s place on the 22nd, but don’t fly out of Zurich until the 29th. How long can I wait and watch conditions before deciding my route back? Do lodging options typically fill up quick in March? Also any advice on stops that offer good lift serve and touring options?

Depends on where and how far you go and how much you want to spend. Midweeks are less crowded by that time, so you will have better availability, but the A-list places will still be expensive.
Lower elevations will be melting out likely by that time too.

A place I have been that really impressed me was St. Moritz. Corvatsch for the lift served sidecountry was incredible and we only did the couloir of the NW side that feeds a big apron and bowl leading back to lifts. Another valley goes all the way down to the train. Diavolezza offers great touring and huts and the views of the Bernina massif are killer, as impressive glacial ice and rock as anywhere. St. Moritz proper is ridiculously expensive with the least expensive option being the hostel in Pontresina (we couldn't get rooms there) next to the train or some of the pensiones up the hill (requires taxi).

Verbier too like oft said, pricey, don't know about huts in that area, but an incredible lift system. Over that way Arolla has the rep for great tours, see garyfromterrace's TR, but requires a bus ride.

Another place that has a great rep for sidecountry is Davos/Klosters but I've never been. Huts there too. I did find some somewhat reasonable, 90CHF/night, breakfast only, in Klosters near the bahnhof. It's reasonably close to Rueras.

There's ridiculous number of options and do not discount the Swiss Post bus for access, schedules and stops available via the sbb site. Have you considered Austria or Italy?

I don't know shit about Austria, aside from what I read in the dentists office, but it's got lots to offer and is supposedly generally cheaper. Vent is the high altitude place with like 3 pomas that is known for touring there not far from Pitztaler.

I can highly, highly recommend Alagna\Monterosa. It's hard to get to, but has a huDge lift system and the refugios up on the glaciers are numerous with lots of scary lines and relatively mellow tours. I think Gressoney and Champoluc, on same lift system, are easier public access. Sergio Gabbio is the ___d00d___ there, runs a hotel in Alagna.

Also the Dolomites have lots of lifts, huts and resources and are decent access, 1 day train ride away from ZRH.

And there's always Chamonix even though the Grand Montets will be out of service.

[hafjell]

Question for Euro vets: I’m checking out of Vendul’s place on the 22nd, but don’t fly out of Zurich until the 29th. How long can I wait and watch conditions before deciding my route back? Do lodging options typically fill up quick in March? Also any advice on stops that offer good lift serve and touring options?

Can't speak to the lodging with any certainty, but the Alps start to clear out on that Sunday, March 17. Ticket prices drop, the high season officially ends, and you will have much more elbow room in town. I would bet midweek (Monday March 25 through the 29th) there will be lots of vacancies. No proof or experience, just my gut.

[hafjell]

Lower elevations will be melting out likely by that time too...I don't know shit about Austria, but it's got lots to offer and is supposedly generally cheaper.

Yes. Shouldn't be a problem for you as you'll have flexibility, but in March you want to be as high as possible.
And almost everywhere in Europe will be cheaper than CH. Just read that Davos low-season ticket prices don't start until April. That is outrageous. Supposed to be great, though.
My understanding (from family, extended family, and personal travel) of costs are CH>FR>A>IT.

[Buster Highmen]

vendul did offer a day trip to St. Moritz/Engadin. I'd be up for that too.

[Mofro261]

Getting as high as possible in March.

Check check.

[Norseman]

Edit: these have been mostly addressed since I began drafting the stupid post below an hour ago.

-----

Well sheeeeit, now I'm questioning the tactic of bailing from Rueras on Friday.

Maybe this is a relevant question for the locals: how busy are these places likely to be at this time of year?

March is the best in the N.Am, in my opinion, because folks start getting into other interests like bikinis and bikes, yet winter hangs on... the hills get quieter, the base is fat, pow and corn are both in play, legs are strong. Jerry is mowing his lawn.

What's the scene out there? How long into the spring will weekend crowds be a factor? Would it be stupid to attempt to ski a place like Engelberg on a weekend at the end of March? Should we just book with vendul's mountain hideout through the weekend and be satisfied?

[Buster Highmen]

Getting as high as possible in March.

Check check.

heh...figured that'd hook you too.

[TAFKALVS]

My plan is to spend as much time at Venduls zone and get to know it. It's a massive place per Google Earth... Like several big skys. I figure if I get bored it's on me, especially if Vendul points us in the right direction to another hill here and there within a reasonable train ride.

[alias_rice]

So many options. I’ve been to Italy and France (though not skiing), so Austria would be cool to go somewhere new.

[GBB]

The future mrs and I arrive ZRH on 9/18. We're thinking of training directly to Vendul's and will remain there until Friday. We'll then train up to Eberg to ski on Saturday and Sunday before flying back out of ZRH on 3/25.

[2FUNKY]

My plan is to spend as much time at Venduls zone and get to know it. It's a massive place per Google Earth... Like several big skys. I figure if I get bored it's on me, especially if Vendul points us in the right direction to another hill here and there within a reasonable train ride.

This is going to be my play as well.

[Norseman]

My EuroJong nerves have been calmed by the wise Mr. Highmen.

Plan A is to stay at vendul's thru Fri the 22, then bail to Eberg for the weekend.

GBB, looks like we're tracking. Look forward to meeting you.

[PNWbrit]

Just a suggestion. Most Euro's (and particularly the Brits) package ski vacations run Saturday to Saturday and transportation resources are stretched to the max as hordes pour simultaneously in and out of the alps.

If you can avoid travel, particularly flying, on Saturdays.

[2FUNKY]

Just a suggestion. Most Euro's (and particularly the Brits) package ski vacations run Saturday to Saturday and transportation resources are stretched to the max as hordes pour simultaneously in and out of the alps.

If you can avoid travel, particularly flying, on Saturdays.

Well that would have great info a few days ago....

[Buster Highmen]

You will all hate me for introducing you to this idiocy.

[Buster Highmen]

You can book tickets and reserve seats on trains via sbb.

[PNWbrit]

It also means that Saturdays are normally really quiet on the slopes.

[hafjell]

Well that would have great info a few days ago....

I wouldn't worry about it. We've flown in on changeover day without problems. If you're hiring a car-service, best to reserve in advance. If you're on public transportation, you should be fine. (You might want to reserve a seat on a train though.)
From the sound of your itinerary, there are so many trains running so frequently, you should be fine without a rez. But you can book online cheaply and easily.

[hafjell]

It also means that Saturdays are normally really quiet on the slopes.

Great day to ski even in high season. Took me a few weeks to get used to it, as that is not the case in the U.S. of A.

[Micol]

Some Euro airlines like Airfrance, BritishAir, KLM among others don't charge for skis. Some American airlines, like Delta, don't charge for skis on transatlantic flights. You'll have to lay the Central Scrutinizer on their transatlantic baggage policies.

They all suck. I end up walking around during the flight and trying to get an aisle seat.

The prices quoted include breakfast and dinner.

Yes, one can just hang at venduls hotel in Rueras and ski pretty much everywhere in the SkiArena, but there's a train that connects to Andermatt running all day every hour. It's easy, trust me.

You can't fly with a full cannister. Lots of shops are set up there to handle filling.

Yes, per venduls suggestions.

Thanks

[Norseman]

Great day to ski even in high season. Took me a few weeks to get used to it, as that is not the case in the U.S. of A.

Huh. Yeah I didn't expect to hear that.