On 15 Jul 2003 07:23:00 -0700, (Frances Hinden)
wrote:

For family reasons I have an opportunity to get four days skiing
before Christmas (20-23) anywhere within easy reach by train of both a
big airport (Geneva/Zurich/Basel) AND Basel city.

Train timetables seem to suggest in order of distance Engelberg,
Wengen, Crans Montana or St Anton. Where are we most likely to have
decent snow that early and be able to find a hotel that doesn't insist
on a Christmas booking?

Or is there anywhere possible on a daily commute from Basel that will
have snow?

Last year there was quite a lot of snow in Davos and Lenzerheide
(presumably Laax too) from December onwards ... but that was one of
the best years in quite a while. It's really a bit of pot luck
nowadays whether or not you're going to get good snow at that time.
Given how incredibly warm it's been this summer I can only hope that
we get a sharp turnaround for the winter months. This sort of
super-heatwave really puts the fear of 'global warming' into you.

Basel isn't really that well located for Skiing I'm afraid. If you
could base yourself in Zuerich you'd have a good choice of resorts
ranging from 1-3 hours commute (add an hour if going from Basel).
I'm certain you could find somewhere skiable.

So long as you book early, I can't see problems with hotels.

Gav