 Poster: A snowHead
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We're looking to retire this summer and quite fancy spending an extended period in the mountains.
Probably looking at January and March to avoid being there in peak holiday and to be available for parents etc.
From a lift pass perspective it would make sense to go to the same place/area.
Would want to store stuff during Feb
Any thoughts, advice or suggestions?
Thanks in advance
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@martyngb, once? or more often?
Just winter? Summer's lovely ...
Not unlikely (at least in France) to find property where owners want to rent or use Xmas/NY and Feb hols, but would rent otherwise. Probs be able to find somewhere where storage not an issue.
Yes, re lift passes, but something like MagicPass gives you all sorts of Swiss options - although you are then into (potentially) short term rentals which is more $$$.
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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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@martyngb, Have a look at www.skialacarte.fr for some ideas on flexible lift passes over many different resorts.
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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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Grand Massif is about 500E for the season. If you buy before the December deadline.
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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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Depends what you're looking for.
Big ski area with big choice = 3 Valleys in France.
Medium ski area with pretty scenery = Zermatt in Switzerland
Cosy ski area with slower pace of life for seniors = Deer Valley in Utah.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@martyngb, In pretty much all locations Season Lift Passes become the best value for money once you go past the 16 Day Point (on average). My advice would be to look at regional passes like the Ski Amade, Salzburgerland or Tyrol passes. After that, pick where you want to be for best multiple resort access. It may not be in a ski town and therefore cheaper from an accommodation point of view. "Storage" is probably best negotiated with your accommodation provider. Dropped you a DM.
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Thanks for the replies, much food for thought.
Want somewhere with an infrastructure at least nearby.
We have previously skied mainly in big French resorts, 3V, Val, AdH, Les Arcs etc and whilst these would be great it would be good to look elsewhere.....
Went to Sauze a couple of weeks ago and liked it other than the lack of snow......maybe just a lean year/bad timing.
If we stayed in Bourg or Moutiers or somewhere similar how easy is getting to and from resorts daily?
@RedandWhiteFlachau, Thanks for the DM, will have a proper look at home.
Cheers
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Somewhere like Zell am See with a nice town and a convenient ski area. A car couold offer lots of potential for many other ski resorts. We went to Saalback (now on a link) and Kitzbuhel by train.
Samoens in Grand massif would be good too. Nice small town and accessible pistes and Geneva an hour away.
Pila in Italy has come up before. Never been there but have been to Champoluc nearby which is great.
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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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@martyngb, isn't this an opportunity to go further afield and/or explore some smaller and/or lesser know ski areas?
Maybe places like Le Sept Laux, La Norma or maybe Austrian resorts. Maybe North America if you haven't been. Or perhaps Georgia and places like that.
With more time and freedom than us regular punters the world as they say is your oyster.
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| martyngb wrote: |
If we stayed in Bourg or Moutiers or somewhere similar how easy is getting to and from resorts daily?
Cheers |
We have based ourselves on BSM a couple of times, its not too difficult to get to Les Arcs, (via the funicular) St Foy, Val D'Isere, Tignes, or La Rosiere (by road: car or bus) But obviously the journey times need to be taken into account, and are longer to very difficult for the road trips in certain weather conditions. You also have to think about parking once at resort, that aspect has become very much more challenging over the last couple of decades!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Look for a village with an international community. You don't want to be the only foreigners in the place. Yes, there will be holiday skiers, but it’s only natural that you'll want to form your own circle of friends.
May not matter much if you're only there for a month, but it'll matter a lot if you're looking for your 'home from home' in the mountains.
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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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If you've never done ski holidays longer than one week, the obvious is to pick a place you already fancy for a longer stay. Season pass, long term let, ski as much or as little as you feel like. You'll then get a sense what you like or dislike about spending a winter in the mountains.
All the advices I see have values. But some applies to you more than others depending on your personal taste. For example, you may not ski every day. So the travel time to the lift may not be as critical. Or MORE critical because you prefer ski half a day and go swimming in the afternoon.
You need to do it to know which way YOU like it.
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| Quote: |
If you've never done ski holidays longer than one week, the obvious is to pick a place you already fancy for a longer stay. Season pass, long term let, ski as much or as little as you feel like. You'll then get a sense what you like or dislike about spending a winter in the mountains.
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+1 wise words
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You know it makes sense.
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| martyngb wrote: |
| If we stayed in Bourg or Moutiers or somewhere similar how easy is getting to and from resorts daily? |
Would you be using public transport or your own car?
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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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The Portes du Soleil would be a good shout. Big area, on 1 pass, which last year was offered at €500 for an early bird price.
A quick scout on Airbnb shows a studio on the edge of town in Chatel for £517 for 2nd Jan - 31st Jan. Another studio in town for £717.
Included in the lift pass I believe is 6 days at Verbier plus some others, not sure exact details as I don't have one.
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