 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Zinal for 'chocolate box' and easy to get to, Grimentz is just a few Km away and as you have the car it could be a day out. Crans Montana is about an hour away across the valley, bit more of a town rather than a village. I have always found Switzerland overall to be better value than France.
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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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I've very little experience of Switzerland, but I'd have thought Grimentz ticks most if not all of your list (especially the chocolate box thing). Bus or car will easily get you around Val d'Annivers for a bit of variety. PM brian for advice about accommodation close to the piste - some parts of the village look like there might be a bit of a hike to/from the skiing, but Brian's place is pretty close to the piste from what I remember.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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AxsMan,
Ski in ski out does not always go with chocolate box as the former tend to be purpose built. If you look carefully via the tourist office you can usually get places close to the lifts, though they go early for popular weeks. If you are driving you might find accommodation a little away from the lifts if there is a car park close to them just as convenient, it will usually be cheaper.
The other thing to consider is whether you want fellow Brits there, not always a disadvantage if the Axsettes want fellow English speakers in the classes.
Wengen is popular with  's and other Brits is certainly very attractive though you have to pop over to Murren to get black runs of any challenge it fits most of your criteria.
Grimentz is ridiculously attractive and has some ski in ski out places, with the wide coverage it is currently getting in 'ski and board' you may now find there are hoards of brits in the ski school and elsewhere but it will be a change if there are. To do lots of cruising you really need the car to reach the other resorts in the area.
Zermatt is chocolate box but is not very convenient for ski in ski out.
Flims/ Laax and Nendaz can fit most of your criteria but are pleasant rather than chocolate box likewise Klosters.
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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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Not sure about the chocolate box thing for VDA but up the valley and the high peaks on teh Italian border certainly qualify.
Grimentz is on the side of a hill so you need to pick your place and Zinal is a linear village with the cable car pretty much at the entrance of the resort but does not mean a long walk. We stayed at the Europa which is a nice family type hotel.
Easy drive either via Geneva/Lausanne or Chamonix and the pass to Martigny although the latter will be subject to weather. The road up from the rhone valley will make you concentrate...until you get to Vissoire... 
You will need your car to get to other villages IMV, ie St Luc, although the buses do run well enough. The connection between Zinal and Grimentz via bus is good, but depends how your the kids are.
Another plus is that most of the runs have a north facing bias. Cran M is mostly south facing.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanx all - looking like Wengen/Murren are favourite. Now just need some accommodation 
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AxsMan, if you got lots of dosh then Wengen/Murren might suit you.
If not, then somewhere else might suit you better.
You want a self catered chalet for the whole family.
You dont say how many Axsettes, but I will assume you want peace and so 3 bedrooms
If you want to afford the rest of the year, than have a look at Nendaz
Not exactly ski-in-ski-out, but a superb array of chalets
And right in the middle of the 4Valleys.
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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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Jonpim, Only 2 Axsettes on the trip, so two bed appt or two hotel rooms will cover it. Looking at HB in Wengen for around £730 a head. Doesn't seem unreasonable (well compared to Meribel anyway )
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Chris Brookes, Will check it out - many thanx.
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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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Has anyonbe stayed at the Victoria Lauberhorn in Wengen - it's looking favourite among the hotels at present?
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Saas Fee, Arosa
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You know it makes sense.
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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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boredsurfin, one of the criteria was easy cruising pistes.
Verbier doesn't really tick that box. It's average piste gradient is the steepest of any of the bigger resorts in europe and there are a couple of key links that can't really be avoided that are steep (though short) reds by any other resort standards.
I'm a Verbier addict...will ski ther 35 days this season (if not more).....I'm certainly biased!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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AxsMan, yes. That's where we had the MSB last year. Nice food and convenient for the lifts. The daring among us managed to ski right into the boot room....but I wasn't doing the steps on my own skis!!
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brian
brian
Guest
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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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Thanks all, just booked the Victoria Lauberhorn on-line. Will be driving as the flights are all very expensive (surprise surprise) and/or involve a 3 hour transfer. Looks like less than 750 miles so well doable in a day. I know I'll have to get a motorway tax ticket at the border, is there anything else I should know about driving in Switzerland?
Have driven in France many times, and have all weather (M+S) rated tyres as well as of course chains. I believe I'll have to leave the car at lauterbrunnen, would the best route (from Calais) be Metz, Mullhouse,Basel,Bern?
Any other advice or wise words appreciated.
Frosty the Snowman, You're no doubt thinking of the little known resort of La Rxxxxxe, that barely gets a mention on here these days? 
Elizabeth B, Now that sounds like pucka ski in ski out 
boredsurfin, MMMMmmm matrons in tweed, now don't get me started 
brian, sounds like a refreshing change!
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brian
brian
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AxsMan, it works for me !
About the driving, the autoroute speed limit is 120kph and the speed cameras tend to be small and in the central reservation, not easily spotted, but I think you'll be ok on UK plates anyway.
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| AxsMan wrote: |
| is there anything else I should know about driving in Switzerland? |
They drive on the right!
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AxsMan, Why not try something a little different. Drive North to Hull, overnight to Europoort, and down through Holland and Germany. It's about 80 miles shorter and you should be in Wengen by 6pm
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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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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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| AxsMan wrote: |
Thanks all, just booked the Victoria Lauberhorn on-line. Will be driving as the flights are all very expensive (surprise surprise) and/or involve a 3 hour transfer. Looks like less than 750 miles so well doable in a day. I know I'll have to get a motorway tax ticket at the border, is there anything else I should know about driving in Switzerland?
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You need to carry a warning triangle in the car. If you're coming in high season or something then pre book the parking at lauterbrunnen parkhaus as it soon fills up, there are alternatives which are cheaper but they are outdoors.
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You know it makes sense.
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Frosty the Snowman, Actually it's probably not as daft as it sounds and might even be a bit shorter for me, but I do like the tunnel, show up, wait 20 mins, drive-on, 20 mins later you're there, non of this waiting to sail, chugging across the manche rubbish
stab, got the triangle, am rranging a reserved space through the hotel, sounds like we're all set
boredsurfin, Thanx, sneaky bugs!
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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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Ah yes....forgot about the triangle. In Switzerland, the warning triangle must be carried in the car, in reach of the driver from ther seat (ie not kept in the boot).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Wonder how they feel about under floor storage bins?
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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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Alpenrose (sp?) in Wengen was outstanding, but I haven't been for 14 years  ... may have changed owners since then
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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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Elizabeth B, that's interesting. Ours was supplied in the boot.
AxsMan, M+S are not necessarily snow tyres. If you are unlucky enough to be in an accident and the other party(ies) have snow tyres, my understanding (from discussions elsewhere on SHs) is that you will be held liable. Whether or not it was your fault. Touring Club Suisse (our local AA) recently tested a bunch of M+S tyres and found them all significantly less effective at braking and turning than winter tyres.
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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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David Murdoch, Guess I'd better be extra careful then! (not changing the tyres again, they were new on last year) Worked very well in the snow at Meribel too, got away without needing to put chains on even after a significant dump or two.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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AxsMan, We are doing Wengen for Christmas. I know your style: I'll keep you informed!
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| Chris Brookes wrote: |
| Dont forget to visit Murren |
ring 1st to see if it's open though, wouldn't want to waste a journey across the valley floor would you now.
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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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stab, no one will answer as they will all be skiing/boarding in the deep stuff higher up..
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FAQ
oh sorry, wrong resort
