J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by verbier_ski_bum

Guys, who needs Val Torens if Chamonix is open till May 8, offers great skiing and just on the Geneva doorsteps?:) It's the best bet for short -term visitors at any time of the year. We don't even know about VT here:)

weetimmy wrote:I've got a couple of days free to ski after a conference in Geneva. I'm an advanced skier but have never skied outside of N. America. I know it will be late season, so wondering which resorts will be best that time of year. I have to leave from Geneva, so don't want to go more than 1-2 hours away.

Thanks,
Tim

one word: Chamonix. I can't believe people mention 3V but not Cham:). It's just over one hour on a bus and it's high enough. The morning bus leaves from town centre after 8 am. and you will be there 9.30. If you leave Friday evening to stay the night I think the last bus is just after 8pm. I don't remember the website, but google "Gare Routier Geneva", go to website and choose 'Stations Alpines' to get the full bus schedule and details. Bus tickets can be bought at the bus station, you buy return, but ask how you reserve the seat on the return bus. The bus drops you in Chamonix centre and from there you take one of the local buses and go straight to Argentier which will be your best bet as it (a) North-facing and (b) the highest area (there are a few places where you can ski in and around Chamonix). Local buses are free and run on schedule, resort website is www.chamonet.com for more more info. Day trips are doable (I live in Geneva and have done it) but you will need to talk nicely to guys in the shop at the bottom of the lifts so that you can leave your stuff there:) For accomodation better visit www.booking.com. It gets really quiet after Easter so hotels will be relatively cheap. I can recommend Alpina which is in the centre. There is Brevent skiing are right next to it, but it's not as good as Argentier at this time of the year. Do not go to Zermatt, or 3V or elsewhere as they are miles away - don't waste your ski time in buses and trains. Do not go to Flaine or PDS or La Clusaz - they are not high enough for this time of the year. Top of Grands Montets in Argentier is above 3000 m and will provide good skiing. And who knows, we might yet get a good cold snap here, happened before. But even if not the base is over 3m now so spring skiing should be good.

When I bought skis online and they were shipped by post bindings were wrapped in cardboard that was fixed with duct tape. Seemed to work.

I have to split my skis otherwise they won't fit. But it's true that sometimes you just want to be in your 'own bubble'. I understand during busy times with lift lines etc. people can get into the bubble when it's already occupied using single lines. But I find it really annoying when 3 of us are sitting in a gondola on a quiet day with no more than 5 people behind us in a queue and someone gets into gondloa you are sitting in using a 'single line'. I mean why not give people some privacy and enjoy some too when it's affordable? It won't be longer than 1 min wait to get a goldola without anyone in it.

I would say roofbox rather than a rack unless you like your skis being covered in birds poo:) It's a long drive too... We only drove from Geneva to Zermatt...

Skiing-wise as a complete beginner you can go anywhere because pretty much all resorts will have nursery slopes and couple easy runs where you can practice what you've learned. It's mostly for intermediates that the choice can become tricky as at that stage variety becomes more important than simple repetition. So define the budget first and go from there. As for nightlife maybe avoiding smaller resorts that cater mainly for famiies with kids will be a good idea. Buy all your ski clothes in advance - they are more expensive in resorts and sales there don't start until March (after half-term break is over) whereas elsewhere stuff goes on sale after Christmas. I wouldn't count this expense as an add-on to your holiday price unless you only plan to ski once. I look at this as an investment so better buy something that you will like and that will last. For jackets/pants/gloves look at waterproof rating, you will falling and you want to stay dry. I would do what OldAndy says - get committment from your friends first, research resorts (snow-forecast.com is a good resource for that, read both reviews and descriptions), look at available offers - or look at offers first and then do a bit of investigation. It won't be the cheapest holidays you can have, but if you choose resort wisely it will be tons of fun. Just beware that some ski schools run group lessons in the morning, 9-12, so late night partying can get on the way of your learning:) So you might want to research ski schools too. Also, as a beginner don't get a ski pass as part of you package as you will be charged for regular lift tickets and tickets for beginner areas where you are likely to spend first couple of days are much cheaper.

I think it can be OK as long as there won't be any big groups that came together, in which case they will dominate and it might get annoying to put it mildly. I haven't got experience with chalet holidays and unlikely to get one, but overheard some converstaions from larger groups (usually they are loud so no avoiding it) and can imagine.

I can also recommend Hotel Alpina. Very close to Brevent lifts and off peak season not very expensive.