How Early Is There Decent Skiing in Europe?

**doublediamond223** · 10-07-2007, 11:53 AM

I've applied to do a study abroad next fall in Maastricht, NED. Basically, they give you an unlimited Eurail pass and you can see all of Europe. The best part is that you don't have class for the last month of the semester, which is November, and just get to travel.

Although this is a long way off, I'm curious as to what early season conditions are like over there. I'm thinking Switzerland or the French Alps, I guess. Whatever is easily rail-accessible. I would definitely bring boots and clothes regardless, but is it worth it to bring skis?

If there is skiing, should I bring BROs or would it mostly be a skating rink?

AH · 10-07-2007, 03:29 PM

what's your timeline? november is pretty early, but there's some glacial skiing to be had. Best bet would be switzerland, which is super accessible by train (andermatt - engelberg - dissentis - davos - saas fee - verbier - etc).

what length ski's do you need? you could prolly lend some stuff from the local maggot community.

**JoeStrummer** · 10-07-2007, 03:41 PM

When I first started skiing in Europe I used to go over the Christmas / New Years holiday but I usually found things in the places I go (Cham, Verb, Zermatt, etc) to be fairly bony. The last few years I've been going in late March and early April and find things much more to my liking. It seems like the winter in the French / Swiss Alps has been getting bailed out by a late Feb snow system the last few years.

Having said that, Europe is a big place and I'm sure you can find snow somewhere in early winter.

**brannen** · 10-07-2007, 03:47 PM

this is a picture from mid january last year in St Anton am Arlberg, Austria
engelberg was not much better
nor was anywhere last year, for that matter
hopefully you will get pooped on this year though
id stick to super high elevation, like zermatt

**doublediamond223** · 10-07-2007, 03:48 PM

Timeline will be the fall semester next year. Basically, classes end at the end of October and you have the month of November to travel freely. I'd like to get some skiing in, although I don't plan on trying to ski the whole time. (Half at most)

It sounds like it will be an ice rink in November, same as the US. Switzerland sounds like a good call. I'll just have to play it by ear I guess.

Do they get any big dumps in November, like in CO or UT, or is it just little snows here and there? If there's dump potential then I can justify bringing the fat sticks, but if it's going to be ice then there's really no point.

Originally Posted by brannen

picture from mid january last year in St Anton am Arlberg, Austria

FUCK. That's no good. Forget powder skis, we're into rock skis on that one.

I'd like to see Zermatt and the Matterhorn, so that could work.

**Snowhead** · 10-07-2007, 03:59 PM

Big dumps could happen always. It depends on the height.
In Austria there is more than 100km of tracks open today; Addend the glaciers of Stubai, Pitztal, Solden, Hintertux and Kaprun.

Only Hintertux has already 31km opened

**TDJ** · 10-07-2007, 04:29 PM

I'd opt for Zermatt or Saas Fee. High, reachable by train and a killer enviroment.

@brannen: I'ts not like that every year, las season was the worst in 15yrs or so. The season of 05/06 was great! In some regions of Austria we could ski pow at the end of november.

**Hicks** · 10-08-2007, 04:53 AM

Last year was indeed the worst I can remember, especially for the Eastern Alps. The western part has got it's usual share only at higher elevations.

That said, the year before was almost utahesque even in the lower eastern resorts.
There's no reliable prediction on snowfalls so staying flexible to the last minute on timing and location is the only way to go. Bring your boots and rent the gear at your final destination, usually plenty of deals available.

If you ride the train system: the good thing about St. Anton is the railway station right on site, ride during the night and wake up upon arrival at the resort.

**mc_roon** · 10-08-2007, 05:09 AM

im studying abroad this semester in Prague, except we dont have the last month off to travel. But, i am here until Dec 22 so i may get some good snow.

**PolaroidsfromMars** · 10-08-2007, 05:22 AM

same deal here, I'm studying in Parma, Italy, leaving on the 24th of December. Gonna have a week free at the end, hope to get some skiing in if the opportunity presents itself.

**hemas** · 10-08-2007, 05:56 AM

DD223, remember to take the train to Paris (and continue to Avon-Fontainebleau) and visit the mecca of bouldering. Bouldering there is a year-round activity and winter is actually a good time as it never gets that cold. Get 2 or 3 friends to join ya and sleep at the Hotel Formula 1 on Avon (cheap, and really basic) plus rent a car to access the good stuff.

As for skiing, well can be great or shite. Depends on yer luck. But your best bet is to head high for the glaciers (be it CH, FR or AT).

**gincognito** · 10-08-2007, 09:25 AM

2005 wasn`t bad for early season.

Keeping the Faith TR

**doublediamond223** · 10-08-2007, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by hemas

DD223, remember to take the train to Paris (and continue to Avon-Fontainebleau) and visit the mecca of bouldering. Bouldering there is a year-round activity and winter is actually a good time as it never gets that cold. Get 2 or 3 friends to join ya and sleep at the Hotel Formula 1 on Avon (cheap, and really basic) plus rent a car to access the good stuff.

As for skiing, well can be great or shite. Depends on yer luck. But your best bet is to head high for the glaciers (be it CH, FR or AT).

Sweet, thanks mang.

Chances are I will be the only climber in my group, but I plan to bring gear anyway.

