 Poster: A snowHead
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I have just had the bombshell dropped that Chamonix is not opening untill Dec 22nd this year! I've booked 16 - 19th Dec for a quick getaway. Apparently Les Grand Montets is opening the 8th December but can someone help me by answering:
I'm staying in Chamonix centre - Will a bus be running to grand montets
What other ski options are there in the area - Couymayer?
Will the liftpass be reduced for just one area?
Is this really that bad - I should have checked first!
Help me regain some sanity before I throw in the towell
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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 shall resist any cheeky comments.
Looks like, snow permitting (!) GMs opens for season on the 8th which I hadn't picked up on and which fills me with cheer at the idea of getting in some sliding.
Buses will be running through the valley.
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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 need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| under a new name wrote: |
I shall resist any cheeky comments.
Looks like, snow permitting (!) GMs opens for season on the 8th which I hadn't picked up on and which fills me with cheer at the idea of getting in some sliding.
Buses will be running through the valley. |
I've made alll of those comments to myself 
Only there for 3 nts so if I can get some skiing in it will be good (that's the reason I'm going). How about other resorts?
Appreciate this help...
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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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Apparently Courmayeur open from November 30th??? Can I get there easily from Chamonix? Bus, Train? Handglider...... ARRRGGGHHHHH!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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mrlossyman, any chance the hotel will refund you
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mrlossyman, if the snow is kind, quite a few places will open early...
But you won't know until it happens pretty much.
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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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Fingers crossed! I'm sure I'll get to ski somewhere, just may have to play it by ear and trust mother nature! Hopefully Chamonix will be lively in prep for the new season...
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mrlossyman, That's rather cheeky of them!
Anyway cross fingers and you'll be fine...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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mrlossyman, I can sympathise!
Just been looking at Cham as a possible destination for our 3 day per Crimbo trip and was attracted by the 3 days pass for the price of 2 offer BUT if much of the area is not going to be open we'll go elsewhere
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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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Yes it's not good! Must remain optimistic though! I'm in the mountains so I'm sure I will find somewhere to ski!
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If you can get a hire car, that way you can travel under your own steam to wherever may be open. I suspect if good snow arrives many of the small resorts that are well worth skiing in will open early, having your own car would enable you to take advantage of that.
You can reach Courmayer by bus or drive through the tunnel. I have found it can have very different snow to the Cham valley ie when one is poor the other has been good.
Good luck, hope the snow falls well for you
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You know it makes sense.
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| SnowMac wrote: |
| I suspect if good snow arrives many of the small resorts that are well worth skiing in will open early, |
They don't usually, they would rather protect the snow for Christmas and the rest of the season than open early for a few skiers!
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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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| mrlossyman wrote: |
Will a bus be running to grand montets
What other ski options are there in the area - Couymayer?
Will the liftpass be reduced for just one area?
Is this really that bad - |
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Don't worry- have a great time.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| marcellus wrote: |
| SnowMac wrote: |
| I suspect if good snow arrives many of the small resorts that are well worth skiing in will open early, |
They don't usually, they would rather protect the snow for Christmas and the rest of the season than open early for a few skiers! |
I think I have seen Les Houches, Avoriaz, Les Gets all open early in recent years...
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 19-11-12 10:36; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Those places that open early will often open early at weekends. Which is not so great if you're arriving on a Sunday and holidaying until mid week...
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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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Yes, possibly weekends.
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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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Anyway, if there's enough snow for smaller, lower local stations to open, the Grands Montets will be open.
So no problem.
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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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Yes not so promising!
I'll probably be in Cham by 11am on the Sunday 16th so may get a half day in Houches. As I've already booked my transfers to Cham a car is out of the question so i will rely on the local transport system. I am so hoping I can get to Courmayeur for a days skiing as that's a day out of the way. I need to try and work out where elso I can ski for the other two days, I suppose Grands Montets even partially open would be a fun way to spend the day although, cold!
I know it's all weather permitting but I can't believe Cham opens so late...
I really appreciate all the encouragement, as I'm skiing solo I need to be on the slopes otherwise a few days in Cham will be a bit boring!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Flaine opens for business on the 15th I think (although not the outlying parts of the GM that are a bit easier to get to).
