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Should I stay or should I go?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Situation:
I find myself with no PAID work between the 16th December and Christmas. (being self-employed, any ski holiday is normally the cost of the holiday PLUS the lost income for the time).

It seems a perfect opportunity to go for a sneaky ski-trip before Christmas with the in-laws... however, none of my ski-buddies are available at that time so if I do go, I'll be skiing alone. This isn't a problem for me, since I ski alone for half the day even when I'm out with the family (since they "rest" after lunch).

SleasyJet flights from Luton to Geneva fit in perfectly for an early morning Outbound on Tues/Weds and a late evening return on Friday.
I don't want to waste much time between landing in Geneva and hitting the slopes and have previously done sneaky-trips to Morzine, St Gervais, Morillon.
Since I'm on my own, I going to try and avoid hiring a car this time around, so shared bus transfers or train are the route to the slopes.
I'm not looking to "make new friends" in the bars/clubs in the evening (The cat might be away.. but this mouse ain't playing!).

Options:
- Train to Verbier as per another Snowheads recent enquiry... but is Switzerland too expensive?
- AlpyBus to Flaine.... is that the best place for a solo skier to grab some food and a quiet pint at night?
- AlpyBus to Chamonix.... When I ski alone, I stick to Reds... is Cham too "black" for this kind of trip?
- Don't do it. No-one wants to be "that saddo" who is reading a book in while at a restaurant... like some sort of travelling salesman/Alan Partridge/David Brent.


Convince me one way or another.... I'm struggling to justify the sense in all this! Embarassed
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@jamescollings, do it!!
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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?
@jamescollings,
Quote:

1)Train to Verbier as per another Snowheads recent enquiry... but is Switzerland too expensive?
-2) AlpyBus to Flaine.... is that the best place for a solo skier to grab some food and a quiet pint at night?
- 3)AlpyBus to Chamonix.... When I ski alone, I stick to Reds... is Cham too "black" for this kind of trip?
- 4)Don't do it. No-one wants to be "that saddo" who is reading a book in while at a restaurant... like some sort of travelling salesman/Alan Partridge/David Brent.


1) It's a while since I've been, but have in the past been able to find v reasonable h/b accom right in the middle of town (Hotel de la Poste). Might be worth checking out. It's perfectly possible, even in Verbier, not to spend too much at lunchtime. Don't know lift pass prices.
2) Never been to Flaine, sorry.
3) There is plenty of red skiing in Chamonix, not too black at all. The only problem there is that getting between the discrete ski areas is a bit of a nuisance; there are buses of course. If that doesn't bother you, go for it, it's such a doddle to get to and the skiing is wonderful.
4) You must do it. No brainer.
Toofy Grin
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@jamescollings, another vote for do it!

Verbier isn't too expensive if you're not eating and drinking a lot every night - and Verbier is a fantastic area.
Chamonix is definitely not 'too black' - I had beginner friends here last year who skied 3 different areas and loved every minute.

Can't comment on Flaine in the evening, I've only done day trips. But the ski area is very good also.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Avoid the David Brent situation and why not do this instead ?

https://www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/christmas-volunteering-london/
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@WindOfChange, I'd be doing that if I didn't have other commitments. It is enormous fun.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Chamonix, head for Brévent and Flégère areas. There's a lot to ski there for all levels, up high above the town with easy access to both via Brévent lift.

Short easy transfer, great mix of anything in the evening too should make for an excellent trip.

Also much at required level at La Tour and Les Houche at opposite ends of the valley if you want to use the bus and spend a day at each.

There's just so much more than the superficial / big / macho image often projected. Wouldn't think you'd have any reservations once you've tried it.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
jamescollings wrote:
Situation:
I find myself with no PAID work between the 16th December and Christmas. (being self-employed, any ski holiday is normally the cost of the holiday PLUS the lost income for the time).

It seems a perfect opportunity to go for a sneaky ski-trip before Christmas with the in-laws... however, none of my ski-buddies are available at that time so if I do go, I'll be skiing alone. This isn't a problem for me, since I ski alone for half the day even when I'm out with the family (since they "rest" after lunch).

SleasyJet flights from Luton to Geneva fit in perfectly for an early morning Outbound on Tues/Weds and a late evening return on Friday.
I don't want to waste much time between landing in Geneva and hitting the slopes and have previously done sneaky-trips to Morzine, St Gervais, Morillon.
Since I'm on my own, I going to try and avoid hiring a car this time around, so shared bus transfers or train are the route to the slopes.
I'm not looking to "make new friends" in the bars/clubs in the evening (The cat might be away.. but this mouse ain't playing!).

