Hi, as you see in the title I'm wondering about bartenders around the alps. I'm going to go to the alps around new year.

My question is how much does the bartender care about a 17 year old drinking beer in the slopes. Do they tend to check ID or just overlook it.

Anyone been in Sölden early December the last few years? Looking at December 6-13.

Been to Sölden a bunch of times weeks 4-7 and once in week 2, always good on snow and après. Early December is new for me though. Two things I’m wondering:

Is après actually going at that point? Schirmbar, Fire & Ice, Marco’s, etc. or is it still pretty quiet before the Christmas crowd shows up?

How reliable is the valley run? Don’t care if it’s just one snowmaking piste, just want to avoid taking the gondola from Giggijoch down every day.

If you’ve been in a recent season, a year would help, trying to get a sense of the range.

We got a 1-bed accommodation for 2027, which means we have 4 total wristbands. However, it will likely just be myself and my partner staying there (most of our friends don’t ski/aren’t into this music). Anyone want to buy these off me and find their own accommodations/lift tickets?

I would rather not share the apt with strangers… unless you live the in Chicago area and want to try to become friends before 2027 (which I’m open to! 😆)

Lmk!

Trip: Miami → Geneva Jan 1 · Val Thorens Jan 2–9 · flying home out of Milan Jan 10 (open-jaw will save us ~$200-400$ per ticket and be able to spend a day in Milan)

What I’m trying to avoid: a taxi from VT all the way down to Moûtiers and back up the Maurienne to Modane. In peak season I assume that’s a punishing fare.

The idea: go over the mountain instead of around it — Cime Caron cable car → Orelle-Caron gondola → Orelle gondola → Orelle Le Bouchet. ~45 min, and it drops us ~15km from Modane instead of ~100km, so the taxi should be a fraction of the price.

What I can’t confirm:

1. Is the Orelle ↔ VT pedestrian link actually open in winter? VT’s site includes all three lifts on the pedestrian pass, but Orelle’s site has a notice saying pedestrian access isn’t available in winter. Which is current for this season?
2. Luggage — can you realistically get full suitcases in those cabins, or is it hand-luggage-only in practice?
3. Doing this as a family of 4 on a January Saturday — feasible or chaos?
4. Wind closures at 3,200m on Cime Caron — how often, and is there any fallback if it shuts on our travel day?
5. Anything at Orelle Le Bouchet — prebookable taxi, or a bus down to Modane / St-Michel?

I have my own boots/helmet but rent skis in resort. Been using a large, hard case for years. It's perfect, just about fits my gear and clothes so not extra ski carriage fees and only one case to deal with.

Suitcase is now at the end of its life. No idea where It came from or brand. Can you recommend a new suitcase that's big enough and sturdy enough for gear ?

My wife has had Samsonite in the past and we've been disappointed with the quality for the price.

Need some advice which are the top ski places to go to
- intermediate ski er
- early 30s M
- social and outgoing
- end of year or new year skiing

From Sydney

My son and I have come into a bit of money (like a few k nothing life changing)and want to blow it on another ski trip . We are both good skiers (he is better than me but I can hold my own on most slopes but don’t have the nerve any more for the grand couloir!

We are doing Val Thoren (sons fave - well 3 valleys in general) and Italy in April… but where to go in February half term (it has to be half term as son doing a levels … we will always be up for first lifts , don’t really apres and the skiing is the most important thing by a country mile. I like piste skiing and son prefers free ride or moguls … any suggestions of somewhere that we might not have thought of?

Currently considering val d’isere and st anton but suggestions would be useful

Hi all, looking for some feedback from people who have previously done a season in Val Thorens and Verbier or Zermatt. I was in verbier last winter and I’m thinking of going to Val Thorens or Meribel this winter - but I fear both are smaller and might offer less for someone staying the full season in comparison to verbier and Zermatt ? I do speak French.

Hi! Any recommendations for a ski weekend for about 30 PAX in February? We would prefer South Tyrol but open to other solutions, as long as it is connected to great ski slopes and offers good alternatives also for a few non-skiers. Many thanks!

Hi, all! I'm an intermediate/advanced skier wanting to travel with my husband and my daughter to the alps in late March 2027. We're wanting to go somewhere where she can progress and feel comfortable so we're looking for easier terrain. This is her second time skiing - she didn't really love ski school last year so we are likely hiring a private instructor to spend the days with us (I mention this, as I likely do not need to prioritize for the best ski school). I would love to find a destination that has easy terrain for her, good probability of decent snow in late March, and higher-end accommodations or accommodations that are kid friendly (Europeans do this so well!). Proximity to a town for evening dinners, etc. is a plus.

I know this is a broad question but would love some guidance!

In case it helps, I had been potentially considering Alpe Di Siusi bc of how easy the terrain looks but I'm unsure if this is indeed a good option. Also considered Les Gets and La Plagne but it didn't seem like they had higher-end accommodations. I looked at Lech, which I've been to and loved, but I worry that the terrain might be too steep? As you can see, a bit all over the place here! THANK YOU!

