NY/London to Alps? (mid- March)

A snowHead

Any suggestions for a trip starting around March 17 for two skiers, one flying in from New York and another from London? In a perfect world we'd like to meet in an airport and spend 5 days or so skiing at a single location, to minimize travel time and maximize quality ski time. From exploring this site it looks like many of you have done this - at least from London.

We are a father and son, both advanced telemark skiers who are comfortable off-piste and on black diamond slopes in the U.S. (For reference, our favorite areas in the U.S. include Taos, Arapahoe Basin, and Mad River Glen, though my regular hill closer to home in NY is much smaller.)

The Dolomites have always intrigued me, but it seems there could be poor snow conditions that late in the season. So I assume we should look for higher elevations in Austria (Solden or St. Anton/Arlberg) or elsewhere in the Alps. But the choices are overwhelming.

Other factors:
- We appreciate good food and drink but "night life" is not a concern.
- We have limited language skills, like many Americans, but I'm guessing that's not much of a problem in most ski towns. We both speak enough French to start a conversation but not complete it.
- We are somewhat cost conscious; i.e., willing to spend what's needed to optimize the ski experience, but not interested in luxury or high fashion.

Thanks in advance for any input.

A snowHead

Would suggest flying into Geneva and doing either Val D'isere/Tignes or 3V. Both very high elevation for Alps and should be snow sure mid-March. Geneva is a good place to coordinate flights from NY and London. And both big enough for 5 days of skiing.

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That was quick. Thanks!

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Mid March isn't late in the season. But at present conditions aren't great, and the immediate weather is continuing mild. Mid March is actually a really good time to ski, with longer days and no school holidays going on. If you can wait to home in on the details, it might be worth doing that. Have you skied in Europe before?

There will be lots of good suggestions coming along, I'm sure

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

That is a very open brief give March 17 is optimal - past school holidays so not busy and as @Origen not late season - snow everywhere will be decent. Certainly still OK for Dolomites/Solden/Arlberg.

And your other factors are of no consequence - you can get good food and drink anywhere, speaking English no issue in ski resorts, easy to avoid luxury/Switzerland.

Honestly could name loads of places... I take it this is your first time to the Alps?

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Fly to Zurich and ski at Andermatt: 90 mins from the airport, lifts go up to 3000m, and 180km of pistes.

I was there last weekend for the first time and it was excellent. We spotted a few telemark skiers too.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@HilbertSpace, yes! Andermatt is underrated.

After all it is free

@ts01, another vote for flying to Geneva and heading to Tignes/Val D'Isere or the 3V. I've heard many more North American accents in the 3V so far this winter and their impressions tend to be that they are completely blown away by the sheer scale of the ski areas, delighted by the relatively low cost of lift passes compared with the USA and love the cultural aspects. In Mid March there's still plenty of snow. Off piste could be great then and but if you are at all tempted, get a guide and have the appropriate safety kit. It's not avalanche controlled or patrolled (but I guess you were aware of that). The going rate for a guided off piste day -either an appropriately qualified ski instructor or mountain guide in the Belleville Valley (one of the 3 valleys that makes up the whole 3V ski area containing the following resorts-Val Thorens, Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville) is around €450-500 for up to 4 people.

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Thanks for all the feedback. I'm prepared to be blown away by the scale of things since 90% of my skiing is a little hill in the northeast US with 330 meters of vertical. And I understand the issue with BC access - it's a no go without a guide and my avy gear.

Andermatt looks massive and easy logistics, but some of you are suggesting Switzerland will be more expensive than other options. And I noticed the Swiss Franc is relatively high against the USD, while the euro is relatively low. So in terms of bang for the buck - and family harmony when my wife sees the credit card bills - I'm leaning away from Switzerland.

3V / Les Tignes is appealing. For air travel, any reason why everyone suggests Geneva rather than Lyons? I'm seeing better flight options and it seems generally the same distance to skiing.

Any thoughts on Italian alps or Dolomites compared to 3V/Les Tignes? I'm seeing good flights to Milan, which would be roughly 2-3 hours from Val D'Aosta - south of Mont Blanc, Zermatt, etc.

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@ts01, As a fellow telemarker I would suggest you try Meribel-Mottaret in the 3v's. there is a local village pub called the Rastro run by a family of World Cup Telemark skiers (the eldest brother was World Champ) that you would fall in love with as has all their WC globes and great photos. Also the village is the highest altitude in the valley which can be a consideration mid march.

Meribel is unusual in France as the resort was founded by a British guy and English is widely spoken so you wont have any language issues.

Lyon is a much quieter Airport than GVA but has fewer rail and transfer options. I tend to fly into Lyon these days.

