Paging James for Euro assistance

I started a new job recently.  I have to go to Europe and spend several weekends there in mid to late March
Looking for advice on where to ski those weekends
I will be in some combo of Neufchâtel and Lugano Switzerland and Stuttgart Germany so not super close to anything not not crazy far either.  Hoping James has knowledge of some cool ski area I wouldn’t have on my radar otherwise.

Going to bring my boots and then rent skis.

From where you are based much of Austria and Switzerland will be accessible.  So start with the big areas you’ve heard about, see what’s available for lodging, and work your way down the dream list.    Maybe study the weather and see where there will snow or sun.   Personally I love Arlberg and St Anton where Lindsay Vonn Will be this weekend.   And hit Garmisch when you are in Germany.   Enjoy!

I’ve spent considerable time in Europe.  I’ve skied Garmicsh and that may be an option for the Weekend I’m in Germany but maybe there is a better option.  I’ve also have spent entire weeks at Davos, La trios valles, chamonix, St Anton, and Cortina and the Dolomites.

Zermatt is on my life list but probably a bit too far.    France probably is in  wrong direction.  

I’m hoping James can suggest some great gems we Americans don’t normally hit.  Films and Laax have long been on my radar and look to be in the right area and are along the path less beaten type places.

Also thinking about Innsbruck or Kitzbuehel.

Not sure if I’ll have a rental car or will try to take trains.  That will make a difference I think.

I have two weekends so want to do two different options.  I could stay a 3rd weekend but will want get home by then.

What airport are you flying out of?

I believe James is traveling to Switzerland now. I'm sure he will surface soon.

Here's a first pass:

Lugano: I’m embarrassed to say that despite my (southern) Italian heritage, I’ve yet to ski in Italy. I can dig up a bunch of TRs from Alpinforum soon.

Neuchâtel: never been there, but it would seem to be a great HQ to hit all sorts of major ski regions and local’s joints within two hours. Likely drive times are noted below and any individual trip reports I’ve written are in parentheses; you can search for them in the TR forum.

Major Regions
Portes du Soleil 1:30 (Les Gets, Morzine, Avoriaz, Champoussin, Châtel, Mont Chéry)
Adelboden/Lenk: 1:45
Verbier/4 Valleys: 2:00
Jungfrau: 1:40 (Grindelwald, Schilthorn, Axalp)

Less Well-Known or Local’s Joints
Les Bugnenets: 30 minutes Alpinforum Report (all t-bars!)
Lake Geneva Region: 1:30 – 1:45 (Thollon Les Mémises), Rochers de Naye, Les Mosses, Leysin, La Lécherette
The Fribourg Alps: 1:10 I really want to hit this lower-elevation region/most with only surface lifts
Les Diablerets, Chateau d’Oex: 1:30
Jura Mountains: 1:30 -- many ski areas, reportedly fun/they look similar to the northeastern U.S., so perhaps not too exotic.

James how is it possible you have not skied in Italy?  Cortina is great and Arraba is a must ski.  The sella Ronda thing is only ok as I don’t like to be on that tight of a deadline to get all the way around in a day or pay a huge taxi bill.  The food is mind blowing as well.

My internary is getting a bit clearer

I’m starting my trip in NW Switzerland and I need to get from there to Stuttgart over the weekend so something in North Central Switzerland would make sense as it’s sort on the way.  The next weekend Im in Stuttgart Friday and back there on Monday maybe going to Munich and just day tripping to zugspitz.  Any ideas for that part of Germany or Austria?

Salzburg looks appealing but it’s farther.

I end the trip in Lugano but will likely head home instead of staying longer.

After several hours of entertaining research I’m looking at Grindewald or Wengen the first weekend and garmisch or Oberstdorf on the other.  

https://www.oberstdorf.de/en/winterholiday/unlimited-skiing-amusement/
I had never heard of this place before. It’s only 3 hours by train from Stuttgart and looks big.  

You seem to have your trip very well covered.   When I’m lucky enough to return to the Alps I seem to stick to the places I know already since they are so big anyway I don’t really know them that well at all.  Next time however I’ll do a bit more research to broaden my horizon.  

Safe travels.  

I was tempted to go back to Davos where I’ve been several t8mes in the past so I would have a better feel for the layout but it’s a bit farther than some of the other options and I want to experience so different places

I booked Wengen for one weekend and Garmisch for the other.  Garmisch has both a lower altitude ski area
Plus a glacier which is key as even though this has been a big snow yr it will be late March.

James I’ve read some reports that Wengen is weak for stronger skiers.  Can you comment please

TR to follow once I get there.  

Z wrote

I was tempted to go back to Davos where I’ve been several t8mes in the past

Z must be part of the Bilderberg Group.  

James
I’ve heard some things that Wengen may be kind of boring for a strong skier - what do you think?

I’m open to smaller or less well known places like you are hitting in Austria.  I just need to be able to get a train with reasonable connections from Bern

Also based on what you are seeing in Austria is Garmisch going to be ok for late March?

I’ll do a TR when I get a chance
Saturday was a off the hook all you could ski pow fest


It was warm Sat pm and now super windy with limited lifts running so I asked myself what would James do
Some dessert porn for James
No strudel so went other direction and a Jagertee

What would James do
That's awesome

Apologies -- not sure how it happened, but I missed your question in mid-February about Wengen so this is a day late and a dollar short. Here's my TR from a year ago; it was one of the greatest groomer days of my life but the offpiste was crunchy from a recent thaw/freeze, not worth the effort.

It rained for 18+ hours straight while I was in Zurich on Thursday (I figured that would be good news for the mountains) and they said that Saturday would be sunny. Nice timing! Looking forward to your full report.