The town is really nice, has a good vibe with decent accommodation options. Plenty of cruisey skiing. Not a huge walk to the lift stations/ski lockers. Although I’ve not looked, I suspect a few of the hotels have inter communicating rooms. Maybe someone else who has more in-depth knowledge of Mayrhofen can advise on apartments/self-catering options.
EasyJet seem to have better priced flights Sunday to Sunday. Saturday looks expensive (no great surprise). Short transfer from Innsbruck to Mayrhofen.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
This is a no-brainer: Briancon.
One of the most beautiful towns in the Alps, loaded with centuries of history, lots of nice restaurants and market town 52 weeks per year.
And cabin lift direct from town, bringing you into the heart of 250 kms of slopes in 15 minutes.
Of of the top-20 areas in France.
Just look at this video for the non skiing part. The skiing part of Serre-Chevalier has dozens of enthousiastic posts here already.
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?
@Onnem, well they did say they were prepared to walk to the lifts. Briancon old town is a long way from the ski lift, but possibly within their 1 mile limit.
I don't remember noticing whether there were storage lockers at the lift station, but there were a couple of hire shops nearby which might offer storage. Someone may know.
@Onnem, good suggestion. Serre Che is great and Briancon is a lovely town. The piste back into town can be a bit interesting at times, but downloading is always an option.
EasyJet fly to Turin and from there, the 80-90km journey is possible via train. Although the train journey times can vary immensely, I think some services claim to do the trip in under an hour and a half.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Deleted my post as not helpful!
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Sun 27-10-24 20:07; edited 1 time in total
I know you have concerns about Saint Gervais but if you’re saying you are going to have a car, then you perhaps should consider Les Contimens, gives you access to StG/Megeve if snow is good & if it’s poor LC always has good coverage.
If LC has poor coverage, then skiing is in in the alps is in trouble
I'm not sure I'd want to rely on that option. We rented a car with a ski roof rack last year, and it was nothing but trouble - it wasn't big enough for 4 people's ski's and we couldn't fit them all in the car as well and 4 people. In the end we didn't end up using it.
I'm surprised to hear that, given that 4 of us regularly used to hire Fiestas or Corsas abroad and always managed to fit in 4 pairs of skis (in 2 double bags) down the middle of the car, plus a driver and 3 passengers.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Bergmeister wrote:
Flipjango wrote:
Jonny996 wrote:
I know you have concerns about Saint Gervais but if you’re saying you are going to have a car, then you perhaps should consider Les Contimens, gives you access to StG/Megeve if snow is good & if it’s poor LC always has good coverage.
If LC has poor coverage, then skiing is in in the alps is in trouble
I'm not sure I'd want to rely on that option. We rented a car with a ski roof rack last year, and it was nothing but trouble - it wasn't big enough for 4 people's ski's and we couldn't fit them all in the car as well and 4 people. In the end we didn't end up using it.
I'm surprised to hear that, given that 4 of us regularly used to hire Fiestas or Corsas abroad and always managed to fit in 4 pairs of skis (in 2 double bags) down the middle of the car, plus a driver and 3 passengers.
We don't have bags and would worry about damaging rental skis/rental car by putting them inside. Maybe I need to be less cautious!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Well, we've gone ahead and booked flights to Geneva as it's over £1000 cheaper than any other option. It's now a toss up between Morzine and Saint Gervais I think.
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@Flipjango, St Gervais is the nicer town, but then I'm biased. In both cases you would be relying on it being a typical year, better than the last couple for skiing.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Flipjango wrote:
Well, we've gone ahead and booked flights to Geneva as it's over £1000 cheaper than any other option. It's now a toss up between Morzine and Saint Gervais I think.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@Flipjango, don’t wait too long to decide- I’d imagine you’ll want to get ski school booked with a reputable large scale provider (ESF, Evo2 or similar) very soon, to avoid last years disaster.
Personally I’d choose based on accommodation proximity to lifts rather than resort, but you’ve already made clear that you’re fine walking a couple of miles each day in ski gear.
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.
Agreed. I've already booked an apartment right next to the lift in Saint Gervais, but as it can be cancelled, I may keep looking in case I find something better. I'm planning to go and have some lessons at Moving Mountains before we go too, so worst case I'll hopefully be more confident anyway.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@j b, @Jonny996@snowdave how's this location? https://maps.app.goo.gl/xEruiboGD9Edv16p6 Only worry is it might be a bit of a schlep out for dinner/drinks in the evening?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I would say you are no more than 10-15 mins walk from town center but about 2 mins from the gondola, so while it is not in the thick of it, it is hardly remote.
