 Poster: A snowHead
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Have just booked to head off to Argentiere/Chamonix next w/e.
Anyone got any idea what it'll be like this late in the year? From what I've read it should be o.k. but will the reality live up to the hype?? How good is the bus service looks like we'll need to use it everyday to get round all the slopes.
Any recommendations for best run/good restaurants and bars etc gratefully received!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi Homphomp,
The snow on Grands Montets should be excellent and should be OK on Brévent-Flégère if the sun hasn’t been too strong. Les houches get a lot of sun and may be suffering but worth checking out for a nice easy day.
We stay in Chamonix itself and if that’s where you are, then book to have dinner at
http://www.restaurant-atmosphere.com/
excellent food and right in the center.
Also have a night in the casino for a bit of fun and if you like Italian then a lovely Italian restaurant, in the Rue du Lyret, can’t remember the name but if you stand looking at the casino go right into Rue du Lyret and 100metre on the right hand side you’ll find it.
I haven’t used the bus service as always had a hire car but other have said it’s quite efficient as you need to get about the valley to access the ski areas.
We always take baguette, tomatoes, cheese, and beer up on the mountains as the restaurants aren’t up to much and DIY much better.
Love the place, you should have a great time.
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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 FIS downhill run they use for Chamonix is in Les houches, it is quite a nice tree lined run when taken at recreational skier speeds, but it may be suffering for snow towards the bottom.
The runs from the top of Grands Montets adjacent to the Argentiere glacier are worth doing for the views alone (Black and probably mogulled).
The ski bus is quite good, but one thing I read in an article some years ago is that you should pick one area to ski for the day, otherwise you will spend more time going up and down the valley on the bus than skiing. It s still true today.
One other thing to beware of, is losing your eyesight on the unprotected picks of ice axes that climbers have sticking out of their rucksacks on the bus.
You will be spoilt for choice for restaurants
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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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Cheers guys....four days and counting!!
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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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Good luck! I drove past Chamonix on Saturday and it was melting like mad. Not all the chairlifts seemed to be operating and there were white pistes heading down the mountain through grass - looked to me like they'd had the snow canons out just so you were able to get back to base. As always though, "best conditions found on top of the mountain". 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Was there last week in Feb and first week in Mar. The snow in Brevent-La Flegere was changing colour due to the baking sun. Grand Montets was holding up much better for being away from the direct sun. One can ski down to the bottom at late season but it is always icy. Situation may have have improved by later dumps since.
Haven't been to Les Houches this year but its bottom runs could disappear quickly. Les Houches is not covered by Chamski pass and need an out-of-valley regional ski pass(covering Megeve too) or do it on a day pass. The condition of its low section is fully visible if approaching from Chamonix.
If you are there on Saturday, try the roast chicken in the Chamonix market (operates in the car park). I haven't found any French chicken taste better than that. You can't miss it. It is the one with the longest queue in the Saturady market.
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To be honest I was expecting the lower runs to be completely closed and to have to ride the lift down. Snow forecast over the next few days so fingers crossed!
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Your right, I'd expect the runs to resort to be closed - its only 1000-1100m afterall.
You go to Cham to ski on the Grans Montets but Brevant/Flegere is also good and if there's been recent snow the La Tour area is very pleasant for a relaxing day/afternoon.
I think the bus is fine but as others have said I would not switch areas in a day unless I had my own car.
You'll have a great time
J
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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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Brevent/Flegere can be skied to the bottom via two very narrow black runs through the forest ; F1 & B10 which seldom seem to have enough snow.
At Argentiere Grands Montet's route to the bottom is by Run L10 only, a red run virtually a motorway for anybody wanting to ski down instead by godola. This run is sheltered from the sun.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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DonC
For some reason the Chamonix valley stop at Les Bossons and Les Houches operates pretty much as its own little world. It is a pity as one can ski in Italian Courmayeur on Chamski but not the stupid little Les Houches inside the Chamonix Valley.
There are nice places one can go to with the Chamski using the ski bus.
Brevent-Flegere combined is bigger than Grands Montet and has its own charm at the opposite side of the valley to Grands Montet. These two places (linked by a cable car) are not easy to get at. The Le Tour-Vallorcine is a lower and smaller resort but can offer a good day skiing in its own right, especially for those seeking off piste.
I ran a mobile home there for 7 years and know the place well. Sadly the camp site will finish its last season this year.
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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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DonC, welcome to snowHeads 
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