Where to go from Geneva last wk Jan

A snowHead

Hi all. I’ve just booked flights to Geneva for a 3 day mid week solo trip in the last week of January. I’ll be on public transport from Geneva. Where do I go? I’m an intermediate skier and I really like to get the miles in without going over the same runs too many times. Not bothered about apres. Would like somewhere pretty. Thanks.

A snowHead

Let me get the obvious one in first: the 4 Vallées.

Verbier if you can afford it, or a satellite like La Tzoumaz or Nendaz if you want cheaper accommodation. Alternatively the gateway of Le Chable. All accessible by train/télépherique/bus from inside GVA. Verbier has the best transport links and the Le Chable gondola into the centre of Verbier runs from about 7am to 11pm. See the SBB timetable for connections to all of these.

The total piste coverage of the 4 Vallées is just over 400 kms, including Verbier as the hub with the immediate ‘spokes’ of Bruson, La Tzaoumaz and Nendaz and the more distant spoke of Veysonnaz. However, in practical terms I’d say that from any one resort you probably don’t really have easy access to more than about 150kms of pistes, which is still a lot. I’d also argue that only Nendaz and La Tzoumaz really have easy access to the ‘hub’ of Verbier. Le Chable is the valley floor town that sits between Verbier and Bruson, and you get there by train from Geneva Airport by changing at Martigny, for a short hopper train to Le Chable station. The station building is integrated with the gondola that takes you up to the centre of Verbier and is a public transport link, so runs much longer than resort lift hours.

Search the forum archives and you’ll find quite a few threads discussing Verbier, Le Chable, Nendaz and La Tzoumaz. Quite a few SnowHeads have stayed in Le Chable as a cheaper alternative but obviously, being in Verbier is the ideal in terms of accessing the maximum skiing in the shortest time. If you do look at Verbier, then be aware that there are two main lifts up to the upper slopes: in the centre at Médran, and to the north edge of the town at Mayentzet. Although there are free navettes around the town, the ideal would be to be within walking distance of one of these two access points.

If you’re taking the train, then make sure you check out the SBB Saver Day Pass versus a straight return ticket. The Saver Day Pass lets you get a train at any time on the day of travel, which can be useful given plane and immigration delays. But the discount reduces the nearer to the travel date you purchase it.

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1. Verbier
2. Zermatt
3. Chamonix

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If the OP definitely is only going to use public transport, or perhaps a transfer bus, then it seems to me that while some resorts may be a bit nearer, any extra time is worth it for the extra skiing available. The train vs rental car question is regularly discussed and there are pros and cons, but undoubtedly renting a car can save a lot of time and make an afternoon ski feasible when it wouldn’t be if using the train. And perhaps a morning’s ski viable if they are getting a late afternoon/evening flight. Although a day#3 morning ski could still be feasible if the return flight was in the evening. Again, the links into/out of a Verbier a make a transfer pretty easy and reliable. Staying in a satellite like La Tzoumaz or a Nendaz means more restricted connections, but then, the accommodation costs will be significantly less. A lot depends on @Chickenkeeper’s budget.

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Do what @LaForet, said.

I had a short trip last year from GVA with my 12 year old daughter. We got the train to le chable and skied Verbier for 3 days. Off mountain at 3.30pm gave skis back and back on train for 5pm and in GVA just after 7pm for 9pm flight. It was super easy. The ski area is a dream as well. Probably one of the best places I’ve been for views in particular!

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Thanks all. 4 Valees was what I had as top of the list (after considering PDS, and Les Diablarets). I’ve done almost this exact trip before and gone to Zermatt which I absolutely loved but it does take slightly longer to get to and is eye wateringly expensive.

I actually have cancellable accommodation booked opposite the gondola in Veysonnaz. Will I be able to link to everywhere OK from there or should I be looking for somewhere more central?

My flight home is late afternoon so the hope is what you suggest @LaForet - 2 full days and third morning skiing Eh oh!

After all it is free

Bus transfers from Geneva to ski resorts are generally the quicker option vs trains but always check that the bus runs on the day/time you want to travel and that they have availability - neither of which are a given.

Hire car gives best flexibility and can get you more skiing time on arrival and departure days but not everyone wants to drive.

Some companies (incl skiweekends.com) inlcude a transfer if you stay in one of their catered chalets.

i had a great 4 day trip (3 days of skiing) to Avoriaz in the Portes Du Soleil. We went by car to maximise skiing time and because it was the first weekend of the season meaning no bus options - but now the season is in full swing you can get a cheap (c. 20Euro) bus from Geneva to Morzine Prodains lift and take the Gondola up to Avoriaz (or you could just stay in Morzine). As long as the snow is good then PDS is a pretty big ski area.

Another option might be Grand Massif - Samoens is low but pretty and you can get a lift up to Flaine.

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Well, Veysonnaz. Is somewhat out on a limb as far as the ‘hub’ of Verbier is concerned. It has a reasonable ski area of its own, but firstly, is not straightforward access in terms of public transport, and secondly, the route back from The Col des Gentians / Lac de Vaux is a bit of a trek, to be honest. If you’re after cheaper accommodation, then Le Chable is far more central and readily accessible from GVA.

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Here’s a re-post of related advice I gave elsewhere re cheaper accommodation options, if that’s what you’re after:

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The hostel for Verbier is the Mont-Fort Swiss Lodge, which is actually inside the gondola building adjacent to the railway station in the valley base in Le Chable. So it’s very easy to get to via public transport. From that building, a public transport télécabine goes up the mountain right into the centre of Verbier at Médran. This runs from about 7am to 11pm so there’s some scope for evening nightlife, albeit not that late.

Up the mountain itself, there’s the Maison des Ruinettes hostel in the middle station building at 2,200m. This will be cut off from Vebier once the lift up from Médran stops at the end of the skiing day, but would be great for first tracks. And of course there’s the famous mountain hut, the Cabin Mont Fort up at 2,457m but this is popular and you would need to book well in advance.

Go to the official Swiss train timetable planner at SBB to see schedules from Genève-Aéroport (or wherever you’re arriving from) to Le Châble VS, gare and Verbier, Médran.

The Mt.Fort Swiss Lodge isn’t the only cheaper accommodation in Le Chable. Do a Forum search and you’ll find various threads discussing Le Chable accommodation.

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If you’re going to use public transport, I’d download the SBB mobile phone app and open an SBB account. You can then buy and download your tickets on the app and as in the UK, the app is better for real-time train schedules, including anrrival/departure platforms, and notifications.

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Where to go from Geneva last wk Jan

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