There is a bakery & a upmarket bar all on your doorstep there as well.
If you are concerned about nerves skiing I can recommend Shona Tait of BASS who is based in StG, a very good instructor that installs confidence.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@Flipjango, it's only a 10 minute or so walk to the main street. We stayed one summer in this location and it was fine:
I would say you are no more than 10-15 mins walk from town center but about 2 mins from the gondola, so while it is not in the thick of it, it is hardly remote.
There is a bakery & a upmarket bar all on your doorstep there as well.
If you are concerned about nerves skiing I can recommend Shona Tait of BASS who is based in StG, a very good instructor that installs confidence.
@Flipjango, better to be near the Bettex gondola than the town, as it's harder to walk in ski boots. Looks like you can cut through and walk across the car park, good spot!!
I parked and skied one day there when I stayed at Les Contamines. I liked the Mont d'Arbois slopes, very mellow and great views of Mt Blanc.
Glad you found something nice!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Flipjango, looks a decent location. It really isn't far to town, you can cut the corner by walking through the ski lift car park. And quite a pleasant walk across the well lit bridge. As @Jonny996 says there is a little cluster of shops on the nearby main road, boulangerie, pizza place, ski hire.
Plus the Y84 bus runs along that road, making it easy for you to spend the odd day or two skiing in Les Contamines. There is an 0835 service which gets to the main Les C gondola at 0900. Only thing, I am not sure exactly where the bus stops will be, when we were in St G a couple of weeks ago there were diggers creating a new bus stop layby at the west end of the bridge, closer to the new rebuilt gondola station. I don't know whether that will mean the decommissioning of the current stop further round the road.
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?
@j b, Thanks RE the bus stop. As said we always rent a locker (just so much easier) & that 08.35 bus is a treat, gets you up to LC for a 10 min queue without the stress of trying to find a parking space. We always try and get a LC day in, it is so different from StG, faster & more sweeping.
@Flipjango, FYI, not only do you have direct access to StG/Megeve, you have Combloux via free shuttle bus & LC via the Y84 bus all on the same pass, you also have access to Les Houches via the TMB (they now include the TMB ride in the cost of your day pass), note that is a different pass.
- take the kids out of school on the Friday (we haver always done this at HT inc last February when our 16Y old was 2 months away from his GCSEs)
- look at the myriad of lovely resorts in the Dolomites (@luigi has suggested Orisei, I think this is an excellent choice)
- alternatively, look at somewhere like Leogang in Austria (lift access to Saalbach / Hinterglemm), La Tania in France (3Vs) or the Portes du Soleil
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@franga, the OP has already booked the flights to Geneva.
@franga, the OP has already booked the flights to Geneva.
Apologies!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Flipjango wrote:
Also, would Chamonix fit the bill for us?
Yes.
There's an easy walk to uplift to the Brevent ski area, which is linked to the Flegere area.
If you want something cheaper, there's Luchon/Super-Bagneres, which I call the Chamonix of the Pyrénées, but it's not so snow sure - nor is it an hour from Geneva.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Mon 28-10-24 20:44; edited 1 time in total
After all it is free
After all it is free
franga wrote:
For all it's worth, here are my thoughts :
- take the kids out of school on the Friday (we haver always done this at HT inc last February when our 16Y old was 2 months away from his GCSEs)
I can't see how you make this work. All the accommodation options are Saturday to Saturday.
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.
Flipjango wrote:
I can't see how you make this work. All the accommodation options are Saturday to Saturday.
Chamonix has very flexible accommodation options.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
1. Sestriere
2. Le Corbier
3. Bansko
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
We just booked Les Gets again.
Everything seems so expensive this year but we looked (again) at the LG website and there were a few options on there so have gone with it again.
This will be the 4th HT there. It just works out well. It's not as high as some but HT is midwinter so it's quite reliable.
We drive as the flights are just ridiculous. I couldn't find flights anywhere. We are Guildford based so not too far from you.
If you haven't driven do consider it, it's really not that bad.
We only have 1 child and first went when he was 5.
We have had inset days usually on the Friday so have driven down and stopped overnight on the way to break the journey. Reims and Troyes have worked well.
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.
Flipjango wrote:
We don't have bags and would worry about damaging rental skis/rental car by putting them inside. Maybe I need to be less cautious!
Take a tarp or a towel, lay the skis on that. I had a Passat Estate last year and comfortably had 4 adults and skis inside the car.
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