 Poster: A snowHead
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OK. We've got our flights booked to Geneva (9 March) and we're looking for somewhere suitable for a couple of intermediate riders. There seems too much choice - we're looking at Flaine, Chamonix and almost everywhere else.
Anybody got any good ideas ? We usually go to Italy.
I'm a bit worried that Chamonix could be too difficult for us. Flaine looks good but I can't find any accommodation yet (short break).
Ideas welcome.
James.
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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 would head to the Portes du Soleil - Chatel, Morzine or Avoriaz are all good. Avoriaz has a reputation as a boarders resort and is higher than the others. Even though Chatel and Morzine are lower i would have thought that you would be fine in early March - especially as the season looks like it will take a while to get going this year.
If staying in Chatel, trying contacting Agence Cruz (see details on the official Chatel website) as you can often book apartments stupidly cheap with them - much cheaper than using a UK travel agent
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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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Yep Morzine is a good base. 1 Hour from Geneva. You can get to Avoriaz very easily aswell. Les Gets has some lovely easy intermediete runs for cruising if that takes your fancy.
Anyway, I fly out tonight to Morzine!!!! Hee Hee
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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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I have hears that Chamonix has great expert runs, and also very long lift lines. Since you are at an intermediate level, the expert runs don't really help, and long lines are never great.
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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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Your first choice is the best IMHO (I've been to all the others mentioned) Flaine is nearest to Geneva and has the best combination of pistes with easily accessible off piste. Not a boarder myself but we were there with two last year, heard no complaints - just big grins all round, only drawback is its not a big party place.
Accomodation is a bit of a problem in Flaine itself, v.few normal hotels there, its nearly all club hotels and apartments. Better hotel options are in the lower towns around which are linked by lifts to the Grand Massif of Flaine (Samoens, Morillon or Les carroz)
Chamonix is great for atmosphere if you stay in the Town itself but difficult to get to know properly on a short trip because of the widely spaced ski areas up the valley, definitely need a car to get about.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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TOP TIP
Ste Foy
Little know very small resort just down the valley from Tignes. Only got one string of 3 chair lifts but it is FANTASTIC for off piste. No one goes there. Powder stays untracked for days!
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paulmc, SHUT UP pillock! It's bad enough having the Val D' refugees poncing about there, the last thing it needs is hoards of steep and deep wannabees mucking it up 
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Haven't been to Flaine but Chamonix is fantastic! I'm off there again in 2 weeks! There's a great atmosphere, lift queues can be long but it's worth the wait! I'm a skiier, but I'm sure as intermediate rider's Chamonix has plenty to offer you. La Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Le Savoy and Les Planards are easy piste. There's also some backcountry action at Le Tour / Vallorcine. The majority of runs are blue and red but there are some pretty steep slopes! 
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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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CHAMONIX RULES.
Its always easy enough to get accomodation in Cham and conditions should be good in March.
I was out in Jan and cant wait to return to Argentiere for the last week of the season in May. 
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Masque,
"up my own butt" you're not wrong there.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Cham is brill but be under no illusions. Cham has 4 separate main areas excluding Valle Blanche etc. If intermediate and staying on-piste then each area is limited in terms of pistes - you will be re-skiing them. Only two are linked together and those by a lateral lift. To experience night time action you will want to stay in Cham. To experience the best mountain areas you will need to take a longish bus ride.
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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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Portes du Soleil !!! defo! i'm off on the 9 march also as it happens. easyjet at 6am in the bloody morning. whatever possessed me to book that...
anyway - staying in Chatel which is an ace resort as it hasn't been trailroaded by mcdonalds, BK, chicken treats, and retains a very french feel! what the point in leaving blighty to arrive at a place that feels exactly like the UK highstreet on a friday night with loads of ladies' front bottoms lookin for a fight! not me.
Chatel is great for intermediates with loads of clear wide runs. you can of course get the portes du soleil lift pass which takes you all over the shop!!
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stuza, whatever Châtels merits claiming it has a French feel is a bit a stretch. It has pubs selling English beer, you can get cooked English breakfasts and buy that days copy of the redtop tabloids.
I guess if you're very familar with the UK on Friday night you can spot the difference but, speaking as European, I'd be hard pressed to see the difference.
It's about on a par with Les Gets as far as I can see.
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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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muttley, are you a fan of Jack Kerouac by any chance?
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FAQ
