 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Great idea, super jealous, have skied both, Chamonix would prob be a nicer town to live in, its lower down than the towns in 3V and exists in its own right rather than being purpose built like Val Thorens for example. Its certainly a nicer town than Meribel. Never made it to Courcheval town so can't comment.
In terms of skiing, the pistes in 3V are amazing, 600km of them in the whole area. Lots of very accessible off piste too. Chamonix has some of the most dramatic scenery and the most dramatic lift destinations in the world. The big mountain off piste here is amazing, but you have to be a very good skier and competent in the high mountains (or super rich so as to be able to afford a guide a lot) to avail of it. The whole town has an atmosphere that embraces the mountains and the outdoor lifestyle in genera which is infectious. But if you're just into skiing pistes it wouldn't be the best location, there's much fewer kms that the 3V. The pistes are in some pretty dramatic locations though.
I'd say Chamonix would also be better for apres and that kind of thing. I never thought it was crazy in that regard (has only one actual nightclub as I recall?) but there are a lot of bars and nice restaurants. I believe Courcheval also has nice eateries too but they are probably ridic expensive. Chamonix would be quite British, Meribel too, Courcheval I believe has become quite russified. I'd imagine Chamonix is about the same price as Meribel, and probably slightly cheaper than Courcheval. I suspect that Chamonix has a higher permanent population than the 3V, which is prob only really occupied during the Winter. Chamonix is also very busy in Summer with climbers / hikers / gawkers at Mont Blanc and is a tourist destination in its own right. As such there are more people who would live there all year round and prob exercise all year round and therefore have greater need for your services.
Finally Chamonix prob better for travelling, in the sense its very near a major airport - Geneva is a little over an hour away. 3V are slightly further - a little over two hours from Geneva, and I think a similar distance from Lyon.
Gl with it and either way enjoy.
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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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You can go 3V anytime in the future, and probably when you can only get away for week 3V will be much better choice, given Cham so disjointed, and off-piste in particular may be very dependent on snow conditions / weather which could mean you could be SOL on a one-week trip there, but over a season it will average out and you will get epic days in Chamonix you wouldn't get anywhere else in world
But take on board what 8611, has said, it is very serious skiing there, you will need to team up with people who know the terrain, or spend a lot on guides, if you are more recreational, 3V may be better and rest assured you won't tire of it
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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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| patricksh wrote: |
But take on board what 8611, has said, it is very serious skiing there, you will need to team up with people who know the terrain... |
Spent my first season in Chamonix and it's amazing how quickly you team up with people. At the time I was not the most outgoing person and luckly stayed in an apartment with three others who had done a season or two before who were good at networking. After a couple of months we were very friendly with a few Frenchies who'd happily take us places only the locals new. There is a big British community there who would prob take you up on a massage if you offer a good rate in return for mountain knowlege. Although I've spent lengths of time in other resorts, if I were to relocate to the Alps, Chamonix would always be first on my list!
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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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The mbu pass is a big plus for. Chamonix. For around 700£ you get all the cham valley plus some away days in France, you also get ten days in verbier, and unlimited Courmayeur lifts. It's a real town with loads of work at decent money especially if you speak French (a good idea) and have some skills.
It's a good idea to share a house (cham74.com) rather than get holed up in a studio as you will always have people to ski and socialise with.
The big question, why delay?
One thing you might want to think about is that, it's hard to leave!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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You will have more adventures in Chamonix than the 3V over a season. Everything above is true.
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Oh, but after 2 weeks you'll be complaining about the Compagnie du Mont Blanc! They know people will come whatever they do.
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Cham would be a better bet in terms of friends visiting you - more accommodation choices and more flexible than much of the 3V, easy to get to by train or only an hour away from Geneva. Might also feel less like you are in a 'resort' for the whole season and more like you are in a more real town which could be nice depending on what you're looking for. Probably also more opportunities for working while out there as more people in one location, rather than people spread out in lots of separate bits of the 3V. If you like convenience of ski in ski out or only a little walk, rather than having to get on a bus, then Cham may not be the best choice though.
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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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Thanks for the comments guys, really helpful. Whist I'm very proficient on piste, I've not had the opportunity to ski much big mountain, but it's the side of skiing that appeals most to be, and what in my mind it's really all about. So I reckon with a season to practice, I should have enough time to learn and get good haha.
Sounds like Chamonix is the best bet for me. The MBU pass I've only managed to find for up to 21 days though? Is there somewhere more specific I need to look for the full season prices? The only question is, the girlfriend hasn't actually skiied before.. Hoping there'll still be enough pisted for her to get enough going on?
Delaying due to the final year of my MSc and education in general! But actually then using the 4 years of education straight away doesn't appeal, reckon I'll delay real life for another 6 months doing the season before the rat race!
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joe1890, If they do the same next year as they have done recently you need to buy the pass early say November to get the discounted deal.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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joe1890, do the season, I embarked on a career I can't pause now and not doing a season is one of my few regrets. I'm sure at times you'll get fed up or whatever, but on the whole it'll be an amazing experience and will massively improve your skiing.
Do get avalanche competent and be safety conscious though, lots of people die in Chamonix, and mostly in avalanches.
Re beginners Le Tour is an ideal area to learn. I also have a mate whose been to Argentiere three times and never skied anywhere else. This year he went down his first red! When you go to Argentiere you'll realise how ridiculously limited his skiing must have been but he's happy!
So while Chamonix isn't ideal for beginners there are certainly areas for them and then amazing piste locations and off piste waiting for them when they improve. Just don't take her up one of the hardcore lifts to start. I still find the Brevant cable car quite frightening and I can't imagine it would be a great place for a beginner to put in their first turns.
Also it may be an idea for her to try skiing first to see if she actually likes it? Not that that should interfere with your plans 
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FAQ
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