 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Folks - I'm on a really, really tight budget (no surprise there - skiing isn't cheap). I want to fly into Geneva and get to Nendaz village. Is that fairly easy? I've been before on an organised trip by coach. But I believe there's a train from Geneva and then a bus. Is that all fairly straight forward - and does anyone have an idea of costs?
Also, if anyone can recommend accommodation for three adults (single rooms again on a budget) that would be appreciated.
Thanks all!
Posset.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Depending on the week you want to go, the cheapest way for 3 adults might be to drive, then stay in self-catering accommodation having taken lots of basic food with you. Single rooms tend to be expensive. But a lot will depend on the week you want to go - some weeks are much more expensive than others. Would mid/late January be cheapest?
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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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Yes take the Brig train to Sion, and then a bus, the bus terminates at the lift station in Nendaz, be aware of flight timings as the lasr bus is at 21.05
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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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Yes to train and bus, Sion is the train station (it's virtually in sight of the road up to Nendaz) with bus service direct to Nedaz centre from there.
I haven't got details to travel as ordinarily we drive there, but have had friends meet us at Nendaz through the route you ask for.
Dropped a bus missing friend at Sion station on one trip as he missed the bus down from waiting at wrong place in village 
Hopefully someone will be able to help with Swiss public transport information.
You could contact "interhome" accommodation agency in Nendaz for somewhere to stay. Good English speaking, if you need it, helpful in local accommodation trade.
We've often used "Victoria" apartments for simple accommodation, and right on the piste to walk out and ski down to lift, return direct from piste too. Cost has been reasonable, but visited out of prime peak time for us. Decent sized supermarket "Migros" in village centre for self catering.
Good village to ski from with, obviously, a huge ski area too. Had dome good times there.
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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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The SBB transport website timetable page should tell you everything you need to know about the schedules for transport between GVA (“Genève-Aéroport”) and Nendaz:
https://www.sbb.ch/en
There is an advanced booking ticket called the Saver Day Pass which for CHF 52 gives your unlimited travel on public transport trains, télépheriques and PostBuses on the nominated day at any time. So it’s good if you’re flying in and need a margin for flight delays, immigration and customs. Note the quoted ‘From CHF 29’ is with a half-price monthly/yearly travel discount card. Also once purchased, you can’t change the date unless it’s down to exceptional circumstances. The closer to the date of travel, the less the discount on the standard fare, so worth getting once you’re certain about your flights and destination.
Work backwards from this timetable as the last departure from GVA may be earlier than you think, depending on the final bus connections between Sion and Nendaz. You want to leave yourself plenty of margin for flight delays and arrival processing.
You need to compare the Saver Day Pass cost to the equivalent share of car rental for the dates you’re travelling. It depends a lot on the car rental prices at the time whether it’s competitive or not. But generally, if you’re on your own, then car rental will be more expensive. If you’re sharing then as you’d expect, the cost per person can be better with car rental
If you do travel by train, it may be worth downloading and registering an account with the SBB app so that you can quickly see the train schedules while travelling, and store your ticket in the app.
A useful weather app to download is MetéoSwiss, their equivalent of our Met Office. The “Animation” is pretty good at showing upcoming storms and snowfalls.
The skier connection from Nendaz to Siviez should be better than when you last visited. They’ve replaced the chairlift from Tracouet to Prarion this summer, and a couple of years previously replaced the aged button drag and gondola from Prarion up to Plan du Feu with a fast gondola. They’ve also just renewed the chair between Siviez and Tortin, so the whole route to/from the Verbier sector is much more streamlined.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Sun 10-11-24 21:27; edited 15 times in total
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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 all - thank you so far. Flying from Bristol. Thinking three days full skiing with two days either side for travel albeit the last day could enable a half day. If there's any other accommodation suggestions that would be great. Thank you!!!
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For very short trips car hire can work out quite economical, especially split 3 ways, whereas transfers are the same cost for 2 days or 22. Does it really take 2 days to fly?
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You need to buy the Saver Day Pass soon, if you want to get them for 52 CHF. Their cost will rise according to demand.
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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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Hi - it's just getting three full days' skiing. So if getting there mid afternoon etc that's one day lost. Thanks
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@Posset, why Nendaz? If you’re going because you want to ski Verbier on the cheap then stay in Le Chable. Easier to get to for a short break and easier access to Verbier / Bruson skiing.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Posset, if you're on a super tight budget, then Switzerland isn't likely your best choice....
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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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| BobinCH wrote: |
| @Posset, why Nendaz? If you’re going because you want to ski Verbier on the cheap then stay in Le Chable. Easier to get to for a short break and easier access to Verbier / Bruson skiing. |
Yeah I would look at that, based on the OP's requirements. You can of course ride from one end of the area to the other, but Nendaz is kind of out on a lift-limb in a way which Le Chable isn't, plus it's easier to get to.
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