 Poster: A snowHead
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Been looking at this area for a possible family trip, and although it is 'small' by most accounts (a two star for 'extent' in wtss for example) it looks like the little separate areas are close enough to drive around - which we don't mind doing at all - and add up to a decent amount. Crans Montana looks only about half an hour away from St Luc too, which would occupy another day or two. Adding all that lot together gives an overall piste mileage which is far from small.
Anybody care to comment? What's it like getting around the Val d'Anniviers by car in Feb? Chains required, roads closed, nightmarish, ...?
And as for the combined area - given that I'd just as soon drive for half an hour as spend half an hour on lifts, which is the usual way of exploring a 'proper' 'big' resort - combining the Val d'A resorts with C-M gives a total of about 360km, which looks pretty decent!
Should say it's a mixed group ranging from timid early inters to 'go anywhere pisted' types who aren't as good as we think we are, probably  but you know the sort...
So, anybody want to steer me toward/away? And is the V d'A lift system as bad as I imagine?
Cheers, p
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Once you've driven the "interesting" bit of the road up to vda you might reconsider whether Crans-Montana is a short hop away. Can't speak for the pistes but the whole area is absolutely terrible for offpiste 
This gives a bit of the flavour for the area including the interesting drive
http://www.zapiks.com/_red-bull-hike-and-ride-1/
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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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paulio, Crans Montana paired with Aminona would be more suited to your party. C-M alone would keep your group occupied.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Great feedback, thanks all. We're pretty adventurous, but maybe not quite adventurous enough for this - as far as driving goes at least!
We're looking off the usual beaten tracks because of being limited to the Feb half-term by the way... makes planning a trip to satisfy a very mixed group rather tricky for muggins here...
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paulio,
You've also got to not mind t-bars to really enjoy val d'A which early intermediates are not always crazy about.
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T Bar, is anyone...?
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Not casting aspersions on yourself though, obviously.
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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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paulio,
I'm cut to the quick.
Actually if off piste is what you are after surface lifts have a big advantage in as much as their capacity is low and prevents hoards of skiers going for the same area.
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We, the two 'decent' ones in the group, are a bit off-piste-averse, really. Tricky genuine black pistes - bring it on, but off-piste scares us a bit if I'm honest 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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paulio, I don't think you need to be adventurous to enjoy VdA, the driving isn't that bad & it's not at all crowded at half term.
We made 3 trips this winter & regularly drove down the valley from Grimentz to Sierre. In summer it takes me 20 minutes, in winter 30 minutes. The drive between Grimentz & Zinal takes 8-10 minutes. In winter I reckon it would take 1 hour to drive to CM (I did it in 45 minutes in the summer).
I wasn't looking forward to the drag lifts, but they aren't as bad as the ones in Serre Chevalier for instance.
I would certainly recommend the area at half term.
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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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paulio, All the trips I made were in a Holiday Autos hire car and they all came with snowchains & winter tyres as standard.
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You know it makes sense.
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ssnowman, you may be pleased to know Serre Chevalier has got rid of most of its drag lifts. Not sure how long it is since you have been.
paulio, I'd far rather ski boring pistes than sit in my car.
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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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Helen Beaumont, I was there this January and yes it was a lot better. I have manged most of the drags there in the past but there was one that twice lifted me 6 feet off the ground. I was willing to persevere, but the rest of the party decided to give it a miss after watching me 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Helen Beaumont, I know that sounds a weird thing to say, and I exaggerate a bit I confess, but I've definitely suffered some tedious gondola commutes that have been less enjoyable that ripping a car round silly hairpins with the stereo up loud!
What I meant was that lift-linked isn't the be-all for me, and I'll gladly press the car into service to get to some new slopes.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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paulio, I did encounter 8 people in front of me on one lift at February half-term 
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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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Well, the quietness sounds right up our street - hate crowds. Though judging from your sig, ssnowman, you might not be entirely non-partisan.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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paulio, Yes, I supposed I am a bit biaised.
Vd'A certainly won't suit everyone, if you like large linked purpose built resorts, where the amount of piste you get under your belt is the main criteria, then Vd'A isn't for you.
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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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Well it's still in the running, might even be in pole position if I go on snowhead response - my similar Sella Ronda thread is attracting nowhere near the level of interest!
Genuine thanks for all the useful info so far, all, both +ve and -.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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St Luc has a good ski bus service serving the resort accommodation. This cuts down the need for driving. Visitor parking is pay and display. St Luc is better for mixed groups as there is funicular access and good on-hill facilities, with some wooded runs on poor vis days. It has plenty of drag lifts. As Switzerland does not go in for Green grade pistes, there are no "easy" routes. The piste grading in Val D'Anniviers is IMHO lower than those of Crans Montana, meaning that a Red slope in the Anniviers will demand your attention. All of the Anniviers resorts are served by free skibus in high season. The commune wishes to discourage car driving inter-resort to cut pollution and damage to the environment.
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