 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Hi, going to zermatt then have one week (christmas week) to go anywhere in between zermatt and geneva (my departing flight) to ski. I was thinking Villars or Wengen, can anyone shed any light on which one is better? or if they have other recommendations?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
What is “better” in your books re skiing?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Do something really different.....Les diablerets or even Gstaad or for economy Zweisimmen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Hi appreciate the responses. I'll be solo, so just looking for the best skiing on piste possible to keep me occupied for a week, without being crazy packed since it will be Christmas week. I've been to Verbier so that's the only one off the list for me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Why not stay in Zermatt? Loads of skiing, very high and as snow sure as can be. You can also ski the IT side so best of both worlds.
I would look for something high that early in the season. If you get tired of Zermatt try the nearby Saas-Fee. As you have been to Verbiet a d skied all the Four Valleys I doubt other lover resorts will guarantee snow. You can of course leave ir last minute but this being Xmas week that may not be the best idea from budget perspective
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
If you get tired of Zermatt
|
you are tired of life?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm going to ski Zermatt for the week prior. You think it's better to stay in Zermatt two weeks than split it up with somewhere else?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@newyawk1234, exactly - stay there, do not rush and explore the area, it is good for the whole season, never mind two weeks.
Of course you could get tired of the views ….
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@newyawk1234, Val d'anniviers. Stay in Vissoie and take your pick of St Luc, Chandolin, Grimentz or Zinal each day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Gämsbock wrote: |
| @newyawk1234, Val d'anniviers. Stay in Vissoie and take your pick of St Luc, Chandolin, Grimentz or Zinal each day. |
Really appreciate this insight! Haven't heard of these resorts, so it's prob great to go during Christmas haha. I'm assuming vissoie is linked to all those bases through busses?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
@newyawk1234, yes, from Vissoie you have direct buses to all of them. Very different to Zermatt, I love Zermatt but I also love the Val d'Anniviers resorts. And they have their own characters too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@newyawk1234, exactly why I asked of what constitutes better for you. People have different preferences and if you like traveling around then there are indeed options. Beating Zermatt for better ski conditions early in the season is a big ask.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Agree definitely Val D’Anniviers I’d probably stay in Gimentz for more atmosphere /night life also the chance to ski one of the best piste runs in the alps Le Prilet in St Luc , snow conditions are normally very good early season with Zinal normally open first week of Dec .
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| newyawk1234 wrote: |
| Gämsbock wrote: |
| @newyawk1234, Val d'anniviers. Stay in Vissoie and take your pick of St Luc, Chandolin, Grimentz or Zinal each day. |
Really appreciate this insight! Haven't heard of these resorts, so it's prob great to go during Christmas haha. I'm assuming vissoie is linked to all those bases through busses? |
In endorsement of this suggestion. However, I'd aim for Grimentz as location for walk out onto snow convenient access, with lift served to Zinal too, and direct from Grimentz village.
Grimentz is exceptionally good looking in old valley type architecture and likely to be beautiful at festive season too. Fairly high with good snow record, good ski variety, step back in time charm and almost next door to Zermatt for travel convenience. Significant in contrast between the two in making a very nice blend for the two weeks.
Further along same side of the valley (travelling Zermatt to Geneva) is Nendaz to access from North side the 4V and Verbier ski area. Just as convenient travel wise, and huge scope to ski again with big contrast to Zermatt. Generally good early snow here too, maybe Siviez as absolute central location (the north section of 4V spiders out from this small location) to make it ultra convenient lift access in all direction. More limited in facilities though after piste closure.
Going further toward Geneva, Champèry to ski the PdS ski area too. Lovely village and places to stay with large cable car acces direct from village to altitude, probably less early snow coverage than previous two though.
Sounds like it'll be a good trip whichever choice you make.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| ski3 wrote: |
| newyawk1234 wrote: |
| Gämsbock wrote: |
| @newyawk1234, Val d'anniviers. Stay in Vissoie and take your pick of St Luc, Chandolin, Grimentz or Zinal each day. |
Really appreciate this insight! Haven't heard of these resorts, so it's prob great to go during Christmas haha. I'm assuming vissoie is linked to all those bases through busses? |
In endorsement of this suggestion. However, I'd aim for Grimentz as location for walk out onto snow convenient access, with lift served to Zinal too, and direct from Grimentz village.
Grimentz is exceptionally good looking in old valley type architecture and likely to be beautiful at festive season too. Fairly high with good snow record, good ski variety, step back in time charm and almost next door to Zermatt for travel convenience. Significant in contrast between the two in making a very nice blend for the two weeks.