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Any Heli transfers in Chamonix? That could be an option....
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| mrlossyman wrote: |
| Any Heli transfers in Chamonix? That could be an option.... |
Whitetracks does heli transfers but that might be bit of an extreme solution...  http://www.whitetracks.co.uk
Not sure about your abilities but you could always get a guide and skin up somewhere, could be an adventure!
I reckon you will be ok for a few days with Les Houches and GM, just pray for some decent snow!
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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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| Quote: |
get a guide and skin up somewhere
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+1
"Grands Montets even partially open would be a fun way to spend the day although, cold!" - in theory, it should all be open. Whey so cold? Not necessarily...
"I know it's all weather permitting but I can't believe Cham opens so late... " - Supply and demand and confidence of snow.
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| Dia_FindTransfers wrote: |
| mrlossyman wrote: |
| Any Heli transfers in Chamonix? That could be an option.... |
Whitetracks does heli transfers but that might be bit of an extreme solution... http://www.whitetracks.co.uk
Not sure about your abilities but you could always get a guide and skin up somewhere, could be an adventure!
I reckon you will be ok for a few days with Les Houches and GM, just pray for some decent snow! |
I was in Cham in march in glorious sunshine. However, the GM has memories of my camera actually freezing up at lognans! It refused to work until it got back to the chalet! That day was cold at about -20!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
I can't believe Cham opens so late...
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The majority of French ski resorts won't be open properly until the weekend after your trip. Yes, some will partially open for weekends earlier if there's plenty of snow. It would hardly make sense for them to have to have an army of lift operators and pisteurs on standby just in case some snow, two men and their dog turn up on a Tuesday morning.
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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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I agree. It's probably my ignorance having been to Chamonix so many times but I thought it would open early as it's such a great destination and easy to get to. I just hope it snows lots so I can ski Grands Montets and Courmayeur. If I can get these and half day in Les Houches I will be a happy guy. I'll be skiing in January so this is a warm up and time to get a bit of head space away from reality...
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mrlossyman, Last year? early-mid feb?
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You know it makes sense.
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Last winter was crazy cold, our diesel froze...
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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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because it's at a low altitude.... so the road isn't difficult and doesn't often get clogged up by snow. Les Houches will only be open if there's a nice lot of early snow. Fingers crossed, though I wouldn't mind if the mega dump held off till I've arrived in my alpine destination on 19 December!
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
| I just hope it snows lots so I can ski Grands Montets and Courmayeur |
Er, are transfers readily available to Courmayeur and back? The OP won't have the use of a car.....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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mountainaddict, During the season yes, there are one or two buses in each direction through the tunnel.
I believe the winter timetable begins Dec 10.
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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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The official chamonix Facebook page replied and said they will be, however I have no idea if this drops at the lift?
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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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mrlossyman, I am confused at the post. Grands Montets is the best bit. Getting there by bus is a bit ofa faff but nothing toooo bad (a taxi f you are feeling flush). The terraine is fantastic as is the snow from the top. Dare I suggest hooking up with the SCGB leader if you are on your ownsome?
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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 Problem is the lift up to the grands Montets won't open till the 22nd dec, only the first part of the lift. I've been to chamonix several times and was there in march. Whilst grands Montets is the best bit, three days without the top lift won't be much fun hence why courmayeur may be a good option. It's a real pity brevent and flegere won't be open as I like this linked domain. I am sure things will work out, I'll have my skis so I'll find somewhere to slide!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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mrlossyman, Without the top lift?
Matey, I can't recall the last time I bothered with the top lift.
What's the issue?
Bumps on Heirse not big enough dor you?
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Not an issue it's just a bit limited for 4 days skiing. I suppose if the snow is good I can practise my off piste skills! The way it's going even the Montets won't be open, snow is looking sparse but lots of time to go!
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mrlossyman,
There is another option. I know it's early in the season but it is possible to skitour. A guide will be expensive if you're a solo skier, but you might find someone in the hotel who would share with you. Or contact the Compagnie des Guides and see if someone wants 1/2 day's work just before Christmas. I guarantee once you've tried it, you'll want to go again and again
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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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Interesting but how do you get up the mountain? Sounds like fun though and probably some good ski tips...
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mrlossyman, You walk...
Seriously.
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