European Adventure Awaits - Where to go for a month?

Hello J2Ski Community,
As a new member, I just want to say that this site is a great resource and I have just spent a few hours reading post after post. However, I haven't really come across a post that describes my situation. Here is the deal:
I've been saving my cash for almost two years, not really knowing what to do with it, but I recently decided to ski some of Europe.
Bought the airline ticket to Paris and a four country Eurail pass to help me get around and I leave January 13th.
Once I arrive at CDG, my options are completely open, as I have not booked a single room anywhere. Is this a folly? Should I try and book something or should I just wing it?
Of course my budget is not unlimited, think ski bum with two years worth of saving and not Junior with his daddy's credit card.
My only consideration at the moment is to ski France for a couple weeks and then leave before the French holidays begin, probably heading to Austria.
As far as my abilities, I lived and worked at Big Sky in Montana for a couple of winters, but I don't really know how being able to snowboard all (well most, as there are some pretty hairy places there) of that mountain compares to Europe.
If you have ever been to Big Sky, you know that nightlife is not a main consideration!
Where would you go with a month/five weeks or so of skiing and some cash?
Any Americans here? What site did you buy your health insurance?
Should I splurge on a week at Val Thorens as some have suggested I do and then perhaps go "cheaper"? Chamonix is not calling me for some reason, but St. Foy is.
Options, options, options.
Thanks,
Jim

Hi Jim, welcome to J2Ski.

So, Europe's your Oyster then? Where to start?

BigSkyJim wrote:I leave January 13th.
Once I arrive at CDG, my options are completely open, as I have not booked a single room anywhere. Is this a folly?

Not folly, no. Mid-January is one of the quietest times on European slopes and you shouldn't have any problem finding accommodation just about anywhere.

BigSkyJim wrote:My only consideration at the moment is to ski France for a couple weeks and then leave before the French holidays begin, probably heading to Austria.

Sounds like a great plan.

BigSkyJim wrote:Should I splurge on a week at Val Thorens

I think there are better places to use your time in France - VT is high and has some great skiing but it's had an "Alpine Charm" bypass and there are more memorable places to go TBH.

As you're traveling by train, head for Bourg St Maurice from where you can easily reach Tignes, Val d'Isere, Les Arcs, Ste.Foy and others. Of those, the first three all have big (and varied) ski areas whilst Ste.Foy has a much smaller pisted (and patrolled) area but fabulous off-piste possibilities.

(usual caveat - in Europe, beware that just about everything off the marked runs is NOT patrolled and NOT made avalanche safe, so take local advice and hire a guide if you want to ride away from marked trails)

For elsewhere in France I think you should consider at least a couple of days in Chamonix; the mountains don't come any bigger and you'll quite likely meet other Americans as the place is a bit of a Mecca for travelers from all over.

If you're confident of your abilities away from the pistes, take a look at La Grave for a legendary and pretty much unique place to ski - but don't even think of doing that without a guide.

For Austria head for St.Anton for as long as your budget can stand it (which may not be long - it's not cheap). Consider Zermatt along the way, if only to ski in the shadow of the Matterhorn.

As luck would have it I've just been sent a Press Release for a ski-oriented rail map of Europe... back soon... 8)

Your regular health insurance should cover you in Europe, but I think they'll consider it "out of network". Obviously check with them first. Home owners insurance may even give some third party liability, if you have it.

Make sure you pay Les Arcs a visit. Let me know when you are coming and we can try to meet up.

Oh how lucky are you! I would definitely put VT on my list of places to stay if only for a few days to experience the fabulous nightlife there and skiing in the largest linked ski area of the world - the Three Valleys. I would also not miss out on Chamonix - the place is legendary, the views stunning and the varied terrain and nightlife is "absolutely to die for" as one of your compatriots described it to me when I was there last! Enjoy Europe and the skiing whatever happens!!

Thanks for all the info so far. I've thought of a few other questions:
Has anybody used a guide service recently? How hard is it to join a group? One website I found quotes a price of about 80 Euro per person in La Grave including lift ticket.
How about heading to Serre Chevalier or Alp d'Huez? Is it worth saving a few Euro in the southern part of the Alps? The way I look at it, any of these resorts is going to be much bigger than anything I am used to.
Is it hard finding a room if you choose to stay less than a week?
I'm a little anxious, but also pretty excited to go.

HI Jim and welcome to j2ski :wink:

Like other have said you should pay a visit to chamonix, if only for a few days im sure it will be 1 of the more memorable visits of your trip.

If i was in your position id at least try and get something booked for the first week and then you can decide where to go from there and book any accomodation from a local internet place in your chosen resort. If your on a budget you might find it hard to book single rooms without incuring any supplement charges. If every room your booking is incuring a supplement charge this will eat into your balance pretty quickly.

Id also look into as many last min catered chalet deals as you can, this could help you decide where to go and stay, if your already in the area and dont require a flight you should pick up some very good deals, and you will also meet new people who you might be able to ski/board with.

If you decide to visit val thorens there will be 12 of us there from the 29th jan for 1 week. Your welcome to meet up with us.

Do let us know how your getting on as id like to hear more about your trip.

all the best and stay safe. :-)

The Skiers Lodge in La Grave can offer accommodation and organise guiding. You could try emailing them.

http://www.skierslodge.com/

La Grave is very different, there are no pistes, and no-one is in charge of making the mountain safe for you AIUI. You must adapt to the mountain.