 Poster: A snowHead
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@CathS, I think that's very fair.
The buses at the start of last season were apparently an absolute nightmare. Bad management and appalling staff comms. (Well, that was the excuse  ). I heard better things after the Feb holidays.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I think the worst bus journey I ever had was the last bus back back from Les Houches on a white-out day when half the valley seemed to have gone there. It had escape from Saigon vibes…
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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 think the takehome from the above for @Yellowbean37 is that Chamonix is a different type of resort from most others in France (or elsewhere). It is in many ways iconic and has some fierce protagonists here - but the question is whether it is ideal for a first visit to be a long weekend, when the object is apres as much as the skiing.
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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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Chamonix apres is very much a, download/commute back to the town before any apres can really begin. If that’s your thing then it’s a great location.
I prefer slope apres after a great days skiing with some ski watching while the beers start flowing!
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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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| andy from embsay wrote: |
| I think the worst bus journey I ever had was the last bus back back from Les Houches on a white-out day when half the valley seemed to have gone there. It had escape from Saigon vibes… |
I've had better bus journeys travelling 3rd Class round India than some of the rides last January in Cham. And I was told then that it was operating on a revamped and improved timetable! God knows what it must have been like before.
Some horrible, aggressive scrums to get on already over-loaded buses, and shamefully people not giving up seats for local elders etc.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Yellowbean37, if it’s any interest/help I booked a short 4 day trip for my daughter and her Aussie cousin, both uni students, January 2023 to Chamonix. They had a twin B&B room at the hotel Richemond (as mentioned earlier on the thread) which was fine, flew to GVA and shared transfers with Alpybus. They had an absolute ball, skied Brevant side and got the bus down to La Tour which they loved, and the bus was OK. Apres back in town they really enjoyed, especially the early Apres bands at Chambre-Neuf. Based on their experience I would have thought it would suit you down to the ground.
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Chamonix is a bit ‘bitty’ I struggled with it.
Enjoyed the trip there owing to a near perfect day of skiing at le tour on opening day last season, but there are lots of boxes it doesn’t tick for me. Busses to lifts, not easy to access apres (was for us a home and change situation or have to walk ages in ski boots). The ski areas are small though and if you’re a good skier you can ski them in a few hours I’d say. Big lifts up to the ski area.
If you’re going Feb I’d suggest Morzine
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Thx all will consider!!
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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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| Rogerdodger wrote: |
Get on the train underneath G airport and get off in Aigle. Small train up to les Diablerets.
You then have choice of les d/Villars
or Col du Pillon for Glacier 3000.
You would not be disappointed! |
Interested for a diff trip! Any idea where to stay? Trains reliable and how long does it take?
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@Yellowbean37, trains are Swiss so they have conniptions if more than a minute late.
Yeah, Chamonix is tiny I’ve probably skied more than a thousand days** here and I’ve been bored since day 5, at which point I’d skied every run once. *
* irony alert
** ~20 years, ~ 50 days/ year …
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If you consider a trip to the area@Yellowbean37, then stay in Les Diablerets.
Super easy to access by train as I originally commented. Predominantly hotel accommodation which may be far more competitively priced than you may imagine.
Easy walk to a 10 person gondola to access the linked area of les d' & Villars. This is an extensive area and has some lovely variety.
The other skiing is up at Glacier 3000, this is a ski bus ride of about 8 or 10 mins.
On paper the glacier does not look too interesting! The plateau has some enormous motorway pistes which are great for some high speed carving. The combe d'audon has some serious steep and excellent off - piste. The best part of the glacier......it never gets too busy!!
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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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In addition @Yellowbean37, you asked about the trains. SBB (Swiss rail) are known across Europe for punctuality and regular service.
Quick guess, airport to Aigle 1 hour, connection to les d' around 3 to 4 mins after you get off the mainline train. The little train up to resort will be around 40 to 50 mins, the scenery is delightful so enjoy the trip.
All swiss train info is SBB. etc etc!
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FAQ