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@ts01, It was said "Geneva is a good place to coordinate flights from NY and London" but I don't know why that poster said it. They are both big airports but I am not a flyer in general. But you are correct transfer wise they are much of a muchness.

The Dolomites are generally regarding as scenically one of the best areas. And the maintenance of the pistes very good, aswell as the food. My understanding (never been) is the off piste can be hit and miss. And the regulations around off piste a bit different but with a guide both those things less of an issue.

3V, Tignes/Val D, Paradiski are all huge ski domains with high altitude slopes should conditions be less optimal, lots of lift served off piste and more with a guide. They also a variety of stations/villages to stay in, depending on what you are looking for/prioritising.

There are no bad options here, just some choices to be made.

@ts01, Cervinia is usually reliable for late season snow. The lift system links with Zermatt. Better value to stay in Cervinia, though a less attractive town.

Arlberg another good option. Zurich generally the best airport to fly to for that.

Based on your skiing preferences, I'd say 3V or Tignes/Val D'Isere are the best options to choose from.

I'm a great fan of the Dolomites but think you might find most of the pistes relatively tame. As others have said, availability of off piste can be a bit hit and miss in that area.

Do you have a preference for how you'd travel from airport to ski town?

You know it makes sense.

@ts01,
What sort of accommodation are you looking for? Catered or self-catered? Apartment, hotel, chalet, chalet-hotel?
Have you considered UK tour operators to ease the language issue?

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@skimottaret, thanks for the tele-tips and Meribel info. That should help narrow things down. Any suggestions for a guide in Meribel, if we decide to venture off piste? (If not I'm guessing the Rastro pub would be a good place to ask.)

A snowHead

@PeakyB, On the travel question, on balance I'd prefer a bus or train if the service is reliable. I would rent a car if needed, but it seems silly to incur that expense if there's no need to drive after arriving at the ski destination.

A snowHead

@Kenzie, I'd prefer self-catered if I understand the term correctly. In other words, we'd rather not be tied to a hotel for meals, but prefer to prep our own coffee and breakfast and select different restaurants in the evenings.

I suppose that means an apartment? To be honest I don't understand the terms "chalet" or "chalet-hotel" in this context. Two peoples separated by a single language.

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A ski chalet is a house/apartment with maybe 4-8 bedrooms typically staffed by a relatively recent high school or college graduate (or two) who are paid little but get to ski during the day. Breakfast and dinner included. Communal dining at a set time. A very typically British way to ski, but also normally sold for whole weeks Sat-Sat or Sun-Sun.

A chalet hotel is like that, but on a bigger scale, often offering communal dining for those who want it in the evening.

So yes, sounds like an apartment. There's Airbnb, of course, but also some big chains (eg Pierre et Vacances and CGH for France) with holiday villages of efficiently sized apartments at various price points in the major resorts.

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Geneva was probably suggested as it's closer to more ski areas, you can fly direct from NY and there's more frequent ground transit. If Lyon or a smaller airport works for where you're going -- maybe you're changing somewhere anyway for a cheaper flight -- then great.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

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As an American I was in the Dolomites this year and I can tell you that everyone you will need to speak with will speak English. Waiters, Hotel desk guy, bartender, guy renting you skis, supermarket clerk, store clerk, etc. They will all speak German, Italian and English, in this order, and several will also speak Ladin.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@ts01,
Messaged you

After all it is free

@ts01, Lots of Alpine skiing mountain guides and Chris Lau ESF Meribel https://www.esf-meribel.com/moniteur/chris-lau/ is a local and ex WC telemarker who also owns the pub Wink

Chris is super cool and speaks perfect English and could guide you off piste as well as general tele instruction if you wanted him to give you the once over. If Chris isnt available I have had lessons from a guy named Roberto who is a fab telemark/alpine teacher but he has moved ski schools so I would have to track him down.

Simon Christy who is on this site @offpisteskiing is a Brit Alpine ski instructor that specialises in 3V off piste work and has huge local knowledge.

Slightly confusing but in France all full cert ski instructors are legal to teach and guide off piste (except on active glaciers). Loads of non glaciated terrain so you wont have a problem finding someone to show you around the off piste in March. If you want a full Mountain guide there are plenty but I can only think of one guy, Christophe VEROLLET who is a telemarker. I don't know him personally and not sure of his language skills.

Fly = Geneva
Resort = Verbier

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@ts01, what did you end up doing ? curious as I was packing my car and decided to leave the telemark gear at home..

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good timing as we had some snow today and generally colder temps, enjoy your stay Smile

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NY/London to Alps? (mid- March)

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