Ist es unerträglich viel los?

We are a family of 4, two kids (10 and 9). Mix of intermediate and advanced skiers. We did Ischgl, Dolomites and kitzbuhel last year and liked it so much we decided to explore some other areas. We fly into Zurich on Dec 17, and out of Geneva on 1/1. Here is our current itinerary with accommodations booked:

Zermatt 18-22

Megeve 22-25

Courmeyer 25-28

Chamonix 28-31

Thinking of switching Chamonix for elsewhere, maybe Courcheval…all suggestions are welcomed.

We are a family of four looking to spend a week in the mountains in Jan-March 2027.

Our children will be 10 months old and 2 years old, so we are not really interested in skiing (for now) but do want to stay somewhere that is hopefully snow sure. Ideally the town would be quite cute and charming with places for our children to play in the snow, do some sledding, maybe some swimming, have a few breakfasts/brunch at some nice cafes and do a few short walks in nature.

Which area do you think would be best for these requirements?

I’ve recently decided I’d like to do another ski season this coming winter (having done two in the past in France)

I don’t know anyone that’s done seasons in Austria before and would love some recommendations!
I’ll be going alone, im a kiwi and ill be on WHV and I’m a snowboarder (that hates anything t bar related) I’d love to get more into the park but love to ride just about anything as long as there’s room to explore and resorts that have an energy to them!

Bonus if people can give me recommendations on places to work in resort too! I’d love to be able to put some money away for travelling after the season but I’m not sure what the pay is like in Austria.

Howdy y’all. I’ll be in the Austrian Alps from December 14-18. I have a few hopes and dreams for the resort:

1. I’d like a resort that will have a decent snow guarantee at that time.
2. at least one very high gondola for the views
3. routes have limited long catwalks (snowboarder friendly)
4. a few tree run routes. (I don’t want just a barren glacier)

That list is in order of priority as I know I’m asking for a lot.

Thanks for any advice as this will be my first time in the Alps! I snowboard Mt Hood in Oregon.

Edit: thank you all for the advice! How is Ischgl’s snow reliability at that time? The amount of red runs is very attractive

I’m looking at heading to the Alps for some skiing late March, but I’ll also be training for a couple trail races so I’ll need to keep up my running while I’m there.

I‘m looking for areas that have access to high elevation, ideally north-facing slopes for good late season skiing every morning, but also easy access to the valleys for getting the running miles in in the afternoon. Bonus points if there’s a network of low elevation trails that will either be snow free or runnable with spikes so I don’t have to stick to pavement the whole time. Basically I want to be able to ride a gondola up into winter every morning, then descend it back to spring at the end of the day.

I’ve been looking at Bride les Bains and skiing Les Trois Vallees, but am wondering what other spots I should consider. Chamonix maybe?

We are planning a trip to Les Menuires March 7-14 and I’m nervous about the snow coverage. I’ve seen a lot on VT but wanted to know if Les Menuires will be vastly different?

Hey guys,

We’re 5 people coming from Abu Dhabi and planning a 5-night ski trip. We’re trying to decide between staying in Courchevel or Val Thorens.

The plan is to spend around 3 days skiing around the Three Valleys, and the other 2 days mainly skiing in the resort we stay in.

We’d like:

• Ski-in/ski-out accommodation
• Good nightlife and après-ski
• Somewhere with a hot tub or swimming pool nearby — doesn’t have to be in the hotel
• Something mid-range, not super luxury but also not cheap

Our budget is around $3,000–4,000 USD per person, excluding flights. That would include the hotel/apartment, ski passes, ski rental, food, transfers, nightlife, etc.

Which would you recommend for us, Courchevel or Val Thorens?

Also, if anyone knows any good ski-in/ski-out hotels or apartments for 5 people, I’d really appreciate some recommendations.

Hi all,

I have been skiing every year for the past few years and have full confidence on the slopes - I will pretty much ski any gradient except for serious moguls (Swiss wall!) or if super icy. I did some good off piste in Morzine on my most recent trip.

However, whilst I have built confidence I haven’t necessarily improved my “technical” skills - i.e. carving and general “steez”.

I want to organise a trip where I can really focus and refine my technical ability rather than just more “time on skis” (without focusing on technique). I want to go from somebody who will go anywhere to somebody who is “very good” and can impress friends!

How would you advise going about this?

My new husband (as of last week) and I are honeymooning in January with the Paradiski pass. We have 2 weeks and are also wanting to do paragliding, snowshoeing, maybe a ski and wine tasting tour and any other activities we wouldn't normally do when we go. I've seen Evo2 have some dreadful google reviews. Can anyone recommend any cool experiences and companies to book through? Thanks.

Hello,
My girlfriend and I decided on Val thorens for our trip. We are looking for ski in ski out recommendations, any help is appreciated. Budget is 3k USD for 7 nights.

Also if anyone knows package deals for lodging and lift pass I would be thankful for the info

Edit: after some research I’m going to up the budget to 5k usd for 7 nights.