Stubai, Hintertux and Kitzsteinhorn are all a "couple of hours" from Munich.

Often by mid to late October the glaciers have fully opened - not just the
couple of runs they try to keep going during the summer months. I guess I
would favour Stubai, and would start going once the runs to middle station
are all open. It is nice when the valley run is open though!

I don't really rate the Zugspitze. I always think its rather limiting and
crowded.

Of course, once the snows arrive the Austrian resorts open. They may quote
opening dates in December, but once there is snow they open as much as
possible. Even low areas like Ski Welt (one hour from Munich) is likely to
be partially open by end of November. High resorts like Obertauern often
have massive amounts of early snow.

Paul

"Eugene Miya" wrote in message
news:48d444f8$1@darkstar...
In article
,
Matt T wrote:
On 19 Sep, 09:08, Dave wrote:
On 19 Sep, 00:58, (Eugene Miya) wrote:
Start? =A0When did it end? =A0Glaciers.

I did think about metioning skiing worth doing. =A0I have never been to
a glacier, but I have images of a few hundred yards of ice and lots of
crowds. =A0What are they like? =A0It it worth a drive to glaciers if it
does not snow?

Only got experience of the Tignes glacier in summer, but I was
pleasantly surprised - quite a few KM of piste, big snow-park, crowded
first thing, but gradually eases as people spread out a bit. Snow
quality wasn't great, but it was like it is in April - ice in the
morning, slush towards lunch. I'd do it again, especially as you can
use the lift pass in the afternoon for mountain bikes or hiking.

What's worth doing?
First the various Olympic Alpine and Nordic teams practice across the
Alps.
2nd most skiers really don't bother to ski in summer.
I've skied the Stubai, but that was a winter trip. I'm not certain of
its current status, but there are others. The USA has Hood.
You aren't going to get powder. Personally, I like powder skiing and I
like really long runs. But summer glaciers are a small mere part of the
skiing experience (worth doing once). Many hike (huff it). Next year
I'm skiing on the Juneau ice fields as part of glaciological research and
resurveying points measured 2 decades prior. But if you need challenge,
chase Olympic skiers.

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