Options:
- Train to Verbier as per another Snowheads recent enquiry... but is Switzerland too expensive?
- AlpyBus to Flaine.... is that the best place for a solo skier to grab some food and a quiet pint at night?
- AlpyBus to Chamonix.... When I ski alone, I stick to Reds... is Cham too "black" for this kind of trip?
- Don't do it. No-one wants to be "that saddo" who is reading a book in while at a restaurant... like some sort of travelling salesman/Alan Partridge/David Brent.


Convince me one way or another.... I'm struggling to justify the sense in all this! Embarassed


I don't buy into number 4. Absolute nothing wrong with sitting reading a book and having a beer. Equally, nothing wrong with catchy a game of footy and having a chat at the bar with some upset Man Utd fan.
Never been to any of your options 1-3 but from what people say about Chamonix I think I'd go there.
Oh and absolutely go. That's a no brainer.
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Quote:

Oh and absolutely go. That's a no brainer.


This.
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jamescollings wrote:
No-one wants to be "that saddo" who is reading a book in while at a restaurant... :
You're describing plenty of my last season & probably a fair chunk of this one lLaughing
What's not to do.
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Legend. wrote:
... - Don't do it. No-one wants to be "that saddo" who is reading a book in while at a restaurant... like some sort of travelling salesman/Alan Partridge/David Brent. ...
I almost always read in restaurants/ bars when I'm on my own. It would be utterly incorrect to assume that I'm remotely "sad" about it. I realize it's not what the OP's saying, but when people use the word "sad" as a criticism I always think that says a huge amount about them and very little about anything else. I'm not sure I know any well-read sales people, but they're probably more competent than the usual types, happy or otherwise.

In the days when I needed customers I'd always go boarding over xmas/new year because most customers shut down as it's hugely cost effective for the reasons stated.
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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.
under a new name wrote:
Quote:

Oh and absolutely go. That's a no brainer.


This.


If you'd wanted a more reasoned response to the question of whether you should abandon your family in the run up to Christmas for a totally self-indulgent and expensive skiing holiday, you've posted on the wrong site. Of course you should, duh.

I know it would add a fair bit to the cost, but maybe lessons or a Snoworks/Warren Smith/Inside Out type development course? Improve technique, get to meet and ski with similar ability people, and not be sad and lonely of an evening.
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 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
@philwig,
Quote:

I almost always read in restaurants/ bars when I'm on my own. It would be utterly incorrect to assume that I'm remotely "sad" about it.

+1
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
If I was on my own I'd be reading a book in the restaurant or a quiet pub so +2 to the above

@jamescollings, you should go if you can.

Never done Verbier by train have always hired a car (usually 4 of us so the cost is spread) but it's a great place to go.

Flaine is quiet in the evening as far as I remember.

I don't like Chamonix
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Thanks all... you've helped tip the balance of my dilemma Smile yay!

The book-reading comment stems from back in the 1990s when I WAS that travelling salesman, and each night in various TrustHouseForte's around the UK would see lots of single men and women sat at table4two in the restaurant reading alone (this was before the mainstream internet!) not talking to each other. Those that DID talk to each other often ended up waking up with each other Shocked Shocked and I've never played THAT game! snowHead
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
A couple of things to add:
For Verbier, you could stay in Le Chable, which should be much cheaper, and get the gondola up to Verbier, or go up the other side to Bruson, if it's open. Also, last season, on a given day (I think it was Thursday) in off-peak weeks, the lift pass for Bruson was only 20CHF
Resorts may save some runs for Christams, and not open them in the pre-Christmas week. Of the resorts you mention, I've see this in Chamonix, which was annoying over a whole week, but maybe not such an issue for a few days
Personally I'd hire a car as it's normally faster than shared transport, and I'd want to maximise ski time on the travel days, but then I'm greedy
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
JFDI, you'll have a better time skiing than not.
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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?
@jamescollings, I am (or was till recently) that traveling salesman. he he he.

Don't play those games though... Mrs U would not be impressed.
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yes.
You will regret when lounging around the house in your pants during the dates anyway.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Convince me one way or another.... I'm struggling to justify the sense in all this! Embarassed[/quote]


You aren't seriously asking us to justify going skiing, are you?

BOOK! Very Happy

Have a look at the Chalet Company in Meribel. They've been advertising £200 chalets that week.
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@Bergmeister,
Quote:

Have a look at the Chalet Company in Meribel

The OP wants a short transfer.
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I do this all the time, I work in GVA sometimes and then take a few days on my own. Dinner alone with a book, maybe a few beers in a bar. Love the time to myself frankly.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
As others have said, do it!

