Poster: A snowHead
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I am now about 1,200 less well off.
But I now have three MPs for 2024-25.
They have just dropped - open until 6 April at 399chf
Huzzah!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Incredible value
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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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Just bought mine with the 99 CHF spring bonus which allows me to ski Saas-Fee for the last week of this season at a saving of 236 CHF on the cost of the normal five-day pass. Incredible value, indeed!
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Thu 14-03-24 16:53; edited 1 time in total
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I love a bargain and am contemplating the Magic Pass for next year, partly because it will encourage me to focus my mind on where to go. Flying in and out of Geneva is easiest for me, and I tend to let SBB take the strain from there unless I'm popping across the border into France, in which case it's shuttle or bus.
It looks like a number of the places I've previously considered are on there, notably Saas-Fee, Villars-Gryon, Glacier 3000, Grimentz-Zinal, Leysin, Les Diablerets. But I can't quite decide whether it would end up saving me money or just restricting me somewhat. And whether I might end up wishing I could travel more freely to explore further.
@NickyJ - I was doing a site search and stumbled across your thread from 2018 about the Magic Pass
Did you or @gnave ever bite the bullet and give it a go?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@jebroni3_16, ...there's no much problem about being restricted with an ever-increasing number of new resorts each year - 80 in total now and some great summer venues. And some great new experiences...Lauchernalp was a great new one for us this year - masses of quality new-piste off-piste. Les Marecottes will be an outing for us this coming season, and let's hope we can drop by Metabief in the Summer for rolling rather than sliding.
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My long-standing plan (probably in 2025 when I'm retired) is to fly to Geneva and then, using the Magic Pass, work my way along the railway line to Brig stopping at Leysin, Villars, Zinal, possibly Anzere and finishing at Saas-Grund and Saas-Fee over the course of a month or so.
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valais2 wrote: |
@jebroni3_16, ...there's no much problem about being restricted with an ever-increasing number of new resorts each year - 80 in total now and some great summer venues. And some great new experiences...Lauchernalp was a great new one for us this year - masses of quality new-piste off-piste. Les Marecottes will be an outing for us this coming season, and let's hope we can drop by Metabief in the Summer for rolling rather than sliding. |
I guess part of my restriction concern is tied to my preference to use public transport. And I think I might be limited in which areas I could easily visit during my usual Monday - Friday trips (with the Mon & Fri being flight / travel days) and just boarding Tuesday to Thursday
Maybe I just need to sack off the idea of short trips and either not come home or get the missus to come out to meet me in Geneva every fortnight instead!
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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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LOTA wrote: |
Just bought mine with the 99 CHF spring bonus which allows me to ski Saas-Fee for the last week of this season at a saving of 236 CHF on the cost of the normal five-day pass. Incredible value, indeed! |
Assuming I'm reading the various sites right, if you're going for Saas Fee's last week of up to Sunday 21st April, Saas-Almagell will already be closed (after Sunday 7th) and Saas Grund isn't included on the Magic Pass... assuming I'm reading the various sites right!
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@jebroni3_16, no I didn't in the end. Still on hopes to do but once we can go outside school holidays
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@jebroni3_16, You are correct, Saas-Grund (not on Magic Pass) and Almagell will be closed. But Saas-Fee will be open and, hopefully, the very impressive snow depths will survive the predicted warm spell. I have done this equivalent week for the last three seasons and it's been pretty good.
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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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@LOTA, that is A Good Plan.
So not forget to visit (in order East to West)
Nax - only 4 lifts...huge area...the iciest car park in the known universe
Vercorin - bad weather circuits in the gondola - lovely tree lined routes - plenty of varied terrain - lovely farm restaurant with rooms at Tracuit lift
Chandolin - big, cruisy, access to St Luc
Lauchernalp - micro-climate of much snowiness
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valais2 wrote: |
@jebroni3_16, ...there's no much problem about being restricted with an ever-increasing number of new resorts each year - 80 in total now and some great summer venues. And some great new experiences...Lauchernalp was a great new one for us this year - masses of quality new-piste off-piste. Les Marecottes will be an outing for us this coming season, and let's hope we can drop by Metabief in the Summer for rolling rather than sliding. |
I’m still to get to Les Marecottes - some steep terrain and one of the best snow records in the alps.
