An Alaskan in Europe, what to do?

**Camel Toad** · 10-08-2006, 11:13 PM

Okay Euros you are being invaded.

Here is the skinny. I am flying into Geneva on the 23rd or so, with a place to crash, wheels, and a flat in Chamonix. Was going to bike for a bit with Kellie in Italy, but work is most probably going to be keeping her on the slope (Kellie ditch it, lets go!). So the question I pose to you is, should I be prepared for turns, or just enjoy other events?

I have been glancing through some bike mags to research a purchase and am pretty damn excited by the riding opportunities that are present and may just leave the skis/board behind (besides I just got some turns on Friday - while it was whiteout snowing...Oh Kellie, go to Hatcher's you won't be dissapointed).

Any input on conditions etc. in that general region would be great, I will be there for a few weeks and have no itinerary as of yet, other than showing up and having a blast on halloween/celebrating another year of drunken existense.

**c_moose** · 10-09-2006, 01:36 AM

If you are into wake boarding there is a place that does this in Geneva. I have a feeling they are finishing up their season at the end of October, but I can find out for you if you are interested. You will probably need a full wet-suit at this time of the year.

There will be rock-climbing in Chamonix too. In Les Houches there is an indoor climbing wall.

Might seem a bit foolish, but you could join the gym in Cham. It's not expensive as it's heavily subsidised by the French government. It's about 250 euro for a full year and about 150 for 4 months and you will get to meet lots of serious skiers in there. A mate joined this year and he swears by it as a way to get to meet French people ... which may not normally be so easy for foreigners.

The biking is always good around there ... in Morzine there is a proper mountain bike track, but not sure if it's open at this time of the year.

November is seriously off-season for Chamonxi. Normally I would have sent you down to Goophy bar, but unfortunately it's closed. check out the Monkey bar in Cham Sud. You will meet lots of foreigners that live in Cham all year round down there.

**ak_powder_monkey** · 10-09-2006, 03:21 AM

drink like an alaskan

**Camel Toad** · 10-19-2006, 06:51 PM

Looking for places to rent a downhill bike in Cham. Perfectly happy to hike-a-bike. Is the fall weather still holding (I assume this means the glaciers are boiler, but the alpinism is good)

**iceman** · 10-19-2006, 08:59 PM

Crazy thought I know, but since you can ski and bike any time in AK, maybe you should try to take in some culture and get a little smarter while in the Eurozone.

Ha, who the fuck am I kidding?

**taz** · 10-19-2006, 09:10 PM

you can hire bikes for this place

http://www.verthotel.com/

**Camel Toad** · 10-20-2006, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by iceman

Crazy though I know, but since you can ski and bike any time in AK, maybe you should try to take in some culture and get a little smarter while in the Eurozone.

Ha, who the fuck am I kidding?

No worries, I will be getting edumacated on eeropeeon coultiare. But I do remote fieldwork all summer and haven't had much of a chance to ride this year, other than in the snow. That and I'm going to visit my regular mountaineering partner so may as well have some fun. Mostly though I'm just going to not work. Oh and eat great food and drink too much vino...

taz thanks for the info.