Latest posts for the topic "Skiing near Geneva April 14-15"

Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:15:56 GMT

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

Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:38:17 GMT

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

Youre going to struggle to find resorts open that late, or those that are with much skiing.
Best bet may be Zermatt but its more than 2 hours.

Re:Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:48:50 GMT

Val Thoren's open 'til April 27th with 25% off lift passes (in resort they were possibly suggesting they might make 7th May). BUT 3 Valleys is 2.5 - 3 hrs from Geneva though.

Re:Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:05:55 GMT

I think I am right in saying that Livigno offer free lift pases in April :thumbup:

Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:19:01 GMT

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.

Re:Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:23:19 GMT

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:)

Re:Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:29:13 GMT

Many thanks all, looks like Chamonix may be the best bet in terms of maximizing time on snow (and what other goal is there?). Verbier Ski Bum, thanks especially for all the detailed info. I'll be bringing my own boots, but don't want to drag my skis along. They're fairly serious GS skis anyway, probably not the best kit for spring skiing in Europe. Any suggestions on where to rent skis for Chamonix, and what might be a good pair to try?

Re:Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:29:31 GMT

Chamonix, fast access from GVA, high altitude skiing, big choice of accom, and it's open until May. Sorted :thumbup:

Re:Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:57:44 GMT

weetimmy wrote:Many thanks all, looks like Chamonix may be the best bet in terms of maximizing time on snow (and what other goal is there?). Verbier Ski Bum, thanks especially for all the detailed info. I'll be bringing my own boots, but don't want to drag my skis along. They're fairly serious GS skis anyway, probably not the best kit for spring skiing in Europe. Any suggestions on where to rent skis for Chamonix, and what might be a good pair to try?

No, sorry, I've never rented. I know there is a rental shop at the bottom of Grands Montets cable car. Check resort website, you may find more info, maybe even reserve a pair for your dates. As for skis to try, if it's spring snow you can probably do well with some fatter (85-100mm) rockered skis, there are tens and tens around, so ask in the shop.

Re:Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:09:48 GMT

I seem to recall that Sole Boot Lab, had a Whitedot Test Fleet in Chamonix this winter. If you fancy trying some out, get in touch with them.

http://www.chamonix.net/english/generic/6584

Otherwise, at least one of the big stores in the main street had some Navis on display in the window. Saw plenty on the hill in December.

Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:28:55 GMT

verbier_ski_bum wrote:
one word: Chamonix. I can't believe people mention 3V ... Do not go to Zermatt, or 3V or elsewhere as they are miles away.

Err Tony_H said it would be a struggle to find resorts open that late...I knew Val T was, so suggested it....and yes I said "BUT 2.5-3 hrs "

And why not mention it? VT pretty much all above 2000m+, 150 km of runs (80 pistes).

What about Chamonix? 1000m+, 108 km of runs(69 pistes).

Just give the facts as they are, add things to the pot - fine (Chamonix if you think its the bee's knees) and let people look & choose...Why shoot others down and argue that your opinion is the only one?

Skiing near Geneva April 14-15

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:33:01 GMT

smartski wrote:

verbier_ski_bum wrote:
one word: Chamonix. I can't believe people mention 3V ... Do not go to Zermatt, or 3V or elsewhere as they are miles away.

Err Tony_H said it would be a struggle to find resorts open that late...I knew Val T was, so suggested it....and yes I said "BUT 2.5-3 hrs "

And why not mention it? VT pretty much all above 2000m+, 150 km of runs (80 pistes).

What about Chamonix? 1000m+, 108 km of runs(69 pistes).

Just give the facts as they are, add things to the pot - fine (Chamonix if you think its the bee's knees) and let people look & choose...Why shoot others down and argue that your opinion is the only one?

I don't know what's the bee's knees, just know what is the closest place to Geneva for good skiing and this was the question, 3 hours away is definitely not close. But you can take a day trip to Chamonix and be back in Geneva before dinner time so the first one that comes to mind. In my experience resorts (unless they are really low) still open mid April so this is not the question of being open, particularly with this season snow. There is a choice for people willing to travel long but it narrows when you are short of time. The altitude of the town is not important as long as mountains are high enough to hold snow.