 Poster: A snowHead
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Thinking of heading out for long weekend from 13 to 16th February to somewhere in France - ideally within a couple of hours from Geneva or Lyon. Done a long weekend before in Chamonix but have read reviews that it is particularly bad. Wife is a teacher so unfortunately this is the only available time if we are to head away
Does anyone have any experience of what lift queues are like at this time of year and which resorts are more likely to be quieter. Will only have a couple of days slope time so I don't mind if its a small resort. Skied earlier this year in Mount Jura for a day and found it fine so could do something similar. Been to tignes over the new year a few years ago and didn't find any real problems with queues. Have checked some places for accommodation and can get a room
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@10196986, in my experience small resorts are no less busy and sometimes have less efficient lift systems. I have an apartment in a small resort but you won,t catch me there at half term...
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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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Or the other french school holiday weeks. British half term makes no appreciable difference as there are very few brits there.
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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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@10196986, chamonix not particularly bad at all. Lift system had a fair few improvements in recent years. Mind you, there are still a few places to avoid... (E.g. Grands Montets cable car at any time of year).
But why France? Italy much less susceptible to half term crowds e.g. Champoluc.
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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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What about Madonna Di Campiglio.Quite a big town but quiet at night,a few good bars and restaurants and a fantastic ski area linked to several other resorts.We were there last year and its one of our all time favourites.Big advantage is that it is a big Russian package tour resort and with the russian economy struggling there may be some good deals on offer.had a quick look this morning and for example the hotel spinale are doing a double room for £98 a night down from over £250 on Trivago.Lots of availability which is unusual for half term.
Or do your research and pick somewhere (not the super glitzy)where the russians usually go as hoteliers will be panicking.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Courmayeur (Italy) would be a good place to go if you only have a few days. Turin is the best airport to use but if you were to use Geneva it is just the other side of the Mont Blanc tunnel.
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@10196986, you will struggle to get a accommodation for a prt week on those dates.
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Cheers for the advice - much appreciated. Will have a look at those places in Italy as it could be a runner. Appreciate that accommodation for less than a week is difficult. Still weighing it up if it's worth the hassle to grab a few days away
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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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We went to Valmeinier last Feb half term and we thought it seemed relatively quiet. Certainly can't remember queueing for a lift any more than 5 mins. Although I understand that there were only a few of the French departments on holiday, so it may be worse this season.
Snowcoach have a hotel in Valmeinier and offer relatively flexible accommodation dates so they may be worth a try. The hotel is by no means luxury, but we were comfortable.
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@10196986, it's not a part week, it's parts of two weeks. Even worse. You won't find anything habitable in any decent resort in France.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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My first time skiing was last January in Zakopane and the queues were terrible everywhere.We then went to Chamonix in March during half term and reading this forum beforehand i kept seeing reports about how horrifically busy it would be.We get there and don't have to queue once except for the lift going to the very top of Grand Montets.We thought it was fantastic that it didn't seem busy at all.When i returned home i was reading reports on here from people who were in Chamonix at the same time as us saying how busy it was.
So i think people on here like to exaggerate.
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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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@under a new name, last Feb half term we went for part of the week. Granted we didn't straddle two weeks but it is possible to find shorter breaks. Snowcoach and Skiweekends both offer them, they offer flexibility with arrangements too.
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@FullyTucked, a lot depends on weather. When everything, and all links, are open, it's better than when cover is limited. I have spent more than an hour trying to get up the mountain in Le Tour - in mid January.
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You know it makes sense.
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| FullyTucked wrote: |
My first time skiing was last January in Zakopane and the queues were terrible everywhere.We then went to Chamonix in March during half term and reading this forum beforehand i kept seeing reports about how horrifically busy it would be.We get there and don't have to queue once except for the lift going to the very top of Grand Montets.We thought it was fantastic that it didn't seem busy at all.When i returned home i was reading reports on here from people who were in Chamonix at the same time as us saying how busy it was.
So i think people on here like to exaggerate. |
This> Last season the Portes Du Soleil really was not that bad during half term.
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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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Can I suggest you look at resort in Ssitzerland called Ovronnaz? youve probably not heard of it as its relatively unknown to the British skier. The beauty of that is that even during half term the resort is always quiet and often locals will only ski on weekends when not in work. It's only a small resort with 30kms of runs and 8 lifts but has some spectacular views and pistes. There is ample accommodation in resort to suit all budgets and tastes, not to mention some lovely bars and restaurants and a outdoor thermal pools complex! it's a great spot to escape the crowds and your standard cattle herded British package skiers. check out www.ovronnaz.com. I'll be there for 9 weeks starting end of Jan, if u come drop me a message and we'll go 4.a ski!
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Poster: A snowHead
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| under a new name wrote: |
@10196986, chamonix not particularly bad at all. Lift system had a fair few improvements in recent years. Mind you, there are still a few places to avoid... (E.g. Grands Montets cable car at any time of year).
But why France? Italy much less susceptible to half term crowds e.g. Champoluc. |
Cham "not bad at all"? It isn't bad; it is dire. Bad call.
Good call with Champoluc though.
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