 Poster: A snowHead
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HELP!
I'm in Geneva for a meeting this week and am lucky enough to have some time after the meeting to go skiing. Situation looks MUCH better this week than last, but I am still having trouble figuring out which resorts have good snow and are actually open.
Here are some of my requirements (I am flexible on most of these):
1) reasonably close to Geneva - I don't want to spend too much time in transit
2) Would like something train or bus accesible - don't want to rent a car they are REALLY expensive in Switzerland right now. (definitely flexible on this - having a car would allow me to visit more than one resort and stay somewhere away from the slopes, but driving time is not skiing time)
3) Minimal crowds - I'm allergic to lines (Although I will be a single which might mitigate some of the crowd issues)
4) Local - I' more interested in local color than homogenous international resorts, but would consider one of the iconic resorts
5) Inexpensive lodging. don't want to spend much, don't need much, clean would be nice.
6) Snow - was pretty barren last week, but things are looking up this week
I would say that I am a solid intermediate, although others may say that I am advanced. Not interested in doing moguls (bad ankle) trees or off-piste. Also not too interested in apres-ski.
The biggest problem I am having is too many places to choose from. Figured the experts here would have some great suggestions.
Thanks in advance,
Monti
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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montizano, welcome to snowheads.  From the point of ease of access from Geneva it would be hard to beat Chamonix. Every kind of skiing is available there, though as with pretty well all the resorts in the area there is a lot of terrain which has not yet been opened up after the shedloads of snow which have been falling (and it's continuing to fall, albeit a bit less heavily).
This isn't a super busy week and to judge by today (and some other comments on SHs, including one from Chamonix) the open slopes haven't been crowded at all - perhaps the weather is still putting some people off. However, it is a holiday week and you could reasonably expect a few lift queues.
Chamonix has a wider range of available accommodation than some alternatives - from hostels to luxury. It's certainly an "iconic" resort but doesn't lack local colour; it's unique. There are a number of Chamonix experts here, who could point you in the right direction for somewhere to stay. There are bus services throughout the resort, which consists of a number of separate (and very different) ski areas. Loads of info on internet, or telephone the Tourist Office.
If a bigger, lift linked, area appeals then you could look at the Grand Massif - Flaine, and its satellites. Samoens is a proper attractive village with local colour - Flaine itself is a concrete jungle but closer to the ski action. There are GM experts on here too.
The resorts will be moderately full this week but you should find something. I'd suggest you decide fairly swiftly where to go and then ask some detailed questions about transport and accommodation. Have fun.
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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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Thanks for the quick reply!
I was thinking of Chamonix but heard that it was difficult to get around and each area by themselves were fairly limited. I'm also concerned that much of it will be closed due to avalanche dangers.
Any Chamonix experts want to chime in?
-Monti
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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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montizano, Welcome.
Hmmm...if you're not see in need of bumps or HP, I'd suggest PDS or Grand Massif. Chamonix's really only a total draw if you are after either of these.
You can get to most resorts by bus from Geneva bus station.
Snow currently amazing, fingers crossed it doesn't warm up too much!
PDS, Morzine probably ticks most boxes.
Accommodation only issue, someone else will have more current ideas than me.
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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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Champery, picturesque village no night life. Train from Geneva 2.5hrs, one train an hour, goes around lake Geneva, change at Aigle - well, all you have to do is walk from one side of the platform to the other, and the local train terminates at the cable car. After that there is a navettte that goes every 20 mins around the village (stops at lunch time). Suggest Hotel National (great food) although not particularly cheap. Lots of soft snow this weekend and the piste bashers haven't caught up with it yet. Links to Avoriaz closed today because of amount of snow and winds. Perhaps though I should not reveal this.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sorry to hijack the thread - I'm looking at flights to Geneva at the moment. Interested to hear if anyone would recommend Chatel?
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So I'm leaning towards Morzine/Les Gets. Can anyone recommend a hotel that's cheap and convenient to the slopes? Also looking for recs on best way to get out there (thinking one of the bus services - seems to be the most efficient/quickest way out there).
And is it worth it to get the full PDS pass, or the Morzine/LesGets pass if I am only there for 4 days?
Thanks for the help!
-Monti
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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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Come up to Champery. Quick train ride from Geneva. Change at Aigle for the AOMC mountain train up to Champery. Drive centre of village next to cable car... Beautiful village, currently amazing snow and easy access
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montizano, Morzine - you can get a transfer from Geneva Airport (easy train ride from the centre) and this will drop you at your accommodation. Try Paul and Nina at Apex for accommodation (they do B&B). Otherwise most hotels will have space this week.
Wait till you get here to see which pass you will need.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| montizano wrote: |
HELP!
I'm in Geneva for a meeting this week and am lucky enough to have some time after the meeting to go skiing. Situation looks MUCH better this week than last, but I am still having trouble figuring out which resorts have good snow and are actually open.
Here are some of my requirements (I am flexible on most of these):
1) reasonably close to Geneva - I don't want to spend too much time in transit
2) Would like something train or bus accesible - don't want to rent a car they are REALLY expensive in Switzerland right now. (definitely flexible on this - having a car would allow me to visit more than one resort and stay somewhere away from the slopes, but driving time is not skiing time)
3) Minimal crowds - I'm allergic to lines (Although I will be a single which might mitigate some of the crowd issues)
4) Local - I' more interested in local color than homogenous international resorts, but would consider one of the iconic resorts
5) Inexpensive lodging. don't want to spend much, don't need much, clean would be nice.
6) Snow - was pretty barren last week, but things are looking up this week
I would say that I am a solid intermediate, although others may say that I am advanced. Not interested in doing moguls (bad ankle) trees or off-piste. Also not too interested in apres-ski.
The biggest problem I am having is too many places to choose from. Figured the experts here would have some great suggestions.
Thanks in advance,
Monti |
Monti - sounds like you have all but decided. However...
there's a newish map (the SkiRail Map of the Alps) which shows you all the resorts you can reach directly by train.
You can see a section of the map here for free.
http://rogerlascellesmaps.co.uk/SkiRail_Product_Information.aspx?area=SkiRail_Product_Information
Geneva is just to the left.
If you want local places with minimal crowds I'd recommend some of the Swiss resorts to the east of Lake Geneva like Chateau D'Oex, Rougemont, Leysin and Villars which are about a 2 hour train ride.
Champery is a great place too giving you the whole of the PDS but was pretty busy compared with the other nearby resorts when I was there.
Chamonix is a great resort - I've gone there with intermediate skiers before and had a brilliant time. Catching the bus around isn't that much hassle, and you can also take the train to some of the local ski areas like Grands Montets and Vallorcine.
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