Latest posts for the topic "Freedom in the Alps"

Freedom in the Alps

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 05:00:54 GMT

I'm coming up on a very good deal in the next few weeks. Where ever I want to go in Europe and where ever I want to ski. I'll be leaving from London. What's the best way to go. I don't really know where to go, but I'd like to try something other then Austria. Are the French Alps good?

Re:Freedom in the Alps

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:20:24 GMT

what can I say :thumbup: except I am extremely jealous ...Austria is wonderful but the skiing in France is better and higher at this time of year ...I was in Val Thorens and the amount of runs in the 3 Valleys (600k)is unmatched

http://www.valthorens.com/winter-en/home-page.1.html
http://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/France/The_Three_Valleys.html

cheap flights to Geneva then train to Moutiers
http://www.altibus.com/

Freedom in the Alps

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:21:48 GMT

IceGhost wrote:I'm coming up on a very good deal in the next few weeks. Where ever I want to go in Europe and where ever I want to ski. I'll be leaving from London. What's the best way to go. I don't really know where to go, but I'd like to try something other then Austria. Are the French Alps good?

In the next few weeks many of the smaller resorts will close despite the snowfall being abundant. Look at large resorts, and check opening dates carefully!
If you pick the Tarentaise,... Val D'Isere, Tignes, Courchevel etc, you will find mega resorts with large ski domains.
If you choose the Mont Blanc region, Chamonix, Argentiere, the resorts are less linked up, but the mountains are a bit more "in yer face" )
Chamonix has really easy access from Geneva, only 1 hour and plenty of minibus operators.

Enjoy :D

Re:Freedom in the Alps

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:04:04 GMT

Chamonix I was thinking about skiing it. That's something I need to do with a guide and group, right? I heard it has crevasses. I'm assuming since it's a glacier that it will be relatively smooth sailing.

Re:Freedom in the Alps

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:09:57 GMT

The Chamonix valley has lots and lots of marked, patrolled slopes, as well as The Vallee Blanche, for which you will need a guide. for example. Argentiere has Grand Montets which has lift served skiing steep enough for most folks.
I have been to Chamonix lots of times, and have yet to ski the Vallee Blanche, it's weather and conditions dependant, and there is no point going up to the Aguille du Midi if the weather is poor, nothing to see!

Re:Freedom in the Alps

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:17:17 GMT

IceGhost wrote:Chamonix I was thinking about skiing it. That's something I need to do with a guide and group, right? I heard it has crevasses. I'm assuming since it's a glacier that it will be relatively smooth sailing.

Most of the route is straightforward with a guide. The start can cause a few refusers.....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronlayters/13237815/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronlayters/47980143/

2 things to consider. You will be wearing ski boots and carrying skis when you walk down this. There is normally a rope to hold onto each side in winter. :D

Re:Freedom in the Alps

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:30:46 GMT

my god, bandit have you skied that?

Re:Freedom in the Alps

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:08:21 GMT

amanda n wrote:my god, bandit have you skied that?

I have, several times. It's a straight forward enough route albeit in the high alpine environment. I've skied (and boarded) some more serious lines from there as well. The start is just a classic, standard traverse of an alpine ridge, pretty much bread and butter stuff for this sort of skiing or climbing but a bit spacey if you've not done it before.

Re:Freedom in the Alps

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:10:45 GMT

amanda n wrote:my god, bandit have you skied that?

No, I missed out several times because of the weather :( The last time I wanted to go, I booked and paid for a private guide, and the weather went :twisted: ...then as soon as the weather cleared the guide agency said they had no guide available :evil: Personally, I think I was gazumped!
Got the money back tho!
Most of the tourist route is spectacular, and safe, as long as you stay away from crevasses and do what you are told to by your guide. The guides normally rope up their clients for the walk on the arete.

Article here...

http://www.ifyouski.com/Resorts/Country/France/Chamonix/ValleeBlanche1/