J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Mark Allison

Point de Nyon has changed hands recently. Food isn't as good, but you can't fault the location! So many great restaurants up the mountain there - you can't go wrong. Yeti black run hasn't been open yet this season - not sure why, must be avalanche risk.
Best restaurant in area is up Mont Chery, IMHO, Grand Ourse. Great views, two separate restaurants with different menus (one cheap, one posh) and lovely owners. So quiet up there - you can have Chery Nord to yourself for the afternoon. For a really tough black, try the Bouquetin off the side of Mont Chery. Makes the Yeti seem like a blue! Seriously, only do it if the snow is good, then pop back up the chair lift over the top of it and nip into the Grand Ourse as a reward. You'll deserve it. Going back out at Easter. Can't wait. Enjoy yourself and post a report. :D

Thanks guys - I'll keep a look out, though I've seen Z10s advertised which are only for conventional flat-top skis.
I got the skis for £140, so I reckon I can spend the same again on bindings and still have a great deal!
The waists are 88mm, so 90mm bindings are a must.

Hi there, just bought a new pair of Salomon X-wing Hurricanes on E-bay - came without bindings so I'm looking to fit a pair. Thing is, they have the Smartrak system so it looks to me that you need a specialised binding to fit them. Anyone out there got any suggestions of models which will do the job, please? Also, they are pretty wide at the waist, so I'm guessing that the brakes will need to be unusually wide. Bit of an impulse buy this - they get great write-ups and were pretty cheap for the quality of ski that they are. Ideally, I'll wait until the right binding comes up on e-bay, but I'm struggling to find any that profess to fit the x-wing series. I live miles away from any ski-shops, so am a bit reliant on t'Internet for gear. Any ideas, anyone? Thanks.

http://www.trinum.com/ibox/lesgets/Images/patinoire_MEGA.jpg

[Please don't embed huge pictures - link to them instead by using the [ url ] tag instead of [ img ] - tvm, Admin]

Hi Pete, Looking different in the Alps this morning! This is Les Gets village centre about half an hour ago. There's more to come this week too. It's early to say we are in for a bumper season and that there will still be snow in Feb, but it's a start. I think it's reasonable to start getting excited now!

Cheers,

Mark

Spot on Tony. February is nailed-on for snow virtually everywhere across the Alps. Plus, most of Les Gets is north facing and the ski slopes are over grass, so they are ski-able with minimal amounts of natural snow. Add to that the fact that they can keep half of the resort open just using the artificial stuff and it means that you can sleep soundly. A great time is guaranteed. Les Gets is lovely - we normally spend our Feb holiday there and have never been disappointed (off to Schladming this year). We'll be back in Les Gets in April and expect the snow to still be good.

The past few weeks in the Alps (well, in Europe generally) have been unusually mild just because of the south-westerly airstream. That's due to change soon, so normal service will be resumed. Normal service is snow by mid-December. Give it a week, then check the webcams. You'll feel much better!

Hi there,

The Morzine/Les Gets area is set to open - as last year - for the Christmas week (ie Sat 19th). However, Avoriaz is due to open the week before (12th) - the lift up to Avoriaz from Morzine opens then too. So you'll be fine. Avoriaz is usually the best bet for early sesson snow anyway. Mind you, last season. Morzine and Les gets opened a week early (granted, limited number of lifts) because the snow arrived early Dec.

Either way, no worries.

Slightly envious, have a good time. Any other questions - I know the area really well - just ask.

Cheers,

Mark

Hi Heavy,

Live near you, so can confirm that Newcastle (easyjet.com and Jet2.com) and Leeds (jet2.com) both have regular flights to Geneva. Teesside (bmi) only does Saturdays. The winter timetable has been released, so move fast for the best prices. Half term is already extortionate (13th-20th Feb). The week before and week after are still reasonable.

There's lots of ways of getting from GVA to the Portes du Soleil resorts - there are many transfer bus companies (geneva2morzine.com altibus.com etc). Just check out the resort websites - www.morzine.com or www.lesgets.com. If there's a bunch of you, hire a car or people carrier from GVA - works out cheaper, in my experience and it's handy to have a car in resort.

If you are beginner or even itermediates, I wouldn't bother with Avoriaz and the larger Portes du Soleil lift pass. It adds massively to the cost (lift pass extension is another £45 a head and stuff is v expensive there), is a lot further and can be a pain to get to unless you are actually staying there (which would add 45 mins to your transfer time). Also, it's ugly. If you have some thrill seekers in your party, they will no doubt want to get the lift pass which allows you to ski there also - most of the steeps and powder is over there, though there is good tougher skiing in Les Gets (Mont Chery - if you mountain bike, you'll know it).

Now it's a while since I've had a stag-type event, but I think either Morzine or Les Gets would fit the bill. Morzine is a very big town for a ski resort, Les Gets more compact. Both have lots of bars which are great - I've just come back from there and prices weren't too bad. Just make sure that your accommodation is near Town Centre, as both places sprawl a lot and you could end up with a long walk or taxi ride after a session (I've got a place in Les Gets, but I think it's a bit far out of town for your purposes). Again, websites for both resorts have on-line reservation services which tell you where apartments/hotels are.

Give me a shout if there's any other stuff you need to know, but get your flights booked now - they will not get any cheaper!

Cheers,

Mark

Morzine is a big town with lots going on. You've got two ski options - Les Gets /Morzine ski area, which is accessed from one side of town and which is lovely -great for mixed groups of skiers and families. There is a pass which just covers this area - costs about £130 for the week for adults (under £100 for under 15s). Your other option is to get a pass which allows you to also use the other side of town which goes up to Avoriaz - a purpose built high mountain resort, busier but snow sure til May. This pass also lets you use the Les Gets/Morzine area and you can ski for miles into other linked French and Swiss resorts - Portes du Soleil. Nearer £170 for the week.

Beers vary, but medium beer was around 3.50 at half term. 6 Euros for a Serieux - big beer! Much cheaper than some other French resorts.

Food is no worries - plenty of sausage and chips, steak and chips, spag bol, pizza. They are used to fussy Brits!

We prefer Les Gets when skiing this area, nicer, smaller village, easier access to skiing, shorter travel time, better snow, but Morzine is great. You'll have a great time. Cheers.