A couple of winters back I was single and watching the snow reports. I had to take a week off work, it seemed a good opportunity. the single occupancy was the issue but I found a chalet where they waived it. Ended up been an amazing Christmas and fantastic weeks skiing. I was happy in the pub watching footy with a beer and you always get chatting to people. In the chalet there was a group of 3 lads, one could ski and the others were learning. He asked about joining me to get some miles in which was welcomed.

Have fun!
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@jamescollings, train to Bourg St Maurice ( Eurostar + SNCF) then stay at https://www.hotel-basecamplodge.com/en/ : No transfer required. (Confess we're not staying there until March, will do a full trip report once we have).

You can read your book (however sadly you wish to) on the train on the way down, then choose to ski Arcs, Rosiere, Tignes, St Foy, Plagne...

But, as above, JFDI! ( or just flippin' book it )
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I have been to Flaine many times, no problem with food and a pint. However, be aware that the week before Xmas is very quiet and historically only a small % of the runs will be open.
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i think your asking the wrong question on the wrong website, nobody on a skiing forum is going to say dont go skiing, i go on a crossdressing forum, but nobody ever says dont do it, and as for skiing on your own, i"ve done it for years, it gives you so much freedom, just be careful that you ski within your ability though, if you have an accident with no one else around it can get quite cold and lonely.
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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.
I’m reading this thread sitting in a restaurant by myself!

Is that “less sad” than reading a book alone in a restaurant?
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 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
Been a good start to the season snow wise.

Unless there is a completely dry period over the next couple of weeks - which is possible - it should be great skiing.

I'd want to keep it real simple in terms of transfer/organisation. Verbier on the train a bit of a schlep maybe?
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Ironically I’ve just been told to go to a meeting in Geneva at a similar time, so started to wonder about resorts close by for 3-4 days after, also red runs. Not sure I want the costs of CH though. And any good train links, or am I better to take a bus from airport?
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Go past Verbier, to Zermatt. Its actually cheaper in my experience, better in almost all respects, and has a lot more really good red piste skiing.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
twoodwar wrote:
Go past Verbier, to Zermatt. Its actually cheaper in my experience, better in almost all respects, and has a lot more really good red piste skiing.


This. Good shout Laughing
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I like Zermatt well enough, but I wouldn't be going there just for a few days via Geneva.
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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?
Whats wrong with being a "Saddo" ?
Have a lesson.
I think a ski trip alone can turn into a great adventure.
Its early season so there will be accommodation, and this year there is plenty of Snow.
Verbier is great skiing, and an easy trip from GVA.
Somehow though, I think I would feel more comfortable in Chamonix, don't know why though.
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@Hurtle, Seems as though the OP has a week (ish) so 2.5hrs on a train each way leaves lots of time to enjoy Zermatt?
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
halfhand wrote:
@Hurtle, Seems as though the OP has a week (ish) so 2.5hrs on a train each way leaves lots of time to enjoy Zermatt?

He said "early morning Outbound on Tues/Weds and a late evening return on Friday." so 4 days max and flying in/out on a skiing day so I would be looking to keep the transfer to an hour myself.

Certainly plenty to go in Chamonix though personally I think bussing to the different areas is a pain. Could have course just stay close to one of the areas and hunt there for at least a couple of the days.
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Thanks all. My mind is made up... the concern that being a ‘solo alone in a bar’ kinda guy has been assuaged. There was always a chance that someone came back and said ‘don’t be that guy!’ But no one did, so that’s good.

Slight fly in the ointment is that my client hasn’t provided the contract for January yet!!...so I need that safety-net in the bag before my wife will let me go.. but here’s hoping for a resolution in the next day or two.
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@jamescollings, where will you go?
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
@jamescollings, get the contract and JFDI. I’m self employed, when I take holidays which is a minimum 6 weeks a year, i work on the basis that I’ve worked during the weeks before to pay for my holiday pay in exactly the same way as a PAYE person, I can’t think of anything worse than being on holiday and worrying about the money you could/should be earning, no one ever said on their deathbed, I wish I’d worked more rather than going on holiday.
I’ve skied Flaine a fair few times and really like it, but you need to have a guide in the main bowl if you want to go off piste as there lots of dangerous crevices that will swallow you up for good! The nightlife is definitely low key.
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@jamescollings, Do it, just do it. Since mrsthecramps cancer, (and her brill recovery ) we have a very different view on everything. Just live now, tomorrow may never come.
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I’m leaning towards Chamonix, but the village webcam looks as snowy as Swindon! Should I be concerned?
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