J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Sounds to me upon reflection you might quite like the place:
Wife and kids were happy
Nice bar with fireplace
Step in bathtub - in Western Europe someone would call that a jacuzzi bath
Looks like great weather and ample snow

Busy slopes are typically a function of the week you choose and am sure the poor quality of skiing was largely down to the number of Brits in resort. At least there is hope, definitely some of the best ski instructors around.

verbier_ski_bum wrote: I would say particularly this season Zermatt will be a better option.

Because if there is no snow, drinking champagne with Alpine scenery is not a bad option.

Looking at friends photos today seems Chamonix is similar. Onpiste looks great but for off-piste to be good it needs something like 1m to bury the rocks.

Why not just base in Chamonix and travel given you have a car? St Gervais, Les Contamines, Courmayeur all within 30min drive and given you tour there is more than 1 lifetimes work of skiing options. If you really want to move base then the logical choice would be to pick somewhere in Aosta e.g. Pila, Cervinia or back towards Geneva e.g. Flaine, PDS etc.

Don't be too quick to judge against resorts delaying the opening or closing blue runs during periods of heavy snow. The risk assessment they conduct does not really focus on the risk of a slide triggering on the slope itself rather on terrain above the piste and lift pylons.

You are looking for a quick ski trip or looking to spend remainder of reason skiing?

Tedi wrote:I know your problem with wearing contacts or glasses underneath the goggles. Contacts always make trouble from sweat running in the eyes and normal glasses barely fit in there. What works for me is a combination of pretty small prescription glasses and pretty big goggles. You might want to check out the ones Scott Hustle Series [link removed], they are at least big enough for my purposes and not too expensive :)

I have some generic prescription inserts which lock in place behind ski goggle lens which work well for me. Can just walk into opticians in resort they should stock them.

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.