Xmas/New Year snow

Sarah Eggleston wrote:

Failing a crystal ball for the 2003/4 and 2004/5 seasons (I wish!),
does anyone have anecdotal evidence of Christmas/New Year snow
reliability over the past few seasons?

Is Austria (historically) better than France? Or vice versa?
St Anton certainly claims that, but this is probably 99% tourist office
hype. However, I always check (if I'm not lucky enough to be there) and
it does seem to have lot open at Xmas in years when France has suffered,
so perhaps there is something in it.


If there's no snow at all, how busy are the glaciers?
Not sure, but glacier skiing makes for a great mornings entertainment
but a misserable holiday.


Do snow cannons make a difference and which resorts have the most?
Yes, and especialy if it's cold. Cold weather and no snow go hand in
hand (both are due to high pressure systems) so snow canons are often
effective early in the season. Italy in general, and I think Courmayeur
in particular are renowned for massive snow canon networks.


Is it worth the extra cost and jetlag of a trek across the Atlantic
for more reliable snow cover??
Not early in the season (IMHO). It is worth it if you've never done it
just for the experience and the fantastic skiing. I'm a big convert to
Jackson Hole!!! That said, I've skied a lot at Whistler and that place
has never lacked snow early in the season. They used to hold a world cup
downhil in early December and I know it was cancelled twice in a row
because of heavy snow ('97 and '98 I think).

(We've skied the last 3 years at Easter and are getting fed up
with ice and slush.)
.... so you're trading it for icy winds and no sun... it's a tough one.


-Sarah

PS would anyone like to re-employ some teachers at a school
which has holidays in Jan/Feb??

There has to be some downside to having all those holidays!