 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there.
Am looking for some advice for a late ski trip 28th March -2nd April.
We have accommodation booked in Chamonix but are keen to adventure out of the valley for a couple days and take the bus to Courmeyeur - however, a bit worried it will be pretty slushy by the end of next week. Am also looking at Pila - seems you can get bus there direct from Chamonix to Aosta but takes 90 mins...
We have skied Brevent/Flegere, Vallorcine/Le Tour quite a bit over the past year or two, so keen for a bit of a change. St. Gervais looks like a no go due to snow conditions...
Any advice warmly received 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The longer range forecast from Meteoblue suggests colder, but is a bit meaningless.
Not quite sure why slushy at end March would be much of a surprise though! Is Pila much higher?
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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, i think wet and slushy is probably a given, just wondering about alternatives nearby/where others would ski this late.
A few threads have said Pila better late in season as more in the shade/North facing.
We were in Cham a couple of weeks ago and conditions were great - so maybe got optimistic they would stay that way!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@ALEXPUGH25, welcome to the forum.
A lot depends on how accurate your weather predictions are for 10+ days away. At the moment for France north of the Mont Blanc massif the temperatures look as if they will stay pretty cold, with some snowfall before then.... but with the caveat that the forecast reliability falls off significantly beyond 5 days. So St Gervais not impossible, but keep an eye on developments. The Italian side can be different, and it has had more snow than the French this year but that doesn't tell you what will happen next week.
From what you write you will need to use public transport, and I seem to recall there is a very early bus that will get you to Courmayeur before first lift, or Aosta (Pila) before 9. St Gervais similarly needs either an early train (the new gondola means you can get on the slopes direct from Le Fayet station), or the 0900 bus (Y82 from Chamonix). Les Contamines would be a good bet, the snow keeps very well there, but that would mean the Y84 bus from Le Fayet (0825 or 1005) and I don't know how the train would work with that.
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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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That's really helpful, thanks - we can take the 7.15 train to La Fayet and the 8.25 bus from the station and get there for when the lifts open - definitely a good option for at least one day
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@ALEXPUGH25, glad that's given you at least one awayday. Not sure how the various return options line up, but if necessary there is the bar across the road from Le Fayet station.
And don't discount St Gervais until you've checked the actual weather that weekend. Even if there is slushy snow 1400-1500m there is plenty above that to give you a day's skiing. That 0715 train would allow you to be waiting at the top of the Fayet lift (which opens early) for the first lift on up to Bettex. Or take the next train from Chamonix and you would still do pretty well.
On the Italian side it might be a hard call. Courmayeur is actually quite a small resort, under good conditions there is some nice skiing and a dramatic view of Mont Blanc (or Monte Bianco to them) but probably not worth it if less good. There is a bit of a hike from the bus station to the nearest lift. Pila is obviously quite a bit further, and a lovely little ski area, but I don't know whether the bus stops close to the gondola.
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If you time it right with bus from Cham to Courmayeur you might be able to catch a connection to La Thuile. It will get you there about the same time as to Aosta/gondola. But it does take a bit of planning ... you will be fine with Courmayeur for a day, fun outing, great to sample Italian spring skiing and lunching 
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We have taken the Courmayeur bus, there's a bit of a walk to the cable car but it's not the end of the world.
Lots of good lunch spots: Maison Vieille, Chiecco (bit more ££), etc.
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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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You might be better getting off at the skyway and walking to val veny?
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Thanks all for the replies, it's appreciated. I think we will do one day in Courmeyeur - we can enjoy the mountain restaurants and the scenery at the very least, although I think the Val Veny side which is North facing should have decent conditions. Fingers crossed for a cold front!
And yes, looking at it, getting off the bus at Val Veny and avoiding the walk from town makes lots of sense.
I think we will do one day Brevent/Flegere, Courmeyer, Les Contamines and then see where we want to return to for day 4. It wont be a restful holiday, that's for sure, but what a treat!
Thanks All 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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What's everyones best place for looking at weather forecasts for this weekend. I'm getting different stories from different sources. Found some last minute cheap flights and the wife is more of 2 runs then sit with a spritz looking at the sun skiier (a true itallian )
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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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@ALEXPUGH25, If the La Thuile connection works, I’d go there over Courmayuer, from my experience, 7-8 visits to both, the snow holds better in La Thuile, red run 7 will be in the shade in the afternoon or you can download on the gondola, after having a beer in the sun.
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Went to Pila and Courmeyeur last week.. More unslushy runs available in Pila in the afternoon. However la thuile i guess better than pila.
From bus station in courmeyeur walk to the cable car not the gondola as its a quicker easier walk.
Get the 581 bus from Courmeyeur to Aosta. start from 0615.. get the 0645 arr 0745. get off 1 stop before the train station (via chambery) then 10 mins walk to Gondola station for 0800 first lift up.
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