Chamonix snow report

Can certainly give you some good options, do you intend to bring touring gear with you?

But in answer to your question about VB the answer is probably yes. Why because even assuming you feel comfortable on glaciated terrain, if you follow the tourist track you will probably find it boring. The interesting options require more route finding skills. There is a decent picture on the variety of options from one of my posts in feb last year.

Will not have my touring gear. All my friends are alpine skiers. Will try and look for you february post.

G

If you look for post "Why never to ski Chamonix", you will see both a nice picture of the top of the Midi lift and later on a view of the VB options from Italian side. "Just a little smug' will show you the benefits of a touring setup, which you might want to consider for a few days.

Guide is really going to have to be your call; can recommend a few very good options. My view is that they really increase your options in Chamonix valley. Near piste gets tracked quickly, offpiste can quickly get remote, lot of it is glaciated and avalanche risk just like elsewhere. If weather was in your favor then the tick box would look something like:

Grand Montets off top bin (lift)
French VB Blanche option (lift).
Lift accessed steeps at Brevant and Le Tour e.g. hotel face, Benin, Posettes (lift)
Italian VB option (lift)
Aguille Rouge Tour

Remember your avalanche stuff and you will need glacier gear also (all can easily be rented off guide and or in town for reasonable rate). Will be in town same dates so perhaps we can see if plans are compatible closer to date.

The a look at Chamonix topo to get the ski tour vibes going.
http://www.chamonixtopo.com/skiing/

Ranchero, great intel definitely having a guide for a day or two would be a great investment. Something to tell the grandkids one day. Just hope for some more snow now and before we go. The topo map showing the other routes was also intriguing.
Thanks
Gary

Hey all!

Brand new to the boards. Have been reading through some threads and posts recently to get an idea of how things are looking in different ski areas.

I'll be in Chamonix with my brother (both snowboarders) for the first time from January 21, 2017 to January 28, 2017 with the "6 day unlimited Mont Blanc" pass.

I would love any and all recommendations when it comes to (i) where to ski and what absolutely not to miss, (ii) where to eat, and (iii) where to go out.

Ski-wise we're both advanced, but we haven't yet ventured into the world of glacier and avalanche gear. Our favorite riding is near piste or off piste, but deep backcountry hasn't happened without a guide. Our last trip was to Japan (Niseko and nearby) where we found some really great deep snow near and off piste, and before that was Whistler Blackcomb in Canada.

Restaurant and bar-wise we like it laid back, pub food and relatively inexpensive beer. Nothing too fancy.

Really looking forward to the trip, so any advice would be hugely appreciated! Here's hoping they get some snow in the next few days/weeks.

Cheers,

Well here is my Chamonix advice:

1) Transport: It has probably the best transport links of any ski resort in the world; free bus and train. Like the rest of the world these run on a defined schedule both to and from the ski areas. Figure out your nearest stop and print yourself out the winter schedule. Personally I ski early / return and has been several years since I had to stand

2) Decision Making: I would have a master plan of a day in each resort and vary based on weather and snow conditions. Ski the weather especially when it snows or if there is fresh snow, work with the freezing level. If there is fresh make sure you both have avalanche gear (easily rented in resort) Chamonix near piste sucks you into something more adventurous. Only time I have ever triggered was 50m from piste in Chamonix.
-less 1300m I would always consider Les Houches: You will be alone in the pow
-Less 1500m Flegere or Le Tour: Good skiing off the Floria and trees in Le Tour are good (not sure how easy on a board)
-Greater 1500m Grand Montets: Everyone heads to Grand Montets for the powder as Lavanche Bowl and Top Bin can both be amazing. Still it will get tracked fast which can result in you perhaps pushing the slopes you want to be on in search of tracks

3) Best Runs: If I had to name my favorite pistes it would be the red off the Posettes lift in Le Tour, red or black off the off the Floria lift in Felgere and the Cole de Voza in Les Houches, if you get on them corduroy is afterburn carve heaven. If you are getting a guide then too many options, this is what Chamonix is really about so well worth money.
-If you can board well do a Valle Blanche, is a bit flat at the bottom i.e. boarders need poles (likely need a guide)
-Do a day in Courmayeur is covered on your pass, more sun, powder lasts for longer
-Do a top bin at Grand Montets (go early or make a reservation)

4) Where to eat on slope: Personally I rarely eat on the slopes in Chamonix, is predominantly a bit naff and expensive. For big days I just make a sandwich, however there are some gems:
-Brevant / Flegere: No Recommendations (go home)
-Les Houches: Les Vieilles Luges (need to book), great bakery at bottom of Prarion
-Le Tour / Vallorcine: Eat at the train station, get there before 12:00 or you need to book, also restaurants in Les Tour car park are good and reasonable
-Grand Montets: Eat at the bottom Marmottons (good for morning coffee) or Cremerie (book)

5) Where to eat in town: Plenty of places for all budgets but I would consider below as decent value, if you want something fancy then just walk down Rue de Moulins.
-Moo
-Casa Valerio
-Le Bartavel
-Neapolis
-La Bocclaltte
-Poco Loco
There is always Belouga / Midnight Express and the kebab shop for after beer

6) Chambre Neuf is the only real apres ski bar but I guess Monkey is also a gathering point. For casual beers consider Vagarbond and Le Verte one evening.

Ranchero
Again thanks for all of your great advice that we be helpful for our first trip to Chamonix.
Gary

Hi Gary

There is a group on Facebook - BASI community hub, they are very good for a place to go for recommendations. I'm sure you'd have no problem finding a guide from that group. ⛷