And the Metabief bike park is fab, and one of the first to open
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You know it makes sense.
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@BobinCH, ....excellent.
I've just removed some nasty snotites from the Grom's enduro bike after autumn storage in the chalet, and done lots of fettling to bring other bikes in the UK into better condition after some hard winter use.
Just one enduro bike to build and a hardtail to finish...
Getting my head round the full switch to bikes from skis....
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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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I'm allways looking for a bargain, and I found a much better than expected price for Crans-Montana last year.
Rather than book a 6ix day pass in advance, (sorry about the typo.. but now I've accidently done it I'll stick with it)
I found that it was cheaper to parse the website for the individual days purchased in advance. I saved at least 35% on the cost of a six day pass.
Strange, but true.
Admittedly I did purchase them about 4 months in advance and big thanks to @valais2, for providing me with some blank passes.
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Poster: A snowHead
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On a similar subject, Are there any Resorts in Switzerland that offer Senior discounts or even "Super Senior" discounts for those who will be 75 next season?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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DrLawn wrote: |
On a similar subject, Are there any Resorts in Switzerland that offer Senior discounts or even "Super Senior" discounts for those who will be 75 next season? |
A quick Google search threw up this helpful page from Sno.co.uk, although you'll obviously want to check this info for yourself (and I've cropped out a load of non-Switzerland options, but left a select few in):
Ski resorts offering free ski passes for seniors
Age 70+
Andorra: Grandvalira (Pas de la Casa, Soldeu El Tarter), Vallnord (Arinsal, La Massana)
Age 72+
France: Les 2 Alpes
Age 75+
France: Val d’Isere, Tignes, Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Flaine, Les Carroz, Samoens, Val Cenis, Montgenevre, Serre Chevalier, La Rosiere
Ski resorts offering discounted ski passes for seniors
Age 62+
Switzerland: Grindelwald, Wengen, Murren
Age 64+
Switzerland: Davos, Klosters, Flims, Laax (for women)
Age 65+
Switzerland: Davos, Klosters, Flims, Laax, Verbier, Villars-Gryon, Les Diabrelets
EDIT: And another helpful page from Silver Travel Advisor
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Tue 2-04-24 8:26; edited 1 time in total
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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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LOTA wrote: |
@jebroni3_16, You are correct, Saas-Grund (not on Magic Pass) and Almagell will be closed. But Saas-Fee will be open and, hopefully, the very impressive snow depths will survive the predicted warm spell. I have done this equivalent week for the last three seasons and it's been pretty good. |
That's good (the snow conditions and that I didn't completely misunderstand the info), because I'm looking for somewhere easy to get to on train from Geneva for the week after next and was trying to work out whether I could make use of the Spring Skiing Option of the Magic Pass if I were to get it. Although it seems like a shame to head to Saas Fee if Almagell is closed and Grund isn't included
But with temperatures sneaking back up, I'm less and less confident about where will still be open and with decent conditions unless I head to Verbier or Zerrmatt again
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Thank you @jebroni3_16,
A very useful lonk too...Thanks
This could be the last time I have to pay for a lift pass
But just a discount for Italy
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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're very welcome, @DrLawn
I've bit the bullet this morning and bought the Magic Pass for next season (including full insurance) which should work out at almost exactly £400. By my reckoning, even if I only manage three trips out next season, I should cover my outlay (although obviously not getting nearly as much value out of it as others), but will help focus my attention on the destinations I already wanted to visit: Saas-Fee, Villars-Gryon, Glacier 3000, Grimentz-Zinal, Leysin, Les Diablerets
I assume that Saas-Fee or Glacier 3000 would be the best bets for a mid-December trip?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hi @jebroni3_16, I don't live in Switzerland so I'm not the one to ask where are the best places to ski in December.
