 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
We have booked a trip first week of Feb with just flights so far to Geneva as wanted to keep options open re resort depending on snow conditions.
Given current conditions, what would YOU do? I’m thinking easy transfers given only 4 day trip, want good snow and want good apres, 4 lads.
Would you wait until even nearer the time, if so, when?
If not, where would you be honing in on???
All advice much welcomed and appreciated
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My stock answer is Verbier. Expensive but good for 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?
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Chamonix - 1 hour transfer, loads of options for apres and snow
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4 4 chaps for four days a rental car could be cheaper than a transfer.
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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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If it's about snow conditions then you would wait until as late as possible. But given you have booked the flights and given you want a short transfer as it's a short trip - all of which is fine - then I see no reason to wait. It's not like you are going to be able to travel 3-4 hours to get to much better snow. You also mention good apres being important so it's not just about snow anyway. And early Feb should be good whatever/where ever (fresh snow excepting - you can get a dry period anytime).
Chamonix is an obvious one but would depend on if you will really make use of the skiing, want to bus/drive to the different areas.
Don't know Verbier but as alluded to - is this a budget trip?
Les Contamines I know skiing wise - and would be great for a short trip. Although it doesn't feature in a couple of guides that google comes up with:
https://www.peakretreats.co.uk/blog/archive/ski-resorts-near-geneva-airport
https://www.skisolutions.com/blog/best-french-swiss-italian-ski-resorts-near-geneva
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We are doing a four day long weekend trip end of Jan. Arrive 8pm Geneva on Fri, fly back 9pm out of Geneva Tue.
Opted for private transfer to Tignes in the end. Should be low hassle and sub 3 hrs to resort at that time of day. Between 4 should be pretty reasonable cost wise.
Looked at closer places (PDS, Flaine, Clusaz etc) but in the grand scheme of thing an extra hour each way in a nice mini bus to get to good altitude/snow sure for the limited time skiing to max it out should be well worth it. Getting collected at 3:15pm Tue so will have 3.8 days skiing.
Bit biased because we have been to Tignes a few times so know our way about so can max out the skiing, this may also be a factor to consider.
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My advice would be to pay for a private transfer and go where you want. The 3 valleys are only 2 hours away in a quick (no waiting for other passengers/drop offs/etc) transfer and if you're traveling light (presumably for only 4 days), you can be off the plane in into the transfer in no time!
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| chrisdb wrote: |
We are doing a four day long weekend trip end of Jan. Arrive 8pm Geneva on Fri, fly back 9pm out of Geneva Tue.
Opted for private transfer to Tignes in the end. Should be low hassle and sub 3 hrs to resort at that time of day. Between 4 should be pretty reasonable cost wise.
Looked at closer places (PDS, Flaine, Clusaz etc) but in the grand scheme of thing an extra hour each way in a nice mini bus to get to good altitude/snow sure for the limited time skiing to max it out should be well worth it. Getting collected at 3:15pm Tue so will have 3.8 days skiing.
Bit biased because we have been to Tignes a few times so know our way about so can max out the skiing, this may also be a factor to consider. |
Completely my point! People put too much focus on an additional 2/3 hours on top of their annual ski break! That time is insignificant across the whole trip!
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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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To me at least transfer time could be critical if say my flight back was at 8 as I could ski the whole day and do the 1 hour transfer. If it's 3 hours I'd miss a couple of hours skiing. Which isn't a biggie but if everything else was equal...
But yeah, generally, I wouldn't be tooo hung up on it.
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Everything is a compromise, but I'd rather sacrifice a couple of hours on the final day for resort altitude, especially with some of the hit and miss conditions in lower resorts closer to Geneva over the last few years.
We have friends who insist on going to Morzine for the short transfer then complain the snow isn't great!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| chrisdb wrote: |
Everything is a compromise, but I'd rather sacrifice a couple of hours on the final day for resort altitude, especially with some of the hit and miss conditions in lower resorts closer to Geneva over the last few years.
We have friends who insist on going to Morzine for the short transfer then complain the snow isn't great! |
And I bet they spend a great deal of time on the buses (or Super Morzine gondola route) up to Avoriaz for better/higher skiing conditions. Add all that time up and should have just travelled 30 mins to an hour further/higher!
