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Visiting Switzerland from Avoriaz

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I would really like to get over to one or two of the resorts on the Swiss side of the PDS. We are going to be based in Avoriaz. What are the best routes, and how much time should you allow to get back? I've heard some horror stories of people getting stuck in Switzerland for the night!

As always any tips and advice appreciated.
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 brian
brian
Guest
ski-finder, it's not far at all from Avoriaz. The 2 shortest routes are via Chavanette (aka the Swiss wall) which is steep and ungroomed, not for the faint hearted, or Mossettes which has easier blues and reds heading into Switzerland. Both these routes take you into the sector above Les Crosets. From there you could ski down to Champéry or work your way down to Morgins and complete the circuit back to Avoriaz via Chatel. It's possible to cover a fair old distance. How long you allow depends on how far out you go. A simple trip over the border and back takes no time at all.
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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?
brian, presume return journey can be done on blues and (easy?) reds?
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brian, thanks Brian, just what I was after! Although i'm pretty certain i'm going to steer clear of a run titled "Swiss wall"... doesn't sound like my cup of tea at all! Nice to know there is an alternate route though! Smile
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 brian
brian
Guest
dandtd, yep, there is a choice of blue or red from both Chavanette and Mossettes heading back towards Avoriaz.
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brian, ski-finder, Probably worth pointing out that you don't have to suffer the Swiss Wall if you don't feel up to it. You can cheat and get the chairlift down to the bottom.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
ski-finder, Go down the "Wall" via lift, alternativly go over via "Mossettes". awksquawk, beat me to it!!
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Roy Hockley, I only mention it because I've bottled it on several occasions!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Roy Hockley, Give it a go if only for bragging rights!!! I hate it on a very snowy day, funnily enough I prefer the ice! I have a problem for deep powder after breaking my leg on the soft stuff years ago! If conditions are right I hope to be getting lessons in a couple of weeks!
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Presumably you also have to remember your passport just in case
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Roy Hockley, I have done it a couple of times but I really can't say it is what I would call an "enjoyable" experience!! Smile

eng_ch, In theory, yes.
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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.
ski-finder, check the lift times when you get down in to Les Crosets. Probably vary a bit through the season. I took lift about 10mins before closing once, but I'd rather not cut it so fine again!

I've skiied a few times from Les Gets over to Morzine, up Super Morzine to Avoriaz, then over to Champery or Champoussin for lunch, then ski back (and if late back in Morzine, then get bus). Personally, I prefer the skiing on the Swiss side... decent food, empty slopes, not a single queue except in Les Crosets back to Avoriaz.

eng_ch, I always have taken mine, but never needed it (although nearly did on one occasion).

brian, I've always done the circuit the other way. Ardent - Chatel - over to Morgins - Champoussin - Les Crosets - Avoriaz - Ardent.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
eng_ch, never carried mine myself. A mate got stopped by a random Douanier who asked to see his passport. On the response "I don't have it", Mr l'agent shrugged and said, "well, you really should carry it..." - then skied off.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
andy, Food is cheaper on Swiss side, we go for lunch but usually following the sun. There is a down side to the Swiss side however, the lifts are old and not as good as the French side. They really should get rid of some of those drags.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
David Murdoch wrote:
eng_ch, never carried mine myself. A mate got stopped by a random Douanier who asked to see his passport. On the response "I don't have it", Mr l'agent shrugged and said, "well, you really should carry it..." - then skied off.


David, It's in case of injury that I believe it can become an issue. The Swiss, not being in the EU an'all, like to see proof that you're a good'un before they'll strap you into the blood wagon and bung you back over the border.

Sounds stupid - probably is - but point was hammered home to me by a hotelier in Cervinia where of course similar EU/Neutral trips are feasible
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
eng_ch, I've skied cross border many times from Cervinia/Zermatt and French/Swiss PdS (e.g. Avoriaz) and Ischgl/Samaun and never needed a passport.
That said I always carry Visa card, photo-driving license, travel insurance and EU reciprocal healthcare card on me in my wallet just in case.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Ah well, I carry my passport on me at all times anyway, keep my permit in it. Only been stopped a couple of times (which means I'm due) but you're in doo-doo round here if you have no ID on you when you are stopped by the police. Not talking about on the slopes btw. I feel naked now if I don't have my passport on me
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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?
Main problem with skiing Swiss side of Portes des Soleil is T-bars - urgh!

We used to do a round trip from Morzine into Switzerland & back which I'm sure was marked as a round trip on the piste maps - might be wrong though as its a while ago since I did it.
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blizt, I know what you mean!
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
blizt, Roy Hockley they're not that bad. Just think of them as a poma where you can socialise on the way up. True the Swiss side is less developed, but then the only queue you'll see all day is the one from Les Crosets back to Avoriaz.
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When skiing the Swiss side, is it easy to pop in and try the food or hospitality? Are the Swiss resorts accessible easily by someone on ski's? I'd really like to see what they are like, but don't fancy trekking too far in my boots.

I'm off on Monday so i'll know myself then, but better to be prepared. Lastly... will i need some Swiss Francs?
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
ski-finder, the on-the-mountain restaurants are like the better french ones (ie served, not self serve, and have good food/wine and lots of cheese), and are generally less hectic (like the pistes/lifts). Simply ski to the door and clomp in. They'll take both Euros and Swiss usually at a fixed rate, which is often posted on the wall, but some may give change only in Swiss (so you just pay as close as you can in Euros, and call the remainder a tip).

Edit: or try paying with plastic (should take Maestro)

Not been into the actual villages (except Morgins which is one you have to walk 200m when you do the PdS loop), but I think most are more a 'collection of dwellings' than a village.
I really can't remember the names or how to get to them, but the ones I recommend are a large one over in the Champery/Planachaux sector, and one around Champoussin (Chez something, with loads of space outside). Both are about 2 runs/2 lifts back to the border above Avoriaz.
Other one is a hut halfway down a narrow trail on the way down to Morgins from Chatel, but that's only really feasible if you're doing the complete PdS loop.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
andy, thanks for the advice! I really would like to do the "PDS loop" is this loop obvious to follow, and is there a set route that gets you all the way round?
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Not been to Portes de Soleil for last 3 years but I'm pretty sure the loop used to be marked on the piste map - I think it must have been as we always did it each year we stayed in Morzine and we never had a guide, instructor or local with us.
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blizt, cheers for that. Shall keep my eye out for that on the map.
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ski-finder, only ever been with a guide for the PdS loop. There's not really a single route as such, although certainly between Avoriaz and Chatel/Linga there is a well marked 'discovery route' (follow the white rabbit), and between Les Crosets and Morgins on the Swiss side there is basically a single obvious route. Between Les Crosets and Avoriaz can be anything from 1-2 lifts/runs depending on where you start/end the loop or enough for half a day's playing. Between Chatel and Morgins is also variable I think, depending on how far you want to explore (that's the bit I know the least, but there's some fantastic scenery, and views over Montreux).
Regarding the Piste Map... you *may* need to collect a few local maps along the way, since the PdS overview map really is just an overview, with no lift/piste names.
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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.
andy, Yes re the piste maps. They used to have one that covered the entire area which was great, but for the last 3 years it is more like the Dolomiti Superski area when you have to get individual maps for a detailed picture.
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