 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there
I’m hoping someone can give me some advice....
I’m planning a weekend away skiing (aiming for 3-4 days on the slopes), and after a little bit of research, the first resort which keeps coming up is Chamonix. However, I have a couple of concerns!
To give a bit of background.....I am taking the boyfriend away for his birthday at the end of Feb as a surprise. I am an intermediate who is not very confident, whereas he is more of an expert who loves anything steep or off piste! Initially Chamonix sounded great, plenty of short stay hotel availability, close to Geneva (flights are already booked, will most likely be hiring a car), awesome off piste (family are chipping in for an off piste guide for him for a day) and plenty of bars/restaurants, but I am concerned by how spread out the ski areas are and so not very convenient when we want to make the most of our time there, and then I keep reading everywhere that it is best for experts, scaring me slightly!
Can anyone who has been give any advice? Or recommend any other resorts which might tick the boxes?
Big thank you 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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emski27, yes, it is spread out, so probably you would, other things being equal, gravitate to different parts of the valley, which are not lift linked.
However, it is very convenient from Geneva (I'd recommend having a car to get around, though) and is a lively place with stunning scenery.
BUT it will be very crowded at the end of February, as it's peak school holidays. It would be hugely better, cheaper, less crowded, to take him for an advance birthday surprise at the end of January. 
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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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I would say, "go for it!". Chamonix has great energy, and the fact that things are spread out, are not an issue, IMHO (the bus system is great). Since he likes off piste, and steep terrain, he'll love it.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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the bus system is great
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sometimes. And sometimes very crowded, especially during the French winter hols. He would certainly love the steep off piste, but unless they ski separately he might have to give it a miss! Les Houches and Le Tour, the best areas for unconfident intermediates, are at opposite ends of the valley.
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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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Rent a car, go to Chamonix, your bf will love you for it, and it is for him, right. You might want to book a lesson ( I would rec BASS) while he's off on his adventure, there is loads of intermediate skiing at Le Tour, it's also my favourite spot for off piste as well, as it doesn't get hammered and no holes to worry about. There's a nice new cafe at the bottom of the home run into Valorcine for a romantic lunch. Check out chambre9 for a bit of lively apres. Munchies or the restaurant at the hotel Eden in Le Praz for dinner.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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emski27, Verbier is a much better bet all round
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jbob,
Is there any other run down into vallorcine? I took mrs sev112 down that long switchback road for a romantic lunch a few years back and she didn't ski for the next 2 days. It was very icy
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sev112, it's a road. Usually ok, late in the season better to go down on the bubble. The good news is that although the secret of the station cafe is out and it's always very busy, there are two new cafes the one just at the bottom of the home run is delightful.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Sun 30-12-12 14:56; edited 1 time in total
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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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I think the bubble sounds a good idea
Great location, sun out on terrace
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Thanks everyone, Chamonix is still looking top of my list as there seem to be much better deals for short breaks in the hotels.
Just a couple more questions I’m afraid though....
- How long is the drive normally to le tour from central chamonix? And what is the bus journey there like?
- Where is best for some nice intermediate runs where there is perhaps a bit of off piste along side – would this be le tour? I am completely prepared that we won’t be able to ski together all the time (and am hoping the off piste day will give him chance to get some of it out his system!) but I was hoping there would be somewhere with a little bit of both to keep us both happy for an afternoon or so!
Thanks again 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The drive from Le Tour to Chamonix is about 20 minutes if there is no traffic. At the end of the day there can be very large queues, especially once you get to Chamonix centre.
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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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My longest ever queues were at Le Tour, first to buy the day pass, then to get on the main lift up (once up the hill it was OK - I was with my brother in law who was very keen; I'd have given up). Around 10 January, dead low season. Dread to think what it would be like at a busy time. Such as the end of February. It was around 12 or 13 years ago. You can probably buy the passes online in advance, these days.
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emski27, cham to le tour about 20 mins as stated
But if you are staying centrally, tbh the pistes are not nearly as tricky as some would make out. Ymmv.
I'd be thinking you might be better skiing Brevent-Flegere on your together days. Plenty of side piste for him, and sunny and south facing for you.
Pam W is a general oracle and voice of sense but in this case, the situation 13 years ago is rather different from today. Queuing isn't usually an issue and you can buy lift passes online.
I would admit that we have a car and don't use the buses, but bus queuing is not unknown elsewhere... E.g. Portes du soleil.
CHX also offers a generally better selection of restaurants than many resorts.
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