 Poster: A snowHead
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please help me choose a ski resort. I ve done lots of research but I needs someones opinion who actually went there. We don't drive so, which one its easier to get to from Geneva or Grenoble?
I am looking for a lively, charming resort, with lots of things to do with a child. We will ski in turns and ideally we will have to book accomodation near the slopes.
what are your opinions between these two resorts?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Kynd3ritza,
Aha, you're back!! 
For anyone reading this, there was a previous thread started by the OP, to save going over old ground...
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=5365174
I've skied Megeve, I liked the mellow slopes, great views to Mont Blanc, the town is nice too. It was initiated by the Rothschilds and was purpose built, but in a rustic French style. It always used to attract wealthy French people, so has a reputation for being a bit ritzy and pricey.
I've not visited Morzine so can't offer a comparison sadly.
Both are fairly low altitude for France, but hopefully by mid-Jan the snow should be good.
On the other thread, you mention Meribel. I'd go there above these two, if the price is similar.
Have you tried looking at package deals? They include transfers, so might work out better value as you don't drive. Mid-Jan is low season so there might be some deals.
Where can you fly from??
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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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Thanks for repying
I ve looked at Meribel , beautiful but I think the resort is quite small.
I was just looking at La Clusaz which is classed as a "hidden gem" . Its quite a big resort.
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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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Yes, Meribel isn't really small - it sprawls - it's not somewhere I'd want to do much walking about with a child whilst my partner skis. Boring. as a town. La Clusaz is quite a nice town, very French, but quite low down. And accommodation could be quite far from a lift.
What do you expect to do with your child? Most little ones do the same thing as they would at home. If it were me taking turns in child minding I'd want somewhere with snow they could play in, for the short time they'll tolerate it before their hands turn blue, right outside my apartment, so I could whip them back in the warm, for something to eat, or a nap, or play. I'd not want to spend much time outside "walking around" with them, though some nice cosy cafés to visit would be nice.
Accommodation very near lifts important for swapping over.
I agree with Luigi that a package might suit you best. You didn't answer his question about where you are flying from.
Have you booked flights?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Where can you fly from and which dates??
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Méribel worked for us on numerous occasions. The centre of the town is ok. However I think your original brief was for one person to ski and one person to look after a small child, and Meribel isn’t great for venues to meet up with walkers on the mountain. The Rhodos being the obvious, which is self service and not great imo. The walking around the lake at Mottaret is quite nice and there are places to eat and meet up there.
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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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@Kynd3ritza, I’ve been to both a few times.
I like Megeve, it’s an attractive town as far as ski resorts go. It is high end expensive for everything though and, as another commented, glitzy, with jewellers and fur clothes shops and the like. I’ve mostly stayed in hotels with half board, which was reasonable, compared to eating in local restaurants. It has a good sports centre with pool on the edge of town and an ice rink in the centre.
The skiing in the area, Evasion Mont Blanc, is enjoyable too. Excellent scenery and good (pricy) mountain restaurants, which pedestrians could meet up at with skiers. The downsides are it hasn’t had a great snow record in recent years and the lift system is rather old and slow by mega resort standards.
Morzine I recall being a bit more spread out and hilly. Not unattractive but lacks the old world charm of Megeve I think. However it’s more down to earth, with costs not so exorbitant. Plenty bars and cafes but can’t remember what other non-skiing activities it had.
Skiing wise it accesses a bigger area, Portes du Soleil, and also higher altitude, at Avoriaz, is not too far away if needed. A bigger range of terrain available, from mellow up to very difficult. Lift system not brilliant but better than Evasion Mont Blanc I’d say.
Personally I preferred the smaller town of Les Gets, close to Morzine. Access to the same ski area, less hilly, more attractive base. I think they aim for a family market, so worth a look at what they offer for non ski activities.
Both are much easier to get to from Geneva than Grenoble, with relatively short transfers.
