 Poster: A snowHead
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Just wondering if any of you had some advice for April skiing...
I usually ski mid-season (opting for picturesque, tree-lined resorts with cosy chalets) but a colleague and I now find ourselves in Geneva on the 13th April with 5 days to spare and are looking to drive somewhere for some skiing. Does high necessarily mean bleak vistas and bland architecture?!?! We would probably be sticking on-piste during the trip... Obviously snow is the main priority, but my colleague has never skiied in Europe before and so an aesthetically pleasing and cosy experience would be nice...
Any advice much appreciated!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Tosto, April 13 should be nice and quite. You probably want to be reasonably (of have reasonable access to height). You could stay in Morzine (PDS) skiing around Avoriaz; Samoens or Les Carroz (skiing round Flaine); or in Chamonix/Argentiere. For example.
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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 Grand Montets (Chamonix) should have plenty of snow and is most definitely aesthetically pleasing. though I don't think many people would describe it as a "cosy" place to ski. Invigorating, majestic, stunning, intimidating, rather. there are plenty of people on snowheads who know it very well and could give detailed information as to likely conditions. A slightly closer alternative is Flaine, but depending on the weather, the flaine bowl could be pretty slushy and it's definitely not aesthetically pleasing.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I'd agree with under a new name that the PdS would be nice at this time of year.
Morzine is nice little village, but local runs might be a little worse for wear, so you'd probably end-up travelling to/via Avoriaz for the higher runs.
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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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Thank you. I had been ruling out anywhere but the pretty high based on the short-term weather forecasts suggesting warm + wet, but that is probably short-sighted of me and perhaps I should wait until nearer the time. I would really like to go to Chamonix as it sounds incredible in exactly the way Pam W describes it, but I have heard it's actually not that fun for on-piste and as we're going for such a short time, we probably won't hire an instructor/guide... again, any comments on the assumptions I'm making would be most welcome, and thank you again for the suggestions so far.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Tosto, Cormayeur - just through the Mont Blanc tunnel ?
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Tosto, I think you'd be sensible to wait. Places won't be busy. there could be plenty of decent snow around, but it's not guaranteed. If there's plenty, it would be a pity to confine yourself to some high place in advance. Our apartment is at 1550m and I would expect to be skiing out of here in mid April - but I know from experience that there might be just a fairly short part of the day when the snow has stopped being rock-hard and not yet become glue-like and sticky. Aspect becomes vital - you need south facing slopes for early in the day, then north and east facing for later, as they will resist the slush for longer. It might be fantastic sunny deck chair weather, or it could be raining to 2800m. Who knows?
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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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Tosto, Chamonix is absolutely great on piste. If you're keen on it, give it a go.
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Tosto, for aesthetically pleasing and cosy instead of driving you could take the rain from Geneva to Saas Fee, very quaint and guaranteed snow at that time as so high (village at 1850) and good glacier skiing and spectacular scenery. Some find the piste skiing a bit limited at 100km but its a lovely place and got lots of charm. Not much tree skiing due to the altitude though.
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