Poster: A snowHead
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Good afternoon,
Going skiing with the family to meet friends staying in St Gervais April 12th-17th. I understand that St Gervais closes on Sunday 14th (Someone said it will extend the season if the snow is good but can't confirm)
Our friends drive from St Gervais to Les Contamines which is open a week later but there's 8 of us and we haven't got a car so need to get the bus.
Ive just received an email from the tourist office, there seems to be a free bus but need to connect and a paid for bus which is direct but will cost 11 euros return per adult (adult looks be 10 years and up) so will cost me an extra 44 euros a day
Does anyone have any experience of this journey or the buses or can suggest a better way.
Thanks
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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 would think if you're looking at a bill for the buses of c€264 it wouldn't be much different to hiring a car(s) for the whole week and then driving yourselves up and down, if you can cancel your transfer GVA to St Gervais then you may even be saving money!
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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'd be inclined to rent a car, especially given the vagaries of the end of season - with a car you have so many more options, including driving down a way and enjoying the Spring flowers. Or into the Chamonix valley and up the Aiguille du Midi to enjoy the views!
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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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It’s less than a 10 minutes drive, so 11 Euro each does sound expensive
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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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Long time lurker, first time poster. Thought I could get some advice out of the Snowhead hive mind, seems you're always able to answer people's questions...
I'm staying in St Gervais for a long weekend 22 to 25 March, in an apartment down at the bottom of the Bettex gondola. As we're arriving late Thursday night at GVA, we're hiring a car, but also because as per @mjh1972 we want to get over to Les Contamines one day.
My question is, do we need snow chains? Normally I'd assume it was better safe than sorry, but they don't seem to be an option with the cheapest car hire quote (Dollar). To get them, I'd have to go with the next cheapest car hire company, and by the time I've added chains, it's effectively about £90. Given St Gervais is low (850m?) am I going to need them to get to St Gervais? Am I going to need them to get to Les Contamines?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts from those on the ground.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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In 5 years I’ve only needed chains once
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I like those odds! Thanks
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If it looked like being exceptionally snowy (as, of course, you hope it will....) you could pick up some chains in Sallanches if you will be driving through in shop opening hours. Or in Ferney Voltaire - there's a "Feu Vert" very near the airport.
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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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@hitme100, do the cars have snow tyres (yes if Swiss, no if French)
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@under a new name, I'm looking at renting from Swiss side, so yes. (web says French side rental desks close at 22.30, I'm landing at 22.05, so didn't think I'd necesarily clear customs in time to have a choice between FRA/SUI rental).
@pam w, I'm assuming most stuff will be shut when I'm driving through!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Since you'll therefore have winter tyres, I would say exceptionally unlikely you'll need chains at the end of March.
The road between St Gervais and Les Contamines is almost flat (along a valley).
St Gervais itself does have some hilly side streets, so depending on the forecast and your accommodation location it might be prudent to use the free, covered car park in the town centre for the odd night (as we did in January).
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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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@hitme100, so you're too late to buy if you need them on journey up.
With winter's I'd keep an eye on the forecasts and acquire if necess.
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You know it makes sense.
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Even hiring from dollar, whilst you can’t pre-order chains if when you pick your car up you can ask for them if needed.
(iirc the sign for compulsory chains is as you leave le Fayet.)
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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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A car opens up so many options from St Gervais .. Contamines, Combloux, Chamonix, Espace Diamant, Flaine, Clusaz and more .. for me that's a huge plus.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Be careful about companies saying they will provide chains/snow tyres my stepson hired a car from turin to join us in val cenis, chains were included in the price but werent supplied and he was then charged a lot for a car with snow tyres
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