 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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Portes Du Soleil. One hour from Geneva and access to 650km of piste.
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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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Hotel de la Couronne in Argentiere have single rooms. There are other hotels there, too, but I can't recall the names. Try the Arg. tourist office, too?
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There are "day trip buses" from Geneva, including lift pass. That might be the cheapest way to do it - preferably on a Saturday, which will mean quiet slopes because it's changeover day. Sundays are generally much busier. info here http://www.geneva.info/activities/
Some resorts offer cheap passes on Saturdays (Les Contamines used to, not sure about next year).
Have a good winter! Geneva is often miserable in winter - nice to get out into the mountains. My neighbours in Les Saisies, who live in Geneva, often arrive saying it's foggy, cold and damp in Geneva, when it's bright and sunny up the mountain.
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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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Scarver, There are indeed day trip buses.
I would be tempted - if the timetables allow - to take a public bus to CHX Friday evening. SAT are the operators and a quick google will find the info.
I have no idea on accom in Argentiere - but there are quite a few 2* hotels in Chamonix (e.g. Louvre, Hotel Chamonix) that I expect would be happy (French school holidays aside and frankly you won't want to be skiing then anyway, at least not the Paris weeks) to take short weekend bookings and won't be too expensive. THe Vert and Vagabond are also probably worth checking out. And, I'd be inclined to find a hotel that works and stay there each time, that way you can at leats build some rapport, which might be helpful.
If buses don't attract, you might find this helpful? no idea if you can even leave Switzerland with the car tho! http://www.mobility.ch/en/pub/index.cfm
Morzine is a top spot but finding a cheap hotel will be more difficult I would expect and public transport is not so easy I don't think.
Transfer companies are likely to eat into your budget.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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There's always the Jura as well, if you just fancy a quick couple of hours. A bike ride from the city, let alone a drive!
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| Quote: |
A bike ride from the city
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provided you have very strong legs....
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Not been there for years but Gite le Belvedere in Argentiere is cheap and cheerful, bit youth hostely but that can be good if you're on your own and fancy some company and aren't looking for luxury.
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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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Just been looking around, SAT buses are reasonably timed. I'd be inclined to take the 17h00 up on Friday, catch a few beers as it looks like you'd want the 16h30 descent.
Don't be disturbed by locals doing a day trip in ski kit, boots and all.
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Scarver, there are lots of Swiss resorts within 2 hours of Geneva by train - a much nicer way to travel. The rail journey along the banks of Lake Geneva is quite spectacular, and the climb from Montreux up towards Chateau D'Oex is one of the best rail journeys in Europe (in my experience!).
The SkiRail Map of the Alps shows the rail routes and resorts, and the free sample here shows the Lake Geneva area quite clearly -http://rogerlascellesmaps.co.uk/SkiRail_Product_Information.aspx?area=SkiRail_Product_Information
None of the nearby Swiss resorts is on the scale of Chamonix but they're definitely worth a visit if you're there for a while. Another great experience is taking the boat across Lake Geneva from Lausanne to Evian, and then the bus up to a couple of really nice little French resorts which overlook the lake.
NN
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Do the biggies.
Don't stick to just one station.
Argentiere, Verbier, Murren, Zermatt, the list is long.
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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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Thanks folks - some good stuff to follow up on here 
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Tricky question really, do you thrash around trying to see many places (not a terrible idea at all) or just concentrate on 1 or 2 areas and get to know them reasonably well.
Tough one really....
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You know it makes sense.
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Scarver, Just on that and amplifying Whitegold: the Swiss railway system is indeed excellent. If your office is central to the main station, there is quite a lot of skiing directly connected with around 3 hours train journey. Typically into the town centre.
Murren is a good example. And you might find that Ema is able to accomodate you at the excellent Eiger Guesthouse.
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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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If you think you will get in more than about 20 days of skiing you could consider a seasons lift pass at one of the areas. Once you have made the purchase there is a real incentive to make the most of it.
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Poster: A snowHead
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good point - the Grand Massif pass is particularly good value and there's a big discount for early purchase - you wouldn't have to do too many days to make it worthwhile and it's one of the closest areas to Geneva.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| sideslip1 wrote: |
| If you think you will get in more than about 20 days of skiing you could consider a seasons lift pass at one of the areas. Once you have made the purchase there is a real incentive to make the most of it. |
On the other hand, it's very easy to slip into season pass disease, "it's not perfectly sunny, we can always go up tomorrow"...
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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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| pam w wrote: |
| good point - the Grand Massif pass is particularly good value and there's a big discount for early purchase - you wouldn't have to do too many days to make it worthwhile and it's one of the closest areas to Geneva. |
430 EUR if purchased before December 10th, I believe.
In profit on about 11th or 12th skiing day.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Most season passes offer good discounts for early payment. Some season passes offer a few day passes to other areas.
Talking Chamonix (which is the only one I really know): Buy early part of Oct and get upto 40% off, but it will still be dear compared to some other season passes. If you buy the MBU pass you get Chamonix/GM (Argentierre)/Balme/Les Houches you also get unlimited Courmayeur somewhere between 5 and 10 days in Verbier & about 5 day passes for different resorts in the area eg Morzine/Megeve/Contamines etc.
Should keep you busy, but like i said NOT the cheapest (by a long way).
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Tue 25-09-12 9:40; edited 1 time in total
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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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| under a new name wrote: |
| sideslip1 wrote: |
| If you think you will get in more than about 20 days of skiing you could consider a seasons lift pass at one of the areas. Once you have made the purchase there is a real incentive to make the most of it. |
On the other hand, it's very easy to slip into season pass disease, "it's not perfectly sunny, we can always go up tomorrow"... |
Ha, yep had that. Only really a danger if you have a season pass and 40+ days in resort though, a weekender out of Geneva should be safe.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks again folks - so many choices... 
I still have to get through a final interview next month, but its between me and one other bloke so I have a pretty good chance. Hopefully if I do go I'll meet people who want to do the same so may be able to get a small group together (when mates aren't coming to crash - quite likely).
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FAQ
