Discussion
Afternoon all , likely heading to Chamonix for short 4/5 night break over half term .
Couple Qs
We are all mid/lower intermediate (daughter 17 been 3 times) - is it ok skiing there ? I’ve heard not great for beginners .
Likely going to drive as get ‘free’ fuel etc . Drive looks to be around 550 miles which isn’t too bad . Do you have to go through any part of Switzerland ?
Finally anything else for anyone who has been appreciated .
TVM
Couple Qs
We are all mid/lower intermediate (daughter 17 been 3 times) - is it ok skiing there ? I’ve heard not great for beginners .
Likely going to drive as get ‘free’ fuel etc . Drive looks to be around 550 miles which isn’t too bad . Do you have to go through any part of Switzerland ?
Finally anything else for anyone who has been appreciated .
TVM
It's great to get to via mont blanc tunnel, 1hr from Geneva....there are probably better resorts for intermediate skiers...old skool resort with some great off piste at grand montets and valley blanche but that's not what you need...have a look at 3 valleys, courcheval etc as it's so much easier for a relaxing ski in/ out time...
You don't go through Switzerland, just skirt around Geneva on the French side.
The good thing about Chamonix is there are several different ski areas in the valley and you can pick and choose. As you have a car, travelling to each is no issue. Les Houches is a good Intermediate place but if you look at the piste maps for each area you'll soon get a feel. Other options to consider for a day are driving through the tunnel to Courmayer in Italy or down and around to Megeve.
The good thing about Chamonix is there are several different ski areas in the valley and you can pick and choose. As you have a car, travelling to each is no issue. Les Houches is a good Intermediate place but if you look at the piste maps for each area you'll soon get a feel. Other options to consider for a day are driving through the tunnel to Courmayer in Italy or down and around to Megeve.
CQ8 said:
You don't go through Switzerland, just skirt around Geneva on the French side.
The good thing about Chamonix is there are several different ski areas in the valley and you can pick and choose. As you have a car, travelling to each is no issue. Les Houches is a good Intermediate place but if you look at the piste maps for each area you'll soon get a feel. Other options to consider for a day are driving through the tunnel to Courmayer in Italy or down and around to Megeve.
Would agree with Les Houches, we went a couple of years back and it’s good for beginners up to intermediates. Not huge, but enough to keep you occupied for a couple of days. Free buses between resorts along the valley road to get to the other resorts, but they do get busy particularly at the end of the day.The good thing about Chamonix is there are several different ski areas in the valley and you can pick and choose. As you have a car, travelling to each is no issue. Les Houches is a good Intermediate place but if you look at the piste maps for each area you'll soon get a feel. Other options to consider for a day are driving through the tunnel to Courmayer in Italy or down and around to Megeve.
rallye101 said:
It's great to get to via mont blanc tunnel, 1hr from Geneva....there are probably better resorts for intermediate skiers...old skool resort with some great off piste at grand montets and valley blanche but that's not what you need...have a look at 3 valleys, courcheval etc as it's so much easier for a relaxing ski in/ out time...
You must be thinking of somewhere else as the MB tunnel links France and Italy. I would say definitely look elsewhere for beginners. Chamonix is a PITA to be honest. Unless you like lots of walking up hills in ski boots whilst carrying your skis.
It’s all about off piste and apre ski.
I know Chamonix very well and was there last week.
It's definitely not a beginner resort and what might be considered the 'intermediate' area Brevent/Flegère is south facing and snow gets quite sun affected. ie morning icy/afternoon slushy. It's quite steep terrain and blues might be considered reds elsewhere. I normally do one day up there because the views of the Mont Blanc Massif are spectacular and it's the jumping off point for some classic tours.
There are several ski areas on the 'le pass' green ticket but Les Houches is not one of them. Le Tour is at the top of the valley and can be good for intermediates but it's low. It was closed last week due to a landslip but would expect it to be open for half term.
Grands Montets is where most of the fun is to be had but if you're not into off piste you'll be wondering what the fuss is about with only 3 or 4 lifts to play with.
If you don't have parking at your accommodation it's a PITA however the bus service is pretty good and will often drop you closer to the lifts than you'll be able to park. If it's dreadful in Cham, having a car gives you the option of Courmayeur so a trip through the 'Magic Tunnel' can be an expensive but good option. Food is better too in Italy. The option of Italy is a good reason to take a car. If you're super keen, you can get to Verbier on the train via Martigny and using the lift from Le Chable. A family trip up the Aiguille du Midi is expensive, needs booking and good weather but it is really stunning scenery. You wont' be skiing off there without the right equipment and a guide.
Best to stick to one area for a day as travel between will rob you of skiing time.
The big mountain restaurants are not great and expensive - €13 for a bowl of tepid vegetable soup anyone? We usually make a packed lunch and eat in a Salle Hors Sac or on a lift.
It's become a very 'chi chi' town and is a nice place to mooch about and après can be as low key or lively as you could want.
You'll drive past the motorway exits for the Portes du Soleil the Grand Massif, Le Grand Bornand and the resorts which make up the Evasion du Mont Blanc areas on the way to Cham. The first two are certainly better family skiing but likely to be very busy at half term
It's definitely not a beginner resort and what might be considered the 'intermediate' area Brevent/Flegère is south facing and snow gets quite sun affected. ie morning icy/afternoon slushy. It's quite steep terrain and blues might be considered reds elsewhere. I normally do one day up there because the views of the Mont Blanc Massif are spectacular and it's the jumping off point for some classic tours.
There are several ski areas on the 'le pass' green ticket but Les Houches is not one of them. Le Tour is at the top of the valley and can be good for intermediates but it's low. It was closed last week due to a landslip but would expect it to be open for half term.
Grands Montets is where most of the fun is to be had but if you're not into off piste you'll be wondering what the fuss is about with only 3 or 4 lifts to play with.
If you don't have parking at your accommodation it's a PITA however the bus service is pretty good and will often drop you closer to the lifts than you'll be able to park. If it's dreadful in Cham, having a car gives you the option of Courmayeur so a trip through the 'Magic Tunnel' can be an expensive but good option. Food is better too in Italy. The option of Italy is a good reason to take a car. If you're super keen, you can get to Verbier on the train via Martigny and using the lift from Le Chable. A family trip up the Aiguille du Midi is expensive, needs booking and good weather but it is really stunning scenery. You wont' be skiing off there without the right equipment and a guide.
Best to stick to one area for a day as travel between will rob you of skiing time.
The big mountain restaurants are not great and expensive - €13 for a bowl of tepid vegetable soup anyone? We usually make a packed lunch and eat in a Salle Hors Sac or on a lift.
It's become a very 'chi chi' town and is a nice place to mooch about and après can be as low key or lively as you could want.
You'll drive past the motorway exits for the Portes du Soleil the Grand Massif, Le Grand Bornand and the resorts which make up the Evasion du Mont Blanc areas on the way to Cham. The first two are certainly better family skiing but likely to be very busy at half term
Little resurrection and some help again if possible .
Need somewhere to stay close to Courchevel on the Friday evening 9th - ideally within 50-60 miles and along the main route from say Chambery, along A43/A430/N90.
Other requirement is we’ll not get there until midnight -2:00am .
Can’t see any motorway like chains or indeed anything !!
Any suggestion welcome
Thanks
Need somewhere to stay close to Courchevel on the Friday evening 9th - ideally within 50-60 miles and along the main route from say Chambery, along A43/A430/N90.
Other requirement is we’ll not get there until midnight -2:00am .
Can’t see any motorway like chains or indeed anything !!
Any suggestion welcome
Thanks
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