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Have a look at Les Carroz. Go-Massif transfers from Geneva. Compact village centre with plenty of cafes/restaurants. CGH have accommodation with pool (Léana newest and central). Ski bus 2mins to gondola with restaurant and nursery slope at top. Plenty of 1 or 2 hour ski circuits to Morillon, Samoens and Flaine. Cheap daily busses up towards Flaine, particularly stopping at large Golfcourse area at 1900m with safe walking paths and great views. Friends have brought toddlers to LC and had a great time.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Well Megeve is a much more attractive town than Morzine, with more of the feel of the local agricultural village they both once were. I hate to think how you would get to either from Grenoble, they are both an easy transfer (not much more than an hour) from Geneva.
As other said above, the altitude of both means that you can't rely on finding snow in the town for a young child to play in. Both have swimming pools, which might be an attractive activity for the child.
Personally I found Meribel rather characterless, like all high altitude purpose built resorts. Great as a base for skiing, not somewhere I would want to hang around with a child.
Les Gets is a good suggestion, nice enough as a town, not too big and with the base of the main ski area likely to be a good place for a child. I haven't been to Les Carroz but have heard good things; La Clusaz I've only been to briefly in summer but I can believe the reports that the accommodation is a bit separate from the ski area (and it lacks the transfer service of the other places).
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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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With a child, Megeve, I think. The spa complex with hot pools is a great and not crazy expensive way to wind down your day.
The center is walkable, definitely charming, and as mentioned, the skiing is quite kid-friendly. Plus you have St. Gervais's slopes across the way and Mt. Blanc views.
Simple transfer from Geneva.
Downsides are low altitude, but that applies somewhat to Morzine, high food prices, and outdated (there, i said it!) lift system.
Les Carroz and Les Gets are also good shouts. The only issue with Les Carroz is that you have to go up the gondola to get to the main slopes, and it can get crowded and sometimes windy on the spine from Morillon to Flaine.
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| Pasigal wrote: |
| Megeve... high food prices, and outdated (there, i said it!) lift system. |
You do have to factor in the way it is a resort which still caters for the rich, as someone pointed out above it was founded by a Rothschild as a French counterpart to St Moritz. There are some less expensive restaurants among the swanky ones but they need searching out. There is definitely a benefit in having a hotel or chalet booking with half board.
The lift system is a bit of a surprise given the conspicuous wealth of the resort. I suspect that until the planning dispute about replacing the drag lifts in the Rochebrune area with fast chairs is resolved the remaining lifts won't be upgraded. But there is no excuse for the Le Jaillet gondola up to the Combloux ski area which is a museum piece. It's not such a problem on the Mont d'Arbois side where the Megeve lifts are perfectly serviceable and feed into the St Gervais ski area which has had a much better rolling programme of upgrades.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Kynd3ritza, Megeve! 
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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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| Origen wrote: |
Yes, Meribel isn't really small - it sprawls - it's not somewhere I'd want to do much walking about with a child whilst my partner skis. Boring. as a town. La Clusaz is quite a nice town, very French, but quite low down. And accommodation could be quite far from a lift.
What do you expect to do with your child? Most little ones do the same thing as they would at home. If it were me taking turns in child minding I'd want somewhere with snow they could play in, for the short time they'll tolerate it before their hands turn blue, right outside my apartment, so I could whip them back in the warm, for something to eat, or a nap, or play. I'd not want to spend much time outside "walking around" with them, though some nice cosy cafés to visit would be nice.
Accommodation very near lifts important for swapping over.
I agree with Luigi that a package might suit you best. You didn't answer his question about where you are flying from.
Have you booked flights? |
We are flying from Leeds or Manchester, these are the options. I haven't booked it, I was just reading comments now so I can make a decision and do just a little bit more research.
My other option is Avoriaz, which is snow sure but husband thinks it very high altitude and baby its too small and its a hassle to use the pram and all that, which I agree..
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Flying from Manchester or Leeds
I m on the website now to see if there is anything
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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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Need to specify travel dates.
January will give a different answer to April.
There are 300-400 ski stations within 3hrs of Geneva and Grenoble.
The choice is limitless.
Some within 2hrs of Geneva or Grenoble include...
1. Flaine / Les Carroz
2. Les Deux Alpes
3. Megeve
4. Chatel
5. Verbier
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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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AVORIAZ!! Close to Geneva, just a little further up the mountain from Morzine, very family friendly. And if you plan to "tag-team" childcare, 90% of Avoriaz is ski in/ski out, so this will make the hand over process a lot less painful!
