 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi guys,
We're a family of four (4 yr old and 5 yr old) looking to come out to the Alps for the 22/23 season. I've just flown out to Morzine to look at some properties as it seems like a good place to start but slightly shocked by the lack of decent accommodation for the season! Crazy expensive for really not much. Morzine seems the best option for us as its got good schools and well set up for the kids, and more importantly close to Geneva for getting back home every few weeks for work. I'm wondering whether we should be looking elsewhere that might offer the same set up? Currently getting quoted 25k plus bills for very average 3 bed top floor apartments...
Any help well received!
Cheers
Al
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Welcome to SHs, @Apackster,  that's a nice idea and we'll enjoy following your adventures. But, perhaps rather obviously, accommodation prices in a very popular resort, not far from a major airport, will be high. So, you could maybe look at somewhere less well known, where you'll be further from the lifts, as you obviously won't be skiing every day.
One possibility - though it still won't be cheap - is St Gervais. Ski pass covering a good range, proper town, less Brit-dominated than Morzine.
Depending on your budget you might also have to lower your sights on the accommodation itself. Maybe you could do with two bedrooms? Many kids share. And use a sofa bed to accommodate occasional additional visitors.
Another possibility would be to go out for two separate chunks, missing out the four weeks of the french winter holidays, when accommodation prices are at their highest. Not so great with kids schooling, of course.
It's a case of deciding on where your compromises will be least painful!
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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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@Apackster,
How close do you have to be to an airport? Does it have to be Geneva?
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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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If you only go back to the UK once every few weeks, adding an hour to the commute to the airport is no biggie. But you do need an airport with a decent range of flights.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Do you actually need to be IN a ski resort?
For Morzine most of the guides and instructors (and their families) live 'down the valley' in places like Taninges and drive up and down the hill each day. If driving over so you have a car is an option then you could look at staying out of but near a resort. Your money will go a LOT further and it may actually be a better 'community' for you than a ski resort (more other families there the whole time vs. people just passing through for a week, or seasonaires seeing how many times their income they can drink in 4 months).
Not as good if you're planning to ski bum for the season but if you're just looking to play the "The children are still pre-school and nobody's defined where the 'home' in 'working from home' has to be..." card might work.
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@Apackster, presumably you have visa's right to live in France etc etc for a season?
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@Apackster,
As @Mjit, mentions.
If you have not already done so maybe look down the valley a bit from Morzine this time towards Lac Leman (Lake Geneva).
St Jean d’Aulp, Les Perriers, Seytroux and Le Biot are all options. (School used to be at St Jean but I saw building work last time I drive past so not sure on the exact location of secondary school).
Lots of folk park at Ardent for the skiing up in Avoriaz.
Morzine property hub
Morzine flat share
Morzine crew talk to me
Are all leads you could use for property search including the local estate agents.
Chatel might be cheaper but my guess is less frequent shared transfer options from Chatel (if you need shared transfer options).
In Chatel valley you have Abondance and Chapel Abondance.
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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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What about the Grand Massif area, less than a hour from Geneva and there is 4 towns to look for accomodation in...
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@@247snowman +1
Le Biot has very good primary school and many bilingual children.
Property in Le Biot will be 1/2 price of Morzine.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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+1 for Grand Massif. Try the local estate agents. Be flexible enough to drive a short distance to the slopes (even within a resort) rather than ski in ski out. From personal experience, it’s possible to find something that is up for weekly holiday rental, but to do a deal if it’s a little way from the slopes as rents less easily outside peak weeks.
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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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Given @pam w has suggested St Gervais and @Mjit has suggested somewhere "down the valley" what about Le Fayet? It is in the Arve valley, right on the A40 motorway and the train line and is a stop-off for some of the Chamonix transfer buses, but part of the St Gervais commune with the free ski buses providing access to the lift system during the winter season. It seems to be where most of the commune's schools are, though that may be more true of secondary than primary levels.
It would be even better in 23/24 if they get approval for the new ski lift currently at the planning stage, which is intended to give a direct link from the railway station.
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