Latest posts for the topic "Why never to ski in Chamonix"

Why never to ski in Chamonix

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:25:17 GMT

At least a few times a year someone will post a message on why Chamonix should be avoided, so I thought I would make a consolidated topic on what exactly makes it rubbish.

1. Holidays are for relaxing, why go to a resort where you get so excited you find your self waking up far too early in order to secure fresh tracks.

2. When you get to the slopes snow will be so deep you have to drink expresso and eat croissants.

3. When lifts do open you will find out that no pisting has occurred.

4. On some days visibility will be so poor that you have to head for the trees.

5. Other days lifts will not even open, forcing you to walk.

6. We don't have enough terrain and occasionally you will need to share.

7. Snow gets tracked out.

8. Scenery is rubbish.

Definitely one to be avoided!

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 20:25:29 GMT

Looks amazing. I have wanted to do Cham for some time now. People keep telling me the problem is that the ski areas are disjointed and you need a car. Looks to me like you don't worry about ski areas ;-)

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 20:51:08 GMT

Aye. Rubbish. Reminds me of Soldeu.

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 10:27:11 GMT

Love Chamonix!

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 11:16:04 GMT

Fantastic Village, I might try it one year :)

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 15:45:29 GMT

Looks rubbish to me -)

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 16:12:43 GMT

I'll hold my hands up and admit it wasn't for us as a group because we had slow teens and were in Les Houches, so were out on a limb a bit.
Definitely best left to the real boys and I know you'd prefer it that way!

Great pics.

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Sat, 25 Apr 2015 07:22:05 GMT

I guess it is that time of year where we should reflect on the season. Again it is difficult not to conclude that it has been a rubbish season, yet again Chamonix failed to deliver.

The snow:-
The Northern Alps received early snow allowing for decent skiing from mid December onwards. Overall has been a good year for snow, with the amount of wind vs quantity being the major factor. Even now in late April great touring conditions up high and runs to bottom of Argentiere are open for those who don't like to bin down.

The scenery:-
Same as last year, pretty rubbish.

The skiing:-
Once everything stabilized the big terrain opened up an wow was it rubbish.

The touring:-
Skiing was so bad that some days you needed to rest your legs and look at the rubbish touring terrain opposite.

For those wanting an experience like no other remains a place to avoid.

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:22:09 GMT

haha, was drawn in by the title, about to defend one of my favourite resorts from this obvious idiot... ;-)

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Tue, 5 May 2015 05:05:41 GMT

Pretty funny, tongue in cheek BUT it is true that Chamonix has LIMITED terrain on bad weather days and the really wide open terrain for free-riders need very good conditions to rip it down things like 'choose your run' on Aiguille du Midi. It is the Mecca for free-riding given the complexities, the vertical, and sheer rad elements.

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 14:47:49 GMT

Decent days touring high up in Chamonix, mixed conditions as expected given the high freezing levels. For those of you wanting to do a VB topo shot posted so you can see the possibilities.

Most people walk down the Midi ridge, very ungracefully we skied it (first turns of day and bullet hard)

Rope on just in case, still a few big holes about on the glaciers

Long skin upto Italian side, great view of VB options.

Enjoying the North facing slopes of the Col de la Noir

Literally nobody else about

Variable but a few nice patches

Never too far from an objective hazard

Topped off with a skin back up the Glacier des Periades for a steep run down to VB

Long day but everyone needs and excuse to be in bed by 9pm now and again.

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 15:03:47 GMT

Looks like a beautiful day in the mountains Ranchero.
After a good day here in Soldeu, couple of apres beers and a nice dinner, 9pm is a late night for me these days!

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 15:25:36 GMT

Yep, grand day out that Ranchero - thanks for posting... although I'm now somewhat distracted!

Re:Why never to ski in Chamonix

Sat, 13 Feb 2016 15:23:50 GMT

NW Alps = First to receive the snow and wow is there a lot now. Those smiles are genuine, plenty of terrain available in the valley for even the biggest snow days. Epic day in the trees!