Further along same side of the valley (travelling Zermatt to Geneva) is Nendaz to access from North side the 4V and Verbier ski area. Just as convenient travel wise, and huge scope to ski again with big contrast to Zermatt. Generally good early snow here too, maybe Siviez as absolute central location (the north section of 4V spiders out from this small location) to make it ultra convenient lift access in all direction. More limited in facilities though after piste closure.
Going further toward Geneva, Champèry to ski the PdS ski area too. Lovely village and places to stay with large cable car acces direct from village to altitude, probably less early snow coverage than previous two though.
Sounds like it'll be a good trip whichever choice you make. |
I was thinking of PdS too. I was just concerned it would be very busy due to the French side and I wasn't sure how the skiing on the Swiss side was or how easy the connections are to Morzine/Avoriaz etc. Or if Champery would be nice to stay in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Wengen is not on the way back to Geneva.....
Val D'Anniviers as mentioned is the next valley from Zermatt towards Geneva, and Saas Fee is "next to" Zermatt in that you drive up the same valley and it splits left to Saas Fee and right to Zermatt.
Another option could be the Portes du Soleil accessed from the Swiss side, Champery or Morgins as an example.
@ChaletBeauRoc has apartments in Morgins I believe.
You've got so many options though, pretty much the whole way from Zermatt to Martigny is ski resorts:
Leukerbad
Crans Montana
Bel Alp and Fiesch just east towards Brig
Ovronnaz
You could even get to the Chamonix valley reasonably easily.
Have a look on google maps, zoom in a bit and you'll see all the lifts and runs. Lots of options.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| newyawk1234 wrote: |
I was thinking of PdS too. I was just concerned it would be very busy due to the French side and I wasn't sure how the skiing on the Swiss side was or how easy the connections are to Morzine/Avoriaz etc. |
No, it's never as busy on the Swiss side, and come December we have a brand new télécabine out of Morgins whichwill make access even faster. Going the Swiss side via Champery or the French route via Châtel it's about an hour or so at a decent pace to get to Avoriaz, but honestly there's so much skiing on either route that you're often better off not trying to go so far, but just enjoy what those areas have to offer. You have to remember that both the Swiss side and the Châtel area are large ski resorts in their own right, sometimes overlooked just because many Brits think of Avoriaz or Morzine as 'destinations'.
See my sig for our accommodation in Morgins, including two small but perfectly formed studios which may suit you very well. Extra discount for snowheads.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@swskier, Would you go Chamonix or Champery/PdS? I have ikon pass so chamonix would be free to ski but I also will stay on piste the majority of my time, and have heard varied review of Chamonix's on piste. But also Chamonix seems higher altitude...such a tough decision!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| pam w wrote: |
| Quote: |
If you get tired of Zermatt
|
you are tired of life? |
Or skint.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
@newyawk1234,
Ask otp.co.uk - a UK tour operator based in Zermatt - Swiss specialists.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| newyawk1234 wrote: |
| @swskier, Would you go Chamonix or Champery/PdS? I have ikon pass so chamonix would be free to ski but I also will stay on piste the majority of my time, and have heard varied review of Chamonix's on piste. But also Chamonix seems higher altitude...such a tough decision! |
Haven't skied Chamonix, so can't compare the two. Chamonix is an amazing town though, but will be very different to Champery/PDS.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Verbier.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| newyawk1234 wrote: |
| @swskier, Would you go Chamonix or Champery/PdS? I have ikon pass so chamonix would be free to ski but I also will stay on piste the majority of my time, and have heard varied review of Chamonix's on piste. But also Chamonix seems higher altitude...such a tough decision! |
Easily enough piste for a week in Chamonix if that's your focus. Obviously there's its reputation that can give the impression that it"s primarily all away from any piste (rightly that the scope there huge for this) but can dominanate cursory views given about it.
There'd be piste in quantity and scope that will give all you need for a week in reality. Also often given that travelling to each descreet area is onerous, in practice its no issue as youd likely spend a complete day in using all the skiing in each of those areas with no need to move between them during the day out.
Great town with huge variety of places to stay and things to do after skiing too, and such a historic mountain atmosphere anyway. I dont think a visitor would be disappointed.
Quick trip to Geneva finally too for convenience and well worth considering as option. It really is spectacular and dare I say it offers a very comparable foil to Zermatt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
