 Poster: A snowHead
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Flights booked to Geneva Thursday afternoon to Monday evening - we now need to book some accommodation which means settling on a resort - so far we've considered 3 valleys, Pralognan, Val d'Anniviers - but are open to any suggestions at all. 6 of us, mixed abilities, ranging from 1 week's experience onwards ...
priorities:
- reasonable proximity to Geneva in view of the short break nature of the trip
- simple but comfortable accommodation and easy access to the skiing so the beginners aren't put off
- lunchtime venues which the beginners can get to (and from) so that the group can meet up.
Any ideas,  s?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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poma, Morzine or Les gets ( 50 mins from GVA) but depends on time of year you are going?
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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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La Clusaz always sounds nice. Not been but would like to. Very short transfer. Others will have more direct knowledge of accomodation and I think there are some threads
Villars in Switzerland A friend has been there says very nice, quite chic, wouldn't suit advanced skiers.
Not sure about Pralognan. My assistant has an apartment there and its only a small area with tough pistes. Thought you had a pad in 1650. would have thought that was ideal, unless you want a change. Not sure its the quickest transfer
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dan100, I thought 1650 was ideal too but don't want to be seen to be biased (and our place won't be available)! Hence consideration of other places - although it sounds as though Pralognan might not be ideal. La Clusaz is a possibility - someone I work with has a place there, think I will sound him out ...
Mouth, Feb, so I will check out those suggestions too thanks
ooh-er the responsibility of keeping everyone happy!
thanks folks
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brian
brian
Guest
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| poma wrote: |
| Val d'Anniviers |
Now there's a thought 
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poma, if you are flying to Geneva and want a short transfer the 3V and Val d'Anniviers are a bit of a hike. If I'm doing a long w/end I try to keep the transfer under 90 mins if poss. In Feb the snow shouldn't be a problem, head for the Portes du Soleil as Mouth suggests.
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poma, if you are lunching ladies, then definitely PDS. Most good food spots are easily accessible by all abilities, often by non-skiers too.
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poma, what are the dates?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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What about Chamonix? 1 1/4 hrs from Geneva, loads of skiing, good village, plenty of shops & restaurants.
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I was going to say Chamonix!
there'll be stuff for everyone, great mountain town...
But best if you rent a car, otherwise getting around is tough.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Resorts within 1 hour;
Chamonix - don't go unless you either want the weekend to be based around drinking or off-piste skiing. otherwise base yourselves in one of the satellite resorts such as St Gervais and do most of your skiing in that individual area
Megeve - very very chic but also very expensive - could fit your bill?
La Clusaz - less expensive than Megeve and less chic but you should still consider - a good place and plenty of skiing for a long weekend
Les Gets - same as per La Clusaz - loads of skiing but a bit of a trek to the mian PDS area. Prob sufficient skiing in Les Gets local area for a long weekend if snow is decent
Morzine - lots and lots of skiing - could be a good option. Town less pretty than Megeve, Les Gets or La Clusaz
Les Carroz - not going to comment as I own a chalet there - don't want to be accused of being biased!
Best of luck
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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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If its the last weekend in Jan then come to La Clusaz 
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I'd say Chamonix but before i do, can i get photos and a copy of your wage slips?
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You know it makes sense.
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pam w, middle weekend of Feb, afraid we're going to experience some French/UK half term crowds but not too bothered as we won't be driving on the Saturday and Sunday;
simo1234,
Chamonix - had been considered but as we all live in the city wanted something a little more ... rural (and without the dispersed ski areas although the zoo is obviously an attraction) although still on the list.
La Clusaz is still sounding good. Can anyone recommend a good off-piste guide for the ladeez?
Megeve - my parents used to take us there - defintiely too expensive and upmarket for these ladies!
Les Gets - I know nothing about it but have a feeling it's full of Brits - am I confused?
Morzine - low? expensive?
thanks for the advice - your chalet looks great but of course we need b&b/hotel type accommodation (also know nothing about les Carroz ...)
SMALLZOOKEEPER, steady ...
brian, is it too mad to consider staying one or more nights at the cabane becs de bosson or 'les chottes' at the foor of pas de lona? - do you know how far you have to walk/skin and how practical for the inexperienced? - looks magical!
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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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poma, La Cluzaz gets it for me. La Balme for off piste and it's worth hiking a little.
Guess i'll not be getting any photos then. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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I'd suggest Megeve. Got plenty to offer, short transfer time, generally good conditions even with low snow depths due to mostly pasture sking. Nice tree lined runs so visibility is genrally not a problem in bad weather. In the times I have been there at the end of Jan it has been very quiet on the slopes, good cosmoploiton air, not a major resort for Brits (good or bad whatever way you look at it!).
