which country is best for skiing with guaranteed snow at christmas?

Question

i want to ski on xmas day, only been to alps before & bored with france plus snow can be a bit hit and miss at xmas. where can i guarantee snow at xmas? i presume US & Cananda, but what about Eastern & Northern Europe also? Can you recommend good resorts for intermediates, nice & unspoilt (my idea of hell is merribel!)

Answer 1

As you know snow depends on the weather systems, with this year being an El Nino year and the temp of the Pacific ocean being 2.5 degrees higher than normal then I would suggest keeping an eye on the West coast of America (particularly the north west, Washington state) and West Canada (Whistler). The last time El Nino had an influence on the west coast was 1998/99 season when record levels of snow were recorded (Mount Baker resort in particular had a world record of 1140 inches or 95 foot of snow over the season). To have a look at snowfall history log onto the skiclub.co.uk on the left select snow reports then historic snow, and you can then check a few resorts that you like and see what snow they had of previous years.

Have fun

Answer 2

Guaranteed early season snow in the Alps is really only available on the glaciers (eg Hintertux, Les Deux Alpes, Saas Fee, Tignes), so the skiing may therefore be relatively limited and non-varied. However, the high Alpine resorts will all usually be skiable at Xmas though snow conditions can be poor. In Austria despite lower altitudes and low snow depths, slopes are often quite skiable because they are on smooth pasture land and not rocky slopes.

Excellent quality snow (certainly compared to the Alps) is available throughout the season including Xmas in the USA (not Eastern US, go for Utah or Colorado). It's said snow in Whistler is often a bit wetter and heavier (a generalisation - and a gross one!). If you're not too bothered by size, sophistication of resort, Norway (try Hemsedal) or Finland (try Ruha) might suit. Cover in Bulgaria and Romania is usually surer than much of the Alps but not as sure as Scandinavia or the USA. Have fun!

Answer 3

It's supposed to be a particularly mild winter this year, so you're probably going to struggle finding decent snow in Europe unless you go somewhere like Val Thorens in France (and I know you're fed up with France) or Madonna di Campiglio in Italy. Both areas have glacier skiing.

I used to go skiing with my family every year over Christmas and New Year, and lack of snow was a real problem in Europe. We seemed to spend half our time ice skating or sitting around and waiting for it to snow.

However, if you go to the US or Canada, you are guaranteed snow and some fantastic skiing. I really enjoyed Whistler in Canada which had a huge, convenient ski area and loads of snow when we went over Christmas. I also really enjoyed skiing in Vail, Keystone, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain in Colorado where there was also fantastic snow and great slopes.

Answer 4

Like you i would presume USA & Canada would be best but last Christmas i was in Italy, Passo Tonale and the snow was excellent.
It's a very high altitude resort so you're pretty certain of getting snow and they have a glacier. Good, interesting ski area, i'm an intermediate and certainly didn't manage to cover the whole area.
I will definately be going back next Christmas so no hesitation in recommending it. Just one word of warning, being so high it is VERY cold.

Answer 5

On Christmas Day, I'll be snowboarding in Utah, which professes to have the "Greatest Snow on Earth". Stay in Salt Lake City (cheaper than staying in the resort and more stuff to do, like Christmas shopping) and you'll be within 45 minutes drive from any one of about 9 resorts. Come along, and I'll buy you a snow cone.

Answer 6

Try Sweden, the further North the better. Åre is fairly reliable for snow. Sweden not as expensive as Norway. Even S. Norway had little early snow last season.
We also skied Jasper (Canada ) at New year and snow there was not as much as normal.
Scaninavian people much friendlier.& you don't see lift Q's.

Answer 7

United States, head to Alaska for garunteed snow but generally you can rely on the resorts in Idaho for Christmas snow. The famed runs in Colorado are a fairly good bet but the past few years of drought have led to some green Christmases. Well, the make the snow but that's :P

Answer 8

I used to work in a ski field in the US, Colorado to be exact. The season open november time, but I remember xmas snow was pretty good as long as you don't mind the people.

I've skiied in quite a few countries in Europe and found xmas skiing touch and go Especially the French/Swiss boarder..

Answer 9

Come to Dubai! We got a mall with an indoor skiing area! Snow throughout the year! Make the expats feel right at home during the time when they will miss their family the most - Christmas time. Log on to their website if u dont believe me!

Answer 10

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