 Poster: A snowHead
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Based on the current forecast for the next few weeks, where would be best to go on the 14th march? I have a flight booked but only a provisional hotel.
Ideally no more than a couple of hours from geneva. Looks like there is a fair amount of snow on the way in the next week.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
Based on the current forecast for the next few weeks...
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I'd wait and see! There is precipitation on the way but the rain/snow limit is uncertain, to put it mildly. Rent a car and stay flexible.
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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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| Origen wrote: |
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Based on the current forecast for the next few weeks...
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I'd wait and see! There is precipitation on the way but the rain/snow limit is uncertain, to put it mildly. Rent a car and stay flexible. |
I'm not sure the terms "rent a car" and "stay flexible" go together very well!
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Of course they do. It's easy to find a car rental which can be cancelled up to the previous day. If you change your mind, or find a cheaper one!
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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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Agree, having flights and car booked in Geneva gives enough flexibility to choose between different resorts depending on weather (Chamonix/Zermatt/Cervinia...).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Origen, spot on. Rent direct - Europcar allows free cancellations up to 48hrs before (also useful for rebooking when the price goes down - saved >£100 on two Feb/March bookings last week).
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Fair enough, although i'm more concerned about accommodation options, or lack of. A flight is probably easier to book last minute, even if it's more expensive.
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If you have a car and don't mind driving 20-30min then I wouldn't worry about accomodation.
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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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@Mrmeaner, Depending on budget you could consider Verbier or otherwise Chatel which is snowsure in March due to the north facing slopes and both under two hours from Geneva along the Swiss autoroute.
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@Ozboy, is Chatel snow sure in March? And how much north-facing slopes does it actually have?
Looking on Wepowder, is says highest lift in Chatel is 2076m, but only 27% of slopes face west (largest direction). Comparing to M/LG, highest lift is 1980m, but 43% facing west, again largest direction.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| polo wrote: |
@Ozboy, is Chatel snow sure in March? And how much north-facing slopes does it actually have?
Looking on Wepowder, is says highest lift in Chatel is 2076m, but only 27% of slopes face west (largest direction). Comparing to M/LG, highest lift is 1980m, but 43% facing west, again largest direction. |
The percentages are misleading as the Chatel area is vast and misrepresented on the piste map. Linga and much of the Pre-La-Joux / Plaine Dranse sectors, where most of the skiing tales place, are north or northeasterly, and have extensive snow making infrastructure - including the home run down to PLJ and Linga carparks. The other half of Chatel (Super-Chatel & Petit Chatel) suffers from W and SW exposure.
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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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@Mrmeaner, you have three options. Book accommodation now, easily reached from Gva, and take your chance on the snow cover. Or wait, and be flexible on accommodation. It's not high season, you should find something without too much trouble. Or, if you can't cope with the uncertainty, book accommodation somewhere like Tignes Val Claret. It's not a difficult drive from Gva, really.
But nobody can tell you what the weather will be then, or in the meantime.
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You know it makes sense.
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I dont have data other than looking at the runs on google maps and the fact that they are shady, cold and have some of the best snow in the PDS. PLJ area is a horse shoe "bowl" that runs from Col de Bessachaux (east facing) to Pas de Vouerca (west facing). Linga also runs from pas de Vouerca (top of Echo Alpin lift) but down the other side of the mountain turn north. Happy to give you a tour when I am there again in easter. DM me or lets continue on this on the PDS thread as to not drift this thread.
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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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Going back to the OP's request, Val Claret is actually more than 2h from GVA.
The closest high altitude (above 1500m) resorts from GVA are Grand Massif (Flaine, about 1.10h) or PDS (Avoriaz, about 1.20h, but M/LG is even closer). Ok, add Cham ("Grands" Montets) but the resort itself is lower. Then Verbier but you're getting to 2h.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Val Claret is actually more than 2h from GVA
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Yes - his criteria are "book now", "less than 2h" and "good snow". He is going to have to compromise on one of them. I'd compromise on the first. He might have other priorities.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Origen wrote: |
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Val Claret is actually more than 2h from GVA
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Yes - his criteria are "book now", "less than 2h" and "good snow". He is going to have to compromise on one of them. I'd compromise on the first. He might have other priorities. |
Agreed they should book accommodation last minute as availability increases due to visitor numbers dropping off after February holidays and potentially many March holiday makers will delay until Easter which is early this year.
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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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| patrick! wrote: |
Going back to the OP's request, Val Claret is actually more than 2h from GVA.
The closest high altitude (above 1500m) resorts from GVA are Grand Massif (Flaine, about 1.10h) or PDS (Avoriaz, about 1.20h, but M/LG is even closer). Ok, add Cham ("Grands" Montets) but the resort itself is lower. Then Verbier but you're getting to 2h. |
1h30 to Le Châble on a clear run. 10 mins more up to Verbier.
2h30 by train.
I don’t think you can beat it in March for good skiers. Freeride World Tour final (Verbier Xtreme) is the week after.
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What @BobinCH, says. Verbier is fantastic at anytime of year. Personally I’d stay clear of the PDS this year.
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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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Except if you have to drive to La Tsoumaz for your 4V accommodation (cry)
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Convenient for Geneva, look at Villar, Les Diablerets or even Gsteig. Yes I know it's expensive Switzerland but it may well surprise you.
In this season of "strange weather" it may be a super investment having access to Glacier 3000.
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What are the scheduled arrival and departure times of your flights?
If you end up compromising on your travel time and want to keep every Swiss resort as a possiblilty, then the Full price Saver Day Pass (no Half Fare Travelcard) with SBB (Swiss rail company) for Thursday 14th March is currently 61 CHF. That would allow you to get any train to any destination in Switzerland on that day
You could get cheaper advance tickets for specific trains, and a point-to-point ticket to Le Chable for Verbier would currently be slightly cheaper, but most destinations wouldn't be and tickets will just go up in price the closer to the date of travel.
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