Geneva - Moutiers - Val Thorens

10 Sleeps!!!!!

In 10 sleeps time I will be off to Val Thorens :)

We always drive from airports to ski resorts but the last time I was in VT we actually did it on a TO bus. The bus took 4 hours to do the journey :cry:

2 Questions:-

1. How long is the drive - assuming no bad weather & leaving GVA about midday on a Saturday. Google maps seems to think it is just 2 hours :shock:

2. Is there a supermarket in Moutiers on the way?

Ive only ever done it in a TO bus

BUT

Unless you know the road the twisty turny bits out of Moutiers are going to be cautious going no matter what you're in

I'd reckon its 2.5 to 3 depending on the weather

Moutiers deffo has supermarkets:

http://www.les-horaires.fr/73600/Moutiers/Alimentation/Supermarche/

There is a Carrefour in Moutiers, I have in the past gone via Annecy, Albertville from Geneva much nicer drive, can be done in 2.5hrs comfortably weather permitting

Your issue in mid Jan is going to be the weather.
If the roads are clear then the journey is straightforward and 3hours including a supermarket stop is a reasonable guess.
I prefer via Annecy/Ugine and Albertville, a slower but shorter road than autoroute via Chambery.

But ...
If it dumps when you are either due to arrive or depart you could have real probs.
On arrival - you will have a long slow journey.
On your departure you could find yourself having to gamble on just how long to leave to make your flight.

I like to self drive if I think I will use the car in resort, but wouldn't in January just because with a TO they have the knowledge on hand to know what the roads are likely to be like for the return trip.

Merryski wrote:There is a Carrefour in Moutiers, I have in the past gone via Annecy, Albertville from Geneva much nicer drive, can be done in 2.5hrs comfortably weather permitting

We always by pass Annecy, got stuck in traffic there for hours on one ocassion, "never again"

We drive for a number of reasons, one of them being pain in the ar*s of TO transport. My brother (who drives), spends almost all of the winter in the alps so is usedc to driving in challenging conditions (the only reason we invited him....)

Touch wood, never had a problem with travel in Jan :)

Based on another post from earlier this week - it sounds like teh TO cant even put chains on a bus :shock:

Hi Iceman,

I drive from Geneva to Bourg-St-Maurice fairly often which is roughly the same distance ( Moutiers to La Thorens and Moutiers to Bourg-St-Maurice are about the same ), I always go via Annecy for the scenic option, but if you are hesitant to do so due to the weather etc instead of turning off the A41 at the Annecy Sud exit ( Sortie 16 I think it is ) just stay on the motorway ( A41 ) and continue on to Chambery where you then take the A43 - A430 onto Moutiers ( past Albertville on the left ) , when nearing Moutiers just follow the white signs with black lettering for Val Thorens etc.

In good weather and traffic you should be able to do the Geneva to Val Thorens run in about 2hrs 45mins to approximately 3 hrs , if the weather and traffic are bad and it's the wrong time on a Saturday it could take several hours unfortunately, although the French have got keeping the roads open down to a good art, just make sure you have snow chains with you.

All the best and have an enjoyable safe trip.

Forgot to mention if you need direction from and back into Geneva French side car hire avoiding the Swiss " Vignette " motorway charge just let me know and I will post a reply with them, I have posted them on another thread a few minutes ago but happy to do so again.

jon.

Cheers guys, great advice as always :D

So looks like including a supermarket shop I should assuem 4 hours for the journey there and then leave 2 days early for the journey back ;)

Jon - I think I know the route you are referring to, is it the one via Percy through the douane (border control)? From memory it is otherwise only a handful of miles (or Km as you would say) that would actually be on the motorway in Switzerland?

We always have chains, hire the car from Geneva airport and always ensure we have all of the kit! Advantage we have at Geneva is that we dont have to join the bun fight for cars as my bro is going to Morzine a day earlier and will be ready and waiting at the doors with the car....

Cant see it working that smooth.... :roll:

Hi ,

Yes I think that's the way , if you don't take the A410 - Annemmasse lane at the next toll north of Annecy you get put onto a new ish road which has been cut through the mountain and straight back onto the Swiss motorway part which is expensive for just 3 miles of motorway.

Heading back the A410- Annemmasse way, as long as you see the silver factory with SAMU in red , and the Telipherique du Saleve, you are on the right road then just keep a look out for the exit marked A411.

It took a few journey's to get the right route, I keep meaning to find a small dash mountable video camera and record both the route out of Geneva and the route back into Geneva that way then post it on Youtube for people.

jon.