I’ve skied in both and here’s my take. The alps have some really unique ski experiences that you won’t find in North America. Chamonix and the sella ronda should be on every skiers bucket list. Food is way better in the alps. Scenery is better in the alps at SOME ski resorts, but not across the board. Telluride, whistler and lake Louise are every bit as pretty as the alps. Snow quality (which should be weighted highly in any ranking) is way better in North America. One of great things about skiing in the alps is you can also take a few days and explore some amazing cities like Venice or Vienna while you’re there. Three big downsides to skiing in the alps: 1) language barrier, 2) you can’t drive to the alps and therefore 3) you have to schlep your ski stuff around airports and train stations. It’s hard to say which is better, both really fun.
You're somewhat mistaken on the idea of "in-bound" terrain in europe: most ski resorts are public land as opposed to private or leased land in the US, and they can't really stop you from going anywhere so there are no boundaries at all. Also helps that ski resorts make it pretty clear that they're not liable for you shenanigans, and can't get sued for you skiing off a cliff (unlike in the US_ The only limiting factor in europe is once you arrive at the bottom of your run, will there be a lift (or road) there or not, to get you away from there?
You're right that going for easily accessible "outbound" in between marked runs is 100% part of the experience in France and you won't get harassed by ski patrol if you enjoy it. However, I feel that with regard to the scope of the video, it's faire to compare only the "inbound" runs.
Chamonix is very famous in France because of his history, but for me it's really not one of the best place to go skiing, the domains are small and too far from each other, you need 30min bus every time, it's a nightmare. I really recommand "les 3 vallées" or "Paradiski". The fact you can have "slope on the feet" is magical, and it's like the biggest and 3rd biggest ski area in the world. I went to Chamonix this year, and it was my worst experience of ski ever (btw I only went in french ski resorts like Val thorens, Morzine, Les gets, Vars, les Arcs and Chamonix so I only can compare these ones)
I will be going to the very best in Switzerland for the 4th time next winter...For a month. I wish I could live there. BTW if you wanna compare just take a look at the trail maps. In 3 Vallees it takes a season just to ride each chair lift. And the Dolomites in Italy? You cannot do it all in a lifetime and it is all interconnected.
@@SRGSkiing BTW you mentioned the prices of food in France. You did mention hamburgers and fries in the USA. But the quality of meals alone is worth traveling there for. Outstanding.
One thing I find interesting is that only groomed runs or pistes are marked on maps in europe, while in north america tree runs and bowls tend also to be marked and have difficulty ratings even though in europe much of it would be “off piste”
The freedom of skiing in France is a big bonus too. The idea that you are responsible for your own safety - no little hitler ski patrol threatening to take your pass for no reason and almost no roped off areas where you are not allowed to venture.
I would say ski patrol in the US often does good work, runs are opened or closed for a good reasons and they also work with avalanche prevention. However if your talking about the “yellow jackets” though, Thats a different story… Ski patrol is not that bad, they usually dont pull your pass for minor reasons, and they never really bothered me. I think this is just a nitpick, unless again it’s the “yellow jackets” I wouldn’t say skiing in the US or Canada is all that less “free”
A strava heat map comparison says that ski patrol controlling access and setting off avalanches actually increases access to that terrain. (European skiers are less likely to leave the corduroy than their American counterparts) If you want to take your life into your own hands and want freedom, nobody is stopping you from doing it on US forest service land. They just won't help you get up the mountain.
@@maverick114e9I agree. I have seen runs in the u s that are open , that less than one percent of people could ski safely... I am not sure what kind of challenge they are looking for. 😂😂 I think it's in their head. Plus if something happens to you out of bounds you're paying the bill to get rescued ....no thanks
Great video...but im not a vacation skier...im a skier. the skiing and snow quality is all that matters for.my crew...we'll stick to the USA for skiing....ill go to Europe in the summer 🤑. Nothing against Europe, but not woth the extra time and $ IMO. I can Fly to alta and be waste deep in the lightest powder on earth for 250 dollars!
No, I was just introducing what the overall topic of the following categories would be. That section wasn't a category in itself, per se. Sorry for the confusion!
How about the quality of the skier in France,great vs USA, not so much. Lack of ski patrol, yellow jackers in Europe. Most important,more skiers than snowboards 90, 10
I’ve skied in both and here’s my take. The alps have some really unique ski experiences that you won’t find in North America. Chamonix and the sella ronda should be on every skiers bucket list. Food is way better in the alps. Scenery is better in the alps at SOME ski resorts, but not across the board. Telluride, whistler and lake Louise are every bit as pretty as the alps. Snow quality (which should be weighted highly in any ranking) is way better in North America. One of great things about skiing in the alps is you can also take a few days and explore some amazing cities like Venice or Vienna while you’re there. Three big downsides to skiing in the alps: 1) language barrier, 2) you can’t drive to the alps and therefore 3) you have to schlep your ski stuff around airports and train stations. It’s hard to say which is better, both really fun.
