 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm taking a last minute trip to Evasion Mont Blanc this weekend and have a few questions. I've skied and stayed in Chamonix before, but this time will be skiing and staying in Saint Gervais and/or Megeve. Would like to find accommodations that are walking distance to bus or train, so that getting to the ski lifts is convenient and also near shops and restaurants after skiing. I assume Saint Gervais might be the best for our needs, but looking at the maps, I can't wrap my head around it.
Will also take the train to Chamonix on our day off, but I'm not sure how to get back to Saint Gervais at night 22:00 - 23:00 when the train stops running. Is there a late night bus? I've searched, but can't find it.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@ZioRico, I’m sure you will get some great advice from the St Gervais locals and you can always repost on the weather thread if necessary, but from someone who has researched the area as a ‘tourist’, you are probably best off staying in La Fayet, near the station.
Whilst you will miss out on the charm of the village you will be able access the slopes easily from the new cable car which takes you straight to the Bettex lift without the need to use buses.
You would be right on hand for trains and buses to Chamonix (sorry can’t help with night buses) and elsewhere as you requested.
There are a few good value hotels (plan B, La Chaumiere and La des 2 gares or plentiful apartments.
Good luck
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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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@ZioRico, Welcome to SHs 
I live in Chamonix and I'm not aware of any buses that late out of the valley. I'm not aware of any (direct) Chamonix St Gervais buses during the day!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Agreed that if you want to go to Chamonix without a car, Le Fayet is your best bet. You would probably need to Uber it back late at night.
Le Fayet is probably on the verge of more development (boo!) because of the cable car. Our neighbors in the Haute Savoie bought an apartment there as an investment when it was announced...smart folks...at the moment Le Fayet is probably best if you're mostly self catering with a car because there are some big supermarkets north of the center (Grand Frais, Intermarche). That is likely to change as more interesting restaurants set up shop in the town center below the spa.
However, that said, I like the town of St. Gervais and there are many, many accommodations within an easy walk of the Bettex lift. There are ski lockers at the top to rent so you can ride the lift in comfortable shoes, then boot up at the terminal. And if you in St. G you're already near a bus to Les Contamines.
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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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@ZioRico, there is a direct bus, number Y82, but only a few services a day and it doesn't run at night. I haven't checked current timetables but last winter the last bus was 1725 from Chamonix Sud bus station.
The train along the Chamonix valley terminates at St Gervais Le Fayet, and last year saw two (!) new lifts connecting that to the main town. If you can get to Le Fayet by 2030 there is a gondola direct from the station carpark (price €2.50), but after that with a half mile walk there is a funicular lift up the side of the gorge running until 2300. But I don't think the train runs very late.
If you haven't yet got accommodation you might think of looking for a hotel in Le Fayet as @EdYarker suggests, since the gondola connects to the one taking you onwards up to the ski area. I don't know whether it is open yet, but in the summer the Plan B chain were renovating the old Hotel Terminus. Le Fayet would give you more transport options while only adding about 15 minutes to your morning ride up the mountain. The only thing is that there hasn't been time yet for Le Fayet to expand its offering of restaurants and bars though I am sure it will; however that funicular lift means you have decent access to the main town.
Even so I am not sure about getting back from Chamonix later in the evening. It might be possible, some of the buses from Chamonix down the valley to Geneva drop off in Le Fayet, but I have no idea of times or prices.
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Last train from cham to stg is at 19.55
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Thank you all for chiming in, I really appreciate it! Normally, I wouldn't be so lazy and would have more time to research, but just booked flights yesterday, and leaving from the states tomorrow. I just recently learned of the new Le Valleen gondola, so that should be incredibly helpful.
Now, I'm off to do some weather research. Appears to be a long stretch of sunny weather, but hopefully not too warm for Evasion Mont Blanc areas.
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