**jskierpx** · 10-08-2007, 04:58 PM

All you people studying abroad have it all wrong. Somehow I managed to study abroad in the swiss alps last semester, lived 5 minutes from the gondola, and ski'd somewhere down the valley (Saas Fee, Zermatt, Verbier etc.) each weekend.

http://www.american-college.com/front_content.php

Why travel to the alps when you can live in them-

**doublediamond223** · 10-08-2007, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by jskierpx

All you people studying abroad have it all wrong. Somehow I managed to study abroad in the swiss alps last semester, lived 5 minutes from the gondola, and ski'd somewhere down the valley (Saas Fee, Zermatt, Verbier etc.) each weekend.

http://www.american-college.com/front_content.php

Why travel to the alps when you can live in them-

Like most of the programs I looked at, no high-level sciences..... that's a deal-breaker.

**TeleAl** · 10-10-2007, 05:08 AM

Originally Posted by jskierpx

All you people studying abroad have it all wrong. Somehow I managed to study abroad in the swiss alps last semester, lived 5 minutes from the gondola, and ski'd somewhere down the valley (Saas Fee, Zermatt, Verbier etc.) each weekend.

http://www.american-college.com/front_content.php

Why travel to the alps when you can live in them-

Even worse, rumor is, ACS is leaving Leysin.

As to the original question, DD23, please stop with the ice references.
Not sure where you grew up or live, but this is not the NEast USA.

Glaciers have snow, and few rocks.
They are made of ice, but we don't ski on the icy part.

Snow falls at altitude as early as September. See our TR from 2 weekends ago.
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=96357
Bring a decent pair of skis, and use them on piste, which should be decent enough, not icy.
Off piste, well that depends on snowfall.
Rock boards are for off piste, and I use them in early & late seasons, normaaly.

Places to go in November:
Saas Fee, Zermatt are pretty sure bets, as they are glaciers.
Other places depending on snowfall.

Finally, NL is a cool place, but a train pass ain't getting you skiing quickly.
I suggest checking out www.easyjet.com, Europe's cheap airline.

**hemas** · 10-10-2007, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by doublediamond223

Chances are I will be the only climber in my group, but I plan to bring gear anyway.

Well, there's quite a lot of climbers in NL...

You could possibly try to poach a ride from tectonically_negledted or what the hell his nick is... I'm sure Mikey is going to 'Bleau at some point.

Oh, and almost around the corner from Mastricht is the biggest and baddest indoorskiing in Yurp http://www.snowworld.com/default.aspx?ID=114 ...

I believe theres even a TR from that place here (and others.. But Landgraaf was the champ).

As for travelling... Well, two winters ago, it took a better part of the night to go from Delft, NL to Engelberg, CH... But when I got there, we had like 0,5m to over a meter of snow... I'm sure all the mags that were there can vouch thta it was a good day (Knutten, you were late... By a day

).

**doublediamond223** · 10-10-2007, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by TeleAl

As to the original question, DD23, please stop with the ice references.
Not sure where you grew up or live, but this is not the NEast USA.

Glaciers have snow, and few rocks.
They are made of ice, but we don't ski on the icy part.

Snow falls at altitude as early as September. See our TR from 2 weekends ago.
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=96357
Bring a decent pair of skis, and use them on piste, which should be decent enough, not icy.
Off piste, well that depends on snowfall.
Rock boards are for off piste, and I use them in early & late seasons, normaaly.

Places to go in November:
Saas Fee, Zermatt are pretty sure bets, as they are glaciers.
Other places depending on snowfall.

Sorry, I obviously don't know wtf I'm talking about as far as ice etc. I did grow up in the Northeast USA. That TR is awesome though, the BROs are definitely coming, after seeing that. I won't have the money for planes, but I'll be spending a substantial portion of that last month focused on skiing, so slow is OK. Thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by hemas

Oh, and almost around the corner from Mastricht is the biggest and baddest indoorskiing in Yurp http://www.snowworld.com/default.aspx?ID=114 ...

I believe theres even a TR from that place here (and others.. But Landgraaf was the champ).

As for travelling... Well, two winters ago, it took a better part of the night to go from Delft, NL to Engelberg, CH... But when I got there, we had like 0,5m to over a meter of snow... I'm sure all the mags that were there can vouch thta it was a good day (Knutten, you were late... By a day

).

Sweet, good to know. I found the TR (quoted below). It would be cool to go climbing with you at some point.

That snowdome might be the ticket on weekends in September/Early October, since I won't have time for the longer-distances anyway. My classes will be hard, so studying plays a part in time also.

Originally Posted by paedde

Resort # 102 the biggest snowdome in the world

520m long and even a restaurant half way down.

Best light, best lift system, absolutely great BOSE sound system. Good snow and very friendly staff. I could hardly believe that they have a 6 pack chair, several pomas and other lifts. No idea how it looks during holiday periods but it could be very busy. However today it was not busy at all although once we had to wait one chair! There are several runs. Overall this is the best snow dome we had all day. The combination of a comfortable chair, the size, the light, the snow quality and the music makes it number one.

From the top

Base area

The coldest we had all day (18F) – happy to leave after an hour.

Upper part

Doesn’t’ look like 520m