You're somewhat mistaken on the idea of "in-bound" terrain in europe: most ski resorts are public land as opposed to private or leased land in the US, and they can't really stop you from going anywhere so there are no boundaries at all.
Also helps that ski resorts make it pretty clear that they're not liable for you shenanigans, and can't get sued for you skiing off a cliff (unlike in the US_
The only limiting factor in europe is once you arrive at the bottom of your run, will there be a lift (or road) there or not, to get you away from there?
Yeah, I suppose I'm more of just referring to what is actually marked, signed, and shown on the maps
You're right that going for easily accessible "outbound" in between marked runs is 100% part of the experience in France and you won't get harassed by ski patrol if you enjoy it. However, I feel that with regard to the scope of the video, it's faire to compare only the "inbound" runs.
First time I skied in France was during my spring break last year, in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Conditions felt like spring skiing.
Chamonix is very famous in France because of his history, but for me it's really not one of the best place to go skiing, the domains are small and too far from each other, you need 30min bus every time, it's a nightmare. I really recommand "les 3 vallées" or "Paradiski". The fact you can have "slope on the feet" is magical, and it's like the biggest and 3rd biggest ski area in the world.
I went to Chamonix this year, and it was my worst experience of ski ever (btw I only went in french ski resorts like Val thorens, Morzine, Les gets, Vars, les Arcs and Chamonix so I only can compare these ones)
I'm sorry, did I read that right? You went during "SPRING BREAK" and said that conditions felt like "SPRING SKIING"?
@@amaury784 Alpe d'huez is very good aswell
@@PetarJovanovic-dr3wn Should’ve said that conditions WERE spring skiing
@@amaury784 this guy gets it, les 3 vallees SLAPS
I will be going to the very best in Switzerland for the 4th time next winter...For a month. I wish I could live there. BTW if you wanna compare just take a look at the trail maps. In 3 Vallees it takes a season just to ride each chair lift. And the Dolomites in Italy? You cannot do it all in a lifetime and it is all interconnected.
Where at? Want to guest write an Insider's Guide for it?
@@SRGSkiing Zermatt
@@SRGSkiing BTW you mentioned the prices of food in France. You did mention hamburgers and fries in the USA. But the quality of meals alone is worth traveling there for. Outstanding.
Absolutely true. I gotta go back to Savoie just so I can get some Reblechon and Tartiflette 😂
One thing I find interesting is that only groomed runs or pistes are marked on maps in europe, while in north america tree runs and bowls tend also to be marked and have difficulty ratings even though in europe much of it would be “off piste”
Its not 100% true there are runs which are not groomed but which are marked on maps and saved and only opened when the avalanches allow it!
Not as many as over here, though
@@tobiasrungg406 good to know.
In some austrian resorts they mark those as Ski Routs with some annotation they're ungroomed
The freedom of skiing in France is a big bonus too. The idea that you are responsible for your own safety - no little hitler ski patrol threatening to take your pass for no reason and almost no roped off areas where you are not allowed to venture.
Right there with you!
I would say ski patrol in the US often does good work, runs are opened or closed for a good reasons and they also work with avalanche prevention. However if your talking about the “yellow jackets” though, Thats a different story… Ski patrol is not that bad, they usually dont pull your pass for minor reasons, and they never really bothered me. I think this is just a nitpick, unless again it’s the “yellow jackets” I wouldn’t say skiing in the US or Canada is all that less “free”
A strava heat map comparison says that ski patrol controlling access and setting off avalanches actually increases access to that terrain. (European skiers are less likely to leave the corduroy than their American counterparts)
If you want to take your life into your own hands and want freedom, nobody is stopping you from doing it on US forest service land. They just won't help you get up the mountain.
Don't you find that being responsible for your own safety and inhibits what you might do? Having a bit of a safety net allows you to push yourself...
@@maverick114e9I agree. I have seen runs in the u s that are open , that less than one percent of people could ski safely... I am not sure what kind of challenge they are looking for. 😂😂 I think it's in their head. Plus if something happens to you out of bounds you're paying the bill to get rescued ....no thanks
Great video...but im not a vacation skier...im a skier. the skiing and snow quality is all that matters for.my crew...we'll stick to the USA for skiing....ill go to Europe in the summer 🤑. Nothing against Europe, but not woth the extra time and $ IMO. I can
Fly to alta and be waste deep in the lightest powder on earth for 250 dollars!
At 5:55 it seems you gave the advantage to France, but didn't award a point. That would make the final score France 10.5, USA 4.5.
No, I was just introducing what the overall topic of the following categories would be. That section wasn't a category in itself, per se. Sorry for the confusion!
How about the quality of the skier in France,great vs USA, not so much. Lack of ski patrol, yellow jackers in Europe. Most important,more skiers than snowboards 90, 10
I wouldn't say the average I-70 day tripper in Colorado is a bad skier. They're just a little sleep deprived and suffering from a bit of road rage.
😭😂
Great video, everyone please ski in Europe. GO TO EUROPE 😉
Nah Its horrible, stay in North america 😢😂