 Poster: A snowHead
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Fist of all, is there any reason why we should not do this??? I have been a bit spooked by last years lack of snow. I know you can never be snow sure in these lower resorts at any time of year but historically was last year unusual?
Secondly, we have found accom with a Sunday change over actually on the piste which is perfect for us and removes the need to start travelling on Christmas day. However we would like the kids to go into ski school (they are beginners). How does this work with a Sunday changeover?
And finally (for now!), what ski schools run out of Morillon? I can only find ESF. Is that the only one? Are they good? I see that zigzag run from a nearby resort, it that reachable maybe for a lunchtime lesson? I struggle leaving my kids at the best of times, the thought of leaving them on the side of a mountain with someone they don't even know fills me with horror!  - they will be aged 9 and 7.
ANY other tips you have for us would be wonderful! We have never booked this far in advance and it is our first trip with kids. I just don't want to make any horrible mistakes.
Thank you! x
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I can't answer all of your questions, but may be able to cover some.
Even last year, there was PLENTY of snow by 27th December, so you will probably be fine. And Morillon has the longest green run in Europe - the Marvel at 5km, so ideal for beginners.
Zigzag out of Samoens are very good, in our experience. The best way to get to Samoens is to go down in the bubble from Morillon 1100, then take the free bus for about 5 minutes to Samoens, then up the Samoens bubble. The only issue is how often the buses run during the day, there are plenty first thing and last thing, but not many in the middle. If you have a car it's an easy drive down to Samoens.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The main 4 man chair out of morillon, sairon, is really very very queue prone when its busy, and new year will be busy.
In 20 years of going to GM, we have only have 2 really bad early season weeks, last year and 2006/7. More often its been very good / superb and occasionally opened early.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Quote: |
The main 4 man chair out of morillon, sairon, is really very very queue prone when its busy, and new year will be busy.
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are you tied to New Year, @breeze11? It will be rammed. Last year after Christmas had very poor snow there was that famous "snowmageddon" on the changeover Saturday between Christmas and new Year. Caused complete and utter chaos but greatly improved the pistes.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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[/quote]
Last year after Christmas had very poor snow there was that famous "snowmageddon" on the changeover Saturday between Christmas and new Year. Caused complete and utter chaos but greatly improved the pistes. [/quote]
and meant new year week was actually reasonably quiet! as lots cancelled due to the duff Christmas week or didn't even get there. Our underground carpark was only half full.
But.......... Morillon is not that good a choice when its busy, as sairon is queue prone, and Lanche to get to rest of GM is dreadful as well. (its a slow 3 man, and once you are at the queue for it you have to queue there is no going anywhere else,............ nice views from it !)
If you want to use zigzag, go to samoens and stay there? or Christmas week is much quieter? or even Easter which is early next year?
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| Quote: |
once you are at the queue for it you have to queue there is no going anywhere else,............ nice views from it !
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If Zig Zag are based in Samoens and you want to use them I'd book accommodation in Samoens. I think it would be too much hassle to take the bubble down from Morillon a bus and then the Samoens gondola - the latter has a reputation for queues in peak weeks.
There is a good beginners area at Samoens 1600 but it would not be that easy for beginners to ski from Samoens to Morillon for lovely gentle runs like the Marvel. Therefore I'd just stick with the ESF in Morillon to be near your accommodation and the easiest terrain.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Have been to Morillon at Feb half term and although busier than last year in Jan was doable. Love the Marvel. We stayed up at 1100 and the Sherpa there was very well stocked. Love the Marvel a proper green run where beginners can practise their turns as it is not just a narrow track. I agree it is scary to book after last years poor early snowfall, the snow this year was not as good as previous year but the piste bashers do a great job keeping the runs open lots of snow cannons ( not the Marvel though) higher up is usually fine. Have used ESF in Morillon and had no complaints at all. It's always a bit of a gamble to book ahead but sometimes to get the accommodation that you want in the resort that you want , you have to take the chance. I am sure you will have a fantastic holiday there, it is a lovely area to ski.
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do it, you'll love it. how bad can the queue's get for such a small resort?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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The Sairon did get queues at Feb half term especially when the ski schools met up. Ok if you went before. If it was busy we tended to use the 2 slow chair lifts up ( and they are slow, much time to admire the views) rather than shuffle along in a queue. Or ski down to Morillon village take the gondola back up and join the Sairon queue after they had left although several ski classes tended to do this too. As Zorrac said the Lanche is a bottleneck not helped by people not filling up the chairs completely.
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Thank you all so much for your replies! as always you are brilliant.
Well on the whole they are positive comments so i think we are going to go for it. I have looked into private lessons with ESF and they dont seem too expensive which i think answers the issue of arriving the day after the group sessions start. Im thinking there will be lift queues most places at new year and as we are stuck to that week we will just need to accept that it will be part of the holiday.
i can't believe we are actually going to book!!! X
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You know it makes sense.
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So pleased for you - something to look forward to. I am sure you will have a fantastic time the the Grand Massif it is a lovely place to ski. Where are you staying? 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Zorrac wrote: |
Lanche to get to rest of GM is dreadful as well. (its a slow 3 man, and once you are at the queue for it you have to queue there is no going anywhere else,............ nice views from it !)
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I wouldn't use Lanche to access the rest of GM unless you want to go directly to Samoens as it takes forever. Much nicer and less busy to go straight on at the top of Sairon, down Biollare, and then back up Gron, etc.
BTW, although the snow came it little late this year on the 27th, when it did come it more than made up for it. 
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