J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by LOTA

I was checked in too, seats allocated etc. Unusual for Swiss but I reckon there were insufficient passengers at 06.45 to make it worth their while.

As had become my pre-covid routine, I booked a four-night trip to Saas-Fee for their last week of the season. Having skied in bitterly cold January and slushy mild March, I was not expecting much, to be honest, in terms of snow conditions. But I was pleasantly surprised and conditions were much better than at Nendaz/Verbier in the middle of March. Against a backdrop of reported horror stories of ski bags not making it onto flights at Terminal 5, I switched to an early Swiss flight from Terminal 2. Ironically, on the evening before travel, my flight was cancelled and rebooked onto a flight departing two hours later. This scuppered plans for skiing in the afternoon but otherwise was ok. Baggage reclaim at Geneva was far less hassle than in March and straight on to the train and to Saas-Fee via the connecting bus from Visp. I stayed at the Hotel Christiania in the main street - traditional, friendly and comfortable and decent value at just under 100CHF a night. Also fortunate to have the Magic Pass 2022/23 spring supplement which meant I could ski all week for just 99CHF - an exceptional saving on the normal lift pass prices. Inevitably, the resort was beginning to wind down for the end of season but there were plenty of bars and restaurants still doing good business. The Spieldboden ski area was closing but the rest of the mountain was open and uncrowded. The snow was typically spring-like, hard first thing, softening through the day, slushy later. But above 2,300m and up on the glacier conditions were excellent. Had an outstanding lesson with Ski Zenit's ski school director - perhaps the best instruction I've had in 50 years of skiing. The return trip was painless. Ski until 2.15pm, quick change and back on the 3.22pm post bus and the train straight into the airport with no dramas! Unlike March, the security/passports etc were busy but the lounges were open this time so took full advantage of the refreshments and food in the Swiss business lounge (felt they owed me a little bit for the cancellation!). Back in the UK at 9.30pm to conclude a most satisfactory 21/22 ski season!

So that's a show in Birmingham and one in London. It's just like the 1980s!

Bought mine already and for an additional 99CHF, I get the last week of this season in Saas-Fee. A real bonus! Next season we're planning a month-long Magicpass railtrip, staying at resorts accessible from the Geneva-Visp railway line.

And the bonus pass arrived today!

Eight or so years ago, I was fortunate to win a competition on J2Ski for a short stay at the brand-new Nendaz 4 Vallees Hotel. It was utterly superb and we vowed to return one day. Last week, we did! Early flight with Swiss from Terminal 2 on Sunday morning (slow baggage at Geneva meant we missed our intended train) but on the next to Sion where we changed to the post-bus. In resort just after 1pm and on the slopes 30 minutes later. It was warm and the snow low down for most of the week was slushy to say the least. Inevitably, south facing slopes were especially affected and the link from Tracouet to the rest of the Four Vallees at Prarion was a nightmare of a blood-wagon special with knee-deep moguls of pure, wet porridge! It was better to access the Verbier and other sectors by taking a bus to Siviez - less convenient but much safer and more pleasant. Higher up the snow was holding up pretty well but the lack of recent snow meant the itineraries were festivals (not in a good way!) of waist-high moguls. The Neige Adventure ski school provided solid private lessons for Mrs LOTA while I roamed the circuit. We did have snow on the Tuesday but it could hardly be counted as 'powder' - more like thick, brown, Sahara cement! The hotel was as magnificent as we remembered and we took full advantage of the superb spa. On Friday, we skied until 2.30, changed in the spa and were on the bus/train back to Geneva at 3.40pm. The only sour note was Geneva airport, which really is falling behind. Crowded, over-priced and very few options airside for a drink and food. And the lounges were shut as well! Heathrow was a breeze in comparison!

It wasn't too much of a bother, to be honest, in January and quite reassuring when every hotel, bar, restaurant etc required vaccination proof and photo id before entry. Still pleased to read about this relaxation as it might speed up the passport process at Geneva!

Me too, two trips booked already with a third in the pipeline.

Old tech...the Falklands-era carriers of the Royal Navy had 'ski-jumps' fitted to ease Harrier take-offs!