There is Engelberg as well.
But I would expect Verbier would be good.
Ah... you mean for your Magic Pass!
Someone will be along in a minute with some suggestions.@BobinCH, or @valais2 wil have a better handle on it.
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@jebroni3_16, My observation is that Glacier 3000is often closed due to wind whereas Saas Fee isn't so if going early season when lower slopes might be sparse the Saas Fee would be the safer bet.
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@jebroni3_16, ...follow the snow. Lauchernalp has a microclimate which seems to drive high snowfall. Open for second week of Dec. Les Marecottes also microclimate but usually late opening. Vercorin again a snow-winner and open second week. Saas Fee a very good bet. Drive to Valais - stay in hotel like SwissResorts Vercorin, then drive to the snow....
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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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I noticed that two of my planned trips next year are on the MP, so just pulled the trigger on 3 passes with just 14 hours to go.
Total savings are over 500 CHF
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Where have you got planned, @HilbertSpace?
Thanks for the advice, @valais2. I tend to let the train take the strain when I go to Switzerland, but will investigate your Valais suggestion and see whether that will work.
My trips are usually no more than 4 nights at a time, but might have to reconsider that next year. Only problem is that my partner is not only a non-skier, but also has her birthday in mid-January and is unable to work remotely.
Otherwise, I'd be very tempted to just head out at the start of January and stay until the half-term holidays start.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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valais2 wrote: |
@jebroni3_16, ...follow the snow. Lauchernalp has a microclimate which seems to drive high snowfall. Open for second week of Dec. Les Marecottes also microclimate but usually late opening. Vercorin again a snow-winner and open second week. Saas Fee a very good bet. Drive to Valais - stay in hotel like SwissResorts Vercorin, then drive to the snow.... |
Well, it's only been 6 months since I started thinking about this, so I guess I really ought to book something.
Unfortunately, it looks like Lauchernalp won't be open until the 20th December and I was thinking of going out on Sunday 8th. Saas Fee will be open then but Almagell won't, so seems a bit of a waste going there. Might have to be Glacier 3000 and hope the wind isn't too bad
EDIT: I thought I was on the Lauchernalp official site, but then stumbled across this site which definitely looks official which suggests that Lauchernalp will be open earlier, from 30th November in fact. I definitely need to start doing my final research and booking something!
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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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jebroni3_16 wrote: |
Saas Fee will be open then but Almagell won't, so seems a bit of a waste going there. |
No idea why you would reject Sass Fee because Sass Almagell will not be open. It is a tiny (but very pleasant) area, not linked to Sass Fee, that very few ski when visiting Sass Fee anyway. It is more the other way round that people staying in Sass Alamagell will ski in Sass Fee.
That said the off-piste from the back of Sass Fee down to Almagell is one of my favourite routes, not challenging but long and fun in good conditions. We sometimes do use Almagell for a day or so for that reason. Daughter and I lap the off-piste, the rest of the family ski Almagell and we have lunch and apres beers there together before returning to Sass Fee. Not likely to be an option for your dates though.
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We have our season in France planned for this year but I wonder if many of the Magic Pass resorts are OK for camper parking. It looks like it could be a good value season though cafes and eating out would be totally out of our budget in Switzerland.
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You know it makes sense.
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@zikomo, you are spot on. Almagell doesn't add a lot, other than nice off-piste route. Similarly, Grund is a pleasant morning, afternoon or day out but it being closed is hardly a show-stopper. As for the costs of eating out in Switzerland, it's really on a par with the big French resorts.
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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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MAthert wrote: |
We have our season in France planned for this year but I wonder if many of the Magic Pass resorts are OK for camper parking. It looks like it could be a good value season though cafes and eating out would be totally out of our budget in Switzerland. |
Take a look here https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=3205535&highlight=magic+pass#3205535
A lot of resorts have been added since then, notably Saas Fee with a large motorhome car park inc hookup and servicepoint plus heated toilets.
There is also a new small aire up at Chandolin.
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