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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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I think the snow conditions issue is minor, first week of Feb everywhere ought to have decent snow and while it is too far out for specific forecasts the fact conditions look cold for the next couple of weeks make a sudden warm spell less likely.
What we really need to know is what the OP wants in terms of skiing. Is his group one that wants to explore somewhere new? Or is the focus on miles covered when for a short stay it might be better somewhere they already know the way around? Or perhaps focus on a few difficult challenges (notorious blacks, or off piste)?
And there are similar questions about "good apres" which means different things to different people. Is their idea to wind up at the Folie Douce at 2.30, and then negotiate their tipsy way back as the slopes are closing? Or a couple of hours in a rowdy bar at the bottom of the lifts around 4.30. Or a nice restaurant after getting showered, retiring to a convenient bar?
From Geneva there is a good choice of resorts of all sizes within an hour and a half transfer time; increase that to three hours as some suggest and they have the whole Northwestern Alps to choose from.
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You know it makes sense.
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| j b wrote: |
| And there are similar questions about "good apres" which means different things to different people. Is their idea to wind up at the Folie Douce at 2.30, and then negotiate their tipsy way back as the slopes are closing? Or a couple of hours in a rowdy bar at the bottom of the lifts around 4.30. Or a nice restaurant after getting showered, retiring to a convenient bar? |
Doing all 3 options sounds like a good agenda for a great weekend!
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Bettmeralp, just because I like the idea of having to use a cable car to get to the resort
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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As @halfhand, says, its got to be Verbier.
I'd try to take the train ... its 2hours 14mins, every hour.
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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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Jumping in on the OP's thread. For those recommending Verbier, any pointers for accommodation? I am looking at a long weekend with a friend in March and Verbier looks attractive, struggling to find anywhere to stay that isn't silly money. Need two rooms, not fussed whether it is a hotel or apartment.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| benwillbe2003 wrote: |
| Jumping in on the OP's thread. For those recommending Verbier, any pointers for accommodation? I am looking at a long weekend with a friend in March and Verbier looks attractive, struggling to find anywhere to stay that isn't silly money. Need two rooms, not fussed whether it is a hotel or apartment. |
Hi, did verbier last year and stayed in hotel emertige, location excellent and was so much cheaper than most places, still dont know why. Basic but everything needed and a basic breakfast included. Can find on booking.com and also direct with hotel slightly cheaper
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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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If you’re finding Verbier pricey consider staying down in the valley at Le Chable or in one of the nearer satellites - Nendaz or La Tzoumaz.
Le Chable is where you transfer from train to télécabine up to Médran in the centre of Verbier. It’s a public transport link so is open from around 7am to 11pm. If you’re not burdened with luggage/equipment then you have the option of not hiring a car at all and doing the transfer from inside GVA by train. A Saver Day Pass is CHF 52 single adult for any train on the day you book.
La Tzoumaz and Nendaz offer cheaper accommodation but obviously, you have to link across to the main Verbier sector. Take a look at our rental agent’s website for a cross-section of La Tzoumaz accommodation at 4v4s and select ‘Destinations>Switzerland>La Tzoumaz, or go to the respective resort websites.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Fri 5-01-24 22:17; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks everyone for advice, all your responses helpful.
Re the transfers, it is not the distance perse, but the flight times and hence transfer not being too long does make a difference to ski time, ie if get in at 9pm, short transfer can get to resort that evening.
Re apres, lovely bars post ski, live bands is what I mean, not necessarily folie deuce esq. we are 35-40
Verbier is the obvious option but costly and did that last year so wondered if another place jumping out, will look at chamonix also.
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| St_johnse wrote: |
Thanks everyone for advice, all your responses helpful.
Re the transfers, it is not the distance perse, but the flight times and hence transfer not being too long does make a difference to ski time, ie if get in at 9pm, short transfer can get to resort that evening.
Re apres, lovely bars post ski, live bands is what I mean, not necessarily folie deuce esq. we are 35-40
Verbier is the obvious option but costly and did that last year so wondered if another place jumping out, will look at chamonix also. |
Avoriaz would be a good shout then.
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