Euro maggots

[AH]

What resort would you guys recommend for a long-weekend hit'n'run from Geneva, considering maximum skiing time and minimum driving time?

Any other options then (the obvious) Chamonix? Small off the map resorts?

[Ripzalot]

yes, see my trip report below!

EDIT: some other ideas....

frenchside (approx 1-1.5 hours away) - flaine, portes du soleil (morzine, les gets, avoriaz)

swissside (approx 1.5-2 hours away) - leysin, villars, les diablerets, verbier, portes du soleil (champery, les crosets, morgins, chatel, torgon)

[AH]

I've been trying to find some of your TR's as you were typing this message

they all look good though, any suggestions as to driving time (how much is Glacier3000?)

[Ripzalot]

Originally posted by AH
I've been trying to find some of your TR's as you were typing this message

they all look good though, any suggestions as to driving time (how much is Glacier3000?)

from geneva, G3000 would be approx 1.5 hours.

[Mulletizer]

Originally posted by Ripzalot
yes, see my trip report below!

EDIT: some other ideas....

frenchside (approx 1-1.5 hours away) - flaine, portes du soleil (morzine, les gets, avoriaz)

swissside (approx 1.5-2 hours away) - leysin, villars, les diablerets, verbier, portes du soleil (champery, les crosets, morgins, chatel, torgon)

I am sorry, we have nothing more to add... That answer was perfect.

[Ripzalot]

Originally posted by Mulletizer
I am sorry, we have nothing more to add... That answer was perfect.

Technically, there are also some stations above Geneva in the jura, but really too small to be considered to anyone posting here. There are probably a few one-lifters on the frenchside I don't know about too.

AH, shout when you come over and perhaps we can hook up. I'm primarily a weekend warrior at this point, but I can make exceptions for big pow (naturally!).

[AH]

This might be somewhere later on in the season, but I will be in Verbier for the Xtreme Verbier in the weekend of the 20th. After that, I'm prolly of to St. Anton for a couple of days.

[Idris]

Chamonix...except no substitute....give me a shout before ya get here....and I'll try and escape from work to ski

[Hicks]

What about La Cluzat (France)?

[AH]

Originally posted by Idris
Chamonix...except no substitute....give me a shout before ya get here....and I'll try and escape from work to ski

Yeah, but I'm scared of you guys.. Seriously though, I was asking for a friend of mine, but all these spots.. it should make a nice roadtrip, now wouldn't it?

[Lostinthetrees]

It is La Clusaz. It is in France. The town is a ghetto of commercialism and the valley is so full of big condo, ski chalets, and traffic you will have a tough time finding where to park and get on the lift. Seriously, it is over-built and full of day-trippers from Geneve. Please spend your money somewhere else. They do not need it.

Off-season, I would reco driving thru La Clusaz up to the Col des Aravis. Great point of departure for hiking, rock scrambling, backpacking. The entire chain of the Aravis offer great hiking, challenging rock climbing and great views towards Mont Blanc and the FR / Ital Alpes south of Mont Blanc.


Ripzalot gave you the drive times. Here is my 2 cents:

PDS France
Quickest entry point from downtown Geneve is Les Gets ~ 1h 20 min. You come up thru a beautiful tight canyon from Taningnes and before entering the town you will find a big parking lot on your right and a 6 pack detachable newly installed. About 23 euro gets you a combined Les Gets and Morzine ticket. It is a bargin. Powder day... it provides great mix of terrain for all abilities.

Avoriaz, FR - got to add 25 - 30 minutes drive time to get to the Telepherique des Prodains. Buy the combined FR and CH liason ticket. Allows you to ski back and forth into FR and CH. Depending on conditions and crowds at Avoriaz you may want to be on the CH side for a good part of the day. Avoriaz is an over-developed factory of ski.

But, you can move quickly from Avoriaz to Chatel Linga. If no crowds you will find some great skiing off-piste in Linga. But, crowds can become a real bummer in the lift lines! I am in Linga at 9 and out at 11.

Chatel - skip it. Great wide groomers, mostly like CO skiing. But, lacks excitement, few off-piste, and many flat sections. Can become crowded on sunny days.

PDS CH
Torgon, CH - skip it. For me it is only a quick access point. Without knowledge of the area and liasons you will waste time figuring out how to get from there to here and back. Little snow this season and little off-piste ops.

Morgins, CH - skip it. It is a pictureque town on a very small scale, but it is like Torgon for me. A point of departure and if with only 2 days you may get frustrated wondering where the great off-piste is. I do like staying here w/ my family.

Les Crosets, CH - Good access to a variety of terrain. Purchase the CH/FR ticket. You will want to go over to Avoriaz, FR part of your day. This is my favorite access point on the CH side. Try to stay overnight here. Limited housing, but you will love the slopeside access, great views, and it is small scale development... very unlike Avoriaz...

Champery, CH - reco staying overnight here, too. Plenty of hotels/hostels with a variety of price ranges. Same for resto's. Interesting village. Great views of Les Dents du Midi. Just like Les Crosets, you can quickly access Avoriaz so buy the CH/FR ticket.

Write if you are coming and want to hook-up. To be honest, we (Ripzalot and I) are spoiled here. We have such great skiing ops so close by that we look closely at the weather and ski conditions and make decisions last minute. He makes some great choices, too!

LITT