Six 20-something adults are hoping to swing a ski trip between Christmas and December. So far we're looking at Zermatt, St. Moritz and the Bernese Oberland.

Do any of these areas offer better skiing conditions over others? This will be our first time skiing the Alps. We're mainly looking for mountain ambiance with apres ski, great snow, trying to do everything on a budget. We're also traveling by van - does this make a difference in reaching any of the mountains. I understand Zermatt is a carfree town.

I'm also concerned about finding lodging since most places want a 7-night min. Does anyone know of any budget accommodations ($100 or less) that would rent rooms for less time?

Thank you and happy travels!

Hi language buddy,

Here are my thoughts --

Not much of apres-ski in Switzerland -- unless you go to an upscale resort, which you want to avoid.

Zermatt & St. Moritz will be more expensive generally as they're upscale resorts. However, you can cut costs by heading to nearby towns like Saas-Fee (near Zermatt) or Celerina, Pontresina, or Sils (near St. Moritz). I found Zermatt's slopes to be more challenging and uncomfortable (cold and very windy), but I'm a bad intermediate. I don't know how the slopes are around St. Moritz.

The Berner Oberland will give you more, I think, of ambiance and budget accommodations (and good skiing!).

It'll be tough to find hotel rooms for less than a week, I agree. If you could stretch your vacation, it would pay in the long run! Many hotels offer great packages that include six overnights, two meals every day, and a six-day ski pass -- it's a good way to save money. But if you really can't do that, take a look at www.rooms.ch or www.bnb.ch to see if you can find budget accommodations somewhere.

Good luck!

s

December in Europe = very little snow.

So unless you go for a high altitude resort there's a good chance that where you end up won't have any significant snow

Forget Berner Oberland in December - not enough snow, and especially forget St. Moritz unless you enjoy being ripped off. If you want apres-ski AND good skiing your area is probably Flims/Laax/Falera southwest of Chur. It is actually rather snowboarding capital but skiing is great there, too. I hope 250 km runs is enough...

Thanks for the thoughts so far - keep it comin' I'm not familiar at all with Flims/Laax/Falera so I'll do some research and will scratch Bernese Oberland and St. Moritz off our list. Anyone else with more insights?

ttt

Hi Geeper - When are you looking for? I usually go to the Italian Dolomites in December for 1-2 weeks before Christmas.

Great scenery and ambience in the run-up to Christmas. The ski season opens on 1 Dec.

http://www.valgardena.it/

http://www.val-gardena.com/?artid=96&newlang=eng

There are attractive discounts on hotels etc. in the 3 weeks up to Christams too.

Let me know if I can be of more help ...

Steve

The best apres-ski for 20 somethings are in Austria, Saint Antoun, being the prime one. Though, wouldn't expect great snow that early in the season however.

Saas Fee is a great choice as will always be snow and has a decent apres ski environment. And can defintely rent an apartment for less than six days ( I have before). And should be cheaper than relatively nearby Zermat.

btw, for six people I would look into renting an apartment and that early in the season the owners will be more likely to rent for less than six days because they don't always fill up.

http://ch-sc-saas.concentrator.net/t...vider_list.asp

For example a quick search above found alot of apartments in Saas Fee, just remember you will be charged per person usually and a cleaning fee (once at the end of the stay) will be added on also.

Sansman - The OP is long gone (- see the date).

It was topped by Geeper ..

Steve

For once I try to be helpful and look what happens. I will stick to sarcasm and mockery from here on out as usual.....just kidding.

Titlis in central Switzerland might find your needs. If you stay in Engleburg (sp?)there might have a bit of apres-ski festivities.

Titlis it self is very good. There's a glacier at the top but there are a large amount of slopes to ski.

Although there are cars in that area, they're really not needed within the village.

Blackduff

if you want to be certain of snow you need to be on an alpian glacier or in scandinavia in December.

Trouble then is apres ski in say finland is more sauna based than gluwein.

Look at Levi or Yllas on google

Geeper - Rather than topping an old thread it would be much better if you posted a new question - then people won't be misled into answering a question which is 2 years old.

That way we have a better idea of what/ where you're looking for, and are better able to help ...

Steve

Sorry for the issues. Trying to avoid the flames of re-stating something that has already been asked.

I have a biz trip coming up that will give me a free weekend. Thougth I might try to ski, but it's early December, so since this post (albeit old) was out there, I just topped it.

Geeper - If you're interested in the Dolomites, the ski season opens there on 1 Dec.

They guarantee skiing, so you will find ski runs open - even if they have to use cannons.

http://www.valgardena.it/

http://www.val-gardena.com/?artid=96&newlang=eng

Steve