Nice bars and clubs, can recommend the Jazz club for good music and laid back atmosphere.
Bod.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'm with David Murdoch's suggestion of Les Gets:
- nice beginner terrain where it's difficult for the beginners to get themselves into trouble
- a range of nice restaurants that the beginners will be able to get to
- a nice range of nightlife
- some good British / International ski schools
- access to more difficult terrain for the more advanced skiers
One thing to bear in mind is that the beginners will need private lessons - they won't be able to get into group lessons. www.britishskischool.com ; www.alpinelearningcurves.com (has a special beginners deal not on the web site) and www.skisurf360.com
www.skiblueridge.co.uk have some weekend-specific accomodation.
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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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simo1234, St Gervais is a nice idea, but I wouldn't describe it as a satellite of Chamonix. You can get the tramway to Les Houches, but the St Gervais ski area is really part and parcel of the Megève area (specifically Mt d'Arbois/Mt Joux/Mt Joly), and accessible via the Bettex lifts from town.
poma, near to St Gervais, Les Contamines is also a favourite of mine that would meet your criteria.
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laundryman, SSSSSHHHHHHHHH!
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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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| poma wrote: |
| Les Gets...full of Brits - am I confused? |
No more than the three valleys and certainly not in a bad way. (Certainly not the Sauze d'Ouze way!) I always feel Megeve / St Gervais is more French and I'd guess La Clusaz would be as well.
| poma wrote: |
| Morzine - low? expensive? |
Altitude won't be a problem in February. It's not particularly expensive - I wouldn't have a place there if it was!
If anything, Les Gets is a tad more expensive - but it's better for beginners I think as the green / blue terrain is more varied.
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PhillipStanton, I didn't suggest Les Gets specifically, just the PDS (Portes du Soleil). But that's OK, you are forgiven. When are we meeting for beers then?
poma, I would favour Morzine or Les Gets. Just cos they're v. nice and I know them quite well. They're neither more full of brits than anywhere else these days. Sure, Les gets has been on "Grand Designs" but where hasn't? I maintain that the PDS has the best general on mountain dining (to sound american) in France. At least, anywhere I've skied.
As PS suggests, altitude is not all it's cracked up to be. If you have a problem in any of the areas listed (most anyway) then you'll have trouble in them all.
Went to La Clusaz once in ~1985 and thought it v fine - espesh the itineraire that someone had kindly filled with powder for us, but have few memories other than that. Of anything.
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poma,
Without wanting to sound too negative you may have to go where you can get a place to stay rather than your ideal place if you are wanting a weekend in the middle of february. I would start asking who knows where you can get weekend hotels high season. Good Luck.
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In mid February, absolutely peak time, it won't be easy to find accommodation for a long weekend, so I would suggest you spray some enquiries round the various nice places mentioned, then go with whoever comes up with feasible accommodation. The Saturday will be a good day to be on the slopes - changeover day - and snow shouldn't be a problem in any of those places at that point. Various threads here have suggested that the smaller Swiss resorts might suffer from much less half term crush than French resorts - there are various suggestions about places on a thread about resorts near Geneva. Some of them sound lovely, and just right for a long weekend. Especially if you can get there by train from Geneva. All the French resorts suggested will be pretty packed.
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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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poma, if it's 10-12 November, I'd say Chamonix...
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| David Murdoch wrote: |
| PhillipStanton, I didn't suggest Les Gets specifically, just the PDS (Portes du Soleil). But that's OK, you are forgiven. |
That's very kind of you DM.
| David Murdoch wrote: |
| When are we meeting for beers then? |
We're out this weekend (arrive Friday late, first plane back on Monday) or the weekend of 10th November (same arrangements). Failing that, we're out from 10th December...
Do you want to check with the social secretary and PM me?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| David Murdoch wrote: |
| Sure, Les gets has been on "Grand Designs"... |
And the local workmen are, apparently, still chuckling about it...
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brian
brian
Guest
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poma, don't know about the Becs de Bosson, but I'd imagine getting to/from would be beyond a beginner.
There's always the Cabane de Sorebois at the top of the Zinal cable car. I've never stayed in a Swiss hut, but I have stayed at a few CAF ones in France which are a bit rough and ready tbh, communal bunk rooms, etc. It is a magical experience seeing the sunset/stars/sunrise up the mountains though.
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poma, Why not consider Switzerland, you may avoid some of the half-term mayhem.
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You know it makes sense.
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poma, we skied all of Pralognan in about 2hrs. Its Very pretty - but why not stay in the valley and do a day there- day in Courcheval- Day in Champagny-La Plagne?
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