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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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| Kynd3ritza wrote: |
| My other option is Avoriaz, which is snow sure but husband thinks it very high altitude and baby its too small .... |
I don't know whether it has been looked at scientifically, but we found when our daughter was very small that she slept poorly and became generally fractious at high altitude. Avoriaz is I think at 1800m which may easily have that problem, both Morzine and Megeve around the more acceptable 1000m mark.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I took my 5 month old to Val d’Isère at 1800m, and again at 17-18 months and he slept just the same as he did at home.
Nor did I experience the phenomenon with my 8 month old daughter in Lenzerheide at 1500. Really varies I suspect. As do many things with baby rearing!
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Had my then 2 year old in Val Thorens (2,300m) and they were fine. Other than the sickness bug they caught from the nursery and proceeded to spread to our whole family of 6!
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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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| Quote: |
its a hassle to use the pram and all that,
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Won't you have to schlep the baby around somehow, wherever you go? Suitable things can easily be hired.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Thanks Luigi..I am not sure about Pila even though the hotel sounds great.
I checked their website and there isn't anyting I like ..its only 1 month left and I haven't got many options left..I think It will be Megeve or La Clusaz and if there is snow that's great if there isn't , there isn't.
If it was just me and my husband I would've booked Avoriaz in a heartbit..bit its different now
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What do you think about Mongenevre?
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You know it makes sense.
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| Kynd3ritza wrote: |
Thanks Luigi..I am not sure about Pila even though the hotel sounds great.
I checked their website and there isn't anyting I like ..its only 1 month left and I haven't got many options left..I think It will be Megeve or La Clusaz and if there is snow that's great if there isn't , there isn't.
If it was just me and my husband I would've booked Avoriaz in a heartbit..bit its different now |
I think Avoriaz actually makes taking a small child away easier not more difficult. But that's just me. Other than the small risk a some altitude sickness, which is highly unlikely, I'm not sure what the cons are?
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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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As @luigi says, Montgenevre needs flights to Turin. It is high altitude with a good snow record (though I think you are talking about mid-January when anywhere ought to be OK) and some pleasant skiing. But not much of a town to enjoy.
Briancon, also referenced by @luigi, is probably also best accessed from Turin. As in the photo there is the extremely attractive old town (as long as your child doesn't mind walking up hills) although it isn't near the ski lift accessing the Serre Chevalier area.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Avoriaz isn't exactly difficult from morzine, just jump on super morzine then another lift after that, takes 20-30mins.
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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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| Roscoe wrote: |
| Kynd3ritza wrote: |
Thanks Luigi..I am not sure about Pila even though the hotel sounds great.
I checked their website and there isn't anyting I like ..its only 1 month left and I haven't got many options left..I think It will be Megeve or La Clusaz and if there is snow that's great if there isn't , there isn't.
If it was just me and my husband I would've booked Avoriaz in a heartbit..bit its different now |
I think Avoriaz actually makes taking a small child away easier not more difficult. But that's just me. Other than the small risk a some altitude sickness, which is highly unlikely, I'm not sure what the cons are? |
+1 Avoriaz is the perfect place for kids - it's charming with the horse and carts going round, gentle slopes through the middle for beginners, Carousels and ice rinks - and of course swimming at Aquariz.
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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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| Handy Turnip wrote: |
| Roscoe wrote: |
| Kynd3ritza wrote: |
Thanks Luigi..I am not sure about Pila even though the hotel sounds great.
I checked their website and there isn't anyting I like ..its only 1 month left and I haven't got many options left..I think It will be Megeve or La Clusaz and if there is snow that's great if there isn't , there isn't.
If it was just me and my husband I would've booked Avoriaz in a heartbit..bit its different now |
I think Avoriaz actually makes taking a small child away easier not more difficult. But that's just me. Other than the small risk a some altitude sickness, which is highly unlikely, I'm not sure what the cons are? |
+1 Avoriaz is the perfect place for kids - it's charming with the horse and carts going round, gentle slopes through the middle for beginners, Carousels and ice rinks - and of course swimming at Aquariz. |
Exactly! Plus the ease of swapping childcare with ski in/ski out. Would waste so much time having to ski down/download just for the other parent to have to do the opposite to get a few slopes in!
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FAQ
