 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hey snowheads, I need some advice and have few questions for you.
I'm thinking of spending 3 months, maybe more if I get a work holiday visa, in Europe this coming season. Probably Jan 2014 onwards as I might try Gulmarg in december (it's on the way from NZ/AUS to Europe, kinda), although I'm having my doubts about that now.
I've skied most of my life, but have never done a full or significant chunk of a season. I have some rock expereience and some Mountaineering expereience in Mt Cook National park in NZ. Granted its been a few years since I've been on a Glacier. My rope skills should be up to scratch though.
Europe, especially France appeals to me because of the Ski Mountaineering history and general Mountain culture that is rooted there. Naturally I think of Chamonix when looking at places to base myself, but I'm sure there are other places that might suit. I want to upskill drastically, so hopefully where ever I might end up I can team up with someone or a group of like minded folk.
So if you've got the time;
1. What would you do if you were me, with unlimited time, and had roughly 8k to spend on a sweet season in Europe, skiing, and alpine climbing (Excluding gear and flights).
2. Any ideas on how long I could survive on those savings?
2b. If I get a work holiday visa I'd be happy to to some odd jobs or hospitalitiy work.
3. Is finding shared seasonal accom at a fair price difficult at that time of year?
So much to know. I don't know where to start. Any comments are gladly accepted!
Anyway freaking useful forum you have here. I'll be sticking around I think.
Edit: Sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum. Can be moved if necessary.
Dave.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
OldDogBrown, Two questions: 8k of what? What season are you planning - the winter skiing and ski mountaineering season or the climbing season?
But in sounds like a good plan to me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Sorry! Didn't think about clarifying that, I assumed it was a given here  so the winter Ski season, and $8,000 USD. Been saving $ hard lately.
I've really no idea how far that can take me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
OldDogBrown,
Welcome. And what a lovely idea you have!
Chamonix:
I don't keep a close watch on seasonal workers accommodation costs but I am going to guess that you can get a house share or a room in Chamonix for about USD 1,000 per month. Seasonal accommodation is tight in anywhere popular so you probably want to start looking now (if it's too early, you will soon find out for yourself!!).
Look to http://www.cham74.com/, http://chamshare.net/index.php/Main_Page . UK based Natives.com has lots of seasonal workers stuff on it.
So I would think that USD 8k would easily see you through a winter. If you can get a workers visa for France (or Italy, and I'll get back to that shortly) I would imagine that a bit of work here and there gets you cash and opens up a better network than hanging out in bars with ski bums does.
Other thoughts (I presume by "up-skilling" you mean mountain skills, not skiing?): while France immediately springs to mind, as does Chamonix consider that the whole region is a ski and mountaineering paradise: you have so many options - e.g. Bernese Oberland (Eiger), Monterosa, etc. etc. and Cham is not the cheapest place in the work to be based. To exploit the region to its fullest you will want to think about buying a cheap car locally that can be resold prior to departure.
I'm no mountaineer, so I don't have any views on where else would be best. But good luck, top plan!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
OldDogBrown, 2Alpes/La Grave
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Lizzard wrote: |
| OldDogBrown, 2Alpes/La Grave |
The scaly one gives wisdom here. CHX is a honeypot but there's a large hard core population plus many lesser wannabes. Needless to say those that can aren't necessarily falling over themselves to take newbies under their wing (unless I guess you're female and available an dcan still keep up passably). La Grave is pretty core but its a smaller community so at least you can make contacts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As under a new name suggests, Chamonix is the so called 'sweet spot' for all things snowy, however, The Monterosa and Bernese Oberland ranges are places not to be discount as well... Having climbed in Chamonix and the MonteRosa areas I can personally vouch for their plentiful climbing opportunities... Like yourself, it has been a while since I put crampons on, and I would am desperate to climb in the Bernese Oberland, however, I am lead to believe it would be quite expensive there for seasonal accommodation... Happy to be corrected on that...
Have you considered staying along the Aosta Valley... I know this doesn't really get you in a major town (unless you stayed in Aosta) but you'd be midway between Mont Blanc and Monterosa. I reckon accomm could be cheaper as well... BUt would rely on you having access to a car???
IMO $8k wont get you very far in places like Cham... Accommodation can be expensive and living is not exactly cheap, however, if you can get a job then you could be ok... You also might find that you have to part with some of that 8K to get you up the hills with a guide???
Anyhow... I hope you have a blast mate... wherever you go, stay, climb, ski... The Alps is a damed fine playground... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January is the ski season. Ski touring starts later (mid-March - mid-June or thereabouts). The main climbing season is July/August, when the glaciers have least snow cover but before the weather closes in again. It's possible to do things out of season and people do climb in winter but really, rocking up to the Alps expecting climbing in January isn't a good plan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
dogwatch, 'Doh'.. Totally missed the point he was coming in the winter!!!!!!
OldDogBrown, If you'd have come out to the Alps this winter, you'd have had trouble getting decent vis to ski in, let alone climb... As dogwatch mentions, the main time to get good climbing is through July and August...
Climbing in Cham, Monterosa does happen in winter, but conditions can be pretty bad. You would find you'd be sat on your back bottom more than you'd be up the hill... Think you'll need to revise your goals if you are set on coming for the winter months...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for all the replies! Good thing to come home too.
The trip would be about skiing, I brought up the mountaineering and climbing stuff because I imagine that those skills would help in such terrain. But yeah, I'd be there to ski. I like to ski steep and big terrain, which I why I was thinking Europe. Lift accessed madness by the looks.
Getting a car never came into my head, it'd open things up a bit I imagine. Especially if I stay on longer and can get into the touring and climbing seasons as dogwatch pointed out.
La Grave looks like a dream, probably expensive though. But expensive is what I'll get eitherway I think. The Aosta Valley had not come up on my radar till now, it looks good too.
I'm starting to think outside Cham, I'm even thinking of just rocking up in early November with a work visa, buying a car and seeing what happens. Worst case I ski for a month, bust my money and try again down the line.
Everyone seems to recommend the Alps though, so that's a start!
Thanks again!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
OldDogBrown, I can't see La Grave being anywhere near as expensive as Chamonix. I could rent you a super cheap pad in Bourg d'Oisans as 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.
|
OldDogBrown, On the property side of things in Chamonix a bed in a shared property costs €2500 for the whole season (1st December to 30th April), if you wanted your own space in a studio then you're looking at least €4500.
As for meeting up with people to ride with, in Chamonix there's a massive influx of people in the same boat as you and if you put some effort tin to get into the bars in Sud you won't be on your own for long!!
If you want more information on the property side of things, or any other questions, please feel free to email (Marcellus@livetheseason.com) or pm me.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Thu 20-06-13 9:01; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
marcellus, is there an extra 'a' in the email address you've quoted, or is it meant to be there?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
OldDogBrown, La Grave won't be expensive esp if you live in one of the hamlets up the back. And there is very little to spend your cash on when you are there. It has a very friendly season community IME
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Arno wrote: |
| OldDogBrown, La Grave won't be expensive esp if you live in one of the hamlets up the back. And there is very little to spend your cash on when you are there. It has a very friendly season community IME |
+ take your own porn or borrow from Objectif de La Meije for when tinternet goes down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
midgetbiker, Thanks for pointing out my typo, it's gone now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
